We are planning our next trip to Italy to
include Venice, Tuscany, and Rome with the
majority of time in Tuscany where we plan
on renting a car. My question is, should we
rent a GPS from the rental car company? Or,
purchase one to bring with us and if so,
which GPS would you recommend?

So glad you asked! After spending hours lost in the Piemonte area in May, even with our iphone GPS, we decided we needed a better/larger screen with talking GPS for our upcoming trip in October to Tuscany. Our son literally had his face glued to the iphone screen and never saw much of anything and it was really awful. After a discussion with Patrick from Arkansas on this board about this, we decided to take his advice and buy a Garmin Nuvi 770. We did our research and got a really good deal from Amazon. We have been to Tuscany many times and know how confusing the signs can be.

Patrick, since you actually used this GPS, perhaps, you will chime in. There are only a couple that include Europe, so it helps make the decision for you.

Because of the price, you might feel better with a GPS you can rent from the car agency. Of course, there are many who will tell you that half the fun is getting lost, but there is a limit to my patience on this subject and the Piemonte countryside was REALLY tough and our B&B was way out there. Also, many of the roads had been washed out from recent rains. We don't find Tuscany as difficult, however, but still like the idea that we won't waste a lot of time pulled over trying to figure out where we are.

I will also say that I am not a good map reader and can't use an iphone very well, so the GPS may save our marriage on the next trip, since our son won't be with us...LOL!

Sharon J

My friend recently returned from France where he used the Garmin Nuvi 880. This is the second portable one he has had and thought that this one was outstanding--better than the one in his car at home. He really raved about it and said that it was very easy to use and very accurate.

Peter

an added note: when researching GPS's on Amazon, as SharonJ did, the Garmin Nuvi 770 seemed to be the one to buy.

But, TomTom is manufactured in Amsterdam and there were some comments that because it is made in Europe it has the best European maps.

I never did buy one because the Italian relatives said I could use their TomTom for my travels in Italy--lucky me!

As a Garmin Nuvi 770 owner and user, I have a few thoughts:

A benefit of renting a GPS as a one-time thing is that it's a little cheaper than buying a new unit.

A drawback of renting may be that you don't have a chance to familiarize yourself with the unit on home ground before your trip, though I've heard some rental agencies will mail your unit to you before your trip so you can try it out.

Also, when renting you might end up with an older, outdated or "off brand" unit, or one with a small screen. You might not know what you're getting until time to figure out how to use it. When you buy, you can research and really know you're getting the best, and practice with it in advance.

If you travel often to unfamiliar places, owning a unit means you can use it over and over with no additional costs, and you really get good at using all its features.

I caught the travel bug years ago and am willing to sacrifice in other areas of life in order to travel. We just got back from Italy a few weeks ago, and I've already programmed my GPS for a Hawaii trip in October and am starting to plan a trip to England/Ireland for next June. So I will use my GPS a lot in the next few years, and fully get my money's worth out of it. Others, who don't travel often, might be wiser to rent a unit.

Regarding mention that TomTom is manufactured in Amsterdam and might have better European maps, I'd say that a road is a road and I think they all have all the roads. I know that my Garmin had every little dirt pathway we saw in Italy. We were amazed by the thing.

Consumer Reports has reviewed GPS units recently and Garmin and TomTom rated the same. Either one will be fine.

quote:

TomTom is manufactured in Amsterdam and there were some comments that because it is made in Europe it has the best European maps.

Two years ago, TomTom beat out Garmin in the bidding contest for digital map maker TeleAtlas. That's why I bought TomTom instead of Garmin or Magellan.

quote:

Two years ago, TomTom beat out Garmin in the bidding contest for digital map maker TeleAtlas. That's why I bought TomTom instead of Garmin or Magellan.

I guess TomTom thought they needed the maps more than their competitors. In the testing results I've seen, Magellan isn't quite in the same class of TomTom and Garmin. Maybe they should have bid more!

I suggest you search our Technology forum for more GPS discussions. Here is one from a year ago about pros and cons for TomTom and Garmin -- at least the current models as of then.

Basically the bottom line seemed to be that both are fine, and probably you should look for where you can get the best deal. If you have a Costco membership, they often have specials on a GPS, and Amazon often has good prices too.

- Roz

We borrowed an extra TOM TOM from Sandro at romalimo.com and it nearly caused a divorce.
Totally non-intuitive programming, impossible to teach it anything, totally impossible to tell it "look I changed my mind we are going to go someplace ELSE".

I was literally crying as we tried to get back to Agropoli one late night. If the thing had been mine I would have thrown it out the window and ran over it TWICE!!

