GPS or Streets & Trips

[Bob N Deb]

I have a 2006 S&T and would like to upgrade to 2009 or a GPS unit. apart from personal preferences are there any real advantages of one over the other
Bob

["007"]

Some time ago I post this about about a 330C GPS it was after I had been using S&T and found out it was alot easier than mounting a laptop with the S&T on it.
Before a trip would down load and print trip but would find you were always going off route to explore which was not easy sometimes getting back on route.
With a GPS your trip is loaded and you just hit destination and your on your way and if you did go off route while travelling the GPS would bring you right back on route.
Costs have come way down and there are many to choose from.

[FLYTYER]

Maybe others can chime and offer ideas and solutions, but I do not believe all GPS units can have a trip down loaded to it.

My Garmin Nuvi 250W is one of them. But I would not give up my Nuvi !!

For some GPS units I think you need the GPS manufacturer's software to accomplish this.

Those of you who have the experience should offer how you do it...this should help Bob N Deb make a good choice.

[two2go]

I have an obsolete Garmin GPS-V, but I still use it successfully with updated maps. I loaded the Garmin software and maps from the DVD onto my Windows computer. I can run the software on the computer and set up routes, POI's and waypoints. Then I connect the GPS to the computer and transfer my information to the GPS. It is much easier and faster than to input the info directly on this old GPS. The GPS still navigates well enough (although in 2" B&W with beeps only).
I also downloaded a Garmin program called nRoute for free. This program works on the laptop similar to Streets & Maps using the GPS as its nav source. Co-Pilot is another PC-based nav program that I hear works well on a PC.
If I had a new GPS with a larger color display, it might serve my needs well enough. Also, most tech reviewers seem to prefer stand-alone GPS's over PC-based navigation. Howerver, I like the detailed map reference available on the big PC screen for traveling in unfamiliar cities, so I probably will always use both.

["007"]

My GPS weather your on a 100 mile trip or 1000 mile trip has a menu where you select Campgrounds, Fuel stops, food stops and places of interest. When you select what you want it will list the locations within 10 miles to your front or rear as you travel down the highway.

[paz]

Your final choice will depend on what you want to do. We love our Nuvi for following our route while driving (it's small, simple, and has more POIs than DeLorme SA), but we use DeLorme SA 2009 for advance planning for a major trip.

With the bigger screen on the laptop, it's easier to get the big picture for a longer trip using DeLorme. Plus, the DeLorme software has more flexibility than the Nuvi, but that also makes DeLorme a little more complicated. Even though we have a GPS receiver to use with DeLorme on our laptop, the laptop is too big to have running all the time while traveling (especially in the toad). That's the reason we got the Nuvi - to use for following our route while on the road.

[smlranger]

I have used S & T for three years and love it. I love it to plan a trip, locate stops along the way, etc. In the coach I have added a pedestal and tray that lets us have the laptop with the small GPS module. It is easy to see and, as previously noted, lets you see more or less of the route depending on your preference.

My DW gave me a Nuvi 265WT for Christmas. Its OK but so far, I like S & T with the laptop better for the reasons previously mentioned. According to Garmin, you cannot download any routes to my Nuvi (even using their own MapSource software) so I cannot plan a route in advance and put it on the Nuvi. For me, the only real advantage of the Nuvi is its size and portability (we will use it in the toad).

[phays]

I use a gps and S&T 2009. I have been using a gps for several years for navigating while enroute and S&T for planning trips. With my recent purchase of S&T2009 I'm trying to use it for navigation. I still run my gps and rely on it for navigation. Maybe with time I will switch completely to S&T but right now I feel more comfortable navigating with the gps.

Just my 2cents worth.

[Bill Adams]

Bob and Deb,
I am not sure you have gotten an answer yet to S&T or GPS.
Both are very good. S&T requires that you have a computer with you and this can be both clumsy and a great theft risk.
While the GPS units can be stolen if you leave them out in the open when you leave your vehicle, it's much easier to conceal a GPS unit or take it with you.
I am a real fan of the stand-alone GPS units and I have had a Garmin Street Pilot (2610 and now 2720) for many years and it's a simple thing to move between the RV and the toad depending upon where I need it.
I doubt you are going to find anyone that will give you a good answer, but you will get a lot of personal opinion just like this one!

[Jocat54]

Bob the only real advantage, in my humble opinion, is as has already been stated and that a standalone gps is much smaller and easier to move and conceal.
I have S&T 2006 and a garmin nuvi 200w and a old polariod gps(junk) they have all done what they were designed to do, and they all have there problems.
Goodluck.

John

[John Hilley]

I have both and wouldn't want to make a trip without both. I use the S&T for planning and the GPS for navigation. I also have Garmin on my BlackBerry Storm, but haven't had a chance to use it outside the local area yet. I think I will enjoy having all three, the S&T for planning, the Garmin GPS for navigation and the Garmin on Storm for use while walking.

[Noelj]

I also have both, and use the S&T to plan trips and routes. I have found that all the mapping software has weird programming for routes from here to there. The guys that designed that must all be in India or somewhere. I pick my own routes with the computer, then set the Garmin Street Pilot to go that way. We really like that it gives us warnings about turns and lanes before we get to them. If I could upload from the computer to the Garmin it would be even better. BTW, I have a copy of Delorme maps, and you just can't get from here to there at all!! It has some of the weirdest routing I ever saw.