MapForums

hey all,
I'm travelling europe this summer with a car, I'm bringing a netbook, and I'd love to use it as a navigational GPS unit. I recently acquired Mappoint 2009 European edition, but am unsure which USB GPS receivers will work with it. The Microsoft site says that any receiver with NMEA 2.0 or higher will work, but I've read forums that say that some receivers that support this do not work with the software. Could anyone provide some info about this so I know what to purchase? Thanks!

I'd recommend getting Streets & Trips 2009 with GPS, I think it's the same GPS as would come in the MapPoint 2009 with GPS retail box and in any case it's a Microsoft GPS so it should work with no problem..

Amazon.com: Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009 with GPS: Software

Eric

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I was under the impression that Street & Trips is only North America and not Europe. Autoroute is the European equivalent, but there is no Autoroute 2009.. as Mappoint 2009 is essentially the new Autoroute. No?

Also, I already have the software, so I'm just looking for a simple receiver that will work with this software..

What country are you in? They probably don't carry Streets & Trips 2009 with GPS at European online retailers :-/

If you are in the U.S. and can purchase from Amazon.com then no problem.

The GPS puck you get with Streets & Trips 2009 will work worldwide, it will work with MapPoint 2009 Europe.

You'd basically just buy that retail box with the Microsoft GPS puck, and then discard the Streets & Trips 2009 software, and just use the puck.

Does that make sense?

Eric

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That does make sense, since the included USB GPS receiver is compatible with MapPoint, and especially since Streets & Trips is sold in many retail stores across USA and Canada (I'm assuming that's where you live), so you don't need to order online.

If you wish to order online, search an online store that sells BU-353 USB GPS receiver. It may cost you even a little bit less then the S&T unit, and it may perform even slightly better.

If you wish to do more search on other units, make sure the baud rate is 4,800, and the refresh rate is 1Hz (or at least there is an option to lower it to 1Hz).

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Laptop GPS World

ahhh I see what you're saying! Yea that's a good call.. I'm hoping I can do it cheaper though. That would cost ~100CAD, whereas you can just buy receivers for more like $50 (some available: USB GPS Receiver, Cable GPS. GPS for Laptop, Notebook. GlobalSat, Holux & i-gotU )
So I was hoping people knew which ones specifically worked with Microsoft's software.. but I guess not many people do this?

Quite a few people do it. Especially now with the very low prices of netbooks.

Looking at the page you linked, the following USB GPS receivers are compatible: Canmore GT-730F, Holux GR-213, Royaltek RGM-3600, Globalsat BU-353. The others may work, too, but I just don't know them. I would need to look at their specs.

P.S. I heard the Canmore unit has caused Streets & Trips crashes for at least one user...

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Laptop GPS World

I have succesfully run a Delorme GPS puck with Mappoint 2009 by using the driver provided by Delorme.

DeLorme Serial Emulation Driver for Earthmate GPS Receivers

It is possible to run the Delorme mapping software and Mappoint, with the Delorme GPS puck, at the same time.

I bought the Delorme unit, with the software, (with sales price and rebates) at Fry's for $30.

On Amazon now for $40.
Amazon.com: DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-40 2009: Electronics

All my use has been in the US.

great thanks so much! Yea I'm trying to go discount since this trip is going to cost an arm and a leg so I'll look for a deal on those ones you say will work.. thanks again

Microsoft GPS system should work!