We will be driving through Andalucia in May. We had read not to rent a GPS there but to bring our own. We have a Garmin and I wondered if anyone had used their USA made one in Spain. If so, was it successful or forget it? Any thing else we should know?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
I doubt if it was made in the US, most likely China. However, most US sold GPSs come only with US maps. Therefore, you probably need to purchase European maps for your unit. You can find them for sale on eBay, Amazon, and the web site for your GPS. If you have current European maps on your unit, then you are good to go and it will work as well in Europe as in VA.
Posted by
Quincy, FL, US
58 posts
Hi Betsy. We brought our Garmin from home to Italy several years ago and it worked perfectly just as if it were in the US. You'll probably have to purchase the Spain data via download or SD card depending on your model but you should have no problem whatsoever when you get there.
Posted by
Littleton, Colorado, United States
44 posts
Some Garmin models come pre-loaded with European maps. If you're not sure, call Garmin.
Posted by
Richmond, Virginia, USA
345 posts
I have a Garmin model that came with European maps and used it twice in western Europe and it was just like using it at home. When you turn it on, it finds the satillites and knows where you are. It also has points of interest pre-loaded - a no brainer!
Posted by
Overland Park, KS
102 posts
We have used ours in Germany, Italy and France. We bought the European maps online and they work fine. As in the US, if you are in an area with tall/close buildings sometimes it is a challenge to get the signal but usually there is no problem. Also, we encountered a few times it would want you to turn on a road that had been set up with an outdoor cafe or a road that just wasn't passable for other reasons and a few times, I am sure it took us on a VERY round-a-bout way but it did get us there. I would suggest you take a paper map along if you want to avoid that but now you are into more expense and possibly less portability. We have ours set to the "Jill" mode and sometimes she takes a lot of heat for her "calculations" but it is so much easier with her that it would be without her.
Posted by
OP
Jeffersonton, Va, Usa
36 posts
Thanks to everyone for your replies about the GPS. I think I will download the informationBUT also know how to buy a map of Andalusia! Theres always adventure which seems to be in short supply these days. Oh yes, we also have "words"for Jill!!!
Posted by
Vancouver, Canada
58 posts
We drove through Spain and Portugal last year using our Garmin GPS with maps of Spain and Portugal downloaded prior to leaving. We had only 1 small problem. Sometimes the GPS didn't recognize the address we input. This only happened when we travelled to very small, remote villages. We just put in an address nearby and used the road signs when we got close. It is worth it to bring.