McNeill

I'm driving around Ireland in rental car and am considering bringing my Garmin GPS system with me but am worried about airport security seizing it as I fly in and out. I'm flying Delta into Shannon and then flying out of Dublin to Brussels on Aer Lingus and then finally flying back to the states on Delta out of Amsterdam. I was going to rent one with the car but they want to put a $1,200 deposit on my credit card (in addition to the deposit for the car) To rent the GPS is about $85 for the week (with the $1,200) deposit but I can purchased the downloadable Ireland guides for the same price, own them and not have to have a chunk of my credit card taken up. I'm only hesitating because I'm afraid some security person will take it as a terrorist device. I'd call the airlines but fear I'll get different answers depending who I speak with. So, rent one with a huge deposit, bring my own or just rely on a form of mapquest? I've found mappy.com and AA roadwatch but... Appreciate the suggestions!

ira

Hi M,

Have you looked at the TSA website?

jo_ann

we're taking one to Ireland this fall, and expect no problems. I really think there are so many of them around now, and frankly think the security people are a tad more sophisticated than you're giving them credit for?? We have traveled within the US with one at least a dozen times with no questions, and we took one to France several years ago with no problem....I mean, the same could be said of various computers, phones, cameras. I'd not worry - just take it.
Hope that helps?

Christina

Can't you just check it in your bags, if you're concerned?

gb944

Shouldn't be a problem.

I have carried GPS devices, PDAs with GPS adapters, laptops with GPS pucks both in carryon and checked baggage to European and US destinations for about 8 years without any problems at all.

Itallian_Chauffer

I took one last year, without incident or even any raised eyebrows.

HOWEVER -- You DO know that your US GPS will NOT function outside the US and Canada UNLESS you have added on the appropriate maps, right?

Bob

McNeill

Thanks to all. I do plan to buy the Ireland maps to install on the Garmin--once I figure out how to operate it since I've never used one! Plenty of time before my July trip.

pompa1

We have traveled extensively with our garmin and never had a problem. We will be taking ours to Ireland in April. They are extremely handy as all you need to do is to input the address you are looking for and it will guide you to the front door. I find this much safer than trying to navigate confusing road signs. The garmin will tell you what lane to stay in and will start alerting that a turn is coming when you are within 1 mile of the turn. This allows you to concentrate on traffic and just follow directions. I just purchased the latest Europe SD chip on Ebay and have been trying it out to find the specific B&B's we are staying at and was amazed that they all showed up on the maps. As a word of caution, make sure you have the latest version. My version 8 that I bought in 2006 doesn't have nearly the detail in small towns like Dingle that I have with the 2008 version which was listed as version 10 when I bought it on Ebay. The one I bought came from Pentagon in England. $182 plus $20 for shipping and I got it in about 2 weeks.

happy traveling

GreenDragon

Don't put anything expensive in your checked luggage! Always take it carryon.

travelgourmet

Another vote for carrying it on. I have never had an issue with it and have travelled with it quite a bit. Indeed, I bought mine at an electronics store in Heathrow.

I noticed you mentioned mapquest. I have found viamichelin.com to have excellent coverage for Europe if you decide to go that route. Also, I think google maps now does Europe, as well.

GreenDragon

Unfortunately for us, we will have to rent one in Scotland. Our unit (JVC) does not have the option of uploading Europe maps

Maria_H

Don't spend a fortune renting one - you can buy one from Halfords in the UK from about £80.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...atalogId=10151

janisj

I personally would not depend on a GPS for rural Scotland (or rural Ireland). They would help in cities and on major routes. But the UK papers frequently have stories about poor travelers (and lorry drivers) getting stuck on dirt tracks or dead end roads because they relied on inaccurate GPS systems. Some counties have even come up w/ road signs that look like a satellite antennae in a red circle w/ a diagonal line across it to warn drivers that GPS maps are "wrong around here" .

A good old fashioned road atlas would be my major navigation aid . . . . . . .

GreenDragon

Oh, I figured it would be hit-and-miss anyhow We will have our maps along!