Best Software for Planning Rides

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

What I'd like is software app that will provide me street
maps, then let me select a route -- the actual streets --
and then give me the miles on each segment and the total
miles for that route.

There are a bunch of programs that let you plan car driving
routes. I haven't found one that's real good for cycling,
though. Some common problems:

1. They only support car routes. You cannot generate a
route that includes bike paths, dirt roads, cut-
throughs, etc. Only a few of the programs allow you to
draw your own roads.

2. Most of the programs do not show you where are the
hills, high traffic areas, water stops, etc. that are of
interest to cyclists.

3. Most programs have an automatic routing feature,
but it usually puts you on freeways that are off-
limits to bikes.

4. One program that comes close to being useful to
bicyclists is DeLorme TopoUSA. Unfortunately, the roads
database is very out-of-date. Also, the cumulative
elevation feature is very inaccurate.

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've recently discovered that very near my house in
upstate SC (Mauldin)

are

Quoted message said:

some nice country roads that offer great early am riding
(maybe later,

too,

Quoted message said:

but I have to get to these places). With a map book and
driving around, I've found a couple of routes that will
take me on 30 and 40+ mile rides. That got me to thinking
that some of these mapping / route / trip planning
software program might be useful for planning a route,
initially. Naturally, I'd drive the route once to see what
it presents in terms of hills, scenery, safety, etc.

What I'd like is software app that will provide me street
maps, then let

me

Quoted message said:

select a route -- the actual streets -- and then give me
the miles on each segment and the total miles for that
route. Then I'd like to be able to make tweaks to it to
adjust the miles. A nice printout of the entire

route

Quoted message said:

with miles on each segment would be nice too, go give to
people who may

ride

Quoted message said:

with me. Obviously, I'd like to store these so I can pick
among them depending on time available, who's riding with
me, etc.

Does anyone know if one of the available software programs
would meet my needs? Thanks.

I use DeLorme Street Atlas and Microsoft Streets and Trips
all the time to plan bike rides. They have different
limitations, but if you realize they're intended for drivers
and accept that, you can make either of them work for you.
My versions are quite old on both. DeLorme allows a variety
of printing options so that, when you get a route planned
out, it's easier to print yourself a map. Streets & Trips
has an easier route measuring feature, but it's severely
limited in terms of being able to print. One of your 40 mile
trips might take four pages to print out.

You should hook up with either the Greenville Spinners or
the Freewheelers of Spartanburg to learn routes in your
area. Those are both big clubs with lots of organized rides
and events.

Upstate, SC has the finest cycling on the planet ... bar
none (excepting for the many lousy tar and gravel roads and
all the bubbas in pickups).

Bob C. Calhoun Falls, SC (and formerly from Anderson)

I picked up a copy of microsoft steets & trips for about $15
(after rebate). It seems to have a fairly up to date road
list, lets me force a route by dropping intermediate points
in, and draws/prints pretty good looking maps.

Also, it includes pocket maps to let you download/view your
maps on a pocket PC, and will show your position on it if
you have a GPS.

I first tried a Rand McNally one that had a more CDs in it's
database, but found it really inaccurate and didn't like the
maps it made. I returned it and got the S&T instead.

-Kent-

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message -"]news:[email hidden]-
berlin.de...

Quoted message said:

I've recently discovered that very near my house in
upstate SC (Mauldin)

are

Quoted message said:

some nice country roads that offer great early am riding
(maybe later,

too,

Quoted message said:

but I have to get to these places). With a map book and
driving around, I've found a couple of routes that will
take me on 30 and 40+ mile rides. That got me to thinking
that some of these mapping / route / trip planning
software program might be useful for planning a route,
initially. Naturally, I'd drive the route once to see what
it presents in terms of hills, scenery, safety, etc.

What I'd like is software app that will provide me street
maps, then let

me

Quoted message said:

select a route -- the actual streets -- and then give me
the miles on each segment and the total miles for that
route. Then I'd like to be able to make tweaks to it to
adjust the miles. A nice printout of the entire

route

Quoted message said:

with miles on each segment would be nice too, go give to
people who may

ride

Quoted message said:

with me. Obviously, I'd like to store these so I can pick
among them depending on time available, who's riding with
me, etc.