They may have the best maps but I'd rather rely on paper maps than another Tom Tom.

I have a Garmin and love it. I also recommend purchasing a "beanbag" mount. Its really easy and moveable. I'd rather buy my own rather than get one from the car rental company. Just a matter of convenience and familiarity with your own. Nothing worst than trying to figure out a new gadget when you are in a hurry to get going and really need it.

I have a Garmin Nuvi and love it. We used it last year in Provence and it took us on some roads that you would never have taken (in a good way) even if you had a map.

Will be using it for wineries this week and am taking it to Italy in the fall.

quote:

If you have a Costco membership, they often have specials on a GPS, and Amazon often has good prices too.

Just make sure the one you buy can be used in Europe. When we looked at Costco, they didn't carry those.

Sharon J

quote:

I was literally crying as we tried to get back to Agropoli one late night. If the thing had been mine I would have thrown it out the window and ran over it TWICE!!

Oh my goodness, I started laughing when I read this because I think we can all relate.

Sharon J

Originally posted by Rome Addict

quote:

We borrowed an extra TOM TOM from Sandro at romalimo.com and it nearly caused a divorce.
Totally non-intuitive programming, impossible to teach it anything, totally impossible to tell it "look I changed my mind we are going to go someplace ELSE".

I dont' know what model you had but your description doesn't fit my TomTom. It is very intuitive in programing and very easy to use. My son has one also and thinks the same.

A word of caution...

There are often cities/towns that share the same name. Be sure to specify exactly which location you are headed.

We used a Garmin to get us to Lucignano... only to find out we were in the wrong Lucignano!

Apparently there 3 Lucignanos.

Also, take care to use a little common sense, since the routes a GPS will select may not always be realistic. Here in Austin we live on a street that legally continues past our house, down a hill and across a creek to another out-of-the-way street. The problem is that that part of the "legal" street has never been paved and turns into a cow path just below our place. We regularly get folks who are directed by their GPS to try and cross the creek via our street, only to find that they'd have difficulty continuing even in an SUV. Some try and bottom out, some need help backing out up the hill, and I suppose some make it across, but at what cost to their nerves and the finish on their cars.
I have heard of truckers in Italy relying on their GPS units and being directed through villages and down roads that are much too small for the size of their vehicles, much to their consternation and to the probable amusement of the locals (those who were not wanting to use the road at that particular time, at any rate).

quote:

Just make sure the one you buy can be used in Europe. When we looked at Costco, they didn't carry those.

Our TomTom on a special deal from costco.com did come with Europe maps. Often you can buy the Europe maps separately, but of course you need to comparison shop to find out what the bottom line would be.

We prefer our TomTom interface and display to our older Garmin, but the models do change all the time.

- Roz

quote:

Originally posted by DUH CAR:
...it took us on some roads that you would never have taken (in a good way) even if you had a map.

Same here. If we'd been going by map we'd have picked only major roads for fear of getting lost, but occasionally the GPS would take us down smaller secondary roads (shortcuts, as it turns out) and we saw some beautiful places that way, like near Greve in Chianti, with rushing streams rippling down steep hillsides, lush plants, just beautiful. Plus, we had the road to ourselves vs. the busy main roads.

Exactly!!

Also, if you know a techie they can download the European maps off the Web, and put them on a separate SD card.

I can't find the info now, but did I read something about downloading info the your current GPS that would make it usable while in Italy? We have a Garmin. Any info is very appreciated as the cost of a rental or a new one seems a bit high. Thanks!

We have a garmin 770 and have used it in Italy, Croatia, US and now France and find it invaluable. The last few days here in Provence I can not begin to tell you the frustrations it has saved us in ways a map never would have done. It has consistently given us clear directions on the smallest of roads.

We have had similar experience in the other locations with the exception of cities where construction has interfered--as in Milan last summer.

I am a firm believer of using a GPS rather than constantly buried in a map. And I recommend the 770.

We just updated both the US and Europe map a couple of weeks ago.

Another example of the wonder of GPS. We were making the long drive down A1/E35 from Parma to near Rome a few weeks ago. About 1 p.m. we began to think about food and, though there's nothing wrong with an Autogrill, we decided to pop up the Garmin 770's "nearby attractions" list to find us a nearby restaurant.

Of course, it was a shot in the dark since it only lists places nearby, with no indication if the place has good food or not. But I've never found bad food in Italy, unless you're right by a tourist attraction. Out in the countryside like we were, a place couldn't say in business by serving bad food to the locals.

