GPS for US and Europe: Garmin StreetPilot i5
 

I am needing to return my Dell Axim and GPS unit for many different reasons. I am going to get a much simpler PDA, but want a GPS to take to Europe with us. I have read other posts saying some do not work in Europe if bought in US. I am looking at the Garmin Street Pilot i5. Does any one have any experience with this GPS? Other recommendations? I don't want to spend $400 for a GPS and then another $600 for maps to use in Europe.

Sorry, but I can't help you with the Garmin.

But would you mind sharing why you're returning the Axim for a "much simpler PDA"? What are you considering, and why?

As it turns out, Dell will not allow me to return the PDA. Their return policy is 21 days from the date of shipping, not when you receive it. I have been frustrated by my inability to just jump in and make it do all that I want it to. I consider myself pretty computer literate, and it is killing my ego ! I put some Italian lanuage CDs on a memory stick and couldn't get it to read....my son says he thinks he has solved that problem for me. The blue tooth keyboard takes too much fussing to use it each time, and I am wondering whether the wi-fi feature is something I would use that much. On top of that, we got the GPS unit that goes with it, and it only works once in a while. I believe it is a faulty cord or connection, so we can probably return that for a new one. I guess it just felt that I had gotten more than I could deal with easily. I hope that I learn to love it as much as you do yours !

Sorry to hear you are having such problems. I use my Dell Axim x50v all the time with a bluetooth keyboard and a bluetooth GPS unit I bought off ebay for $30 - they both work great. I use TomTom software.

This isn't a cheap option - but neither is buying any GPS with a decent mapset. I think the TomTom European mapset can be bought for around $150.

Any GPS will work in Europe - you just need to make sure you have the correct mapset.

I have used my Pocket PC with a GPS all over Europe. City maps are available free from Microsoft, and AutoRoute (road maps that zoom down to street level) can be had for well under $100.

I got the Garmin Streetpilot 330C for Christmas. If you shop on line, you can get them for about $550. The software for Europe costs $280, and the SD card (512) $45.

I've already downloaded all the maps for where we are going along with points of interests (towns, restaurants, hotels). I'll let you know how it works when I return at the end of May. ((b))