Does anyone know if one of the available software programs
would meet my needs? Thanks.

Roger Zoul said:

What I'd like is software app that will provide me street
maps, then let me select a route -- the actual streets --
and then give me the miles on each segment and the total
miles for that route. Then I'd like to be able to make
tweaks to it to adjust the miles. A nice printout of the
entire route with miles on each segment would be nice too,
go give to people who may ride with me. Obviously, I'd like
to store these so I can pick among them depending on time
available, who's riding with me, etc.

With some creative techniques, Microsoft Streets & Trips
works great for this. You set the route preferences so that
small roads are faster and highways slow; and then, you
insert stops wherever you want the route to take a
different road.

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know if one of the available software programs
would meet my needs? Thanks.

A recent discovery: The software on my new Garmin Ique 3600
(integrated PDA and GPS with mapping software) will route
for bicycles. There's a setting for it.
--
Rick Onanian

Roger Zoul said:

I've recently discovered that very near my house in
upstate SC (Mauldin) are some nice country roads that
offer great early am riding (maybe later, too, but I have
to get to these places). With a map book and driving
around, I've found a couple of routes that will take me on
30 and 40+ mile rides. That got me to thinking that some
of these mapping / route / trip planning software program
might be useful for planning a route, initially.
Naturally, I'd drive the route once to see what it
presents in terms of hills, scenery, safety, etc.

What I'd like is software app that will provide me street
maps, then let me select a route -- the actual streets --
and then give me the miles on each segment and the total
miles for that route. Then I'd like to be able to make
tweaks to it to adjust the miles. A nice printout of the
entire route with miles on each segment would be nice too,
go give to people who may ride with me. Obviously, I'd
like to store these so I can pick among them depending on
time available, who's riding with me, etc.

Does anyone know if one of the available software programs
would meet my needs? Thanks.

I use DeLorme Street Atlas (2003). This does a pretty good
job for me.

The 2004 version is out now, and supposedly includes Canada
as well as the US. Price is about $50.

The routing function lets you set areas or types of roads to
avoid. You also can set average speeds for different road
types. As you develop routes, you can set locations that the
route must pass, and can set individual stop points along
the way as well.

They have a pretty good database of businesses, parks, and
other items of interest so you can find the neares ice cream
shop for your midpoint.

They support GPS, and you can download the route as
represented by all of the intersections onto your GPS. I
have a handlebar mount for my Garmin eTrex.

Also, you can create routable segments where you know that a
bikeable trail exists, and the program will route you
through it.

Delorme recently released Topo USA 5.0. This would handle
the climbing aspect as well, but I haven't used it so I'm
not sure if the routing is as good.

Roger Zoul said:

I've recently discovered that very near my house in
upstate SC (Mauldin) are some nice country roads that
offer great early am riding (maybe later, too, but I have
to get to these places). With a map book and driving
around, I've found a couple of routes that will take me on
30 and 40+ mile rides. That got me to thinking that some
of these mapping / route / trip planning software program
might be useful for planning a route, initially.
Naturally, I'd drive the route once to see what it
presents in terms of hills, scenery, safety, etc.

What I'd like is software app that will provide me street
maps, then let me select a route -- the actual streets --
and then give me the miles on each segment and the total
miles for that route. Then I'd like to be able to make
tweaks to it to adjust the miles. A nice printout of the
entire route with miles on each segment would be nice too,
go give to people who may ride with me. Obviously, I'd
like to store these so I can pick among them depending on
time available, who's riding with me, etc.

Does anyone know if one of the available software programs
would meet my needs? Thanks.

I use DeLorme Street Atlas (2003). This does a pretty good
job for me.

The 2004 version is out now, and supposedly includes Canada
as well as the US. Price is about $50.

The routing function lets you set areas or types of roads to
avoid. You also can set average speeds for different road
types. As you develop routes, you can set locations that the
route must pass, and can set individual stop points along
the way as well.

They have a pretty good database of businesses, parks, and
other items of interest so you can find the neares ice cream
shop for your midpoint.

They support GPS, and you can download the route as
represented by all of the intersections onto your GPS. I
have a handlebar mount for my Garmin eTrex.

Also, you can create routable segments where you know that a
bikeable trail exists, and the program will route you
through it.

