GPS with rental car in Europe
Jan 20th, 2015, 02:28 PM
#22
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HERE is a brand new Nokia "Android" product. It started with Windows, but Windows for phones is going the way of Blackberry.
HERE is not available for iOS (Apple) products, yet. "Early 2015" is supposed to be the launch date, but it's not clear whether that will be a beta version. I heard there were major problems in the testing, which caused a year's delay, since Apple is having its own issues with Apple Maps.
Relying on electronic devices is all well and good, until you lose it, your battery dies, or it gets stolen. For thousands of years, travelers relied on paper maps and found their way just fine. It's too bad that good quality paper maps are almost impossible to find these days.
HERE is not available for iOS (Apple) products, yet. "Early 2015" is supposed to be the launch date, but it's not clear whether that will be a beta version. I heard there were major problems in the testing, which caused a year's delay, since Apple is having its own issues with Apple Maps.
Relying on electronic devices is all well and good, until you lose it, your battery dies, or it gets stolen. For thousands of years, travelers relied on paper maps and found their way just fine. It's too bad that good quality paper maps are almost impossible to find these days.
Jan 20th, 2015, 05:14 PM
#23
For our trip to Provence this past September, I bought a used GPS on E-Bay for $46; used it for 3 weeks (EXTREMELY useful going on the Peripherique from the south to CDG). Upon return I sold it (used) on E-Bay for $42 plus $6 shipping. The actual cost of shipping was $4. Net cost: ZERO
Jan 20th, 2015, 05:37 PM
#24
If you don't have unlimited data as I do (thank you, T-Mobile) you might be better off with either bringing your own GPS with you (provided it has European maps) or you can always rent one from the rental car folks.
My smartphone works well GPS-wise but you are correct when you say it uses a lot of data and that costs money. Personally, I prefer a larger screen to use when driving and I also like a GPS which warns me of upcoming speed cameras.
My smartphone works well GPS-wise but you are correct when you say it uses a lot of data and that costs money. Personally, I prefer a larger screen to use when driving and I also like a GPS which warns me of upcoming speed cameras.
Jan 20th, 2015, 06:40 PM
#25
Neo, we rented through Avis in France in 2013, and the Lexus hybrid came with in-car GPS. We hadn't asked for it and we weren't charged extra. It worked great except for the day it sent us into the middle of a cultivated field when we were looking for a gas station. Oh well, it still allowed us to use some roads that weren't even on our paper maps.
When we rented a car in Italy in 2014, we were using Hertz. (BTW, rates through AAA were the cheapest.) The cost of adding GPS was about the same as buying a Tomtom with Europe maps, so we bought the Tomtom. I'm sure the speed camera warnings saved us more money than the thing cost. For that reason alone, I wouldn't rely solely on phone-based GPS and paper maps.
When we rented a car in Italy in 2014, we were using Hertz. (BTW, rates through AAA were the cheapest.) The cost of adding GPS was about the same as buying a Tomtom with Europe maps, so we bought the Tomtom. I'm sure the speed camera warnings saved us more money than the thing cost. For that reason alone, I wouldn't rely solely on phone-based GPS and paper maps.
Jan 20th, 2015, 06:56 PM
#26
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Unless they have repealed it, it is illegal to use a speed camera warning system in <u>France.</u> http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...in-france.html
Jan 21st, 2015, 02:38 AM
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I thought Here was already available for iPhones. Sorry about that.
I have a Nokia Lumia phone. I switched it to airplane mode in the US and used just the GPS. I did not need any data connection, and I find it hard to believe that an iPhone can't do the same, but then with a different navigation app, provided you can download the map you need to your phone.
Mybe you can try it out before you travel, and have it as a back up incase your car doesn't have a satnav. Alternatively you could buy a TomTom with the correct maps loaded once you arrive if the car doesn't have it fitted - the dollar is high against the euro, and likely to go even higher thanks to the Greeks this weekend, so it probably won't be much if any more expensive than buying one at home. You can just go for a cheap model.
greg is correct - it is illegal to have a speed camera warning system in your vehicle in France, and that includes on any sat-nav you use. There is always an option to turn it off, and it must be off in France.
I have a Nokia Lumia phone. I switched it to airplane mode in the US and used just the GPS. I did not need any data connection, and I find it hard to believe that an iPhone can't do the same, but then with a different navigation app, provided you can download the map you need to your phone.
Mybe you can try it out before you travel, and have it as a back up incase your car doesn't have a satnav. Alternatively you could buy a TomTom with the correct maps loaded once you arrive if the car doesn't have it fitted - the dollar is high against the euro, and likely to go even higher thanks to the Greeks this weekend, so it probably won't be much if any more expensive than buying one at home. You can just go for a cheap model.
greg is correct - it is illegal to have a speed camera warning system in your vehicle in France, and that includes on any sat-nav you use. There is always an option to turn it off, and it must be off in France.
