Customer Reviews
I love Delorme Maps but the GPS is hard to use 
2008-08-09
I love Delorme Maps but the GPS is hard to use. I also own a Garmin 660 which I used last year to navigate thru western Canada and several western states. I wanted the Delorme GPS to use with my laptop to give a broader view of the area I was traveling than the small Garmin screen could give. Unfortunately it is not particularly easy to set up the Delorme GPS to accomplish this purpose, let alone setup routing instructions. The Garmin is much better suited to this purpose and to giving directions. If you don't have or can't afford a good GPS like the top rated Garmins' this is an inexpensive alternative, but it will require concerted effort to use.
Wrong way on a one way 
2008-08-05
Simple review,
The software told me to turn the wrong way into oncoming traffic.
I had a chance to use the Streets and Trips and I was impressed with the routing software and the user interface.
I doublt that the Delorme product will be around much longer. I purchased it because of the company's reputation of great topographic map software, but this product is dangerous.
Earthmate GPS much improved 
2008-07-30
I've owned both of the previous versions of the Earthmate GPS and have always had problems holding a signal, particularly when using it on trains where sky exposure is less than optimal. I bought the LT-40 because it claims significantly better performance in acquiring and holding weak signals over the LT-20. While I haven't used the unit extensively yet, preliminary indications are that performance is in fact much improved. Do not consider buying the older LT-20 even if it is offered at a much lower price!
Updating my Street Atlas from 2005 to 2009 was a secondary consideration in my purchase, but it was worth the price alone.
Street Atlas USA 2009 A Much Improved Version 
2008-07-21
This is my 4th version of Street Atlas USA (2009, w/ LT-40 GPS) First one was given to me by my wife as a birthday gift, and I've grown to love the program. I use an old laptop (Compaq 1800T)w/ Windows 2000 Pro, w/14.2" screen in my car, prop it up on a pillow on the center console, and Voila! -- a much better presentation than the many squinty-eyed 4"X4" screen versions that proliferate the market. In addition, my touch pad is near the user end of the computer, making it easy to access while I'm on the go, and the speakers are also on that same side of the computer, making voice commands easier to hear.
True, DeLorme Software takes a while to get used to, especially if you are a typical Windows user. But after a while, getting around the Nav screen gets easier and pretty soon its real easy to use.
To give it a true test, I recently made a trip from Florida to Wisconsin & return, 3000 miles in all. In previous versions, there was a definite problem with intermittent satellite signal loss, but not so with the 2009 LT-40 GPS version. During the entire trip, I never lost the satellite signal -- not even once, which I found to be remarkable.
My computer only has 196MB RAM, although DeLorme recommends 256MB as a minimun -- in spite of that the program worked great -- sometimes a little sluggish, especially when changing screen ratios during 3D view, but nothing I couldn't live with.
The 3D presentation in this version is, in my opinion, perhaps the greatest improvement DeLorme has made to this program. It looks like you're flying, as the top of screen always represents the direction in which you're driving, so the map, contours, etc., rotate constantly on the screen as you turn corners, round curves, and so on. Reminds me of flying -- like you're looking out of the cockpit of an airplane. You can go down to a very low ratio where you're flying along, and you can see exits, and crossroads fly by at an amazing clip. Or you can back out to a point where your map actually ends at the curvature of the earth. Or anywhere in between. Totally cool.
So I am a confirmed Street Atlas USA user. Very happy with this latest version and would recommend it to anyone.
Cheap... does what it said to do at this price! 2008-07-20
This is very cheap GPS unit. It does what it's supposed to do (at this price). The unit seem to be somewhat delay to tell you which way you need to turn... especially when you are in town with turn-by-turn distance is very close. (I've not used any other GPS...so I cannot compare.) Howeve, if you intend to use it on highway or inter-city traveling, it should be okay and works well.