I found one place with "Trattoria" in the name, about 7 km from our current location, so I tapped it with my finger. Our Lady of the Car immediately plotted the route and before we knew it we were on a shady country road climbing to the top of a nearby mountain! We ended up having a wonderful meal, with a wonderful view, served by people who acted like they'd never seen a tourist up there before! We just loved it.

Without the GPS, we'd have been eating grilled auto down at the Autogrill.

And after the meal, the GPS plotted our shortest route back to the autostrada, so we didn't have to back track back "upstream" to where we'd left the highway, but instead joined it farther down, saving us some driving time.

After all this great information, I hope drjacobs revisits us. If not, I think it's been a very informative thread.

Sharon J

You guys are about to talk me into getting a Garmin 770.

quote:

Originally posted by JChrisP:
You guys are about to talk me into getting a Garmin 770.

Well, you know technology. The 770 isn't even made anymore (though new ones are still available at Amazon.com and other places...with some looking, you can find one for under $300).

Looks like the latest model is the 775T whose screen almost looks like a photo of the place you're driving. Where my 770 shows a green blob in areas of forest, the new model shows real trees! But...$550 suggested retail

quote:

Well, you know technology. The 770 isn't even made anymore (though new ones are still available at Amazon.com and other places...with some looking, you can find one for under $300).

Looks like the latest model is the 775T whose screen almost looks like a photo of the place you're driving. Where my 770 shows a green blob in areas of forest, the new model shows real trees! But...$550 suggested retail

Correct Patrick. We did find a 770 at Amazon and passed on the 775 because of the price.
We can't wait to try it out in Tuscany and also driving back into Rome to return our rental car at the Borghese Parking Garage this October.

As many times as we've returned a car there, we still have a difficult time. This will be a real test for our new toy.

Sharon J

The 775T is the current model in the 77X series line as posted here. I've been researching and debating GPS for about two months. The 775T has the trans-atlantic maps, which is nice but man is it expensive. It has some features that I wouldn't need like MP3 player, lane assist with junction view, 3d buildings and a few others. The battery life on these is only 3 hours ("up to 3 hours") compared to one extra hour on most of the lower numbered models. I'm thinking longer battery life would be nice for when it is used to navigate a walking tour that you preload.

My current thought is to buy the 255W or 265WT. That gets me bluetooth and spoken street names which is important. Then if I need the trans atlantic maps, I think I can load them to the device as opposed to running them off a memory card...is that correct? These two models can be had for under $200 if you watch the ads. So in four year's time, I could go through two of these for less than the 775T and still come out ahead. I say that because eventually the data becomes outdated on the preloaded maps. My bet is that in two year's time the 775T will be the 265WT of today in terms of price. I don't need the cutting edge features, but certainly will take them when they become part of the base system as opposed to luxury 'nice to haves.'

quote:

Originally posted by dingo:
I'm thinking longer battery life would be nice for when it is used to navigate a walking tour that you preload.

I found out in Rome that my GPS didn't work very well in pedestrian mode. I'd pre-loaded locations of Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and several other top sites.

Most of the time it couldn't get a satellite lock if we were among buildings three stories or more (which pretty much means all of Rome and other cities). I was able to get my location while standing at Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona, but everywhere in between, no luck. I had the same problem in other cities. It works fine walking out in the open, but not in town.

Interestingly, as we drove into the heart of Siena, among the narrow 5-story canyons a block from Il Campo, we never lost the satellite.

I think it has to do with speed. At walking speed it just doesn't get enough "peeks" at the satellite in obstructed areas. Apparently at driving speed, even at slower in-town speeds, it gets enough glimpses of the satellites to keep it working.

And now this, an article that the GPS is on the way out, being replaced in the hearts and hands of GPS users by the systems in iPhones and Blackberrys. My Blackberry is almost two years old and I am considering switching to an iPhone when my current contract is up. Since I have been reasonably content with the system built into my old Blackberry, I guess I'll hold off getting a stand-alome GPS until I check out the system in the new iPhone.

quote:

Originally posted by JChrisP:
...I guess I'll hold off getting a stand-alome GPS until I check out the system in the new iPhone.

Since I have both iPhone and GPS, I can give an opinion here.

The iPhone GPS works, and it's pretty functional for doing simple jobs, like finding a particular location within territory you're already familiar with, like around your home town.

But I'd hate to do a major trip in unfamiliar territory, with hundreds of turns and changes, using just an iPhone, which only gives an overhead map view, not the 3-D ground level view of what you see ahead of you, like a dedicated GPS unit gives.

A major benefit of the real GPS is that it talks to you, tells you what to do. A lot of the time, when you're busy driving, you don't even have to glance at the screen to know what to do. It tells you what to be looking for well before you get there.