Delorme recently released Topo USA 5.0. This would handle
the climbing aspect as well, but I haven't used it so I'm
not sure if the routing is as good.

Roger Zoul said:

I've recently discovered that very near my house in
upstate SC (Mauldin) are some nice country roads that
offer great early am riding (maybe later, too, but I have
to get to these places). With a map book and driving
around, I've found a couple of routes that will take me on
30 and 40+ mile rides. That got me to thinking that some
of these mapping / route / trip planning software program
might be useful for planning a route, initially.
Naturally, I'd drive the route once to see what it
presents in terms of hills, scenery, safety, etc.

What I'd like is software app that will provide me street
maps, then let me select a route -- the actual streets --
and then give me the miles on each segment and the total
miles for that route. Then I'd like to be able to make
tweaks to it to adjust the miles. A nice printout of the
entire route with miles on each segment would be nice too,
go give to people who may ride with me. Obviously, I'd
like to store these so I can pick among them depending on
time available, who's riding with me, etc.

Does anyone know if one of the available software programs
would meet my needs? Thanks.

I use DeLorme Street Atlas (2003). This does a pretty good
job for me.

The 2004 version is out now, and supposedly includes Canada
as well as the US. Price is about $50.

The routing function lets you set areas or types of roads to
avoid. You also can set average speeds for different road
types. As you develop routes, you can set locations that the
route must pass, and can set individual stop points along
the way as well.

They have a pretty good database of businesses, parks, and
other items of interest so you can find the neares ice cream
shop for your midpoint.

They support GPS, and you can download the route as
represented by all of the intersections onto your GPS. I
have a handlebar mount for my Garmin eTrex.

Also, you can create routable segments where you know that a
bikeable trail exists, and the program will route you
through it.

Delorme recently released Topo USA 5.0. This would handle
the climbing aspect as well, but I haven't used it so I'm
not sure if the routing is as good.

In 4. be sure you are using the current version of Topo.
Pick a short road segment and carefully calculate the
altitude gains and losses. Then let us know how many years
Topo roads are out of date and how many feet of extra
altitude gain it accummulates.

Ken said:

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in -"]news:[email hidden]-
berlin.de:

Quoted message said:

What I'd like is software app that will provide me
street maps, then let me select a route -- the actual
streets -- and then give me the miles on each segment
and the total miles for that route.

There are a bunch of programs that let you plan car
driving routes. I haven't found one that's real good for
cycling, though. Some common problems:

1. They only support car routes. You cannot generate a
route that includes bike paths, dirt roads, cut-
throughs, etc. Only a few of the programs allow you to
draw your own roads.

2. Most of the programs do not show you where are the
hills, high traffic areas, water stops, etc. that are
of interest to cyclists.

3. Most programs have an automatic routing feature, but
it usually puts you on freeways that are off-limits to
bikes.

4. One program that comes close to being useful to
bicyclists is DeLorme TopoUSA. Unfortunately, the
roads database is very out-of-date. Also, the
cumulative elevation feature is very inaccurate.

pete salomone <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

In 4. be sure you are using the current version of Topo.
Pick a short road segment and carefully calculate the
altitude gains and losses. Then let us know how many years
Topo roads are out of date and how many feet of extra
altitude gain it accummulates.

I am using DeLorme Topo USA 4.0, which I believe is the most
recent version. On some steep, windy roads, it reports
double the actual elevation gain. These are roads that are
continuously uphill, but the program invents non-existant
intermediate decents.

Regarding out-of-date roads, some highways that were built
over 30 years ago do not appear in the program. Also, lots
of bogus roads do appear (may have existed 50 years ago, but
now are long gone or are closed to the public).

If DeLorme fixed the above 2 problems, I would recommend the
program to everyone. As it is, the program is expensive and
not very reliable.

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know if one of the available software programs
would meet my needs? Thanks.

Hi You can use CycleAtlas, a free, open-source application.
Actually, it is available a stable version (0.8) and a
development version (1.0)

cycleatlas.sf.netcycleatlas.sf.netOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

What I'd like is software app that will provide me
street maps,

You must manually insert roads (no predefined map included).
Use version 1.0 for this operation (you can automatically
download maps from mapblast in order to help drawing road
path , then use DEM (digital elevation data) for compute
road profiles.

