Just bought a power converter...and need some GPS suggestions.

I remember renting cars in Portugal and Spain and trying to drive in and drive out of those HUGE metropolitan cities, Lisbon and Madrid. We had some good laughs about it, but it was impossible, as many of the interesections will have 6, 8 or more streets fanning off from them, and NO signs to refer to.

Today, we have the magic "GPS", and it can guide us in and out and around major congested cities and out on to the highways across all foreign lands. Wonderful!

I have a GPS here in the States, but was wondering if it would be any good in Europe, or should I just pick one up over there and plan to bring it home and use it here when all is said and done. Ours is probably 5-7 years old now, and it needs to be updated; but often it's just better to buy a new one and start all over again.

Any thoughts on this one???

The last thing you want to do is try to learn how to operate a new/different GPS while navigating in a foreign country/city. I can only speak about Garmin but I assume the other major GPS companies are similar. Bring your own GPS with you. All you have to do is purchase the European maps for it. If you feel your GPS is getting old and should be replaced, get a new one now. Use it and become familiar with it BEFORE you go overseas.

Michael,

Before buying a Voltage Converter, it's a good idea to check EACH of the appliances you'll be travelling with to determine their "input voltage". It's likely that at least some of the newer appliances will be designed for multi-voltage operation, and therefore you'll only need Plug Adaptors for those. It would help to know what type of devices you plan on travelling with, and where you plan on visiting in Europe?

One other important point to mention is that there are two principles used in voltage conversion, transformer or solid-state. Some electronic devices should not be used with solid-state voltage converters, as "unpleasant consequences" can occur (sometimes accompanied by smoke and sparks).

Additionally, some high wattage devices such as hair appliances should also not be used with solid-state voltage converters, and you'll probably find that the manufacturers of those devices will specify that in the owner's manual. While a transformer will work for most devices, it's not practical for high wattage appliances as the type of transformer needed for those applications will be VERY heavy and not something you'd want to travel with.

There's nothing illegal about owning a voltage converter nor even about using one. My concerns are that you have the one - if one is needed - which is suitable for what you propose to use. Use the wrong one and your prized appliance is likely to go up in a spectacular show of flames, smoke, and sparks.

The only way we can help is if you tell us what type of devices and for each what it says on the input plate: volts, watts, amps, frequency (Hz). Items which are not suitable for your converter will have both a US type voltage (110, 115, 120 VAC) and a European voltage (220, 230, 240 VAC). So can you let us know the VAC, the A, the W, and the Hz please?
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If you use the right converter the wrong way you may also blow up the item and the converter.
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If your electronic devices are from the last many years it is most likely they will need no converter at all and the use of a converter in those circumstances is likely to destroy them.

Two years ago I bought a Garmin Nuvi 275 which was the cheapest GPS I could find. It work fine for us plus it was smaller than the current models. I believe it was being discontinued but there might be some new ones out there still. Happy travels

Almost every "electronic" (battery charger/computer/phone/etc) device these days is dual voltage, read the label on the gadget. Almost every "appliance" that has a motor will "work" with a voltage converter but will run at a different speed because European power is 50hz while US power is 60hz. The size of the voltage converter must be matched to the load. That means a cheap low load voltage converter will fry when you plug in your 1500 watt hair dryer. Many, many European hotel rooms and apartments do not have adequate power for heavy load appliances as well.

Last time I took a Garmin Nuvi 275, primarily because it was small. I've used a TomTom (I think 920) in the past and really liked it until it died. Personally I liked the TomTom better but the Garmin was more convenient to pack.

I wouldn't use anything other than a Garmin or TomTom.

Note that many name-brand, quality, electric toothbrush chargers are NOT dual-voltage. A 50 watt transformer (not a diode chopper ... ) is an appropriate and necessary product to be used with them.

I would gather all the applicance that you plan on taking and gather two bits of information.

first, what is the voltage listed on the device? Obviously 110 V, but see if it also says 110/220 V (or maybe 120/240). If it says both voltages, just bring a adapter for those, do not bother with the converter.

For those that indicate only 110 or 120 V, find the wattage required. The key there is that the converter you purchased is only 50 watts, so only devices less than 50 watts will work with it. I can easily state that any curling irons or blow dryers you might be looking to bring will not work with it.

I moay have wasted $10, after reading the preceding posts. It is for only 0 = 50 watts, but fortunately my wife's hair blower is dual power, although it looks like it's about ready to give up the ghost. It says nothing about the Mhz, VAC or amps, so I'll know when I receive it. Thanks for all the warnings.
I'll look into the Garmin GPS or TomTom soon. I appreciate all the tips.

Most modern electronics can handle "world" voltage, and all you need for them is plug adapters so that you can plug your stuff into their outlets. In fact, it has been reported here in the past that converters, when not needed, can actually damage your appliance (though I have no personal experience with this). Check your chargers, and if they say something like 110-240v, just take the adapters you need. You can buy them in any hardware store, or right here on this site. As for a GPS, just take your own if it has Europe maps. Or buy a new one with Europe maps. Then you can preprogram some locations, learn to use the device, etc., before you go, and you won't be fumbling around trying to set it to English and figuring it out when you get there.

Michael,

I had a look at the product you purchased, and that Voltage Converter is undoubtedly a transformer type, although it's a bit hard to tell from the limited description posted online. That would be suitable for charging low-wattage electronic products such as cell phone chargers, etc. It is NOT suitable for "hair blowers" or other large wattage appliances.

