Do you think it's wise to bring a GPS (europe version) if you have one. I read so so many reports about thefts, and I'm definitely a bit cautious as it may be stolen right out of my hands. Since I'll be traveling (not driving) mostly train and flights to 5 different cities, I thought it would be best to bring like a Garmin GPS to save weight for maps, Point of Interest (tour books), etc. If it's not that useful, then I should probably leave it at home, I figure. Thanks.

I took my Magellan Roadmate 760 when I went to (and drove in) the UK this past September and will take it again when I return in April 2007.

No problems carrying it on the plane either way. I used a portable dashboard mount (the weighted kind) which I took in checked luggage.

Whenever I stopped for any long periods such as sightseeing I simply lifted the whole assembly and stowed it in the boot of the car out of sight to decrease possible theft temptations.

I have never had any fear of something like that being stolen right out of my hands.

For the things YOU need I use my Palm.

Since you won't be driving, I would suggest leaving the GPS at home. From reading your other threads, you will be in Rome, Florence, and Venice. Get a fold out map and highlight your points of interest.

Unless you have a hand-held GPS, I would leave the portable automobile GPS at home since it is really designed more for turn by turn directions.

I have used my GPS while walking in Rome, Berlin and London. It has settings for pedestrian use so that was handy. That said, it also had problems with acquiring signals in narrow city streets because of the close proximity of buildings. The few times it worked well while walking were times that I could have used a map just as easily for finding my way.

I wouldn't travel in my car without it, but I won't be taking it with me for walking use in cities anymore.

I use my iPAQ Pocket PC with Pocket Streets to navigate in unfamiliar cities. It contains all the maps, guides, tour books and Fodor's threads I need, plus several novels, concerti, dictionaries, and movies.

If you're considering acquiring a dedicated GPS, you might want to think about getting a palmtop computer instead.

p.s. The street maps are free on line at microsoft.com/pocketstreets

I agree that if you're not driving I'd leave it at home. Although it can give you some info, nothing beats a good guidebook for in-depth info.

I use a Bluetooth GPS unit which is about half the size of a standard cellphone that communicates with my Treo 650. I have TomTom Software loaded on the Treo with just about all of Europe on a 2GB SD card. I found it invaluable on my last trip to Bavaria. Its got pre-loaded points of interest that I found very helpful. I used the voice option in some places to direct me so that I could leave both units in my pocket. I enjoyed the looks on people's faces when they heard the muffled voice of Jean-Luc Picard directing me to "Turn Left." As far as losing signal..The buildings may be an issue in some narrow streets but the newer units lock on to 8 or more satellites and dont drop nearly as much. I only lost signal twice while using it quite a bit in Munich. How do you say geek in German??

thanks everyone. i will be carrying a garmin nuvi (3.5 inch screen and 3in X .75in X 3.5in)not big but not tiny either. it's nuvi 350. it can do a lot of stuff and will save me carrying all the books, maps, etc as i will be visiting Venice, Florence, Rome, London and Paris. Hopefully, it will not be stolen right out of my hands.