Quoted message said:

then let me select a route -- the actual streets -- and
then give me

the miles on each segment and the total miles for that
route.

Works, both with version 0.8 and 1.0. With 0.8, you can also
specify your average speeds and see passing time.

Quoted message said:

Then I'd like to be able to make tweaks to it to adjust
the miles.

Only in 0.8 version you can manually adjust road distance.

Quoted message said:

A nice printout of the entire route with miles on each
segment would be nice too, go give to people who may ride
with me.

Reporting works only in 0.8 version, and is not nice...

Quoted message said:

Obviously, I'd like to store these so I can pick among them
depending on time available, who's riding with me, etc.

Available in 0.8 version (ride archives)

Regards
Maner

Roger Zoul said:

What I'd like is software app that will provide me street
maps, then let me select a route -- the actual streets --
and then give me the miles on each segment and the total
miles for that route.

I like Delorme's Street Atlas in conjunction with Mario
Nappa's SAD2CUE spreadsheet.

Barry

psycholist wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:: "]news:[email hidden]...
::: I've recently discovered that very near my house in
::: upstate SC (Mauldin) are some nice country roads that
::: offer great early am riding (maybe later, too, but I
::: have to get to these places). With a map book and
::: driving around, I've found a couple of routes that will
::: take me on 30 and 40+ mile rides. That got me to
::: thinking that some of these mapping / route / trip
::: planning software program might be useful for planning
::: a route, initially. Naturally, I'd drive the route once
::: to see what it presents in terms of hills, scenery,
::: safety, etc.
:::
::: What I'd like is software app that will provide me
::: street maps, then let me select a route -- the actual
::: streets -- and then give me the miles on each segment
::: and the total miles for that route. Then I'd like to be
::: able to make tweaks to it to adjust the miles. A nice
::: printout of the entire route with miles on each segment
::: would be nice too, go give to people who may ride with
::: me. Obviously, I'd like to store these so I can pick
::: among them depending on time available, who's riding
::: with me, etc.
:::
::: Does anyone know if one of the available software
::: programs would meet my needs? Thanks.
:::
::
:: I use DeLorme Street Atlas and Microsoft Streets and
:: Trips all the time to plan bike rides. They have
:: different limitations, but if you realize they're
:: intended for drivers and accept that, you can make either
:: of them work for you. My versions are quite old on both.
:: DeLorme allows a variety of printing options so that,
:: when you get a route planned out, it's easier to print
:: yourself a map. Streets & Trips has an easier route
:: measuring feature, but it's severely limited in terms of
:: being able to print. One of your 40 mile trips might take
:: four pages to print out.

I picked up Streets and Trips last night...have been
playing a bit.

::
:: You should hook up with either the Greenville Spinners or
:: the Freewheelers of Spartanburg to learn routes in your
:: area. Those are both big clubs with lots of organized
:: rides and events.

Yes, I'm going to do some Donaldson Center rides on Tuesday,
and then my LBS has a planned city-street ride on Wednesday
evenings. I'll check on some other events.

::
:: Upstate, SC has the finest cycling on the planet ...
:: bar none

Really? I'm certainly enjoying what I'm learning....I just
resume this activity last September at 45...hadn't been on a
bike since age 12...

:: (excepting for the many lousy tar and gravel roads and
:: all the bubbas in pickups).

Yeah, and all the Sunday morning church goers who'd be
happy to mow me down so they can get to the house of the
lord on time....

::
:: Bob C. Calhoun Falls, SC (and formerly from Anderson)

Wow.....small world! Maybe we'll meet up one day at some
event. Be sure to have "Bob C." in big bright letters on
your jersey 🙂

Thanks.

Kent Hoult wrote:
:: I picked up a copy of microsoft steets & trips for about
:: $15 (after rebate). It seems to have a fairly up to date
:: road list, lets me force a route by dropping intermediate
:: points in, and draws/prints pretty good looking maps.

Yes, I picked up a copy last night....so far so good....

::
:: Also, it includes pocket maps to let you download/view
:: your maps on a pocket PC, and will show your position on
:: it if you have a GPS.

So, do you ride with a GPS? I can see how that might come in
handy....I guess....