If your wife's "hair blower" is ready to quit, you could either consider buying a dual-voltage model from Magellan's or other travel supplier OR pick up a cheap hair dryer when you arrive in Europe. You might find that hauling a hair dryer to Europe is not needed, as many hotels these days supply them either in the rooms, or on request at the front desk.

You didn't say where you're travelling, but if you'll be both in the U.K. and the continent, you'll need two different styles of Plug Adaptors. I'd suggest packing at least two of each type as they're easy to misplace. You can also get those at Magellan's.

I forgot to address the GPS question. I've been using a Garmin Nüvi for many years, and it's always worked well both for driving and also on occasion for pedestrian use in cities (although I tend to use it sparingly for that, as battery life is a bit "limited"). The model I'm using was discontinued, but there are newer models with the same features.

Some models come pre-loaded with both North American and European maps such as the https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-road/automotive/2013-line/nuvi-2577lt/prod122520.html (there may be others - check Amazon or wherever as the prices may be lower). Since that's something you'll be able to use at home also, it's a good long-term purchase. I'm not familiar with Tom Tom or Magellan models, so can't offer any comments on those.

One other point to mention. If you're going to be travelling with cell phones and especially Smart phones, you'll have to be VERY careful with the aspect of data roaming, as the costs can be HUGE. Doing a bit of homework on the topic would be a really good idea.

Not always, but often enough for me to care:
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Plug Adapters: Get good grounded ones, not the cheapie ones. Often the cheapie ones will not stay in the outlet because they get a little end heavy and European outlets aren't as tight as they should be sometimes. Very rarely you will find an outlet that will not accept an ungrounded plug and finally, its good practice to use grounded plugs.
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If the hotel or apartment has a hair dryer, use it. They match the size of the hair dryer to the available breaker size. You 2000 watt American monster may work until you turn the lights on.

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Plug in clocks and timers just not going to work because of the 50 vs 60 hz issue. Hair dryer blower will run a little slower too.

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Telephones: get an AT&T or T-Mobile International Roaming Plan and Skype for calling home in the evenings.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

We just went through the GPS question ourselves. After consulting The Amazon, we discovered we could buy the European map set for our old Nuvi 1300 for about $70 or get an entirely new (okay, factory refurbished) discontinued Nuvi 1370 for about $105 including both North American and European map sets for about $105-$110. We went with the refurb unit since our old unit had old maps. Got it a few days ago, plugged it into the computer to check for updates, and after letting it set for a few minutes, it offered to let us load the updated 2014 Euro and NA map sets onto it- only problem was that the new map sets are bigger than the old ones so we had to put a micro memory card (had one on hand for the Go Pro- otherwise, figure $20 or so) into the unit to get it all loaded.

You're right on the electric toothbrush, as they can use the cheapie little converter I bought. Not much good for many other things. Charging phone maybe?

My electric toothbrush charger says 110/220v.

Are you sure that your phone needs a converter? I'd be pretty astonished unless it is from the last century. Virtually all phones in the last several years are world voltage. How old is it? Have you checked the plate on the brick?

If you use a device, especially a phone, with a converter when it doesn't need one you are asking for trouble - new phone to replace a dead one trouble.

Almost all Oral B toothbrushes are world voltage now. You have to check the plate.

I use a chargeable electric toothbrush at home. For travel, I use a battery powered one or just a regular one. I can cope for the month we are gone. I haven't had to do this yet, but I bet if the battery one runs out, I can buy a battery one in Europe. I know I can buy a regular one there.

As far as hair appliances go, I never take anything because most hotels, apartments, B&Bs, etc. have them. I did look for a dual voltage brush style curling iron recently. I found a name brand one at Walmart. So you don't necessarily need to shop travel-specific stores for these things.

If you have a smart phone with a map app that came with it, chances are that you can use that. I went all over Switzerland and England this summer with nothing but the map app that came with my iPhone and it worked great! Mine runs off of TomTom.
Test yours out first by entering a "to/from" direction for two towns in the area you'll be visiting to make sure it has European maps - that's how I made sure mine would work for where I was going. To avoid data charges, I hooked into wireless before I left the house where we were staying, entered the destination, and then it was pre-loaded into my phone. Try this before going out and purchasing another device...the less you carry, the better!

@ Michael,

if you have a smart phone use it for you navigation.

with regards to your electric toothbrush, leave it at home and go old school. I have one of the electric ones at home that i like, but i ditch it and just bring a manual brush. It save me bring one more adatper/charger.

if you can, try to MINIMIZE your electric garbage. you will be happier for not having to pack/lug all of that crap around.

happy trails.

@ Michael,

if you have a smart phone use it for you navigation.

with regards to your electric toothbrush, leave it at home and go old school. I have one of the electric ones at home that i like, but i ditch it and just bring a manual brush. It save me bring one more adatper/charger.

if you can, try to MINIMIZE your electric garbage. you will be happier for not having to pack/lug all of that crap around.

happy trails.

I have a Sonic travel toothbrush that runs on 2 AAA (or maybe AA didn't check-it's in my travel stuff) batteries. It works exactly like my Sonic electric toothbrush I leave at home. The brush heads for both are the same so you can even change the traveling one for a fresh brush if necessary.