by Al Massey
If you are among the directionally challenged, help is but a “click” away with TripMate from DeLorme. TripMate is a Hyperformance GPS (Global Positioning System) that hooks into a network of 24 satellites that will pinpoint your position to within 100 me ters. TripMate makes getting lost a lost art. Setup was surprisingly easy. I just hooked the TripMate to the serial port on my laptop with a serial cable, and placed the compact (3” X 5”) receiver on the dashboard, loaded the Street Atlas USA CD (include d in the package) and Ta-Da…TripMate immediately informed me of my location complete with exact time, latitude, longitude and altitude.
Street Atlas USA 4.0 has street-level maps for the entire United States, with 13 zoom levels. This new version measures distances between marked points on a map and determines the area within circles and polygons. You can also click on ZIP code boundarie s and retrieve census and demographic information. Your position on the map is continually updated with an arrow depicting your position.
You can also link to DeLorme’s Web site to get updated weather, construction, and event information, either in the car with a wireless digital cellular modem or when you find a phone line.
You will need to place this bright yellow gizmo, about the size of a hockey puck, on the dashboard or in the rear window where it will get a clear view of the sky. The receiver runs on four AA batteries or you can connect it to the cigarette lighter with an optional adapter. A 6 foot cable gives you plenty of slack to place it just about anywhere in the car.
Most of us don’t really need to know our location in terms of latitude and longitude, so DeLorme turns your screen into a moving map display. NOTE: if your laptop or notebook lacks a CD-ROM drive you can install or download maps just for your particular area of the country.
Street Atlas doesn’t have any routing features, but you can use Tripmate with DeLorme’s AAA Map ‘n’ Go program (sold separately). Whichever software you run with this handy device, you’ll never have to fold another road map or stop and ask for directions again.
Street Atlas USA makes extensive use of the atlas metaphor by giving users an aerial view of the United States road system.
Coupled with the power of a microprocessor these maps can literally guide you from your doorstep to mother’s house. You can zoom out to view the entire U.S. highway system or zoom in to view a specific neighborhood. Enter a ZIP code, street address, plac e name, or longitude and latitude coordinates and Street Atlas will pull up a map of the area.
Overall, I found TripMate simple to install and use. The batteries are good for about twelve hours. The GPS readings are good to within 100 meters horizontal and 156 meters verticle accuracy about 95 percent of the time.
When used with Street Altas USA, especially if you are travelling along highways, the level of accuracy should be more than sufficient.
Street Atlas USA 4.0 is also sold separately for $45 and can be used with other NEMA-standard GPS units with a PC connection. At a bargain price, that more than makes up for its limited utility, the Tripmate is a terrific tool to use with DeLorme software.
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