My Latest Evaluation (
User
Rating
:
50 /50 )
Last year I wrote a negative review about MS Streets & Trips 2002. Based on my recent extensive 10,000-mile driving experience, I would like to post my updated evaluation. All fair and honest evaluation should be based on the merits of product features with respect to other competing products. This year MS Streets & Trips 2002 (ST2K2) won the competition. First of all, NONE of the mapping software products published today can exceed 85% accuracy. All reviewers complaint about ST2K2 inaccracy in terms of addresses and suggested routes is correct; on the other hand, other competing products are even worse. For example, from Anchorage to Whittier, Alaska, all mapping software products suggested 300-mile route is completely wrong. My actual route took only 1 hour and 30 minutes. Similarly, the visitor centers or entrances of most National Parks such as Denali and Grand Canyon are miles away from the actual locations. The deliberate delay in displaying updated GPS position is another minor annoyance. With the default delay, its impractical and, sometimes, extremely dangerous to use ST2K2 for city driving because drivers wont be allowed sufficient time to change lanes or turn left/right.
The problem is caused by software publishers greedy goal of profit maximization at the expense of mapping accuracy by launching newer versions every year. The sad fact is the latest verion doesnt always promise better accuracy.
For year 2002, I recommend MS Streets & Trips 2002 for its highest accuracy relative to other competing products. Above all, its user interface is by far the most intuitive. You can master the product in 15 minutes.
Lets face the fact that all mapping products are inaccurate. Instead, I insert plenty of pushpins for the actual location of gas stations, hightway rest areas,...etc. By the way, your pushpin data can be transferred to a handheld PC or an iPAQ.
