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Has anyone purchased the Microsoft Autoroute 2011 software and if so could they advise me which package is best?
There are 2 versions currently on sale as far as I can see, one with a GPS Locator included (the dearer version) and the other without a GPS device. What exactly is the GPS (USB plug in) locator device and how do you use it when on the move etc? If you've already got a sat nav, do you need this GPS device? I definitely want to purchase this software, as i have an older version which i find invaluable when planning routes around europe in our motorhome but I'm just unsure which version is the best to buy.
Another thing I'd like advice on is wifi boosters. I'm looking for a booster to use in the motorhome for picking up unsecured wifi signals or enhancing a poor wifi signal etc. I saw one at the NEC motorhome show last October but I cannot remember the make or the company's name.
Thanks.
Bob
Re: Microsoft Autoroute 2011 AND Wi-Fi Boosters - Advice Nee
I'm looking for a booster to use in the motorhome for picking up unsecured wifi signals or enhancing a poor wifi signal etc. I saw one at the NEC motorhome show last October but I cannot remember the make or the company's name.
The dearer package of Autoroute contains a GPS locator which, when plugged into your laptop usb port turns your laptop into a fully functional satnav that you can use on route across Europe. In my opinion it's worth the extra pennies.
There are various wifi range extenders available on ebay at differing prices. Some directional & some omnidirectional but as the previous poster says, Faculty X gets good press. I use a £20 omnidirectional which is OK for 500 yards or so. Directional extenders will get far better results.
We have the previous years version with GPS. It's a GPS USB aerial which gives Autoroute a GPS capability. We also have a GPS in the RV so really do not need a second, however it's useful when locating precise points, eg aires etc, that are stored in Autoroute as POI.
One major frustration was that our laptop, when on it's own battery, would go to sleep in battery save mode. Not the most useful of actions when you're tring to follow a route!.
On balance if you have a GPS in the motorhome you probably do not need the GPS version of Autoroute.
The USB GPS feeds your location into Autoroute, then you can use your laptop as a sat. nav. We have done this for 7 years with the laptop on the dash and the sensor taped to the sky light above the pull down bed.
It is far easier to review you route this way than on a dedicated sat nav.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions.
I'm still undecided about whether to opt for the GPS version as I like the idea of having this option but at the same time, if it's not necessary when you've got a sat nav then dies it make sense to pay the extra?
As for the Faculty X wifi booster, I rang them but they've no stock until the end of Feb! Is there another make worth looking at?
Thanks.
Bob
Thank you everyone for your suggestions.
I'm still undecided about whether to opt for the GPS version as I like the idea of having this option but at the same time, if it's not necessary when you've got a sat nav then dies it make sense to pay the extra?
As for the Faculty X wifi booster, I rang them but they've no stock until the end of Feb! Is there another make worth looking at?
Thanks.
Bob
Re: GPS - I agree with previous comments especially zeb's - well worth the extra as you can much more easily zoom in and out to see more of the route, POI's etc than you can with your sat nav - I use both, especially when abroad.
Re: wifi aerial - I have one of these and have been very happy with it:
PS to Mick - I assume you're aware you can amend the power shutdown settings in your Control Panel to stop this?
______________________________________________________________ cheers
Roger
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I´m not really as paranoid as everyone thinks I am
I use TomTom for getting from A to B but its not particularly good when you want to plot a specific route, to track a route or to see the bigger picture. Autoroute does this very well. Any bluetooth GPS device with NMEA capability will pair with your computer and ultimately autoroute so if you don't want to pay the bigger fees for Autoroute with GPS you can always try to pick up something off ebay later on if you decide you need this functionality.
Any bluetooth GPS device with NMEA capability will pair with your computer and ultimately autoroute . . . Sylv
I'm not about to argue Sylv because I have never tried a bluetooth dongle, BUT (and it's a big but ) an ordinary USB GPS dongle must have a Baud rate of 4800bps or it won't work with A/R.
It's all in the links I posted, but it seems that Bobsuruncle may not have read them yet, judging from his second post when he says, "if it's not necessary when you've got a sat nav then dies it make sense to pay the extra?"
They are long threads admittedly, but there's an answer to just about every relevant question one could think of in there somewhere. The concensus of opinion is that it is not strictly necessary when you have a satnav, but that it does make sense (to many members) to pay the extra.
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Microsoft Autoroute 2011 AND Wi-Fi Boosters - Advice Needed
) an ordinary USB GPS dongle 
