Street Atlas 2008?

[John Wetter]

Hello Everyone,

I currently am still running Delorme Street Atlas 2006. Has anyone purchased 2008? Does it seem to be a worthwhile update? I don't really need any new features over 2006, so this would just be for the street update basically. Just wanted to see if anyone else has updated yet or if they plan to. With the crazy urbanization around the Twin Cities area, I'm wondering if the GIS data update justifies the cost.

-John

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

I now have Street Atlas 2008, though for me it was an upgrade from Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006. While I like the features, feel, and look of the Delorme 2008 software better, I can say that in terms of maps there are no noticeable changes. Using some roads that I know have been around for at least 4 years and didn't appear on Microsoft 2006 as an example, I was surprised to find they still don't appear on the 08 Delorme software.

 

[Tony Laubach]

I just purchased the 2008 Street Atlas and Topo 7.0 bundle and am awaiting its arrival. I'm hopeful they make it in before this weekend in the event I end up chasing. Curious about Topo's GPS image thingie mostly, but just new software tools to play with in the hotel! LOL

 

[Bob Hartig]

I had 2007, liked it, and subsequently bought 2008. It's inexpensive enough that staying current doesn't hurt. I like 2008 well enough, but probably didn't need the upgrade. Interestingly, its shortest route from Caledonia, MI, to an address in Washington, DC, took me straight across Lake Erie. That's a fancy bit of navigation and an improvement on 2007, which kept me boringly confined to actual roads, but I'm not sure my Buick Century is up to the adventure.

 

[Phil Kurimski]

We used DeLorme 2007 last year and often ended up at the dead end of a road that DeLorme insisted continued on its merry way. This happened so much the phrase "we got DeLormed again" was spoken several times. This year we are giving S&T a spin...hopefully it will be more accurate. You don't need to find out a road does not continue when you have a supercell bearing down on you during a chase.

 

[Blake Michaleski]

I run Street Atlas 2008. Overall its fine, but on occasion I do find what I would consider significant errors. There is a new exit on the interstate in Louisiana near my home town that has been open for a couple of years now that DNE on Street Atlas. Also I find rather often that roads are there on the map but are inaccurate, I'll be driving what looks like 50-100 yards next to it and then slowly I merge back onto the road on the map. I thought that it was a GPS error but I can repeat it every time.

All in all, its a very easy to use software package and I feel satisfied with it in general. Is it perfect? No. But I'm quite certain they all have their flaws.

 

[Jerry Prsha]

No. But I'm quite certain they all have their flaws.

I think we all need to realize that all of these mapping programs get their data from external sources and sometimes they're derived from the same place.

I'm not sure what the "fix" really is except keeping our eyes on the terrain as much as the air while chasing?

 

[Jason Foster]

Best, but not good

I personally find Delorme to be the best program, and the most widely used, especially amongst chasers.

However, they have a terrible time keeping up-to-date with the road changes. I travel up and down the east coast quite a bit, especially around the mid-Atlantic (DC area). There are roads and neighborhoods still missing after 10 years. It's like owning a Randy McNally Map, not too many updates there either.

Talking to a Cartographer friend of mine, it's not that hard to get the updates, but it does take a ton of time to integrate the changes into a particular software. I suspect the inexpensive cost of the the program is a direct result of the fact they don't spend the money to keep things up to date.

 

[Gene Moore]

Hello Everyone, I currently am still running Delorme Street Atlas 2006. Has anyone purchased 2008? Does it seem to be a worthwhile update? -John

They update the roads every year, that said there are mistakes. Still, it's dangerous to at least not have the latest version, especially when plowing through heavy rain at night on unfamiliar roads. I've been led out into the "cow patties" a few times where there were alleged to be roads, it's all part of the risk in taking the gray paths, or lessor traveled routes. One of the issues that causes problems is they use satellite images to find roads, especially secondary ones. I think the biggest problem with this is it's difficult to tell the improved roads (gravel) from the pure dirt/mud roads. If you turn down a dirt road that has no rock, especially in Oklahoma, the vehicle may wind up in fender high gumbo slime. Still, I'm better off with the program than without it.

 

[J Kinkaid]

The new version of Microsoft Streets and trips is horrible. It uses Windows vista activation and I had trouble getting my legit version to work

 

[mrobinett]

Updated mine from 2005, I was waiting for the exit updates here in Florida, 2008 has it.
I havent really noticed much change, like the DVD format.

 

[Scott Roberts]

The lack of map accuracy or updates is one reason to run multiple maps...in my case, I usually run the TIGER files for the area I'm chasing in GR3, plus running Street Atlas...then I limit myself to the roads that show as through on both...haven't gone wrong yet with that...

Add in the Atlas and Gazetteer and I'd think you pretty well have it all covered!

 

[Kurt Hulst]

Bob Hartig have they put M-6 on the 08 version yet. I still have the 2006 version and I am fine with it. I have read some where that the GPS and roads are more accurate on 2006 and there is some glitch in 2008 that occasionally will show that you are off course from the road you are actually on. I read that Street Atlas has updated so many roads but is this true advertising?

 

[Chris Kridler]

Has anyone tried DeLorme's new Earthmate GPS LT-40? It's supposed to acquire satellites faster, among other things. I wonder if it's worth the extra buckage.
Chris K.

 

[Bill Tabor]

They update the roads every year, that said there are mistakes. Still, it's dangerous to at least not have the latest version, especially when plowing through heavy rain at night on unfamiliar roads. I've been led out into the "cow patties" a few times where there were alleged to be roads, it's all part of the risk in taking the gray paths, or lessor traveled routes. One of the issues that causes problems is they use satellite images to find roads, especially secondary ones. I think the biggest problem with this is it's difficult to tell the improved roads (gravel) from the pure dirt/mud roads. If you turn down a dirt road that has no rock, especially in Oklahoma, the vehicle may wind up in fender high gumbo slime. Still, I'm better off with the program than without it.

Gene's correct here. I'm still running the 2005 and could use an update. Regardless I've already been burned twice this chase season being led off into back roads that often dead end into a private ranch gate with no other road options. It is obvious a road hasn't existed there for 20 years, so I doubt the update would have helped in this case. Fortunately for me this was not a safety issue at the time. But realize if you do have a tornado down chasing you, or a bad part of the storm you want to avoid do not solely rely on Street Atlas roads (primarily the secondary smaller type roads) for your safety. It's not much fun to get to the end of the line with no options and literally pinned against the fence with something unpleasant coming at you. Choose a slightly better paved hwy if in doubt. Also keep in mind that even if it is a good road there could be construction completely stopping you, or there may be a bridge out. Couple of years ago I experienced the bridge out with Gene. We had just left a hail core with probably quarter size hail at the time, and we were expecting the stones to get larger and a tornado to form. Our position against the bridge would have been close to the path of any tornado, and nearby there weren't any other roads. So, it could have been worse. As it was I just punched it back to where we came and all was good, but it won't always be like that. In the past we also missed a good tornado just a stone's throw across a rancher's field because we came to one of those dead ends. To go around would have taken another hour at that point. Point of all this is be aware of these gps mapping program's limitations and navigate wisely with respect to all that. Always keep a paper backup map such as 'Roads of' State series or Gazetteer maps by Delorme.