General comments, gripes, praises

[jss812]

Having recently purchased a system loaded with Centrafuse and completing a long (1200+ miles, one way) trip, I would like to offer the following. Please take as constructive criticism.

First, Jan has been knowledgable, expedient, and very helpful.

Love the interface. Nice finger sized buttons, plenty of options/settings and intuitive.

I understand and support the need to protect from piracy. But come on guys, tying Centrafuse to USB hardware? That bites, big time. In all honesty, if I had known this prior to purchase, it would have been a deal breaker. I like to change the USB stuff - different external devices like hard drives, gps receivers etc. Why not just tie it to internal hardware?

I don't like the multi-map setup of Destinator. I don't see where it is any faster than Streets and Trips. I do like the interface and one of the big reasons to use front end software, I like the pause audio for directions. I would like to see distance remaining along with the existing distance to next turn. I don't like it when it takes too long to calculate a different route when I want to go a different way. I think at one point, I drove over 100 miles before it realized I wasn't going to make a u-turn. I don't like the way it has problems finding the gps receiver although I realize it is being looked into. Most of the time, it finds the receiver fine(thanks, Jan, for pointing out that it needs to be below com 9, huge help there), but once in a while it won't. And, I can't find method to the madness. Hope it is resolved in the final version.

The only other thing I didn't like seems to be more of a windows thing. Resume from hibernation is iffy at best. I've found that if I exit Centrafuse prior to hibernation so that startup is back to windows first, I have the best luck. Then I just pause until I hear the tones where windows re-finds USB devices and then start Centrafuse. Usually, everything comes up fine. Hibernating with Centrafuse running generally results in strange stuff happening like no volume control for a short period, no gps receiver and I have had the audio skip like a scratched record. It would be really nice if Centrafuse could poll the ports until it finds all the devices. It would still take a little time, but if designed right, Centrafuse could still be useable for music (as long as the music is stored on internal drive) and the rest would be useable as USB devices are found. If that makes sense.

Although really just a comment, I've found that my system doesn't like equalizer settings above about mid way. Sounds are distorted otherwise. I've found that I need to use the audio card software (Vinyl) to equalize and then use Centrafuse equalizer to fine tune. Note that I'm not an audiophile, just like music to sound right. Having said this, I haven't tried every combination. Just found something that works.

I do have a suggestion. I would like to see outside temperature displayed somewhere beside the time or something similar. Can you guys find the hardware, interface to it, and display? Maybe inside temp also?

Anyway, overall good product. And, just one persons opinion.

Thanks

James

[dotinga00]

Originally Posted by jss812

Anyway, overall good product. And, just one persons opinion.

Thanks

James

Make it two. At least i have ALL the same issues. Didn't mention them here on CF, because i had greater problems. The sound disturbing (first tune the audio card, and then CF), the USB devices, the GPS swhich sometimes doesn't work, the map changes, the..... As i say, exactly the same....


Marcel

[David]

Many of these issues have been fixed in an RC5 update we hope to get out today, including the Activation issue...

The multiple map system isn't the best, but it works and what we have for now... We have plans to upgrade to the latest version of Destinator sometime by the end of the summer, first of the Fall...

david

[jss812]

Originally Posted by David

Many of these issues have been fixed in an RC5 update we hope to get out today, including the Activation issue...

The multiple map system isn't the best, but it works and what we have for now... We have plans to upgrade to the latest version of Destinator sometime by the end of the summer, first of the Fall...

david

I knew you guys were working on some improvements but didn't know about y'all working on changing the activation issue. Glad to hear it.

As far as the maps, I've owned 2 different single purpose automotive GPS's, Garmin software, Streets and Trips, and On Course Navigator (for PDA) and have liked them all. They all load a single map and can tell me remaining distance. I don't know, maybe I'm spoiled. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Destinator upgrade.

My opinion is that you guys have a solid foundation, just need to fine tune a bit.

James

[malaki86]

Originally Posted by jss812

I knew you guys were working on some improvements but didn't know about y'all working on changing the activation issue. Glad to hear it.

As far as the maps, I've owned 2 different single purpose automotive GPS's, Garmin software, Streets and Trips, and On Course Navigator (for PDA) and have liked them all. They all load a single map and can tell me remaining distance. I don't know, maybe I'm spoiled. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Destinator upgrade.

My opinion is that you guys have a solid foundation, just need to fine tune a bit.

