Cell phone with GPS to use in Europe

Steve, Verizon told me that I would pay $65, plus $20, for the Global Monthly Service and VZ Navigator Maps. There is a per-minute phone charge and per-minute text charge, but I anticipate very little phone time, so that's not a problem for me. Is there something I'm not understanding?

I would definitely get a car GPS if we were driving, but we won't be on this trip.

I wouldn't even consider buying a $600 phone, but I have the BlackBerry free of charge, so I thought this might make sense.

I do have the Blackberry 8830 unlocked world phone with a chip that I purchased here in the U.S. It works fine in Europe. I believe that Verizon charged me $39 or $49 a month for the extra service plus roaming charges. I didn't use it too much and the roaming charges could mount up. I don't recall the roaming charges.

What I couldn't do there that I can do here is tether my BBerry to my laptop and use it as a modem. I'm glad I couldn't. Very expensive. I could do it on my business trips to China but I'm glad that I didn't there either. My Verizon people told me that they had a customer with a $4,000 bill from using his BBerry tethered to his laptop.

I apologize for my complete ignorance on the subject, but I need to be sure I understand what you're telling me. For $65 Im supposed to have unlimited data and, then, for $20 more, I'll have the Global Monthly service for VZ Navigator. With that, are you saying that I'd still be charged extra for using the GPS? I know I'd pay a per-minute charge for phone calls, so I'm mostly interested in the GPS and internet access. Thanks so much for your help.

I have Verizon cell service, and I would be very surprised if the $65 you are talking about was for unlimited data. I think that's just the charge for upgrading to the international plan. I would be leery of trusting VZ Navigator maps to work in Europe, particularly since the rep didn't even know if it would work. I think you need to have a better conversation with Verizon.

Nancy, you are right. For $65, you'll get unlimited data on the blackberry. That includes GPS--but not VZ Navigator.

Verizon will also pro-rate your monthly service. You don't have to pay for a full month. Activate the BB a day before you leave, and then deactivate it the day after you return. You'll only pay for the days you use it.

Don't bother with VZ Navigator. Make sure both Google Maps and Blackberry Maps--both free apps--are loaded onto your device. They both can be used with GPS. VZ Navigator is Verizon's own map service and in my opinion, not worth the extra money if you can get something similar for free. And honestly, I don't even think it works in Europe.

For phone calls, sadly under Verizon's plan, you'll pay over a dollar a minute. My suggestion is if you only need to make outgoing calls, load Skype onto the Blackberry and use that. If you need to get calls, then you're going to have to spend some money. Or, just rent a phone. I wouldn't bother spending $200-300 for a GPS unit when the BB will work for a little over $2/day.

You may also want to go to: Crackberry's BB 8830 Forum. Here you'll find people who use the device and may have actual experience with it in Italy. They can give you more specific advice.

Nancy, I definitely plan to have another conversation with Verizon! What I was looking for on the Helpline is what I need to ask and what I need to look out for. I probably use my old (not very smart) cell phone an average of five minutes per month, so I needed some educating and I didn't want to rely on Verizon for that.

Frank, I would love to use Google and/or Blackberry maps, but I'd prefer something that could pinpoint where I am. Am I correct in thinking that neither of them does that? As for phone calls, we'll probably have a cheap phone with us for that. So, really, my interest is with the GPS capability. Unlike some on this forum, I don't think getting lost is half the fun!

GPS works in conjunction with Google Maps and Blackberry Maps.

It's not like using Google Maps on your computer. When you use Google Maps and GPS combined, it will show you where you are on the map--just like a regular GPS unit. And as you move, so will the icon on the map.

When the 8830 first came out, the GPS capability was built in but Verizon didn't always enable it. Check with the people on the Crackberry forum. They are the real experts and will tell you exactly what you have to do.

I have the latest version of the Global Blackberry on Verizon, the Bold 9650. I use the GPS with Google Maps and it works fine.

For all you non-Verizon users, who keep denying that Verizon offers an unlimited international data plan, go here:

Verizon Global

Then go down to where it says "Features and Benefits." You will see it says:

"Unlimited, flat-rate data pricing with voice coverage in more than 220 countries and data coverage in over 200 countries, more than 115 with 3G speeds."

ATT does not offer an unlimited data plan overseas so Iphone users can get hit with extensive bills.

BTW...you only need data coverage for the maps. The GPS capability comes directly from the satellites. Which is why GPS does not work indoors. No direct line to the satelllites.

Nancy, rather than trying to get information here from lots of people who are guessing, use the link I gave to Crackberry. There you'll find numerous people who have used that exact phone with Verizon in Europe and they can give you exact information on how well it will work.