Is adding a GPS System to a Rental Car Reservation a good bet?

Personally, I don't think it's worth it, although it depends on the cost.

I was in some very remote areas of Scotland and used Google maps GPS system on my phone for the entire trip, including the 16 days I had a rental car. And my GPS system was free. I chose not to use it because Google worked so well. So as I said, I think using your phone is perfectly adequete.

It’s been ages since I had one in my rental car. I know Google Maps isn’t perfect, but it has done well for me in many countries. But my main issue is that when I am driving in a new place, I want navigation I am familiar with - I don’t want to be learning a new system in a new car in a new place.

Funny you mention that, everyone loves their cellphone maps but remember, no service no live map. You could download Google Maps but again, not live. A friend was watching an episode of the vlogger Walter's World where he goes to Wales and he specifically says get GPS because there isn't always phone service. The system can almost always find enough satellites to give you real time data.

Hi all,

Based on the earlier thoughtful replies to my inquiry, I was leaning against the GPS, but the reply from phred may have tipped the scales in favor of GPS. I haven't costed it out yet, but my feelings are "it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it."

I was also worried that my iPhone car charger may not be compatible with the car I'm renting..
Using my iPhone for directions will definitely call for being all charged up.

If anyone has thoughts on iPhone car charging compatibility for Europcar rentals, I'm standing by for more good advice.

Many thanks fellow travelers,
Tim

phred has a point and it’s possible, but I haven’t encountered it yet. And I have driven parts of north Wales. Almost anything CAN happen.

I avoid most issues by downloading my Google Map. That gives me offline (no cell service) access to all locations I have saved on my map. If I am driving, I plug in my destination before I head out for the day and even if service disappears at some point, the map and directions continue to operate. If I need to add saved places, I do that when I have WiFi access at my lodging. I still laugh when I remember taking a small group to Ireland with a hired bus - the driver’s cell service disappeared and I was able to direct him out of the detour we had taken (my offline maps still worked).

My phone usually will Bluetooth connect to the built-in screen and audio. For the possibility I might get a car without, I bring a cell phone holder and make sure I have a way to plug it in and charge it while driving. A couple of my recent cars have had only a USBC plug - no regular USB or 12V outlet.

Cellphone charging is the same all over the world and in any car. The car will almost certainly have at least 2 USB ports which can charge, or you can cheaply buy a charger that goes into the cigarette lighter.

You can also use your current charger in any hotel room or on any airplane or train, AS LONG AS you have the correct adapters. Which are small light and cheap, so just buy the complete set for any European outlet.

Depending on the cost, you might find it cheaper and easier to buy a GPS now, take it with you, and either keep or donate to Goodwill when you get home.

Hi phred!

Thanks for your savvy input. I appreciate your creativeness, with a thoughtful twist for those who rely on Goodwill for great deals.

Not to argue with phred, but for others who might be following, 2 of my 4 rental cars last year did not have a regular usb charging outlet. Nor a “cigarette lighter” outlet. So I think the statement that “The car will almost certainly have at least 2 USB ports which can charge” might be a bit misleading.

I was told at the rental locations that newer cars are not coming with them - I can’t speak to that. I ride with a friend at home whose car does not have either. However, I agree that buying a cord for charging in the car locally is a great idea if you decide to use your phone.

Didn't know they still made GPS units? Why? Google maps does the same thing either or with out a cell signal as TTM points out. Silly to carry more weight and to hope your GPS maps for Albania are current and the road didn't wash out last week.

The last European rental I rode in didn't have a USB port. We wasted quite a bit of time driving around Romanian villages looking for a circa 1985 cigarette lighter adapter.

And the last car i purchased had one small type C plug in the front and one old time USB plug in the tailgate area. Type C adapters are tiny and maybe not a bad investment.

Instead of bringing a cell phone holder, I suggest renting a Showaround Guide to hold the phone. Its what I did.

As for donating a GPS, I am not so rich as to spend one or two hundred dollars on a GPS and maps, then give it away. But if you were so inclined, look for a transportation museum. They might have use for it.

Bring a phone with good service like TMobile or a local SIM and a back up battery and a couple of adapters

I have found that Google Maps GPS and directions is sometimes better than what the car has.