James

I agree 100% with your post. I absolutely *LOVE* Centrafuse. However, the multi-map setup is a huge letdown. I really, truly hope that the new version is a 20th century setup and be a single map for the country.

[Jan]

Originally Posted by jss812

I understand and support the need to protect from piracy. But come on guys, tying Centrafuse to USB hardware? That bites, big time. In all honesty, if I had known this prior to purchase, it would have been a deal breaker. I like to change the USB stuff - different external devices like hard drives, gps receivers etc. Why not just tie it to internal hardware?

As David has mentioned already, this was a known issue and they have attempted to fix it with RC5. Download it from the release announcements thread and install it. If you still run into problems, just shoot me an email and I'll generate new activation codes for you, no problem.

I don't like the multi-map setup of Destinator. I don't see where it is any faster than Streets and Trips.

The speed of your GPS system, will depend a lot of times on the receiver it's self and what it can handle. You MIGHT try playing with the BAUD rates to see A) if your receiver can function at a higher BAUD rate B) if it makes a difference in the speed. Again, not all receivers will function at higher BAUD rates

I would like to see distance remaining along with the existing distance to next turn.

If you close the directions window (basically just minimize it), then you're shown a side bar that includes heading AND estimated time of arrival. If you tap on the estimated time of arrival, it will cycle through estimated distance left and a few other options.

While it's not all on the same page, the developers here at Centrafuse realize that they can only fit so many things on a page at once. Their solution to provide an easy way to cycle through the options (because different people want to display different things), is a great one.

I don't like it when it takes too long to calculate a different route when I want to go a different way. I think at one point, I drove over 100 miles before it realized I wasn't going to make a u-turn.

I'll pass this along to the developers. I'm not sure if there is anything that CAN be done about it, but I've experienced it too.

I don't like the way it has problems finding the gps receiver although I realize it is being looked into. Most of the time, it finds the receiver fine(thanks, Jan, for pointing out that it needs to be below com 9, huge help there), but once in a while it won't. And, I can't find method to the madness. Hope it is resolved in the final version.

The COM 9 issue has supposedly been resolved. Try updating to at least RC4, probably RC5.

Usually, everything comes up fine. Hibernating with Centrafuse running generally results in strange stuff happening like no volume control for a short period, no gps receiver and I have had the audio skip like a scratched record. It would be really nice if Centrafuse could poll the ports until it finds all the devices. It would still take a little time, but if designed right, Centrafuse could still be useable for music (as long as the music is stored on internal drive) and the rest would be useable as USB devices are found. If that makes sense.

Again, try RC5, some hibernation issues were fixed.

[quote]Although really just a comment, I've found that my system doesn't like equalizer settings above about mid way. Sounds are distorted otherwise. I've found that I need to use the audio card software (Vinyl) to equalize and then use Centrafuse equalizer to fine tune. Note that I'm not an audiophile, just like music to sound right. Having said this, I haven't tried every combination. Just found something that works.

I do have a suggestion. I would like to see outside temperature displayed somewhere beside the time or something similar. Can you guys find the hardware, interface to it, and display? Maybe inside temp also?

You should look into the Fusion Brain. Ther is already a 3rd party plug-in that will display other information. I believe it can pull the information from the Fusion Brain and display it there. Really though, that's outside of the scope of what the developers are working on with Centrafuse. Remember, we are just a software company. If enough people come to us witht he same requests, we implement the best we can.

Thanks for your comments! I think a lot of your issues can be attributed to the fact that you're running a beta version of Centrafuse....and as I tell everyone, if you're not OK with the bugs, then you should revert back to the previous known stable version - 1.2. When you purchased the software, you actually purchased 1.2, not 2.0. 2.0 is being made available as a test.

[malaki86]

Originally Posted by Jan

The speed of your GPS system, will depend a lot of times on the receiver it's self and what it can handle. You MIGHT try playing with the BAUD rates to see A) if your receiver can function at a higher BAUD rate B) if it makes a difference in the speed. Again, not all receivers will function at higher BAUD rates

He's talking about the actual map loading speeds, not the speed of the GPS. As I've posted on numerous occasions, the current multi-map setup is an absolute joke and needs to be fixed. Name one other PC based mapping/GPS application that uses a multi-map setup. There's no need for it. If we were running this on a PDA, then I could understand, but not on a modern PC with multi-gigs of ram and drive space.

