I have had the pleasure of reviewing and using several of the great DeLorme products in the past and I was eager to see just how improved this latest version of their Street Atlas mapping program was.

The good news first – it loaded without a hitch and started up without a problem. Registration was a snap and I was sure to check the block that said I wasn’t interested in advertisements. I checked the manual (online of course) and found it was easily read using Adobe Acrobat reader (free download from Adobe.com).

This program is rich in features and I’ll be glad to go over some of them with you in a minute but I have to tell you about the bad news – the program has a glitch in it.

This runtime error message only came up when I tried to calculate the shortest trip. I contacted DeLorme and they answered in two days with instructions on manipulating the programs installation procedures. I followed the directions and did NOT eliminate the problem. I have contacted DeLorme and have not yet received another answer. When I get it (if I do) I’ll write a small article describing the fix (if any). By the way, my OS is Windows XP Pro.

With that out of the way, let’s talk a bit about the program. It will take anywhere from 85MB to 245MB depending on the options you select during installation. I did not install the speech program since I had no use (at this time) for it.

Speech? Well, my friends, you know most cars have a $2000 - $3000 option for navigation software and equipment, right? This $49.95 program can be installed on a notebook computer, mated to a $150 GPS receiver and you now have a navigation system that will tell you when and where to turn. Not a bad thing, eh?

For those of us who don’t want to have that type of system, you simply install the program on your desktop and start mapping routes and identifying streets, landmarks, and businesses.

My first test was to see how much of the new areas of San Antonio were on the CD and I found that it was up to date through about October of 2003. For example, I checked Vance Jackson and found it ran way past DeZavala almost to 1604.

My next test was to find Crossroads Mall and I used the tool (map 1) to move down IH10 to the intersection of 10 and 410. I used the directional arrows to move and the “zoom” button to decrease/increase the area. The results are in map 2 and you will please note that the VIA site is shown as well as the motels. I could have had the program add ATM’s, theatres, restaurants, etc. but thought this would be a less cluttered illustration.

I then decided to check the routing to Hixton, WI because my brother-in-law lives there and we’re planning to visit him next year. I remembered from earlier programs to check the size of the strip maps before I printed them and – at 200 miles per strip – I would have printed a big bunch of them. I also would have had several piles of paper showing all the interesting points along the way.

Strip shows the routing from here to the other side of Oklahoma City showing some exits and points of interest. While the routing isn’t particularly hard to handle (IH 35 straight North), some of the later routings make it a bit more interesting. Map 3 shows the transition from IH90 to SH 43 not too far from Rochester, MN. Easy to see and understand.

You have so many options that it can confuse you unless you take it easy at first. You can select for road sizes, Interstates, scenic routings, backroads, Wal-marts, post offices, and a couple of dozen other items to show on the map. I also could get a great deal of detail on Canada (but not Mexico) but street level detail was not available.

If you need to send directions to a friend all you do is select that option and email it as a .jpg file which can be read by almost any computer user. Add a few “tips” about missing street signs and the travel is much easier for someone not familiar with the neighborhood.

Worried about road conditions? Street Atlas 2004 has the web sites and phone numbers for all the states so you can check the construction zones and, just maybe, re-route your trip. That is a very nice convenience.

Is the program worthwhile? Probably – if I can get the glitch fixed. So far that is the only drawback to the program so I hope to be able to give it a solid “buy” recommendation soon. It is far more detailed than the free services and I have always liked the DeLorme products.