Works great, Even in the air - Worth the money! 2008-07-19
Make it easier to plan your trip with Earthmate GPS LT-40. Now you can turn your laptop PC or UMPC into a full-fledged GPS Navigator at a better price. Just plug it into the USB port of your device and secure the receiver on your vehicle's dash. You get faster satellite acquisition and surefire signal retention even in challenging GPS environments. GPS tracking is easier than ever with NavMode, including optional 3-D perspective and larger, more accessible controls. The included Street Atlas USA 2009 will help you locate yourself. Know where you're going with street-level detail and over 4 million places of interest in the U.S. and Canada for when you're looking for something specific.
Automatic back-on-track Street-level detail for the U.S. and Canada, highways and main roads in Mexico Over 4 million places of interest in U.S. and Canada Easy, automatic routing GPS ready, with voice-guided navigation Versatile, flexible editing and print capabilities Application included for mapping, routing, and GPS navigation with Palm OS, Windows Mobile devices Incorporate aerial imagery into your maps and routes - download $40 worth free Share customized maps, routes, and directions with others via a secure Web link GPS-accurate placement for individual locations in 90+ chains in the U.S. and Canada Truck stop data with extended information about service offerings 900+ malls and access roads Airport access roads Major sports venue - college, professional, NASCAR Translucent route highlights to better display underlying map data Support for multiple monitors
mixed bag........ 2008-07-19
This is a difficult item to review simply....in part because it is three different items (hardware, software, compatibility). I'll review them separately. I am an established Delorme customer, with a long history of their products (10-12 states of TopoQuads, a Xmap license, both 1.0 and 2.0 versions of 3D TopoQuad software).
The GPS unit itself is really a gem of a product in its own right and an update of the earlier Earthmate GPS units. I rate the LT-40 highly (5/5). It is small light and
accurate/fast, from my experience. On a cross-country trip, it rarely was off the road centerline. My only gripe is very poor (well -- Non! ) support of this unit in earlier software products XMAP and 3DTopoQuads. This is not documented by Delorme, and in fact there is an Earthmate link and a USB option in the earlier software. Also, their web site suggests it should work, and there are instructions for installing a Serial-USB emulator that will allow it to work as an NMEA device (it didn't work!). I also obtained some support from Delorme trying to get it to operate. But their tech support had to eventually say "we don't guarantee backward compatibility..." for their own product to work with their own product. 5/5 (but see compatibility below...)
The software is good to work with in 2-D mode and follows the tried-true Delorme right panel/bottom panel navigation model. The 3-D mode does have a nice "big number" mode that is useful on the road, although the 3-D view reminds one of a bad video game and is only useful for people who absolutely cannot read maps. The routes one chooses do have to be checked and if necessary "fine tuned" by adding "via" points, but that is surely true of all navigation software. I like the customizable preferences for speed/road type. Yes the Microsoft Mary and Mike voices are dreary, but one can't blame that on Delorme (I am waiting for Microsoft Obama.....with proceeds going to the Hillary campaign fund!!). But the voice interface has great potential for vehicle work, and I plan to experiment with a microphone for software control. Voice speed can also be tinkered with, and we found that slowing Mike down made him more understandable. My main complaint is that the top-line interface is non-intuitive, with no "File/Edit" bar and just a bunch of fairly non-customizable icons. 4/5
Compatibibility: poor. No, completely lame. I think it is unconscionable how poor the support of the LT-40 is for earlier Delorme TopoQuad software, and, for that matter, why can't Street Atlas support earlier state 3-D topo quads. This is either bad design/engineering by Delorme, or extortion of users to have to re-purchase data products (I have $1500 or so invested now). This is complicated by the fact that the state TopoQuad series no longer exists and one now has to purchase the whole country in DVD (same maps...) to get new software that will work with this GPS. Come on guys -- patch your supported products to allow us to use the LT-40 with Topo Quads, or patch street atlas to work with topo quads. If the LT-40 is not supported by earlier Delorme products then you should at least have the courage (chutzpah?) to state this in black and white in marketing materials and on your web site. 0/5
Average 3/5 for an excellent little GPS unit, from a very frustrated Delorme user.....
Much improved 2008-07-14
I had a Copilot Navigator 9.0 before but the GPS device died after one trip so I was looking for another one with updated map and new feature and this one was on sale for $50 so I thought I tried.