With an iPhone you'd either have to use another person as navigator, or you'd have to pull over every few blocks to check where you are on the map. It would almost be like trying to find your way with just a compass!

You can add to it that using an iPhone as a GPS overseas will surely cost you a fortune in data usage charges, as it downloads all the maps it shows via your phone connection. That's all free on home territory, but overseas it costs plenty.

And if you have no phone connection, you get no iPhone GPS updates. You can drive a while on the last map it downloaded, but once you drive out of that map view, with no phone connection it will not be helpful. There are areas right here where I live that have no AT&T connection. No doubt there are such places all over the world.

Good information Patrick. It would still give you the directions from starting point to end point at the start of your journey wouldn't it? Assuming you are starting in a place with a good signal?

There are a lot of out of the way cafes that I have spent close to 30 minutes trying to find in the winding alleys and streets of Rome. Even finding some of the churches (since there are so freaking many!) can be difficult even when one knows the address. I find that I usually can get to the general vicinity, but it is the last 100 steps or so that are crucial.

I agree with everything Patrick has mentioned. We used our iphone as a GPS while in the countryside of Piemonte and if our son hadn't been there to navigage, we would still be driving around. I can't use an iphone very well and also get carsick while reading maps or anything else. As great as it worked, our son never took his eyes off the small iphone long enough to see anything else, which I think kind of ruined the trip for him in that area.

After Patrick's dicussion about his 770 Garmin, we decided that would be the way to go and just bought one for our next trip to Italy in October. However, we love using our iphone for directions when on land. We found it invaluable in Venice, especially when trying to find a new restaurant.

While it is fun getting lost in Venice, sometimes, especially when it's hot, it great having a tool to use for help.

Sharon J

quote:

A major benefit of the real GPS is that it talks to you, tells you what to do.

Not all the phones are silent - I have a BB Storm which gives voice directions with street names. And I expect the iPhone will soon have to catch up and do the same.

quote:

You can add to it that using an iPhone as a GPS overseas will surely cost you a fortune in data usage charges, as it downloads all the maps it shows via your phone connection. That's all free on home territory, but overseas it costs plenty.

That is the big deal to me - needing to pay for international roaming in order to get GPS data from your home phone company. Installing a local GSM SIM chip gives you inexpensive local phone access, but it takes away the GPS connection provided by your original service provider. I don't know what plans TIM has for offering GPS, or what the charges might be.

My only hesitation about replacing my older Garmin GPS stand-alone is the prospect of the upcoming super-accurate GPS satellites (in construction right now), potentially making anything I buy today obsolete. I don't know when it's coming out - may not even be in my lifetime...

dingo,

You might want to consider the Garmin Nuvi 275T. Seems to meet all your requirements, comes preloaded with North American and European maps, and can be found for a little over $200.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=13426

Just looked at that one online. The screen size isn't the wide screen like most of the other models I've been looking at; that may not be important but makes me wonder which screen dimensions are best.

quote:

Originally posted by dingo:
...makes me wonder which screen dimensions are best.

Unless you're planning to carry it around a lot in pedestrian mode, I say the bigger the better.

I really like the large screen on mine, and sure wouldn't want anything smaller. And it's still small and light enough to take in my pocket for pedestrian mode.

We have a Garmin Nuvi, bought about 14 months ago on a special offer in Euronics. In May, surprise, I was reminded to upgrade the maps. I did so two weeks ago and curious as to value for money did a few runs. Complete waste of money. Maps were still out of date, e.g it missed new road layout near Assisi, roundabout gathering together roads south of Arezzo, altered road layout south of Esselungea in Arezzo (Garmin directed me towards a barricade), approach to Gubbio, error in car park direction in Arezzo. My experience suggests - better not to upgrade.

quote:

Originally posted by jeremiahisrael:
My experience suggests - better not to upgrade.

Yes, at least no often, since map upgrades are so expensive and of questionable value. I will probably upgrade every 3 or 4 years, if the thing is still working then, but wouldn't do it more often than that.

The company has an e-mail address where you can send corrections and additions, but I don't know how many of them make it into the software. I doubt they make many changes without input from users that they then follow up on to verify. That probably means not many changes get made.

Yes, at least no often, since map upgrades are so expensive and of questionable value. I will probably upgrade every 3 or 4 years, if the thing is still working then, but wouldn't do it more often than that.

