RE: Laptop vs. Dedictaed GPS and Delorme vs S&T
I went to the higher end Garmin, the 7200, after spending some time with one
that belonged to a fellow Westy driver.  Very large (7") screen and intended
for truckers and large RV setups.  And I've found it meets my expectations
very well.  With the touch screen commands, rarely needed while moving, I
find the hazard factor minimal.  But, I rarely try to plan an entire route
on it.  I just put in the next waypoint I've picked.  You can do detailed
planning on the desktop or laptop software provided and load it into the GPS
but I've never bothered to do that.  I do any planning on S&T, much easier
to use.  BTW, my experience with the Delorme software was back in 2006.  If
they have made major improvements that's great.
Thanks for the detailed stuff on the Delorme setup.  I'm sure that the
software, once learned, must do a very good job.  It's been on the market
long enough, if really as bad as I said it would have failed long ago :)
But I balk at software that has a steep learning curve but is only used
sporadically.  I'll spend the time leaning software I'm going to use on a
regular basis (and therefore remember how to use it) but for something I
only use a few times a year (and can't remember from one time to the next) I
prefer something that has a more friendly interface.
The big change that came with S&T 2010 was the ability to load POI files as
'Pushpins' BUT you only display the Pushpins when you want to see them.
That gives a whole new dimension to route planning or finding things when
you want them.