Customer Reviews

DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2006 [Old Version]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I've been using Street Atlas since version 7, and my biggest complaint is they just don't update them very quickly. They claim they have added 268,000 new streets. Maybe, but not where I live. They are at least 3 years behind on major route changes. It isn't all bad. It's basically a pretty good program. That is why I've bought version after version. I use it with my notebook computer and the GPS adapter. However, this year I also bought a Garmin C320 stand alone GPS It puts Street Atlas to shame, and includes roads that are less than a year old. I'll continue to use both, but I don't think I will be running out to buy the next upgrade for Street Atlas.

I bought this to use to map out bike routes and running routes, but more importantly to electronically measure these routes. Works like a charm. I use it to find Bike/Running events, places to stay, etc. It is exactly what I need. Do have to say that it is a little hard to get used to. It wasn't as intuitive as some Microsoft products, but I think that this product is actually better.

Having used products by 'you-know-who' for several years, I found this product to be amazingly easy to learn, absolutely flawless in execution and so simple to get up and going that it is totally usable right out of the box! Not to mention that on my GPS-equipped laptop it can function just like one of the $1500-$2000 pre-installed units that car manufacturers charge; and provide much more flexibility. How many of you out there have automapping and directions AND you can talk TO it? (and it understands and answers you back!) Far superior to previously used products, this is a real gem... I love the way it easily generates maps, routes and directions, plus allows you to build both an "Address Book" and modify current roads when they change - something I've been asking you-know-who for for years, now!

I just upgraded from Street Atlas version 8. I live in a major tourist area in central Missouri, Lake of the Ozarks. What I found were that the POI's in the area were lacking. Only one restaurant was shown, There are dozens of great restaurants in the area. Fast food places like McDonalds, KFC, Taco Bell, Sonic, Subway, have all been here for more than 8 years and are not shown. Wal Mart is shown on the wrong side of the street and about 1.5 miles form its actual location. Of the 7 major gas stations in town, none are shown. When routed through town, rather than making a left turn at our only stop lignt, it routed me on a side street that required 2 illegal and almost impossible left turns. A toll bridge that is a major shortcut across the lake and has been in operation for 8 years is not shown. I just paid for overnight shipping so I could plan a trip for the weekend. If what I see locally is any example of what I will find elsewhere, this software is useless to me.

The DeLorme Street Atlas USA is a good mapping program. It is not a great mapping program as it has some errors in its locations and getting directions from point to point is an art - if you know a better way to go than the program. You can eventually get it to route you the way you want to go, but it is not always easy. The 2006 now includes an Avoid feature which may correct this.

The BEST feature of the DeLorme when used with a GPS device - like the DeLorme LT-20 with you labtop in a vehicle is that you CAN TALK TO THE PROGRAM and it will understand a set list of questions and reply. NO other program or GPS unit will do this. You say "Where am I?" and it will tell you exactly where you are without your having to look at the computer screen. You say, "What is the next turn?" and it tells you what and when the next turn will be without your looking at the screen. All you need is a laptop with a microphone or plug in a lapel microphone into your laptop and you are ready to go.

Voice prompts on this program are FAR BETTER than Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006. This program tells you clearly where you are and where you are going to turn. Sometimes voice prompts are too explicit with each turn onto the exit ramp, on the exit ramp, and then off the exit ramp told to you at each point.

With the entire counrty to map and keep up with road changes, the program cannot be faulted for missing a few streets in a state. I have found it to be 98% accurate - and you have the ability to modify the maps to correct a street or a location if you find something out of place.

If you do not have a GPS device to connect to your laptop buy the LT-20 set that includes Street Atlas 2006. It is worth the extra $50 or less.

I purchased Delorme Street Atlas USA 2006 w/gps LT-20 receiver a few days ago and don't like it at all. The software is very hard to navigate and is extremely outdated (at least in Colorado). I am working on getting my money back at this time. Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time and buy the Microsoft Streets & Trips product w/GPS instead.

I really cannot recommend this software. I don't know why DeLorme refuses to use the simple windows interface. Nothing is where you would expect it to be. There isn't even a simple "Save As" dialog box. There is no way to name anything the way YOU want to name it and the print dialog box doesn't allow you to just print a couple of the pages you need from a 30 page document.

This really is NOT good software.

don't buy it.

I've been using Street Atlas USA for several years. I usually upgrade every other year, but this year I am still debating. I'm currently using Version 2004, and I find it considerably more difficult to operate than the previous version.

One complaint so major that I never use the feature is printing directions. Talk about wasting paper! Maps are generally accurate; some errors and lack of newer roads seem to be the same on Mapquest and other programs as well. For plotting routes, be aware of where you want to go and feel free to insert VIAS to force Street Atlas to take the generaal route you have in mind. This is also true with GPS units. They will get you there, but the route is not always the best. For example, from southeastern PA headed for TN, SA takes me through Baltimore & Washington (beltways)which is insane.

Nevertheless, I think Street Atlas is the best mapping program out there. I will upgrade, but I may wait another year. BTW, I have been getting better prices from Amazon (new product) than from Delorme's upgrade price plus no sales tax.

Like a previous reviewer, I also purchased the Garmin C320 GPS unit, and I agree that it blows Street Atlas away. That is one reason why I may delay a SA upgrade for now. If you hear the voice directions on the Garmin, you will not be able to tolerate the Street Atlas voice.

The interface is the same confusing tabbed interface DeLorme has used in the last versions (love it or hate it - I hate it).

They finally fixed the ability to search for an address that isn't on the current screen by using advanced search to enter a city and state or zip code (something earlier versions did but that DeLorme broke when they switched to the tab interface).

The big problem is grossly outdated map files. There may be lots of updates SOMEWHERE in their map files, but in the Louisville Kentucky area the map files are more than two years out of date. I'm not talking about some back road out in the country or a brand new subdivision. Louisville is one of the 20 largest cities in America and StreetAtlas 2006 completely omits major through routes in downtown Louisville.

Grossly outdated maps are totally unacceptable in a product that requires buying a complete new version every year or two just to get supposedly "updated" map files.

We purchased and used this software for a trip to FL this spring and found it helpful(but slow)in locating motels along and ahead of our travel path. And several times we did have to stop and ask directions. Map detail was suitable for most of our locations, but twice we were greatly disappointed.

The first boo boo happened in N. Florida as we were driving to an associate's gulf coast home. The software took us over 15 miles of "hunting roads" - apparently to get the shortest route. We were later told, by the associate, that we were lucky it was not raining or the sandy roads would have been impassable without a 4-wheel drive truck.

The second problem that turned me off on the software was the inability to find a certain motel in the Chattannoga area along I-75. It directed us off the interstate in N. GA. and had us circling a small area - while telling us "off course". After asking directions, we found we were in the wrong state (GA instead of TN) and had to get back on the interstate and go about 20 miles further up I-75 before exiting. This time we called the motel and had them "talk" us in.

Two weeks ago a purchased MicroSoft Steets and Trips software and we will see how it compares. Wish we could take the FL trip again to see how it compares. Oh well maybe next year.