GPS: Which Is Best? Garmin? Magellan? TomTom?

First, I would find a model from each manufacturer and then check on-line reviews. Some makers (like Garmin) make models with European maps already loaded. Purchasing additional maps can add significantly to the total cost.

Voice directions come in two basic forms: some will say something like "In two miles turn right." Then as you get closer it may say "In 500 feet turn right." You, or your "significant navigator" would need to look at the device to see the name of the street/road.

Others actually say the name of the road - like "In one mile turn right on Elm Street." That's fine unless the street is not marked, or it is dark and you can't see the street sign.

My Garmin is the first type and I have used it it twice in Germany and Austria and I LOVE it!

I have a TomTom 920. I've been very pleased with it.

It seems Garmin and TomTom get the best reviews. After researching it, I gave the edge to TomTom and bought one but I know others are perfectly happy with Garmin.

Yes you will get voice directions in Germany unless you turn them off. Directions will be in English (or whichever language you choose).

We have a Garmin Nuvi that we bought on Amazon for about $130. It was great for our driving around Tuscany last May. The voice feature is a must IMO. Our Garmin also gave use warnings when we entered an area where there were speed controls--not that we were speeding but we were careful to pay attention to the warnings. We made a mistake in Montalpulciano by driving within the walls but the Garmin got us out quickly.

We also have used a Tom Tom 920 driving in the French countryside and really enjoyed it. It's really great for getting through the roundabouts effortlessly! I'd still recommend taking good maps. I think the Tom Tom gave us the option to get voice instructions that gave street names or distances. I'll certainly be using my GPS on my next European driving trip.

Are there certain models that already have the European maps loaded? I've been researching the Garmin Nuvi online but there several different models to choose from and most have only the North American maps pre-loaded.

We used our Garmin Nuvi 270 for our trip through Austria and Germany in October. We bought it specifically because it came pre-loaded with maps of Europe. It worked great the entire trip. Whenever I made the wrong turn or had to detour as we did on numerous occasions in Garmisch or had to drive in Munich back to Sixt, the Garmin re-routed us to where we needed to be. Does not give street names so you would need a "significant navigator."

Loaded with restaurants, groceries (Aldis included) and points of interest. Easy to program.

Don't drive in Europe without one. You will lose valuable time using only a map.

Dave
Webster Groves

Both Garmin and tomtom have certain units that have European maps preloaded. The tomtom 900 series and the Garmin x70(and maybe others) have Europe maps preloaded. I have used the older tomtom 910 model as recently as May of this year and it served us well. It has been replaced by 3 more recent models and each one should be an improvement on its pedecessor. Which is best, Garmin or tomtom? Probably whichever one you purchase. Like so many others have said who have traveled with the gps I would not go again without one. Have good maps as well.

Have used both TomTom 920 and the 930. No problems through out all of Italy on 4 trips. One thing is important, if you change preferences to WALKING, and forget to reset when you are through, you may find yourself going up a set of stairs and down a one way street in the wrong direction.

Any Gramin Nuvi ending in 70. We used our 270 in Europe, purchased at the suggestion of this board, and it was fantastic.

Alexandra,

Using a GPS from any of the manufacturers you mentioned should work well, provided the unit you purchase contains European maps. I'd suggest buying a newer unit rather than an older model on E-Bay or whatever, as the Maps may be somewhat out-of-date and it will be expensive to upgrade them.

I researched GPS units carefully before I bought one, and chose a Garmin Nuvi 370 as some of the reviews indicated that the mapping software was "better" than some of the competing brands. Since original purchase, I've upgraded both the North American and European maps (the upgrades were a bit "pricey").

I chose a compact GPS unit that could be used both in a vehicle and in "pedestrian mode". That's been helpful when I'm wandering around cities and occasionally get lost. When using the GPS for "walkabouts", I've found it's important to use it sparingly as the battery life is limited. I've also found that it's a good idea to re-orient the unit when arriving in a new city. This is best accomplished in an area with a clear view of the sky. Once the unit has a "lock" on the new location, it seems to work well even when surrounded by buildings.

You might find it useful to Google "GPS Reviews" and check out some of the comments.

Happy travels!

Garmin allows one free upgrade of maps(European was the only one we were interested in). There may be a time limit on doing this--possibly within the year of purchase.

Alexandra, we did a lot of research and ended up with a TomTom Go920. We have used it for a cross country US trip, and used it in Portugal, Germany, France, etc.

It has all the features that a good GPS needs; a large screen, Text-to-speech; (which talks and gives you the street names), alarm notice when you get near fixed radar installations, ability to track your position in tunnels and when the sattelites are obstructed, updates from other travelers when roads are closed, etc.

It came pre-loaded with all the maps (EU, etc) We hook it up to our computer and get FREE updates each time before we leave on a trip. They just did a complete software update, and map update the last time I logged it in to their site.....all at no cost, and it is almost 2 years old.

You can't go wrong with either a Garmin or a TomTom. Do some research, buy one, try it out at home and then enjoy your trip!

My TomTom also came with one year of free updates (download from the internet). Although old city centers don't change often, other than construction and possibly expanded walking zones, getting from one center to another is more reliable with recenlty updated maps.

I used a pre-loaded european map tom tom for years. Works fine, speaks in whatever language you tell it to, regardless of location. It's gotten me out of horrible jams (read "lost") in Naples (and my first master's degree was in geography). Over the years, maps have become outdated (UK is making more intersections into complex roundabouts; southern Spain is a highway construction nightmare). Since the cost of updating maps was most of the cost of a new machine, I've switched to a Garmin nuvi 775T (about $350 from amazon). What sold me (other than pre-loaded maps) was the wide screen, upcoming road name announcements, and the fact that the display is light and thin enough that you can dismount it and use it for walking around. Although the battery life is sufficient enough to do this, I must admit I've never used the thing out of the car since I don't like stuff in my pockets; but what the heck, I had to justify an increase in my allowance to her-frugal-self and this seemed as good a reason as any.