The company has an e-mail address where you can send corrections and additions, but I don't know how many of them make it into the software. I doubt they make many changes without input from users that they then follow up on to verify. That probably means not many changes get made.
_______________
When life gives you lemons, make limoncello.
Agree totally. I wouldn't upgrade to new map until about the four year mark. How many changes can there be? I just tried a new batch of homemade creme style lemoncello, so had to respond.

quote:

Originally posted by CaWino:
I just tried a new batch of homemade creme style lemoncello, so had to respond.

Our ultra-strict moderators will fry us for this non-GPS talk, but I'll add that I have a batch (30 bottles) of homemade Brunello aging in my wine cellar right now! Got the grape juice from a place online, certified Italian juice. Give me a couple more years for aging and I'll tell ya' how it turns out!

I recommend a Garmin Nuvi GPS for finding the wine cellar after that limoncello. How's that?

Sounds great to me. Give me the coordinates (GPS talk) or address, and I'll be there in two years, "When it's time". ;-)

quote:

Originally posted by Patrick, Arkansas:

quote:

Originally posted by jeremiahisrael:
My experience suggests - better not to upgrade.

...

The company has an e-mail address where you can send corrections and additions, but I don't know how many of them make it into the software. I doubt they make many changes without input from users that they then follow up on to verify. That probably means not many changes get made.

I emailed Garmin with the same success as calling onto the abyss. We went for the download option thinkign a few MBs - instead a ridiculous 3.2GB - on wireless broadband. Enough said.

Respectfully to all who are 'recommending a garmin nuvi', there are like 20 different garmin nuvi's so this recommendation is similar to recommending a GM car...before they dropped all of the lines! Which ones are you recommending and why? All garmins are not the same or superior, just as all Tom Toms are not the same or inferior.

quote:

Posted 10 July 2009 04:24 AM Hide Post
Respectfully to all who are 'recommending a garmin nuvi', there are like 20 different garmin nuvi's so this recommendation is similar to recommending a GM car...before they dropped all of the lines! Which ones are you recommending and why? All garmins are not the same or superior, just as all Tom Toms are not the same or inferior.

I think if you read this entire thread, you will see several types mentioned, but we were mainly talking about the Garmin Nuvi 770.

Sharon J

Wasn't being critical; I have read the entire thread. The 770/775 have been discussed as has the 880 and I threw out some in the 2XX series, and there is reference to Tom Toms and iPhones as well.

My point is that if someone walks in to Best Buy and says "I'd like to buy a Garmin Nuvi" the response would be "which one?" And also simply stating that I have a nuvi and love it could mean one made 5 years ago or the latest model. There are very different features on the nuvi models...very different.

I am interested in opinions on GPS devices, especially the Garmins since they are made by an American company. But I've narrowed it down to around three so generic 'another vote for Garmin Nuvi' isn't that informative. The thread title asks the question 'which is best' to which there are many answers...make and model included.

quote:

Originally posted by dingo:
Respectfully to all who are 'recommending a garmin nuvi', there are like 20 different garmin nuvi's so this recommendation is similar to recommending a GM car...before they dropped all of the lines! Which ones are you recommending and why? All garmins are not the same or superior, just as all Tom Toms are not the same or inferior.

I haven't used any other brand/model of GPS except the Garmin Nuvi 770. Since I upgraded the firmware and the maps for Italy/Greece, I have found that it is taking longer to acquire satellites and nothing has impressed me over the 'older' version.
So I short I can't help you figure out which unit is best for traveling in Italy. I presume there are other non-Italy related sites that offer general product reviews of GPS units.

The various Garmin models are listed on this web page. Just click the features that you are interested in on the left side of the page. This narrows the field. For example, just including European maps limits it to three. You can then click on the box next to each model that interests you, and click "compare" to see a side by side comparison. Europe maps can be purchased separarely,too.

CNET is a good web site to see electronic reviews, including GPS. As a matter of interest, Garmin dominates the top ratings in Consumer Reports.

quote:

"I'd like to buy a Garmin Nuvi" the response would be "which one?"

If I walked into Best Buy and they asked which one, I would reply the Garmin Nuvi 770, as that was the one we were really saying we liked best.

Sharon J

I just want to plug the GPS I use and love. It is a TeleSystem TS 8600, 3d screen, intuitive and a life saver. I have had it for over a year and still like it better than the TomTom and the Garmin I used to have. Cost was 129 euro pre loaded with Europe, additional 30 euro for US maps.

quote:

Originally posted by Sharon J:

quote:

"I'd like to buy a Garmin Nuvi" the response would be "which one?"

If I walked into Best Buy and they asked which one, I would reply the Garmin Nuvi 770, as that was the one we were really saying we liked best.

Sharon J

Not sure what I did to make you testy Sharon. Sorry about...whatever it was!