Thread: Best GPS Unit for Europe Trip?

Hello all, I will be leaving for europe on the 7th of September and I am considering buying one of those TomTuvi things for getting around. I'm wondering if anyone has done this before or has any recommendations. I will be in western and eastern europe.

Cheers!
John

They all have good maps, but I've always been and probably will always remain a big fan of Garmin.

James.

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

Good things to think about, I wonder if buying a unit (whether TomTom or Garmin or other) at Saturn when I get to Munich is the easiest thing to do rather than trying to use the iphone?