easygoer

We're off to Spain in less than a week. I just purchased a Garmin GPS for use in the US. Should we take it to Spain with us? Will it spoil the fun of getting lost? Believe it our not, now that we know getting lost in Europe is a given, we actually have found some exciting places. Should I bring it and only use it when needed? We use the old hotel on 3 x 5 cards to show people and have followed taxis to our hotels in little tiny towns in the past. What is your thoughts on GPS in Europe?

amsdon

It was helpful on the long drives but in town in the "round abouts" it made me want to scream ("turn right now, turn right now, turn right now..."

cmeyer54

YES - you'll find it invaluable. I wont' rent a car now if it doesn't have a neverlost or some kind of navigation system with it.

zeppole

What's the downside of bringing it? I can't see one.

Robert2533

If you can't read a map or have a sense of direction, then a GPS device is perfect, just hope you never find yourself someplace when the device fails and you have to ask directions for a local.

Robespierre

If you can't read maps or have a sense of direction, you'd have to ask locals constantly.

Wouldn't a GPS be better, with people as a backup?

eliza3

Personally I don´t find getting lost a lot of fun, especially in a strange place. Provided you have, or can get, the maps downloaded, definately take it.

Not only is it invaluable for finding streets etc it is great for finding carparks etc as well.

mbresso

Absolutely bring it (provided it is pre-loaded with maps of Europe or you have supplemented it with a European card or download). With or without it (turned on) you can still enjoy getting lost. But when you want to get "UNlost..." then it will come in REAL handy.

I own several GPS units (Zumo 550 for my motorcycle/Nuvi 880 for the car) and we just bought the Nuvi 370 (w/transatlantic maps built in) for our trip to Europe -- IN A FEW DAYS ;-) -- and for any future trips there. I also never leave home without one. This is more true especially today when they're so convenient and compact (I still own the 5-year old Garmin StreetPilot III -- a virtual BRICK of a GPS.... ah, the old days! Anyway, they're just too much damn fun NOT to take! Enjoy!!

ribeirasacra

The GPS like anywhere in the world works on limited technology. You may find minor roads not in the system or newer roads just not there.
Purchase a map too in case you get lost. A map will also show you points of interest along the way. Something a GPS will never ever do.

RosieinOz

We did Europe and the UK last year for 2 months and had so much fun with a GPS! We called it "James" and he took us through paddocks and between grape vines and we saw things we would never have seen without him! You need a map as well and we always kept track on the map but James was particularly helpful when looking for accommodation addresses.
Take "him" or"her" with you and be prepared to laugh a lot and sometimes be frustrated...James didn't like tunnels so Switzerland and Italy created their own dramas!
Have a ball
Rosie

easygoer

Thanks for the suggestions. I do have my Michelin Map #571 Galicia, #572 Asturias Cantabria and #575 Castilla y Leon Madrid. I would not leave home without them. They are so fun to map out in-between places. We’ll have the car for 16 days. Yippy! I usually print out directions from www.viamichelin and/or www.mappie. My hubby drives and I am the navigator (not as good as Bob the Nav). This should be fun having my-garmin with us. I believe I need to name him or her.

Here’s to getting lost and then finding our way back. Thanks all.

NEDSIRELAND

Years ago, I took a first generation Garmin to a relative in Spain. Their idea of an afternoon out was hunting wild mushrooms and they used waypoints to find their way back to where their car was parked when they were finished.

I had the same model in my boat on the Delaware river so I could know how fast I was going and to find my way back to the Marina in case the weather took a turn for the worse. I gave the coordinates (lat. & long.) to the Operator of the Marina back then: he was quite appreciative.

At the time, things like GPS street maps were not publicly available. Given that the 5-satellites that make GPS' work are all U.S. DOD satellites, detailed GPS info was the province of that Agency and US Intelligence Services.

Bring the Garmin literature that came with your GPS: it will tell you how to set the time zone. Spain is on Central European time; but that's artificial (for EU). It may have to be set for GMT to work correctly.

easygoer

I went crazy and purchased a Garmin card that has a European Travel Guide on it. We'll see if it's as smart as my pre-planning with my 4 books of Spain. Also, I don't want to haul all of my books with my. Time to start photo copying points of interest. The other piece of the puzzle is we generally get great help mapping out day trips from the hotels we've stayed in.