GPS in Euope

Len, Check the websites for Garmin, Tom Tom and Magellan, as they will indicate which models provide both North American and European maps. I'm more familiar with Garmin products, and their current listing indicates that models 2370LT, 1370LT, 275T & 775T are equipped with European maps. These are often discounted on Amazon or similar websites. Are you interested primarily in a GPS for driving, or one that can be carried for walking as well? One word of caution - don't trust them implicitly as they do make mistakes. Even something as simple as entering one letter wrong in an address can cause problems. For that reason, I always travel with a good Map as well. Cheers!

We use a Navigon. It always takes you the most direct way, not necessarily the most appropriate or advised way......which means, follow the signs on the autobahn. They are there for a reason!

I use a TomTom in the car, and a Garmin handheld at other times. But I am never without maps. A GPS can't give you the "big picture" the way a map can, showing you what is close to what.

They all work in Europe IF they have the correct maps loaded in. We used an inexpensive Garmin with maps purchased from ebay and it worked just fine.

I did the same as Frank and took my Garmin with an ebay purchased used Europe map that is on a micro sd card. It worked great and took so much of the stress from driving but there are some caveats. You don't want to have to learn a GPS when you are depending on it, practicing with it in your home town is the way to learn to use it and you will also discover some new and better routes as a side benefit. As Ken noted putting in the wrong information will get you to the wrong place so having a map to check that you are going to the correct general vicinity can help avoid that mistake. I also used Google maps before I left to get a mental image of routes and places so I was somewhat familiar when I was driving. Driving or walking in small medieval towns or large cities will be difficult no matter what. While the GPS helped at times walking in Paris a map and COMPASS it as or more helpful. Driving through French wine country the Dordogne and Provence with a GPS was wonderful and I can't recommend it enough.

I agree with the OP, bring a map for the overview of where you are going. Excellent driving maps for Europe are the Michelin maps. The country maps will not be useful. Regional or more specific areas are the best. Order on Amazon. Look at previous threads for the best city maps or map booklets (London and Paris). Happy Driving!

Most GPS have little-known software that you can download from the maker and use to, at discounted prices, download other maps. I did that in 2007 with my Garmin 250Nuvi and bought Western Europe cartographic base (map) for $ 40. And used a GPS I was completely familiar with and saved a lot of money in overpriced "rental" GPS.

If you're bringing a PC, another option is a "mouse" GPS and Microsoft Autoroute software (available at Amazon.) The mouse GPS receivers (usually) have a USB cable and a magnetic base so that it can be placed on a car roof. I'm using a Holux compact flash interface (with a PCMCIA adapter) GPS with a separate antenna. The GPS unit with built-in antenna stays with the laptop so it's usable while wlaking around, then can be connected to the external antenna for use in a vehicle. Autoroute is nice because you can plan routes, calculate fuel costs, determine mileage, download POIs, etc.