#MICROSOFT STREETS AND TRIPS 2006 CD117 HOW TO#
My previous trip in NY the GPS had me make a turn and at the next cross street the forward direction it wanted me to go had a sign stating, "Dead End." I flagged a motorist from the opposite direction and he told me how to get out and where the turn should be. One thing about GPS is that they do not always know when a road is not connected and you can get yourself into some situations that you do not want to be in.
Their height, with box, is 13' 6", and I'm only 12' 4". I always breathe a sigh of relief when I'm traveling on a side road and see an 18 wheeler coming from the opposite direction. If I'm sure of my route i will go to the American Independent Truckers Association web site and look at their low bridge clearances. MS S&T has allowed me to load a POI (Point of Interest) that has the low clearances. I have a TomTom 720 but it does not give low bridges so I will typically look at a map (I use Microsoft Street & Trips) for planning my next day's route. In case you're interested, most truckers who have to venture far from the main drag use a program called PCMiler or CoPilot Truck. We also run Microsoft Streets and Trips and DeLorme Street Atlas USA on the laptop.
#MICROSOFT STREETS AND TRIPS 2006 CD117 DRIVER#
In dash mount is pretty to look at, but just doesn't cut it for both the passenger or driver to use conveniently, or taking it with you in the car or when hiking. Janet and I use a Garmin nuvi 780 with the suction cup mount that lets us take it in the RV or the car, and mount it passenger side or driver side as we choose. We do lots of back road stuff, so we've gotten real good at watching for stations that can take our 33 foot rig and dinghy - just look for stations whoose fuel lanes are parallel to the building, not perpendicular. A CB radio is even better, because you can always catch another RV'er on the highway or a truck driver that can help you locate a good fuel stop. The Garmin points of interest feature (Where To, Points of Interest, Auto Services, Truck Stop) can be a big help. Pilot, for example, has very short lanes for cars, and no gas lanes for RV's. Truck stops are great if you've got diesel, but most can't take a big RV gas rig. Flying J caters to RV's and has RV fueling lanes. The biggest problem you'll run into is fueling locations. He uses a plain old Garmin nuvi 750, NOT truck or RV specific, and the MC Atlas. Our son is a tractor-trailer driver, so we get our atlas for free, although it's always last years version. It really depends on what kind of RV'er you're going to be, and by that I mean are you into the back roads or more a highway person? Like Tom Butler does, we also carry the truckers atlas (called Motor Carriers' Road Atlas). You ask a simple question with a very complicated answer.
Welcome to the wonderful world of RV'ing! I use it even when I know the route well, just to give me an idea of how we are progressing and when we may arrive. The thing I like most about the GPS is that it gives me a way of finding places I wouldn't know how to locate without stopping for directions and we all know about the male aversion to doing that! I also enjoy being able to know how far it is to the next turn and the total distance to our destination. Until you feel confident with yours, keep a good road atlas handy and use it as a means of modifying any route you don't feel confident about. It takes a while to learn how any GPS works best.
I've learned to listen to her "suggestions" so I don't have to look at her smug "I told you so" smile! My co-pilot/navigator keeps a trusty Rand McNally Truckers Atlas (Flying J has several versions) on her lap and we discuss what the GPS is planning and she gives me "suggestions" as to improving the route. When I am adventuresome, I'll select car and shortest route and then the roads get more interesting, sometimes too much so! Between those two it usually stays with the main roads. I program it for "bus" when I want the main highways and specify fastest route. I have a Garmin eTrex, not an in-dash installation but it allows me to select my preferences for routing.