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GPS Suggestions after Volvo Overseas Delivery

I am picking up a Volvo with the Overseas Delivery Program and based on Rick Steves’ Scandinavia book plan to visit Stockholm, Glass County and Kalmar. Which is the best navigation to get for Sweden? Cell phone, maps for current Garmin or buying one in country when I arrive? Thanks for the help!

Posted by
5687 posts

What works for you at home? If you are used to your cell phone for GPS at home, it will work just as well over there. If you don't have (or don't want) mobile service while you are there, you can download the maps "offline" in apps like Google Maps that are specifically designed to work without an active data connection. It is a little different than the "regular" Google Maps but it works (no traffic without mobile data, however). I suggest you try the "offline" mode at home if you think you would use it on your trip.

Posted by
4761 posts

We bought our Volvo thru that program too! Love that car. If you currently have a portable Garmin, then download the maps on to it before leaving home. But test it to make sure it download properly. We prefer the features of either our Garmin or the built in system on rental cars to Google's offline maps, but they work OK just for an alternative to a paper map.

Posted by
5687 posts

My Garmin didn't have a "download" option for European maps, FYI. Not every Garmin model is the same. I was able to buy a microSD map card for it on eBay, however, so I could use it in Europe. But that was before I got my smart phone with Google Maps, which I found superior to the Garmin. (I do miss a few of the features like showing me current speed and warning me about speed limits, but I'm told other apps besides Google maps have those features. Google Maps is just one of several map apps you can use on a smart phone.)

Posted by
32523 posts

Do the new Volvos not come with GPS already in the dash?

Posted by
3 posts

The new Volvo’s do come with GPS but the maps are for the continent they are delivered to. Thanks for all the suggestions!