If going to an area I might have problems with reception, I also download the maps ahead of time.

BTW, for most phones, you don't need cell service to use GPS. They have GPS antennas built in to pick up the sattelite signals. Of course, they do need to get a direct signal. Oft times, when in a parking garage, I may still get cell service but I get a "GPS signal lost" warning. You might also see that in tunnels.

I tried it in an airplane once with wifi and cell service turned off. I got a positioning with the GPS but no detailed map.

As I mentioned, I did not use the GPS unit I got with the car because I didn't want to deal with having to learn how to use it. But also, as others mention, you are not reliant on a cell phone signal to use the GPS on your phone. I used my phone in very remote areas of Scotland with no problems, and in Germany the year before, I rented a car when I was staying in a very small town out in the boonies, and again had no problem accessing GPS.

People use Google maps for GPS all over the world. I haven't' come across anyone who uses a GPS unit in forever. On thing to think about is if you are only renting the car for a few days or a week, the cost might be negligible and therefore worth it. So look at the total cost to see how much you will spend for "just in case."

My phone usually will Bluetooth connect to the built-in screen and
audio. For the possibility I might get a car without, I bring a cell
phone holder and make sure I have a way to plug it in and charge it
while driving. A couple of my recent cars have had only a USBC plug -
no regular USB or 12V outlet.

The last automobile i purchased was a gently used sort of high end affair with all the cell phone software and screens, etc. From that I learned every place the previous driver had gone and I had a complete list of all of his cell phone contacts and quite a few text messages. Be careful when using someone elses car. Make sure you know how to prevent it from taking your information or at least know how to clear it before you turn in the car. You dont want the Albanian mafia knowing too much about you.

Tim, in answer to your last question, I always carry a small backup battery for charging my phone (getting older and uses battery faster now). Twice in the last 2-3 years, I have used it to make sure I had battery for directions while driving. Then I recharge it at night. Now I carry a USB C cord as a “just in case”. Takes up next to no room.

I would not spend money on a car GPS. Are they still stand alone? If so, that's just another device to break or to be stolen.

My phone is my # 1 travel accessory. I trust it at home and I trust it abroad. My power bank is my second. I don't get too fussed about not having a cellular signal. Anytime I get lost, even walking the city, I don't mind asking some local for directions. When I'm driving, I have to stop every once in a while to pee.

My "just in case" story was our last trip to Portugal. We were two couples and rented a car to drive from Lisbon to Lagos, with a stop in Evora. I drove and my friend was the navigator. He insisted on having Google Maps on both my Android and his iPhone running at the same time as a backup. The double audio directions was driving me nuts, but I was too busy driving to punch him in the nose and to wrestle the phone from him. BTW, there were several USB outlets in our Citroen to keep both phones charged. I would have been happier if there was only one usb so that the second phone would die.

Just to keep the fun going, was watching a blogger who lives in Tuscany and she said there are several holes near her with no cellphone signal

Tip by a local: Forget Google Maps for Germany! Worst quality ever: missing streets, failures in maps, wrong connections shown on public transport, wrong locations of things ....

Best map quality is delivered by WeGo Here. Standard for navigation system card material in cars; what the navigation systems of manufacturers sometimes make out of it is another question. Here has very high quality ambition - I know one former and one actual product responsible.

Another good solution is Sygic Navigation App. No need for permanent mobile connection: You download the Germany map once at home without the need to handle the oh-oh map tool every day.

btw: if you have a rental car you may use EasyPark app to pay public parking (except Munich).

To MarkK:

I have added the "HereWego.com" app and look forward to putting it to use when we get to Wertheim, then on to Bavaria. Thanks so much for adding your "home-cooking" suggestion to this discussion. I'm sure it will help many German-bound travelers.
Danke sehr, MarkK!!

FWIW, a one-eyed Bolt driver in Lisbon recommended using the Waze map app in Portugal. We downloaded it as a backup. My navigator used it at the same time as Google Maps on the second phone but the slightly different driving instructions made things even worse. So he went back to using Google Maps on two phones, so I only had to deal with the repetitive directions.