I recently used a GPs in costa rica it was grt but expensive
I am going to Ireland, Germany and switizerland what are my options on a GPS, can I do someting other than use the service the car rental agency provides
Do you have a guide to Ireland B&Bs
Your question: can I do something other than use the service the car rental agency provides?You can BYOGPS, buy one here but make sure it comes with a European map, Garmin 270 series (try to get one before they disappear) or similar from Magellan or Tom Tom. Not cheap but at least you can use it here when you get back.Many, many posts on this exact subject and you can find them all by going here and following the instructions how to find things on the Helpline.
You can get a B&B directory for Ireland from the Irish Tourist Board.
Check into car rental with Autoeurope. We got a great rate for the car and the GPS. They will mail the GPS to you at home and you mail back when you return. It cost a fraction of what the rate would be if you collected the GPS upon arrival. And don't cheap out...we almost went without out and would have been dead meat within 30 seconds. There are few places in England that are connected by one road, and the shortest trips require a lot of manuevering. Also allow extra time...the distances, no matter how short, will take longer to drive than we are used to here at home.
For Europe, I think you are best off buying a GPS here and bringing it with you. The GPS will do more for you if you know how to use all it's features. Many models of TomTom or Garvin include both N. American and European maps.
Why do they mail the GPS to you before you leave and then have you mail it back? That seems silly.
Also, what if you want to travel light? I only take a backpack and it is already packed full.
(I am wanting a GPS too. I leave in four weeks.)
They probably mail you the GPS in advance for two reasons. First, it insures that you have one. Sometimes, even though you request one with your rental, they may not have a car with one available when you get there. Secondly, it gives you a chance to try it and learn to use it before you need it. My own GPS is only slightly larger than a deck of cards, so it's not that much to pack.
Re Christine's question (couple of posts up): Nancy answers the way she does because she's been on this forum long enough to know that we've had a number of reports of travelers clicking the GPS option when they make their online reservation, just like they'd do for a car rental here in the US, and then being disappointed to get to the rental counter of their European destination (some countries are more known for this than others) and find, after it's too late, that they're not going to get a GPS after all (rental company: oh so sorry).
It's been my observation that this aspect of customer service is, in some European countries, not the 100% reliable thing it is here.
"Also, what if you want to travel light? I only take a backpack and it is already packed full."
Granted, the GPS is pretty small and light. But there's also the charger or cigarette lighter plug to take, and maybe a suction cup mount to mount it to the car windshield.
If you don't want to take your own, you're stuck with getting one over there, which usually works but sometimes they don't have it for you like you'd requested...see post above.
I assume you'll have a car, so once you get there you don't have to put it in your pack any more. Leave it hidden in the car.
If you're talking about using it only in pedestrian mode, be aware that at standard walking speed most GPS units can't get a satellite lock when you're in towns on narrow streets where the buildings around you block the signal.
We bought a Garmin Nuvi for our recent trip to Italy. It worked great & is very small--bought it on Amazon for $130--well worth every dollar--complete with European maps. We put it to use at home also.
I pack light also. Fortunately my TomTom car charger also fits my T-Mobile Razor and Blackberry phones. I just got lucky, I didn't plan that ahead of time. Radio Shack used to sell a recharger that you could buy different connectors for but I don't know much about them, it may be worth checking out.
phillip,
I've been travelling with a GPS for a few years now, and would suggest that you buy one here and pack it with you. Check the Garmin Nuvi series, but make sure the model you buy is equipped with European maps. You should be able to find on on Amazon for a fairly good price. I'm using a Nuvi 370, which is now discontinued but it has worked great so far.
Regarding B&B's in Ireland, check the Ireland 2009 Guidebook, as there are lots of listings for various towns in Ireland.
Enjoy Ireland!
