redhedgurrl

I've been told that this would be something to get for an RVing roadtrip in Europe. anyone have any suggestions? never used one - always been a map person....
Thanks!

GSteed

My daughter-in-law brought her, Tom-Tom, machine to, Łódź, Polska. It was set up in the USA. It is portable (security). I drove and she ran the machine, it spoke English! It directed me to addresses without error or confusion. When we selected another route instead of the machine's..it quickly picked up on the new route. She is using it in Italy. Suggestion, buy it in the US and learn to use it there. Be sure it has the Europe data.

Dukey

I use a Magellan Roadmate 760 whenever I drive in Europe and find it much more convenient to use than consulting a paper map (although I do bring those as a back-up).

My advice would be to find something that has European maps pre-loaded if possible and unless you really feel the need to have additional bells and whistles such as Bluetooth technology and the ability to play music I would forego those additional "features."

You might also consider screen sizes as they seem to vary from one product to another.

Don't be intimidated by those naysayers who insist that paper maps are just fine or imply that somehow you are being needlessly self-indulgent by using something electronic.

Paper maps ARE fine if you have time to consult them although they aren't quite as "fine" when you are trying to navigate inside some cities, etc.

As to the use of "electronics"..well, I wonder if these are the same people who think e-mail isn't worthwhile.

Here's a website which might also be helpful:

http://www.gpsreview.net/

2Italy

Check out the Garmin Nuvi line of navigational instruments. Some come preloaded with the roads of Europe.

Judy

We have a Garmin Nuvi 350 and just purchased the chip with the European maps.
We're planning a trip to Croatia in the spring and Garmin's maps include Croatia.
We'll be using it in Oregon later this week....our first time traveling with it.

fall06

What is the difference between the Garmin 300 series and the Garmin 600 series?

Budman

Here's a link that will let you select/compare different models. We love our Garmin.

If you do decide on a Garmin, do a search on line to get the best price without tax and shipping in some cases.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134

fall06

budman,

I still can't see the difference, except for the price and except that the cheaper model looks more portable. I'm looking for one pre-loaded with European and North American maps.

I'm a little leery of buying such an expensive item without being able to actually see it and work with it first. I hope my local Staples dealer has more than one model.

fall06

PS Budman,

which model do you love?

Judy

I'm not Budman, but we went to our local Best Buy and looked at all the GPS models then researched more on line. Once we decided on the Garmin, we ordered the unit and European map chip from Amazon, saving well over a hundred dollars.

We chose the Nuvi 350 because it was basic and small enough to carry in my purse (or husband's pocket) when not in the car.

Budman

I have the streetpilot C330 and had to purchase the European maps separately. The Nuvi is their newest line, and smaller, more portable, and when traveling and in/out of your car, it's easier to dismount and put in a pocket/purse. Since you want both North American and European maps, I would opt for the Nuvi 370.

fall06

Thanks, Judy and budman. It's the portability of the 370 that appealed to me, and I couldn't see what more I would be getting for the extra bucks paid for a 670.

scrb

Difference in the Garmin Nuvis is 3.5 inch screen vs. 4.3 inch screen.

I would also recommend hunting down a bean bag mount.

One thing though, the Points of Interest database on Garmins for Europe is pretty weak. You have to input a lot of places you want yourself.

It will list a lot of gas stations tied to supermarkets like Carrefour or Casino but it won't have any listings for the supermarkets themselves, for instance.

AnnMarie_C

DH has the Garmin 350 Nuvi.

After our recent ooooops I would say it's still a good idea to have a map to refer to as back-up, or, be very careful when enterering information. DH entered a wrong destination for a recent road trip. Three quarters of the way into a five hour drive we left the freeway, which I knew was wrong having glanced briefly at a map prior to the trip, but didn't have said map with us as back-up. We were at the mercy of Mz. Garmin who took us on a scenic tour of back roads in south Texas that we never hope to see again. Fortunately, we found the tiniest of country stores where we stopped and asked directions. What a joke, I have navigation in my suv, DH's Garmin and we're lost.

mvor

fall06, I just bought the Garmin Nuvi 370 for $499 at buy.com. Based on my research that's about the lowest sale price and different vendors offer it at different times.

I just checked buy.com and they've increased the price but you can get it at tigerdirect for that price now. Definitely search for the lowest price as Budman suggests.

I'm about to drive to the Rhinebeck Farmers' market to see if it takes me on my "normal" route.

Budman

Here's a list of dealers from the Garmin website. Finding one without having to pay any tax is a plus.

http://www8.garmin.com/cgi-bin/onlin...T=Show+Dealers

2Italy

fall06,
The 370 comes preloaded with US and European maps, no need to buy other chips or mapsets.

Dick

There is a wide variance in GPS Pricing.

The same model can be hundreds of dollars cheaper, based on where you buy it.

fall06

Thanks all!