As stated, this new device was quick to acquire the signal unlike my old one which can take 15 mins to do that. So this one is really good and I love it. The map is 2009 I have the latest map data. The software took a while to adjust to as I was already used to the Copilot.
This product qualifies for free super saver shipping. I need it within a week so I upgraded the shipping to standard. Amazon shipped it from Memphis which is 2 hrs away from Little Rock and it took them 6 days to get here which is ridiculous. I do realize they said standard shipping take 3-5 business days but come on it's 2 hrs driving. I ordered stuff from newegg all the time and they shipped it from Memphis within 2 days. Amazon should learn from newegg.
Pros:
1. Quick to acquire signal (#1 reason to buy)
2. Map is updated (#2 reason to buy).
3. Software has a lot of features and customization.
4. Ability to download aerial image of location and impose it on the map which I think is neat. The software comes with free $40 of images you can download.
5. Ability to search of POIs. Several times we wanted to know where walmarts were or where shopping malls were and it found them for us from where we were.
Cons:
I mainly have the issues with the software. The device is working as advertise and I love its quickness to get the signal.
1. Point of Interests(POIs) - I like what Copilot navigator did on this. With Copilot navigator you can just tell it to display or not to display upcoming POIs, how far ahead you like to search, what kinds of POIs and it will automatically search for these POIs along the trip. So you only set it once and it will do that for every trip. With Earthmate you have to search them ahead before or during the trip every time and whenever there is a POI coming up it lets you know but instead of a display it has a red info bar on the map where you click on it for more information. With Copilot it displayed the POI on a pop up window for 10s with voice and then close it which is very convenient. I found at times that I had to click on the button with Earthmate to bring up more info on the POI which is troublesome when you drive.
2. I tested this new device & software on a trip to Dallas and for the most part it did a great job. Dallas has so many on going road/highway construction that it's impossible to get new the new road data. Some roads were closed but now opened. Twice we had to drive trace back to previous road since the software didn't know where we were. On one location it took us to a wrong place. We were looking for the Restland Cemetary in Garland and the address number must have been mixed up or something but the location took us to was way ahead of what it was. We ahd to drive several blocks to get to the correct place.
3. Voice navigation could be a little better.
4. The 3-D tracking view isn't as good my old Copilot. The road/street names aren't easily readable. The high contrast color which it says should help with daytime driving didn't really help much. My old Copilot was better. I used the 2-D view and it's better.
Overall I am satisfy with this and I look forward to another trip with it.
Complicated and Requires a Lot of Time 2008-07-14
This software DOES NOT WORK AS ADVERTISED!!!!!!!!!! I have had the GPS receiver plugged in for over four hrs (outside with clear sky) and no connection and the mapping software cannot find simple address that Google and Map Quest find with no problem. I tried the advanced find and it gave me an address right up the road from my starting address (when it is actually about 75 miles).....this is a waste of valuable time!!!!!!!!! Their advert said "plug and play" which is not the case......This software will take days to figure out, if it works at all......every hr I spend with it raises the cost by $150 and I am not spending $1000 of dollars for it. They need to simplify it and make it smarter.... maybe hiring someone away from Google Maps might be the answer... Bottom line it is too complicated and requires a lot of time and effort to get up and running. I could see spending time to learn a software app if I could earn money using it. However, spending countless hrs with an app like this is waste of time......Easier to just go get a Garmin to help find your way.................
CRAP 2008-07-13
My Streets and Trips GPS receiver broke and I was using a Garmin etrex with Franson emulator. We are taking a 10 day driving trip of Washington State and I'd thought I'd try a competing product. What a mistake. Street names were always listed as "unknown,"."THAT REALLY IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Fortunatey I had STREETS AND TRIPS without a GPS receiver, I could only as a route planner from which we could create a written route. I can't use the DeLorme GPS receiver with Streets and Trips as there is a driver issue. A very poor program not worth any amount of money.
Unfortunately we are still in WASHINGTON STATE for 8 more days without a GPS routing system AND MY WIFE IS NOT HAPPY WITH ME.
