Advice on GPS for Italy??
Sep 8th, 2011, 11:51 PM
#1
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Advice on GPS for Italy??
Our rental car company in Tuscany will not guarantee availability of a GPS device!
I dont know anything about GPS devices but it looks like we will have to buy one before we go... which one should I get? Garmin or Tomtom? Preloaded Europe maps, or should I download them?
Alternatively, we also have an iPad 2 (3G) and an iphone, but we wont have a data plan there. Can I preload maps onto either of these devices (any particular app?) and if so, is it just as good as using a traditional GPS device??
Leaving in a couple of days... any help is much appreciated!
I dont know anything about GPS devices but it looks like we will have to buy one before we go... which one should I get? Garmin or Tomtom? Preloaded Europe maps, or should I download them?
Alternatively, we also have an iPad 2 (3G) and an iphone, but we wont have a data plan there. Can I preload maps onto either of these devices (any particular app?) and if so, is it just as good as using a traditional GPS device??
Leaving in a couple of days... any help is much appreciated!
Sep 9th, 2011, 12:59 AM
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www.sixt.com
I didn't do a lot of research, but got a better rate than anything I could find on autoeurope or kayak.
I didn't do a lot of research, but got a better rate than anything I could find on autoeurope or kayak.
Sep 9th, 2011, 02:18 AM
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For the cost of renting a GPS for a week you can probably a GPS unit at home either preloaded, download, or otherwise buy Europe maps.
You'd also be able to pre-program in destinations and become familiar with how to use the GPS.
Bonus, you'd have a GPS to keep when you got home.
You'd also be able to pre-program in destinations and become familiar with how to use the GPS.
Bonus, you'd have a GPS to keep when you got home.
Sep 9th, 2011, 04:10 AM
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If you have never used any kind of GPS I would highly recommend you buy one at home and get some practice using it before you go.
You can get some pretty good deals on various GPS that include lifetime US maps and lifetime traffic.
If you can get preloaded Europe or Italy maps for a reasonable price, find, but you can also buy cards or cds or download maps for Italy. I bought a Italy card on ebay for a very good price.
My first experience with a GPS was in Ireland 3 years ago. Having to learn how to use it while on the road is no fun.
When we got home I bought one and they are very easy to use when you have a little time to play around with them and find out what all the shortcuts are.
I have a Garmin, I don't know anyone that uses TomTom but I'm sure they have their fans too.
CindyP.
You can get some pretty good deals on various GPS that include lifetime US maps and lifetime traffic.
If you can get preloaded Europe or Italy maps for a reasonable price, find, but you can also buy cards or cds or download maps for Italy. I bought a Italy card on ebay for a very good price.
My first experience with a GPS was in Ireland 3 years ago. Having to learn how to use it while on the road is no fun.
When we got home I bought one and they are very easy to use when you have a little time to play around with them and find out what all the shortcuts are.
I have a Garmin, I don't know anyone that uses TomTom but I'm sure they have their fans too.
CindyP.
Sep 9th, 2011, 04:20 AM
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I have a Garmin, a TomTom and a Navigon. They all use the same satellites and do the same good job of telling me precisely where I am. The differences between the 3 are in the map and routing software.
I never rely solely on GPS to get me somewhere. I use a combination of paper maps, google maps/online directions, and intuition (aka curiosity). Nothing beats at GPS to tell you your precise current location though.
If you are price sensitive then don't bother subscribing to lifetime map upgrades and traffic reports. Roads really don't change that much from year to year. My paper Esso maps still work pretty well in fact. You can get real time traffic on any smart phone (requires data plan).
Yes, you can buy maps on ebay. If you care about software piracy then pay attention to the details such as New from Garmin/original packaging, etc. If you're finding a Europe map on an SD card for $20 from some random seller chances are good it's a pirated copy someone has made and is selling online.
I never rely solely on GPS to get me somewhere. I use a combination of paper maps, google maps/online directions, and intuition (aka curiosity). Nothing beats at GPS to tell you your precise current location though.
If you are price sensitive then don't bother subscribing to lifetime map upgrades and traffic reports. Roads really don't change that much from year to year. My paper Esso maps still work pretty well in fact. You can get real time traffic on any smart phone (requires data plan).
Yes, you can buy maps on ebay. If you care about software piracy then pay attention to the details such as New from Garmin/original packaging, etc. If you're finding a Europe map on an SD card for $20 from some random seller chances are good it's a pirated copy someone has made and is selling online.
Sep 9th, 2011, 12:16 PM
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I would like to say that I have a Garmin with preloaded Europe maps which were just updated because I did purchase lifetime map updates.
First of all, let me caution you that the lifetime map updates are specific to the Garmin you purchase them for. And if your unit does not work any longer, the updates are no longer of use to you. They are purchased in conjunction with a specific unit and not usually transferrable.
Also, I have used my Garmin in several countries and really like it as a backup to a map. Recently I had to travel by myself from our village rental to FCO,round trip, and I found myself relaxed and confident on that trip with the Garmin. I also had a map with me but when you have no navigator map reading becomes a problem.
I also want to say on this most recent trip to Italy, in August, I was very disappointed in the POI (points of interest) function. It was totally useless to me. We could be sitting right in from of a grocery and the Garmin would indicate that the closest store was 40km away. And this is with naming the specific store we were sitting beside.
Other than that it seemed to get us where we wanted to go.
I also found the coordinate function very helpful. There were roads around the villa but of course not many signs indicating the road number. I used Google maps to find the coordinates of the house, loaded those into the Garmin and it took us right to the door of the house which was in the country. I also used it to find the winery we visited for the tour. The coordinate function was great.
All in all I would purchase whatever GPS you choose with the preloaded maps. You will be familiar with the unit when you arrive in Italy and you can use it on any other trip you take. A much more reasonable option then renting from the car company.
First of all, let me caution you that the lifetime map updates are specific to the Garmin you purchase them for. And if your unit does not work any longer, the updates are no longer of use to you. They are purchased in conjunction with a specific unit and not usually transferrable.
Also, I have used my Garmin in several countries and really like it as a backup to a map. Recently I had to travel by myself from our village rental to FCO,round trip, and I found myself relaxed and confident on that trip with the Garmin. I also had a map with me but when you have no navigator map reading becomes a problem.
I also want to say on this most recent trip to Italy, in August, I was very disappointed in the POI (points of interest) function. It was totally useless to me. We could be sitting right in from of a grocery and the Garmin would indicate that the closest store was 40km away. And this is with naming the specific store we were sitting beside.
Other than that it seemed to get us where we wanted to go.
I also found the coordinate function very helpful. There were roads around the villa but of course not many signs indicating the road number. I used Google maps to find the coordinates of the house, loaded those into the Garmin and it took us right to the door of the house which was in the country. I also used it to find the winery we visited for the tour. The coordinate function was great.
All in all I would purchase whatever GPS you choose with the preloaded maps. You will be familiar with the unit when you arrive in Italy and you can use it on any other trip you take. A much more reasonable option then renting from the car company.