Jan 21st, 2015, 03:36 AM
#28
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htismij2, I'm still confused how my iphone (regardless of what GPS system I'm using) will show me where I am without connecting to data. Does that really work for free?
But I did find download for Nokia's HERE maps for iPhone. I didn't actually download it, but it seems that it IS now available. No?
I'm really not sure where or how involved it would be to go "shopping" on arrival in Nice for a GPS -- the sort of thing I don't want to spend a lot of vacation time doing -- especially if we're talking about $100 or more for a couple possibly confusing days of travel.
I like tomboy's suggestion a lot -- assuming I can buy one with European maps on it.
But I did find download for Nokia's HERE maps for iPhone. I didn't actually download it, but it seems that it IS now available. No?
I'm really not sure where or how involved it would be to go "shopping" on arrival in Nice for a GPS -- the sort of thing I don't want to spend a lot of vacation time doing -- especially if we're talking about $100 or more for a couple possibly confusing days of travel.
I like tomboy's suggestion a lot -- assuming I can buy one with European maps on it.
Jan 21st, 2015, 03:45 AM
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Having been in this situation, I can say it's a confusing subject. I've done it with and without GPS (using a good map) and can say that I think you can get by with just maps -- and a good navigator. The GPS units aren't perfect. There is an entertainment factor in listening to the British-accented voice pronounce some of the city names. ("Venn-ee-shu (Venezia) straight ahead.")
BTW, IME, a lot of the GPS units offered by rental agencies are portable ones, meaning that it doesn't matter what type of vehicle you get; they just hand you a plug-in unit. However, people who reserved a GPS unit have been known to show up at the rental agency and be told "all out of GPS."
BTW, IME, a lot of the GPS units offered by rental agencies are portable ones, meaning that it doesn't matter what type of vehicle you get; they just hand you a plug-in unit. However, people who reserved a GPS unit have been known to show up at the rental agency and be told "all out of GPS."
Jan 21st, 2015, 04:11 AM
#30
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Patrick, I was responding to NYCfoodsnod who said Here wasn't available for iPhone.
Since you have Here you can see if it works without data - download the map for your state. Switch your phone to airplane mode and see if you show up on the map. While still in airplane mode
plan a short route, drive it and you should see yourself moving along it on the screen. You will need to zoom in somewhat obviously.
The map is in your phone memory, and GPS doesn't need data. Maybe iPhones don't have true GPS, ie relying on satellites, but rely on relay station triangulation instead, but I find that very hard to believe.
Since you have Here you can see if it works without data - download the map for your state. Switch your phone to airplane mode and see if you show up on the map. While still in airplane mode
plan a short route, drive it and you should see yourself moving along it on the screen. You will need to zoom in somewhat obviously.
The map is in your phone memory, and GPS doesn't need data. Maybe iPhones don't have true GPS, ie relying on satellites, but rely on relay station triangulation instead, but I find that very hard to believe.
Jan 21st, 2015, 04:38 AM
#32
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Well, yes I have an IPad mini, and the maps on that would be nice and a bit larger, but again -- I don't see how it can possibly show my current location. My IPad doesn't have phone capability, and I sure don't know how I'd "connect" to anything that tracks me.
Jan 21st, 2015, 04:39 AM
#33
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Is the free T-Mobile 2G fast enough (and reliable enough) for GPS navigation?
I live in Europe and have a decent international roaming plan but even then you can't count on always having a reliable data connection. That's why I went and bought a dedicated GPS. I use a TomTom. You can get one from Amazon.com with Europe maps no problem. In fact, this one comes with Europe, US, Canada, and Mexico with free lifetime maps: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...llectionofcoll
I live in Europe and have a decent international roaming plan but even then you can't count on always having a reliable data connection. That's why I went and bought a dedicated GPS. I use a TomTom. You can get one from Amazon.com with Europe maps no problem. In fact, this one comes with Europe, US, Canada, and Mexico with free lifetime maps: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...llectionofcoll
Jan 21st, 2015, 04:52 AM
#34
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You don't need a phone connection of any sort for GPS. There is a receiver in the phone or tablet, just as there is in a TomTom or Garmin.
As I said I had my phone switched so it couldn't receive calls or data and I navigated us over 5000 miles through California.
Trust me on this. Switch your data and calling off on your phone. Open Here and it will show you where you are.
Switch data back on and in Here settings download the map for your state. Switch data off again. Plan a short route, or even just go for a walk with Here running. It will show you moving. No connection other than sight of a satellite or two needed.
As I said I had my phone switched so it couldn't receive calls or data and I navigated us over 5000 miles through California.
