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GPS advice
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Date: 2007/09/28 16:35
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By: nrwayne
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On our latest two trips, we requested and got GPS units in the cars we rented. The former was a TomTom One, which was fine. The latter, a built-in Blaupunkt unit, was among the most useless abominations we've come across. It bore striking resemblance to the monochrome monitor one used to find on Apple II computers. No maps, little guidance other than an arrow pointing up or sideways. Since there's no way to be sure of which GPS will be supplied, we won't gamble again in the future. These days, a relatively modest outlay will be enough to buy a GPS that's up to the job. Yes, a card with European maps will be required, but that'll probably be fine for a number of years since 99% of the roads aren't going to be changing. We suggest the same to anyone concerned about navigation on the roads. Maps are OK, but a decent GPS is much better.
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Re:GPS advice
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Date: 2007/11/18 07:03
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By: Bigun
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Can anyone comment on the GPS units provided by different rental agencies...I had one from Hertz last year (their "never lost" navi system in an A4) and it was fabulous...are there any rental agencies to avoid? Any car makes with mfgr built in systems to avoid?
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Re:GPS advice
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Date: 2007/11/25 16:45
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By: rbestor
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There is no consistency. The best GPS I've had was in a compact car from Avis. The worst was in an E-class Mercedes rented from Europcar. But that's just the luck —or bad luck—of he draw. Hertz says their “never lost” system is the best, but I've no first-hand experience. The only way to beat the system is to bring your own. I'm in Germany now carrying my portable Garmn Nuvi 660. It did a great job today of tracking our train ride from Brussels to Regensburg. It told me, for example, that our top speed was 173 MPH.
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Re:GPS advice
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Date: 2008/03/19 14:07
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By: goldnberyl
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We had a car from Hertz with GPS in Germany. It was set on German. We didn't find this out until after we left the airport. We had a German friend who helped is get it switched to English. There were no instructions for the GPS in the car in any language. Also, the GPS would not work after we left Germany. It worked well inside Germany though. I would recommend having Hertz help you get the thing set on English.
I bought a Garmin Nüvi 670 for our trip this spring. I have been able to pre-program all our hotels and places of interest and it has maps for all the countries we will be visiting. Be aware that Garmin will charge you for all updates that come out after your purchase date at $130 each.
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Re:GPS advice
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Date: 2008/03/19 17:52
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By: Gluhwein
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I just bought my 2008 European map update for $75 from Garmin's website. And the continuing software and firmware updates are available free over the Garmin website. My Nuvi 350 was the best $500 investment I ever made!
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Re:GPS advice
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Date: 2008/03/25 10:06
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By: badi
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I have been using my Garmin Nuvi 670 which has alll US and European maps loaded so no card is required, it works well and is familiar as I use it in my cars in the US that do not have nav systems. The new NUVI 770 also has all the maps and has the advantage of accepting and storing routes so you go the way you wish not the way the GPS determines for you. The nice thing about GPS is you may not go the way you desire but you will get to your destination. My NUVI came with all the plugs to recharge in europe or to run off car power. Still I carry my maps just in case.
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We're all about travel to Germany, Austria & Switzerland