[jss812]

Originally Posted by Jan

You should look into the Fusion Brain. Ther is already a 3rd party plug-in that will display other information. I believe it can pull the information from the Fusion Brain and display it there. Really though, that's outside of the scope of what the developers are working on with Centrafuse. Remember, we are just a software company. If enough people come to us witht he same requests, we implement the best we can.

Thanks for your comments! I think a lot of your issues can be attributed to the fact that you're running a beta version of Centrafuse....and as I tell everyone, if you're not OK with the bugs, then you should revert back to the previous known stable version - 1.2. When you purchased the software, you actually purchased 1.2, not 2.0. 2.0 is being made available as a test.

Jan!!! My most favorite customer service manager!

Remember that everything originally posted was meant to be constructive, no bashing intended. Really just reflected my limited experiences with the software.

Speaking of this being a beta, I don't have a problem dealing with the bugs but the activation issue was a pain. Seems like registration/activation would be relaxed with a Beta since the expectation is for folks to play with it and find out what needs to be fixed. I was on a mountain 4 wheeling in Virginia. It took a couple of hours just to get there. And, I still have no clue why it picked that moment. You were great help up there with re-activation on first attempt via cell phone.

As far as the maps go, I really meant the routing. I didn't see any difference in time required to do any routing and cross country routing is a bit cumbersome having to load the correct maps. Also, it looked to me like the time to destination reflected time to edge of the map area I was in at the time. Thanks for the tip on distance. I reallize there is limited room on the screen but didn't know about being able to toggle information. I'll take a look at that.

I do have RC5 loaded but haven't had a chance to check it out (too much to do after taking off for a week!).

Thanks bunches for point me to the Fusion Brain thing. That appears to be what I'm looking for and more.

On last comment. I purchased a system with all the software I wanted pre-loaded. I knew nothing about Centrafuse other than it is front end software. I had no clue what version I was buying or even that you guys are testing beta versions. Version 2.0 is what was installed, with a serial number provided for 1.2. I guess that should have told something.

Thanks so much for all your help, suggestions, comments and most important, your courteous attitude.

James

[Jan]

Originally Posted by jss812

Jan!!! My most favorite customer service manager!

Awww....shucks....

Remember that everything originally posted was meant to be constructive, no bashing intended. Really just reflected my limited experiences with the software.

Absolutely appreciate the comments. It's comments like this and the feedback we get to the developers that helps to make Centrafuse an even better product.

Speaking of this being a beta, I don't have a problem dealing with the bugs but the activation issue was a pain. Seems like registration/activation would be relaxed with a Beta since the expectation is for folks to play with it and find out what needs to be fixed.

Initially, it never was supposed to be that strict. For 2.0, they changed the way that registrations were handled with a new software. In RC5, they have essentially cut the restrictions in half. Part of it was just the fact that they didn't realize just how strictly it was tied to the hardware. I had it ask me to register at two VERY bad times as well. Once while we were setting the car up for a local CES show and once this past weekend while we were at a money round of the top 30 cars at the show...no fun when you're not sure when the judge is going to walk up and want to listen to your car.

I was on a mountain 4 wheeling in Virginia. It took a couple of hours just to get there. And, I still have no clue why it picked that moment. You were great help up there with re-activation on first attempt via cell phone.

Absolutely. I know how it feels. I had a guy send over an email that was working through the night to get his van ready to go to the world rounds for soccer in 7 hours. He emailed his registration in at 8pm on a Friday...I just happened to check my email and got him a key. I know it sucks to be in that position. Hopefully it's fixed in RC5 though...as I can't do that ALL the time.

On last comment. I purchased a system with all the software I wanted pre-loaded. I knew nothing about Centrafuse other than it is front end software. I had no clue what version I was buying or even that you guys are testing beta versions. Version 2.0 is what was installed, with a serial number provided for 1.2. I guess that should have told something.

We've found that some retailers are installing 2.0 out of the box. That's their prerogative. Though, it does cause problems for some people. Unfortunately, we get to bear the brunt of it. However, it shouldn't be an issue for too much longer as the stable release of 2.0 should be right around the corner.

[fridgemagnet]

Originally Posted by jss812

I do have a suggestion. I would like to see outside temperature displayed somewhere beside the time or something similar. Can you guys find the hardware, interface to it, and display? Maybe inside temp also?

You might want to look at a Phidgets 8/8/8 kit, there's even a plugin for it.