Thread: Best GPS Unit for Europe Trip?

I agree with James, they are all decent.
I've used Nav-units from TomTom and Garmin while driving thru Europe, and the are both good.
If I had to pick one, it would be the Garmin.

If you own an iPhone...use Navigon-apps.
I used it in USA/Canada and another Navigon-app for Europe. It works very well.
And if anybody needs an app for Israel...iTuran is the best one.
Have fun in Europe.

Originally Posted by eTom

If you own an iPhone...use Navigon-apps.
I used it in USA/Canada and another Navigon-app for Europe. It works very well.
And if anybody needs an app for Israel...iTuran is the best one.
Have fun in Europe.

I do have an iPhone but does it need to be unlocked? I have the problematic modem for unlocking.

The iPhone does not have to be unlocked (jailbreaked) to use the Navigon app.

Originally Posted by ace

The iPhone does not have to be unlocked (jailbreaked) to use the Navigon app.

True, I'm more concerned about accessing the cell networks while there.

Yea, you might want to do some hard research on that. I went to Germany and ended up with a $600 phone bill because they run on different networks.. so when it is downloading data it costs a forttune because you are on another company's pipe... With navigational aids, you might need some due dilligence on that also..you could buy a nav device on this side of the pond and not have any maps loaded for another country...Also Europe runs off a different GPS constellation,right? Gallieo (or something like that)..I am not sure how that would Effect nav device from here? So, I would suggest really tlking to company rep from Garmin or Tom Tom before purchasing the wrong one. One thing that always works is Google Earth.. Just make sure you seCure your wireless before getting on a public pipe. Tons of hackers waiting for an unsuspecting tourist to walk in with an open pipe on their laptop.

If you don't like to pay such a bill you should do the following:
1. deactivate "Traffic"
2. deactivate "Roaming"
There are tons of informations about using iPhone for navigation abroad in the Internet

Another method: you buy a prepaid card in the country where you spend your holidays
Therefore your iPhone should be provider-free
Be careful!
If you get a lot of calls every day, you pay a lot of money
My mobile# I told only some friends

Originally Posted by Wintchase

.Also Europe runs off a different GPS constellation,right? Gallieo (or something like that)..I am not sure how that would Effect nav device from here? So, I would suggest really tlking to company rep from Garmin or Tom Tom before purchasing the wrong one.

Wrong! They are building the Galileo satellite system but it won't be ready for several years yet. We use the US and Russian satellites same as you.

As for buying a satnav when you arrive in Munich, you will need to buy the European maps. I don't know how it works in the rest of Europe, but here in the UK we can buy the whole Europe map or just the UK which is cheaper. The units come with them ready loaded of course but if you go that route, make sure the one you buy comes with the whole Europe map and not just Germany. That's assuming you are going to other countries of course.

I would think it probably better to buy one in the US and get the Europe maps there so you will have your US guarantees to fall back on if the unit goes wrong!

Gareth

Originally Posted by JohnnyNorth

I do have an iPhone but does it need to be unlocked? I have the problematic modem for unlocking.

Needs to be able to use GSM. Not sure about Canadian carriers (Rogers?) but Verizon's iPhone here in the US is CDMA only, meaning it's pretty much useless in the EU. I suspect that Verizon is the only carrier with an iPhone crippled like this, but still worth it to make sure.

I don't know if US phones are carrier locked.

However, wintchase is right. Roaming and calling charges are insane in Europe if you use your phone on a different carrier. Even Europeans get shafted if they use their phone in a different country. And if you happen to use GPRS, you will really be ripped a new one. there are horror stories of people using GPRS for their daily facebook fix on holiday, and end up with a 17Keuro phone bill.

The best thing you can do is simply buy a prepaid card and put that in your phone. Use a different number during your holiday. It will save you a ton of money.

For GPS you can go with either Garmin or tomtom. those are the 2 dominant brands, and their maps are very accurate.