Author Topic: Carson City Nevada (Read 293 times)

Airscrew · « **on:** June 16, 2006, 10:35:59 AM »

Ok, looking for some trip planning software so i can map out my trip to Carson City NV. Anybody have any personnal favorites or suggestions? I've check out a few of the online trip planners and they're pretty generic and not as flexible as I like. I want to be able to input my actual driving speeds to get a closer approximation of drive times, I also want to be able to run it from my laptop while I'm on the trip and i'm pretty sure I wont find a wireless connection in the middle of the Senora desert.

Also one of you guys had a Model FW-190 that needed to get to Houston. I might be able to help with that. I'm planning on going through Tucson and Phoenix on the trip and I might have room in the van.

eagl · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2006, 10:44:53 AM »

Garmin and DeLorme have some neat little USB GPS units bundled with map software. They both cost about the same (around $100-$150) so it depends on what map software you like. They also use different gps interface standards and I think garmin uses an industry standard while delorme uses their own proprietary standard, but I could have that wrong since it's been a while since I bought one of these.

I got the delorme one several years ago and it was neat but it required 6 AAA batteries and the interface was custom and twitchy, so I quit using it. The new USB powered ones are pretty neat and some of them work with pocket PCs and palm devices.

If you have extra time, shop around, but you probably won't go wrong by just picking one and trying it out. A word of warning though, the one that bundles MS software probably works better with pocket PC devices than with palm devices.

Airscrew · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2006, 11:05:42 AM »

I saw some of those software/USB GPS units in Fry's a couple of weeks ago and they were about $70. I just dont see a need for the GPS. I've been driving cross country since 1979 and I know how to read a map, dealt with detours and getting "lost". I've seen a few guys GPS units and except for the coolness factor I dont see the benefit

eagl · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2006, 11:26:19 AM »

The GPS is a "neat to have" thing, and I've actually had one help me out once or twice when it turned out that my paper map was waaay out of date. But I really consider the GPS device to be a mere complement to the really useful part which is the software.

That said, some of the gps devices can interface to the tiny palm pilots or lightweight computers so they can be carried on camping or hiking trips. Yea the dedicated hiking GPS units are more weatherproof and reliable, but you can DL topo maps and other products to pocket PCs or palm pilots and then attach those tiny GPS devices, and that's a pretty awesome capability to have when doing the outdoorsman thing.

I've read too many stories about groups who died in the cold less than 1/4 mile from their camp to ever want to do any serious hiking without a gps.

rpm · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2006, 11:43:43 AM »

I used to drive cross country and I can see where a GPS would be handy for everyday use. But, I think a laptop with Mapblast or Google could do you just as good a job for a single trip.

Maverick · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2006, 11:48:56 AM »

If you are going to stick to the super slabs you have no need of any GPS, just get a freaking road map fer crying out load. Western highways are somewhat limited due to the lower population density.

When are ya leaving and when do you plan to be in Tucson? I'm back at DMAFB right now for medical work. If you can stop for a bit we can get together.

Airscrew · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2006, 11:59:57 AM »

I got a road atlas, thats not the issue, and I dont need a GPS, (although it might be cool to have for the trip just in case I decided to leave the main roads to look for ghost towns) I was just looking for trip planning software, then i can just print out the maps I need with hotel and sightseeing stops picked out before hand. I just want the ability to input my driving speeds to get a better approximation of the drive times.

My trip will start 4 July, should be in the Tucson area by 5th with a side trip to Tombstone with possible overnight at DM or Phoenix

Maverick · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2006, 12:17:54 PM »

Gotcha, With a bit of luck I hope to be able to leave Tsn by July but won't know for a bit yet. Too freaking hot here.