Hello, All. Any suggestions? Looking for mostly Mostly driving in Austria/Ireland, and walking in Rome.
We'll be Ebaying it as soon as we get back. (We have one that doesn't have EUR maps.)
PS - I know this has been covered before, but with all the new models out, and the big price drops recently, I'd like a fresh opinion or two. Thanks all!
I like my TomTom 920 (the newer version is the 930). I bought it because it's made by a European company but Garmins also get good reviews the models ending in 70 come with European maps).
Buy something that includes the maps. Many allow you to add maps but the cost can be more than buying one with the maps included.
Thanks, Brad. I understand most Tomtoms come with the European maps at no extra charge. Right?
Most of the tomtom's sold in the states do not have European maps already loaded. The 920 and 930 that Brad mentioned do have them. The 910, which was the forerunner to the 920 and 930 also has Europe maps but if you can find a good deal on the the latest model (930) it should have more up to date information. You could probably find a very good price on a 920 and you would be fine using it. In fact, I would not hesitate to go back with my 910 model. I do not know of any other tomtom models that have the Europe maps already loaded.
Both the tomtom and the garmin sites have product advisors where you can check off that you want European maps and it tells you which models contain them...for tomtom, it looks like the GO 930 is the only one that comes standard with European maps. For Garmin, it's any model ending in 70/75. Garmin has much cheaper models that have european maps pre-installed.
Great information, both Lane and Debra. Thank you!
Chris,
I've been using a Garmin Nuvi 370 (now discontinued) for the last few years and it's been great! It comes equipped with both European and North American maps (which I've updated both recently).
You might have a look at the Garmin Nuvi 275T, as it's not too expensive and provides a compact unit which can be easily carried for walking if desired. It also has additional features beyond a basic GPS unit. Check the details and reviews at Amazon for further information.
One caveat though (especially when driving) is that GPS units are not infallible. I usually travel with a good Michelin Map as well. Users still have to "think" and check road signs to make sure the directions provided by the GPS are valid.
Happy travels!
To echo Ken on the need for maps as a backup....I got caught at the end of a newly-built freeway in a small town in northwestern Spain last fall. My GPS kept telling me to "turn left and enter the freeway." I wound around the streets of this small village to no avail, until I noticed, high above me on a mountainside, the freeway.....still under construction!! Luckily, I simply followed the truck traffic up a narrow, 1930's era road until we finally got out onto the plains above. After a while, my GPS gave up telling me to "make a U-turn when safe" and finally plotted a new route to my destination.
LOL great story Norm. :) I've been there myself - with two buses filled with 80 people, and an imaginary off-ramp. lol
Thanks Ken - the nuvi is probably top on our list just from friend recommendations, and the fact that they seem to be on sale everywhere right now!
We'll be buying the map book Rick recommends for Ireland, and the Let's Go book has a nice walking map of all the cities. Thanks for the advice!
