Review by XNOR

There are a couple of choices when you are looking for your trip guidance and maps software/equipment.

I am going to compare Microsoft streets and maps to other choices available and let you decide if this is right for you:nnMicrosoft streets & trips v/s Delorome earthmate LT-40 GPSn==========================================================nWhile both of these come with software + hardware (GPS dongle). I found Delorome earthmate to be better than Microsoft Streets and trips for these reasons:n(1) Better live navigation - The voice and guidance from Delorome is way better than MS streets & trpsn(2) Delerome is 3D presentation while MS streets & trips is just 2d presentationn(3) Delerome costs $39 while ms streets & trips cost $54 - at the time of this reviewnnMicrosoft streets & trips v/s Online maps - google, yahoo, MS liven==========================================================n(1) Good - MS Streets is way faster than any of the online mapsn(2) Good - MS streets does not need internet connection unlike online maps - literally works everywheren(3) Bad - MS streets & trips requires you to upgrade every year for updated map information and POI (points of interests) such as restaurants, gas stations, while online maps do not need you to subscribe to any updatesn(4) Bad - Online versions contain street view (in google), birds eye view in (MS live) and satellite view (in all online maps) while MS streets and trips does not contain any photographynnMicrosoft streets & trips v/s Portable GPS units (Garmin/Tom-Tom) …n==========================================================n(1) Good - MS streets & trips can be viewed on a larger screen on your laptop v/s tiny screens on a portable GPS unitsn(2) Good - MS streets & trips costs much lower than portable GPS unitsn(3) Bad - Portable GPS units are far more portable, easy to view(can be fixed on the windshield) compared to MS streets and tripsn(4) Bad - Portable GPS units are more user friendly with easy to navigate interface and touch screens while MS Streets and trips requires use of computer keys which can be distracting as well as cumbersomennSafety concerns:n================nLastly I have a few safety concerns about using this product on your laptop while drivingn(1) Unless your laptop is fixed well into the car - it can be flying object hazard. If your car/truck stops all of a sudden, the laptop can be a projectile and hit the person in the passenger seat/rear seatnn(2) Never drive and navigate on this software on your laptop sitting on a passenger seat - I have done that and let me tell you that it can be very distracting. Even a few seconds off the road can mean something serious.

Tips:n======nIf you are going to buy this product, I would suggest that you also get yourself a car invertor - a unit that converts your automobile 12V DC to 110v AC. This way you will be able to connect your laptop powersupply in your car !