Trust me on this. Switch your data and calling off on your phone. Open Here and it will show you where you are.
Switch data back on and in Here settings download the map for your state. Switch data off again. Plan a short route, or even just go for a walk with Here running. It will show you moving. No connection other than sight of a satellite or two needed.
Jan 21st, 2015, 04:56 AM
#35
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What I don't understand about tech stuff could fill an ocean transport, but this has absolutely dumbfounded me. I'm googling stuff and yes, I guess what you say is true, so I will work on trying this. I'm assuming there are no vocal directions (?) -- but if it shows us where we are, perhaps we can live with this. The idea of it on my IPad mini is especially good. I am assuming I can keep it charged in a car through a cigarette lighter or via USB outlet.
Jan 21st, 2015, 06:33 AM
#36
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<i><font color=#555555>"What I don't understand about tech stuff could fill an ocean transport"</font></i>
Then, either you're a glutton for punishment or you're determined to take a lot of frustration with you on your trip.
Let me repeat: HERE is not yet available for the iOS platform. When it is available, HERE will appear here:
https://www.here.com/download/?lang=en-US
And I have a feeling the new launch might only work in iOS 8. If you own an older model iPhone, well then good luck.
If you just happened to find some "download" of HERE on the internet, did you pay attention to the date and the source? Years ago, there was a version launched but it got pulled by Nokia. Too glitchy. Too many user complaints. Perhaps this version is still out in the ether. I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole or put it anywhere near my iPhone.
I'm forced to learn the tech stuff for business. I do it, but I don't enjoy it. One thing I've learned the hard way: NEVER rely on brand new software. If it's a matter of safety and security, invest in something that has known reliability.
Then, either you're a glutton for punishment or you're determined to take a lot of frustration with you on your trip.
Let me repeat: HERE is not yet available for the iOS platform. When it is available, HERE will appear here:
https://www.here.com/download/?lang=en-US
And I have a feeling the new launch might only work in iOS 8. If you own an older model iPhone, well then good luck.
If you just happened to find some "download" of HERE on the internet, did you pay attention to the date and the source? Years ago, there was a version launched but it got pulled by Nokia. Too glitchy. Too many user complaints. Perhaps this version is still out in the ether. I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole or put it anywhere near my iPhone.
I'm forced to learn the tech stuff for business. I do it, but I don't enjoy it. One thing I've learned the hard way: NEVER rely on brand new software. If it's a matter of safety and security, invest in something that has known reliability.
Jan 21st, 2015, 07:00 AM
#37
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Duh. What was I thinking? My husband has a Samsung Galaxy. And he is in IT, so infinitely more tech savy than I -- although he knew nothing about the possibility of GPS on a phone without connecting to a signal.
Jan 21st, 2015, 07:06 AM
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OK, so Here isn't for Apple yet. Apple must have their own navigation app with downloadable maps though? One which only uses GPS?
On Here you can see where you are as a little blob on the map. The route is coloured in and as you progress the coloured line gets shorter. There are also written directions. Here Drive does have voice instructions, but since it isn't yet available for Apple that point is moot.
According to the website I just looked at Here maps for iPhones is due soon, early 2015, so it may arrive before you depart and you can use it.
If I can I will ask my Apple owning son what he uses on his phone, but he may be at work all evening.
If you want to get a feel for Here for when it does arrive have a look at their Android blog : http://360.here.com/2014/10/13/turn-...ndroid-basics/
http://360.here.com/2014/11/03/andro...-offline-maps/
http://360.here.com/2014/10/22/using...-transit-foot/
On Here you can see where you are as a little blob on the map. The route is coloured in and as you progress the coloured line gets shorter. There are also written directions. Here Drive does have voice instructions, but since it isn't yet available for Apple that point is moot.
According to the website I just looked at Here maps for iPhones is due soon, early 2015, so it may arrive before you depart and you can use it.
If I can I will ask my Apple owning son what he uses on his phone, but he may be at work all evening.
If you want to get a feel for Here for when it does arrive have a look at their Android blog : http://360.here.com/2014/10/13/turn-...ndroid-basics/
http://360.here.com/2014/11/03/andro...-offline-maps/
http://360.here.com/2014/10/22/using...-transit-foot/
Jan 21st, 2015, 07:09 AM
#39
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GPS Maps for electronic devices is a work-in-progress industry. Lots of companies are trying to get in the game now, which is good for consumers. When it comes to Map software for specific devices, you need to carefully read the fine-print and ask a lot of questions. Some features of the software may only be available via a cellular data plan.
Jan 21st, 2015, 07:11 AM
#40
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By the way, I have until the end of August for HERE to become available for IOS 8. They say it will happen. Who knows? Meanwhile maybe we'll play with the Samsung Galaxy locally.
