I have read all previous threads and info on GPS. We are driving italy backroads and small towns. My husband has decided to use a GPS after talking with some friends who convinced him to use one (I'm so glad). We leave on the 22nd, he does not have time to research so I am left up to the task and am sooo unsavvy in this area. You have all been so great to help me thus far so I am trusting you again! I am buying something at Costco and the prices are good plus they come with US and Europe map. It's just making a choice. We are not directionaly challenged and have a map so we are looking for something basic. We are only traveling with backpacks so small is important. I want it to talk and be able to preprogram accomodation addresses. Do I need a specific Italy map or is the Europe just as detailed? What units have worked for you guys for this type of use? Grazie Mille!
My only experience is with the Garmin 770 which worked very well in Italy this last summer. I'm not sure what you mean about a Europe map vs. an Italy map. With the Europe map you then plug in the country you want.
With Garmin at least the Italian map is just a subset of the European map. So if you never leave Italy you won't notice a difference. OTOH if you ever go to France,Germany,the UK etc the European maps will cover those countries also.
Do you really need voice? In my expierence the names on the maps often don't match the street signs. Towns use local names. The maps use the national names. Plus with things like roundabouts I'm happier looking at the pretty picture then counting for the right turn off to take. But maybe I'm just more visual.
If you're backpacking look at the Garmin hiking series. I know they've been upgraded but in the past they had no voice just beeps. Other downside is the screens are small. Upsides but they are designed for handheld use. Mine uses AA batteries which last 20 hours. Easy to replace or you can use a charger in your hotel room to charge a couple Nihms.
Do you really need voice? In my expierence the names on the maps often don't match the street signs. Towns use local names. The maps use the national names. Plus with things like roundabouts I'm happier looking at the pretty picture then counting for the right turn off to take. But maybe I'm just more visual.
All the more reason for voice. How in the H am I suppose to know where I'm going if the names are all different? Just tell me to "turn right", "turn left"!
Jane - I did say I was totally lost on this subject didn't I? Well now you know just how lost I am clueless!
So the Garmin 770 is $399 after $100 rebate at Costco with preloaded US and Europe mapping. Is that a good price?
Lydia, I would buy the 770 at Costco. I paid almost twice that when it was new.
Voice: We like having the voice but there are times when we just press mute when it talks more than we need. We find it useful when looking for streets and turns in cities. If you use the Italian voice, things are generally pronounced correctly. But then, if your ear is English, the english pronunciation might be better.
Whatever you get, be sure you spend time acquainting yourself with it before setting off.
I suggest going with a tomtom unit. The European maps are far better on the tomtom than the Garmin units. However, the maps on the Garmin units are more accurate in the US/Canada. I have the tomtom Go 920. Bought it specifically for my Europe trips.
Mac, I have used the Blackberry GPS in Italy with great success (AT&T service on my 8820). I do not use their paid GPS offering, but the free, built-in Google Maps system. There's no voice telling me to turn, etc., but a simple map with a blue dot (me) that tells me my location -- usually within 3 metres. In Rome I needed to get out into a clear area sometimes for it to work well, but usually have no problems with it.
Costco did not have fast enough shipping and they only carry the 760 (US & Canada maps only)in the stores so I ordered from Amazon at $390 with overnight shipping costs about $425. We have GPS in our car so getting to know it shouldn't be too difficult...now to come up with a name for the voice!
My husband has a blackberry with verizon and he bought email/internet access. He just called and bought a chip and service. He needs it for work...no he is never "unplugged" (he is in the finacial industry )I don't think it was that expensive (no he's not writing it off). The friends that talked him into GPS used a TomTom while they were there. Neither of us had time to research that hence the quick Garmin purchase. We'll just use it for our other car.
My 8310 is still a mystery marvel of technology to me. I didn't know Yahoo maps could show up where you were. I'll explore its' workings (gads, i didn't think you could put so much in a phone) and get back to you on what I find.
Mac
Posts: 70 | Location: Dallas Texas area | Registered: 04 January 2007
It has text to speech, (a MUST in my opinion. especially with so many tiny roads close together) it comes with US, Canada, puerto rico, and europe, also has traffic alerts on it... also, not necessary but a nice bonus.. it has bluetooth, photos, and mp3's on it...
My nephew, who lives in Ferrara, uses a TomTom. He says he doesn't like it because it doesn't have some streets.
However, it got us to and through Milan. When we had to detour in Milan his wife punched in a new program in a few seconds and we got to our destination with no problems.
Good luck with the purchase :-) I had a Sony last year when I went to Italy and that was of great help. It was actually so great that I decided to buy a GPS when I got home. I ended up buying a Garmin model and that has worked pretty good so far :-) Have a great trip.
I am still wondering how the cheapish TCI Navigatore T-370 compares to all the models above. It's made for Italian speakers so it's not suitable for most of you, but I'm dying to find out if all that Touring Club information on sights and restaurants makes it worth getting...
EC
Posts: 69 | Location: Singapore | Registered: 29 March 2008
Slow Travel Talk 
Just tell me to "turn right", "turn left"! 
clueless!
)I don't think it was that expensive (no he's not writing it off). The friends that talked him into GPS used a TomTom while they were there. Neither of us had time to research that hence the quick Garmin purchase. We'll just use it for our other car.
I'll explore its' workings (gads, i didn't think you could put so much in a phone) and get back to you on what I find.
