I'm renting a car with a GPS for my Germany and Switzerland trip (I'll have maps with me as backups). I've never used a GPS before, and have only seen one in action once. Do you have any tips/suggestions on how to use one, or a good web site where I can read up on how to use a GPS? Thanks for all your help.

I've rented with Hertz and used their Neverlost GPS but never used one in a rental in Europe. I have friends who say they have and they are great.

There was a little card that helped out with getting started. Take 15/20 minutes to read the directions and learn how to program the GPS. Make sure you have the correct spelling for towns/ways.

You might even want to stop by a Circuit City or Best Buy and check out some of their systems, play with them, and get some idea how it works and how they are programmed. Each unit is a little different, but they all have menus to guide you.

Budman,

Thanks so much for the response. Trying out a GPS at Circuit City or Best Buy is a great idea!!!

Thanks again.

I don't think you can learn much about any GPS you're likely to find in a European rental car by standing at the counter in a retail store.

How about buying your own, learning to use it at home, then taking it with you? You can get Microsoft Streets & Trips with a GPS attachment for $80 these days. You can pre-plan all your routes and sightseeing itinerary, and even project fuel costs. The European version, AutoRoute, includes maps for all of the most-visited countries.

http://www.microsoft.com/streets

Robespierre, do you need to carry around a laptop computer with you? You still gotta stand around a laptop to figure it out? I think the OP is talking about a one-time trip/GPS rental.

My GPS tells me who, where, and when while my wife enjoys the scenery. To each his own.