::
:: I first tried a Rand McNally one that had a more CDs in
:: it's database, but found it really inaccurate and didn't
:: like the maps it made. I returned it and got the S&T
:: instead.

I had a version of RM already....it sucked pretty badly.

Rick Onanian wrote:
:: On Wed, 21 Apr 2004 15:07:19 -0400, "Roger Zoul"
:: <[email hidden]> wrote:
::: What I'd like is software app that will provide me
::: street maps, then let me select a route -- the actual
::: streets -- and then give me the miles on each segment
::: and the total miles for that route. Then I'd like to be
::: able to make tweaks to it to adjust the miles. A nice
::: printout of the entire route with miles on each segment
::: would be nice too, go give to people who may ride with
::: me. Obviously, I'd like to store these so I can pick
::: among them depending on time available, who's riding
::: with me, etc.
::
:: With some creative techniques, Microsoft Streets & Trips
:: works great for this. You set the route preferences so
:: that small roads are faster and highways slow; and then,
:: you insert stops wherever you want the route to take a
:: different road.

That's a great tip! I got a copy last night and have been
using your suggestions.

::
::: Does anyone know if one of the available software
::: programs would meet my needs? Thanks.
::
:: A recent discovery: The software on my new Garmin Ique
:: 3600 (integrated PDA and GPS with mapping software) will
:: route for bicycles. There's a setting for it.

Wow...at $500+, I'd have to know a lot more about how well
it works before making any kind of investment. Does the
mapping software actually run on the PC, or it is only
useful o the PDA/GPS?

:: --
:: Rick Onanian

Dave Pushee wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::
::: I've recently discovered that very near my house in
::: upstate SC (Mauldin) are some nice country roads that
::: offer great early am riding (maybe later, too, but I
::: have to get to these places). With a map book and
::: driving around, I've found a couple of routes that will
::: take me on 30 and 40+ mile rides. That got me to
::: thinking that some of these mapping / route / trip
::: planning software program might be useful for planning
::: a route, initially. Naturally, I'd drive the route once
::: to see what it presents in terms of hills, scenery,
::: safety, etc.
:::
::: What I'd like is software app that will provide me
::: street maps, then let me select a route -- the actual
::: streets -- and then give me the miles on each segment
::: and the total miles for that route. Then I'd like to be
::: able to make tweaks to it to adjust the miles. A nice
::: printout of the entire route with miles on each segment
::: would be nice too, go give to people who may ride with
::: me. Obviously, I'd like to store these so I can pick
::: among them depending on time available, who's riding
::: with me, etc.
:::
::: Does anyone know if one of the available software
::: programs would meet my needs? Thanks.
:::
::
::
::
:: I use DeLorme Street Atlas (2003). This does a pretty
:: good job for
:: me.
::
:: The 2004 version is out now, and supposedly includes
:: Canada as well as the US. Price is about $50.
::
:: The routing function lets you set areas or types of roads
:: to avoid. You also can set average speeds for different
:: road types. As you develop routes, you can set locations
:: that the route must pass, and can set individual stop
:: points along the way as well.
::
:: They have a pretty good database of businesses, parks,
:: and other items of interest so you can find the neares
:: ice cream shop for your midpoint.
::
:: They support GPS, and you can download the route as
:: represented by all of the intersections onto your GPS. I
:: have a handlebar mount for my Garmin eTrex.
::
:: Also, you can create routable segments where you know
:: that a bikeable trail exists, and the program will route
:: you through it.
::
:: Delorme recently released Topo USA 5.0. This would handle
:: the climbing aspect as well, but I haven't used it so I'm
:: not sure if the routing is as good.

Thanks for the info....I got Streets and Trips last night
for $23....I'm going to see how far I can get with that
before looking into something else...I'll deal with the TOPO
by driving the route, even though I'd still like to know the
Topo info -- I like knowing details like that....helps me to
understand my limitations better.

maner wrote:
::: Does anyone know if one of the available software
::: programs would meet my needs? Thanks.
::
:: Hi You can use CycleAtlas, a free, open-source
:: application. Actually, it is available a stable version
:: (0.8) and a development version (1.0)
::
:: cycleatlas.sf.netcycleatlas.sf.netOpen ↗
::
::

[snipped]

::
:: Available in 0.8 version (ride archives)
::

I'll check that out since it's free! Thanks.

