Microsoft AutoRoute 2005

Reviewer: Chris Hall
Review Date: 30 November 2004
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Price as reviewed: £35
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5/10

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Reader review

User: David, Reading, UK
Date Posted: 9 May 2006
Review: I was thinking of upgrading my AutoRoute 2002, mainly due to the lack of street data for Ireland, but after reading the other reviews I have changed my mind. There is no way AutoRoute can beat in car GPS navigation, so it shouldn't try. The flexible route timing adjustments of AutoRoute 2002 are its biggest asset. After tweaking it, I can do a three stop 400 mile journey from the south of England to Scotland, and usually arrive at my final destination within 15 minutes of when AutoRoute 2002 says I should. There is some room for improvement, but it looks as if in fact Microsoft have crippled this feature further, just as in AutoRoute 2002 they crippled the pushpins that were such a good feature of AutoRoute 98. For those that don't remember this feature, you could make sets of pushpins, and make each set visible or not, in the same way that AutoRoute 2002 lets you show or hide various types of "Places". This was a very strong feature for route planning. Route planning is where Microsoft should concentrate their efforts, as a GPS navigation system is of no use if you don't know where you want to go.
Rating: 4 people have rated this review helpful

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Reader review

User: Martin, Barnsley
Date Posted: 26 August 2005
Review: I set a route using the 2005 version that I drive regularly and know the journey time I might expect. To achieve the times 2005 quoted I would need a helicopter. Not believing this I asked it for times from the M1 junction 40 to junction 4. The time quoted gave an average speed of 72mph - exceeding the limit. The user preferences only allow speeds to be varied by +/-15% of 'average' so at the slowest speed 2005 recognises on motorways - 62mph - I would be breaking the limit if I were driving an HGV or pulling a trailer. The same problem occurs on other roads but at lower speeds. We do not all have stealth bomber shaped bodywork to fool the radar. Some of us drive vintage machinery not capable of these speeds. Some even plan journeys to do by their bicycles. 2002 allowed the entry of actual speeds down to 5mph which was far more useful. Needless to say I do not recommend this software and have reinstalled Autoroute 2002, accepting the absence of map updates.
Rating: 9 people have rated this review helpful

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Reader review

User: Horia, Bucharest, Romania
Date Posted: 26 July 2005
Review: Don’t you think it strange that in their vision, European roads end at the Eastern Europe border? Microsoft Autoroute 2005 seems to be a weird dinosaur that can’t see half of Europe. It’s a shame for that price.
Rating: 4 people have rated this review helpful

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User: Paul, Bridlington
Date Posted: 11 January 2005
Review: The M6 toll is in my version 12.00.07.1200 its in white though!<
Rating: 4 people have rated this review helpful

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User: Martin, Bedford UK
Date Posted: 2 January 2005
Review: The M6 Toll opened in December 2003, it's not in AutoRoute 2005 in January 2005. What else might be missing? And what does this say about Microsoft? At least I only paid £25 in PC-World so I should have known it would be incomplete.
Rating: 8 people have rated this review helpful

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