GPS choice in Europe

The score so far is 1:1. I had an old fat TomTom for four years or so. It worked fine in Europe but eventually got an acute case of the UpAndDies. I bought the Nuvi for the bells and whistles, it worked okay in Europe as well, but the graphics weren't as good, especially for turns, and the only voice couldn't pronounce a damn thing that I could undertand so I had to keep reading the words. Most of the bells and whistles were seldom used. Somebody chunked a rock though my window in Portugal a few nights ago and swiped it. I came home and bought the TomTom 540 since it was cheaper. It now has the bells and whistles that are handy. I like it better. I've done a couple of test European routes that I know pretty well, both urban and highway, and it seems right on the money. The graphics are also better, this based on local use, but less than a week comparison gap between the two. I have no desire to go back to Garmin, ever. EDIT: What I forgot about the Garmin was that I'd only had it for six or eight months, so can't speak about durability, but in that short time I turned it off three times because it was confused to beat heck: once around Leeds, once near Aachen, and once just north of Paris - - all with good reception and on old, established roads. Also with two experienced aviators and blue water sailors in the car with no reason to suspect spurious signals or visible sources of emi - - and all at different times of day.

Sherry, I can't comment on the Tom Tom models but I've been quite satisfied with the performance of the Garmin Nüvi 370 that I've been using for a few years (maps have been updated once or twice since i bought it - model is now discontinued). The battery life is average, so if I'm using it in "Pedestrian" mode I leave it switched off unless necessary. As the first reply mentioned, I believe Consumer Reports favoured the Garmin models slightly, mostly due to the mapping software used. However, CR tends to be a few months behind with their evaluations, and I'm sure both brands are constantly being upgraded. You might find it helpful to have a look at This review site or others. Happy travels!

During your GPS device research, be sure to take a look at the Garmin 275T. It comes with European maps pre-loaded; it provides text directions as well as spoken directions (including the name of the road, not just the direction); it can show elevation; it has blue tooth compatibility with cell phones for hands-free phone calls; it includes an FM transmitter that gives you traffic conditions; and it has a "Where Am I" feature to find closest gasoline stations, hospitals, etc. Retail price is $249 but I saw it on Amazon.com during the Thanksgiving holiday for $199. Seems like the 275T would get plenty of use back home, and it packs quite a lot of features into a device selling for such a modest price. The 275T's big brother is the Garmin 1370T, which can do all that the 275T does, plus it tells you which lane to get in for your turns, has maps available to assist with public transportation (bus, metro, etc.), and is in widescreen format. Retails for $30 more than the 275T. Along with all of the TomTom offerings, you have several great choices available to you.

I can't compare Garmin v. Tom Tom, but Garmin is coming out in January with the nuvi 2370LT. It retails for $20 more than the 1370T, but in my mind has better features. You can compare the two models (and others) at www.garmin.com. Go to Products, then Automobile, then limit the choices by hitting the "includes Europe maps" from the left-hand menu. Four models will come up, the 1370 and 2370 among them.

I have been looking to update my GPS unit and I too was wondering if there were any options that would be helpful for european travel. I found that Garmin has a series of city maps that are specifically for pedestrians that you can download for $9.99 each so I will get a Garmin (it has to be a recent model). I can get one cityXplorer map for Venice and one for Florence and I'll be set. http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/us/maps/cityxplorer

Hi Sherry, I also can not compare the two but for my trip this last September I bought the Nuvi 275T which included the pre loaded Europe maps and it was really great. Used it for Germany, Belgium and Lux.

I can't speak to the specific models you mention, however I can report that the Garmin Nuvi 670 we got a couple of years ago worked well in France this summer. European maps were already loaded; I updated them on the website before our trip. Has a choice of languages for spoken instruction, including a choice of American or British English, and notified us of fixed speed cameras. Our son rented a TomTom with his car and reported that it worked well in France, too.

Can't speak to the Garmin, but our TomTom worked great this fall all over Provence.

Hi Sherry, we borrowed a 900 series TomTom for our trip in September. Even though it needed to be updated it worked very well. We found out when we returned it that it was 2-3 years old. Took us through Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. It had some neat features like photo radar warnings and when there was a raod work crew ahead. It also showed the current posted speed limit and beeped whenever I exceeded it (often). It also worked in a 19 kilometer tunnel in Switzerland. The only negative comment I have can probably apply to most GPS units. The English voice absolutely mangled any street we came upon. If I could have turned it off I would have. and just read the street names. I will give serious consideration on buying one next time we go.
Good luck!

Hello and thank all of you who generously posted your comments and recommendations re: GPS for Europe. I decided to go with the Tom Tom World Traveller as it was the only one that I could find that had the Europe and Mexico maps included. It is an early Xmas gift for my husband and he's really thrilled with it We will be in Mexico with a car for Xmas and will try it out. Will post comments upon our return. Sherry

I have used the TomTom 910 in 9 countries during my trips and have been very pleased. I have since purchased the TomTom 540 world Traveler but have not had a chance to use it in Europe but it should work as well as the old one did. Would like to hear how yours works for you. They are not infallible but I would not want to drive in Europe again without one. We still take a paper map with us in addition to the GPS.

"We still take a paper map with us in addition to the GPS."
Yes, many do this, a paper map helps with overall orientation. And also as a backup in case the GPS gets weird on you.

"We still take a paper map with us in addition to the GPS." You have to do this. My experience is that the GPS watches where you are going and how your day is. If it thinks you are stressed or there is a vital decision due soon it will pick that time to have a hiccup. Every GPS (4) I have ever owned has done that. I figure it must have a hidden camera and microphone somewhere. That's where the copilot following along on a map becomes invaluable and earns 100% of her keep. Also, before you set out, have a look at how the GPS has routed you, sense check with the map, and then set off. Any GPS will sometimes try to send you round the houses or down a very minor road which it considers a short cut. It is possible to be too smart for its own good. (says a man who has used a GPS for almost any trip over 5 miles in Britain and Europe for around 10 years) Also, watch out for trip length estimates - in the UK and most of Europe there is a National speed limit. That's the speed the GPS thinks you can go on roads which do not have a set speed limit. So, in the UK many A and B roads will be narrow and windy and the speed limit outside villages and towns is notionally 60 mph but I would be hard pressed to average over 40 the GPS will think it is equivalent to a straight dual carriageway (which would have a speed limit of 70).

I also drove in Europe before the days of GPS and I made it. I also remember the days before TVs and I wouldnt like to go back to either.

I have a TomTom 920. I've been happy with it.

I think you'll be happy with the TomTom. While I can't speak for the model you bought, I can tell you that our TomTom navigates just fine here. We rely on the pictures and not the voice-to-text features. I do think the Garmins we've had in the past are easier to follow (And do have some better features), but since both of those died premature deaths, we gave up on the line. The TomTom has outlasted our Garmins for sure.