GPS for both Europe and US

I have a Tom-Tom. I like it a lot but it really prefers major roads. We drove to Missouri last weekend and really had to fight with it to take the route we knew was best - it really wanted to redirect us to a major numbered highway.

I'm not sure if the non-numbered Western Kentucky Parkway or the brief jog through Cairo, IL is what gave the unit such a headache. I may need to update the unit because the Parkway is as nice and fast as any highway in the U.S. but I haven't updated for a couple of years.

You'll want to buy a GPS that comes with both Europe and North America maps already in it. You will have to check before you buy, for example, the lowest priced ones at Costco and similar outlets don't have Europe maps.

Hundreds of reviews of GPS units have been posted here. Below I've provided links to some of those reviews:

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/40692/gps--which-is-best--garmin--magellan--tomtom.html

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/40692/gps--which-is-best--garmin--magellan--tomtom.html

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/51920/gps-or-no.html

I've had both a Tom-Tom and a Garmin 775 (current) for use in Europe. I had no problems with the Tom-Tom but it died after I few years and I swithched brands.

The 775's price is steep. I bought it mainly because it would build a logical route no matter in which order you inserted the points -- I drive a lot and thought it would be a great feature, but seldom have used it. It also lets you build multiple routes, I feature I do use. Regardless, I wouldn't do it again for the extra couple of hundred bucks.

For the other two Garmins with preloaded European maps, the choice is between the 275 and the 1370. For about twenty-five bucks more, I'd suggest the latter since it has a larger display with much better resolution.

My daughter and I returned from a 3-week trip to Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech republic. I used the Navigon Europe map on my iphone. We drove from Cologne to Munich in Germany via the Romantic Road. GPS was invaluable.

You can also buy a garmin gps and get the Europen map for it. Really worth it.

I also scanned and loaded the Rick Steves books in my ipad. with the iphone and the ipad, we had everything we needed.

We own a Garmin Nuvi and wouldn't want to drive without it! For our trip we bought a 2010 Europe card on Craigs List for $50, the GPS rental would have been an additional $18 E per day. You can preload addresses at home and be ready to go as soon as you pick up the vehicle.

Made four trips to Europe without a GPS before using my Garmin 275T in France last year. Will never again leave home without it. I like the 275T because not only are the European maps pre-loaded, but it is small enough to truly fit in your shirt pocket. I especially enjoyed dropping a point at a parking space in a place like Avignon and having the GPS lead me back to it....no aimless wandering! Since the 275T is not their latest model, I have seen it as cheap as $199.

Brad brings up a good point. No matter what GPS you buy, they are not infallible. We ALWAYS bring along a good Michelin map, and verify the route that it has picked. We love our TomTom, and have used it in Germany, Austria, Portugal, France, Italy, Sardinia, and on a cross country US trip.

I especially like two of its features; it tells you where the fixed radar/speed units are in the EU, and it continues to plot a course even when it looses the satelites (tunnels, high building, etc.)

TomTom and Garmin are the best brands, according to the latest Consumer Report article. No matter what you buy, practice with it here, and take along a good Michelin map to back it up.

I purchased a Garmin Nuvi 470 back in September of 2008 for a trip to Munich, Salzburg & Vienna.

We had our hotels already reserved before we left the country, so I loaded the hotel addresses into the GPS prior to leaving, and then verified the map on the GPS with the map on the hotel website. Everything worked perfectly.

The drive between Munich & Salzburg took longer than planned (made a side trip to Neuschwanstein Castle) and by the time we got to the pension that we were staying at it was very late, dark and raining. The GPS helped guide us directly to your hotel without issue.

I highly recommend getting a GPS if you are traveling anywhere you are not familiar with.

Do any GPSs allow you to preview your European route while in North America? Our Garman only wants to start routes from our house, this makes it useless as a trip planner. Do any show alternative routes? I guess I'm looking for one that works like google maps

My Garmin 775 does. All you have to do is put in a start point that's not where you're currently locacted. My old Tom-Tom would as well. Working alternative routes (other than a fastest/shortest opion is a bit more tricky -- you have to set in another midpoint I think -- only looked at that once and never really used it.

To the various people who have responded to this question, it would be helpful if you provide the model number of your GPS unit. Just saying "Tom-Tom" or "Garmin nuvi" isn't much help, as there are many models and they have different features, strengths, and weaknesses.

The Garmin nuvi 775 has many useful features (a couple respondents have commented on these units). Unfortunately, it is a discontinued model and very hard to find. It also costs at least $400 assuming you can find one, though you can get reconditioned units on ebay for the mid-$200s (DON'T search on Amazon, which charges around $700 for the 275 despite an MSRP of $449).

The 775 has been replaced by the nuvi 1370, which is cheaper (you can find it new for approx $250). Unfortunately, it lacks the multi-destination feature that the 775 has (very useful IMO), as well as the 3D building view (fun but certainly not necessary), and the MP3/FM features and headphone jack (useful when you are using the GPS in pedestrian mode).

The 1370, like the 775, has both the North American and Europe maps preloaded (only 3 Garmin units have this feature - the 3rd is the 275 which, given its smaller screen and other limitations, doesn't compare with the other two). The 1370 is somewhat thinner and lighter than the 775. It has gotten good reviews overall, though like any unit, it's not perfect. For the money, I believe it is well received.

Of course, you can always buy a GPS unit with the features you want and then add European (or other) maps - at a cost of about $150 each. Or buy one with Europe maps and then add the North America map (also about $150). I think the pre-loaded maps of both Europe and North America is the way to go.

Hope this helps. Good luck in your search.

I bought a Nokia cell phone withe their installed maps with the idea of "killing" two birds, by getting their map system and a European friendly cell phone I could buy SIM cards for...it was $200 new but I had second thoughts and sent it back. Anybody had this idea or similar? Or just buy a GPS?

We will be in Austria, Germany and Italy in the fall and are trying to decide which GPS to buy.

The Garmin Nuvi 1370t has the Europe maps and looks great, but some reviewers have had trouble with it just quitting on them.
The TomTom XXL 540TM also looks like it would be good. It has 5' screen, lifetime maps, but does it have a good pedestrian mode?
Both have lifetime traffic, spoken streets,
I don't need the Nuvi's Bluetooth
How about the battery life in pedestrian mode?
Can anybody help me compare these two models?
I don't want the Garmin 775, as it is being discontinued and eventually there will be no more map updates.
I can get either of the ones above for about the same price.
Any advice? Thanks.
Mary Lou, Rochester, NY