Roger Zoul said:

Kent Hoult wrote:
:: I picked up a copy of microsoft steets & trips for about
:: $15 (after rebate). It seems to have a fairly up to date
:: road list, lets me force a route by dropping
:: intermediate points in, and draws/prints pretty good
:: looking maps.

Yes, I picked up a copy last night....so far so good....

::
:: Also, it includes pocket maps to let you download/view
:: your maps on a pocket PC, and will show your position on
:: it if you have a GPS.

So, do you ride with a GPS? I can see how that might come
in handy....I guess....

<snip>

I've been using GPS professionally and personally since 1994
and I can say that its been extremely useful, especially
when in foreign territory. Its not just a matter of being
handy - its often meant the difference between my making a
flight or finding my way before darkness set in.

Michael J. Klein Please replace mousepotato with
asiancastings

"Ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

pete salomone <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

In 4. be sure you are using the current version of Topo.
Pick a short road segment and carefully calculate the
altitude gains and losses.

Then

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

let us know how many years Topo roads are out of date
and how many feet of extra altitude gain it
accummulates.

I am using DeLorme Topo USA 4.0, which I believe is the
most recent

version.

Quoted message said:

On some steep, windy roads, it reports double the actual
elevation gain.

These

Quoted message said:

are roads that are continuously uphill, but the
program invents

non-existant

Quoted message said:

intermediate decents.

Regarding out-of-date roads, some highways that were built
over 30 years

ago do

Quoted message said:

not appear in the program. Also, lots of bogus roads do
appear (may have existed 50 years ago, but now are long
gone or are closed to the public).

If DeLorme fixed the above 2 problems, I would recommend
the program to everyone. As it is, the program is
expensive and not very reliable.

FYI - DeLorme has recently released version 5.0. I don't
know if it fixes the problems you mention. On their website,
they mention that the roads data has been updated, but don't
mention anything about the elevation gain bug (which has
been widely reported).

I have 4.0, but I'm not planning on upgrading to 5.0 anytime
soon. I've not been very happy with 4.0 for the reasons you
mentioned, plus the fact that:

1) the software is buggy and they have not released a bug
fix for 4.x for over two years. My Search feature has not
worked for quite a while, and often the overview map will
appear blank.

2) the user interface for Topo is really bad. They use a lot
of non-standard conventions, and make things a lot harder
than they should be. Adding a new route, saving data,
printing, etc. are all more time-consuming than they
should be because they chose to ignore user interface
standards that other programs use.

I wish it were different, because I really like DeLorme's
printed "Atlas and Gazetteer" series of state maps, but,
they really screwed the pooch with Topo USA. Unfortunately,
there are no alternatives either that I am aware of.

--
~_-* ...G/ \G cyclistats.comcyclistats.comOpen ↗ CycliStats -
Software for Cyclists

Roger Zoul said:

Rick Onanian wrote:
:: A recent discovery: The software on my new Garmin Ique
:: 3600 (integrated PDA and GPS with mapping software) will
:: route for bicycles. There's a setting for it.

Wow...at $500+, I'd have to know a lot more about how well
it works before making any kind of investment.

I'm a bit disappointed with the GPS signal reception. It
doesn't seem to lock and keep it's lock very well, compared
to my Etrex. I bought an external antenna with it and
haven't tried it; it's possible that my windshield is too
dirty and/or pitted and is scrambling the signal. I'll try
the antenna, mounted on the roof, soon.

Quoted message said:

Does the mapping software actually run on the PC, or it is
only useful o the PDA/GPS?

Disappointingly, it doesn't include mapping software to run
on the PC. I haven't thoroughly explored the CDs, so I hope
I'm wrong. However, doing the work on the Ique is easy and
pleasant. I'm not sure if there's a way to get the data to a
printer, though.

All in all, it's great for the purpose for which I bought it
-- automotive navigation, and portable computer. It's also
got a great database of restaurants, stores, services, and
so on. I can look up bbq restaurants near any location much
easier on the Ique than any online phonebook. I did my taxes
on the included full-featured spreadsheet...
--
Rick Onanian