Rent a GPS for Ireland/Scotland

You would be better off to buy one here with Europe maps installed. Renting isn't cheap, and buying it here will give you a chance to learn to work it, and pre-program some of your destinations before you go.

If you have a smartphone or tablet, then get the Co Pilot Europe app. It doesn't use data when abroad, so it won't cost you a fortune in data! Easier than having another device with you. You can hire a GPS at most car hire places.

I'm playing with CoPilot now so I know how to use it when I get to Europe. It's not as good as a TomTom. It doesn't give the speed limit or show upcoming speed traps. It also doesn't seem to provide toll free routes - which can be a big deal.

The biggest plus is it's cheap and easy - and you don't have to pack something extra.

I'd pack a TomTom (IMO a little better than Garmin) before I'd rent one - just make sure it comes with European maps. Also make sure you use it at home for awhile both to get used to the functions and to make sure it works. Electronics usually break very early, if they're going to. Once you know they work, they usually last at least a few years unless you soak them in water, extreme heat or extreme cold.

Check Amazon for deals on GPS units with European maps installed. Can occasionally find used (refurbished) ones for less than $100. Garmin and Tom Tom seems to be the favored brands from posters on this forum.
Alternatively, it might be more cost effective for you to just buy a short term package from your smart phone service provider for the time you'll be there.

Natalie, our experience on using our smartphones (an iPhone 5s and a 4s) in the highlands of Scotland made us wish we had a GPS. There were times when we were out of a mobile signal range and had to wing it. It would have been nice to know that I was within a 1/2 or less) mile of my destination (Aberfeldy) when I got a flat tire in the dark on the downward side of a hill. I vote for a GPS and your smart phone as a back up.

I found it cheaper to buy a Tom Tom, in Australia, ( rather then buy it europe) and load it with europe/ UK maps. We have it now for future trips.
Knowing the speed limit is probably the most important thing you need as a driver, to prevent speeding tickets etc. so a GPS gets my vote. as different countries have different speed zones/signs.
If you do happen to buy a Tom Tom brand consider using their 'map codes' system, its like a simple address you put into the gps instead of the usual street address, worked very well for us.

hope this helps.

Last year I bought a used GPS via Ebay. The cost was $100. It had updated European maps along with, for lack of a better term, a "speed beeper." Whenever I would go over the speed limit, that puppy would beep. I found that I really liked it, cuz rarely did I know the speed limit in England nor Wales, and I certainly didn't want to get cited. The GPS worked well . . . never used a map, though we had one for a backup. I use the device back home and it works great.

Have you tried Costco? You could buy one and unless it sees some heavy use and/or damage, they will most likely let you return it. Costco takes back almost anything.

I like Costco's return policy but I don't think they sell anything with European maps. I shopped them last time I bought a GPS (admittedly a few years ago).

Wow! Thank you for all the responses. I think I will take a look at Amazon. We will have a phone with maps as a backup.

Thanks all!
Natalie

I bought this model a few years ago- so far I have only used it in France and here in the US but its been great, Last year, in France, our rental car came with a built in GPS so we had 2 plus our paper maps.
http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-nuvi-2577lt-newly-overhauled.html

I was looking at buying a GPS on Amazon that was preloaded with UK maps, but also want the USA maps. Didn't see how I could do that.

"I was looking at buying a GPS on Amazon that was preloaded with UK maps, but also want the USA maps. Didn't see how I could do that."

Here's one I found with a quick search that has both North America and Europe maps; I'm sure there are others.

https://www.amazon.com/TomTom-1505M-Traveler-Navigator-Lifetime/dp/B00BHSTWOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470918508&sr=8-1&keywords=tomtom+gps+european+maps

I second (or third or fourth) the recommendation to buy a unit like this before you go, for the reasons Nancy stated. Learning how to use the unit before you go will prevent all kinds of mistakes (like having the "avoid toll roads" setting on when you want it off and vice versa - this caused me horrible problems once), and pre-programming your destinations saves lots of time and aggravation.

Harold,
Thank you, I was searching for a Garmin, didn't think about Tom Tom.

Good luck with a GPS in the Scottish Highlands. Ours made a great paper weight. I bought it in London and returned it for a refund in Edinburgh. Did our whole trip through Scotland, Wales, UK with good old Michelin maps and AA guides.

Natalie, we purchase the appropriate chip for our personal GPS and take that with us. We've done for many trips, all over Europe, and it always has worked very well. That is much cheaper than renting a GPS with the car rental company. We've used ours in Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, and already have the chip for Italy for our trip next month. Always works great!

Any car I've rented the past couple of years (in France, in Scotland) has already had a GPS already installed. Has no one else had this experience?

Any car I've rented the past couple of years (in France, in Scotland) has already had a GPS already installed. Has no one else had this experience?