Now please tell me a good vehicle GPS system

[dullard]

I know nothing of GPS systems. Do they have maps and street names for Europe and in the Carribean? If so, what is a good model that'll work well in the US and in those areas? Work would cover it, so price isn't the most important consideration. However, it can't bee too expensive.

 

[BeauJangles]

Yes. The units work, I don't know about loading foreign maps.

edit: my dad has this unit ( http://reviews.cnet.com/car-gp...?tag=rb_content;rb_mtx ) which evidently has maps of europe already in it.

 

[Gibson486]

some omdels have the international maps, some don't. You have to research which maps it has.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: BeauJangles
Yes. GPS satellites circle the earth.

Of course, but do the systems you buy in the store have maps for all those areas?

 

[iamwiz82]

You would have to find a device that supports international maps, many do not. They have one model for here and one model for Europe.

 

[Savij]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: BeauJangles
Yes. GPS satellites circle the earth.

Of course, but do the systems you buy in the store have maps for all those areas?

You have to check your brand/model number. You can buy map packs for some units if they don't have built in maps for the area you need.

 

[HN]

mine worked beautifully on a trip to canadia (those maps were already preloaded)

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: BeauJangles
Yes. GPS satellites circle the earth.

Of course, but do the systems you buy in the store have maps for all those areas?

Most have some way to add an SD card with a new map pack, but few have world maps because they're usually sold regionally. Normally, you can buy one that's good for US/Canada, Europe, Australia, etc... Like it was suggested already, depending on the model you get stuck with you may have more or less options.

I wasted my money on a Magellan a few years ago. They didn't even bother to update their maps or give me an option to buy new ones like I was promised. They advised me to buy a new GPS instead. The companies are starting to treat GPS devices as disposable....so you might even want to consider buying 2 or 3 depending on where you're going to use them.

 

[Joemonkey]

I still think its awesome that your position is pinpointed by 4 satellites that compare the difference in their clocks due to the difference in time dialation between them and your car

E=MC^2 ftw!

 

[imported_Imp]

The only person I know, know, that has a GPS took her's to Europe from North America. All she had to do was load on the European maps. No idea what the price is though.

 

[olds]

http://forums.anandtech.com/ca...tid=66&flcache=4648396

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: HN
mine worked beautifully on a trip to canadia (those maps were already preloaded)

Canada and Mexico are usually part of the North America maps. You would probably need a different map pack for Europe or Africa, which may or may not be available depending on the model.

 

[Tobolo]

Check your manufacturer. We just took one out of country and it worked. Although we did check ahead of time.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: Joemonkey
I still think its awesome that your position is pinpointed by 4 satellites that compare the difference in their clocks due to the difference in time dialation between them and your car

E=MC^2 ftw!

I don't think people really appreciate the accuracy with which the satellites have to measure time. They are constantly being updated to be synchronized to within a few nanoseconds of each other.

 

[abaez]

Used Garmin software that did not have Japan maps but I had downloaded them to use and they worked great.

 

[geno]

That is, do they have the maps to help drive anywhere

Yes, they even have a super-special one which shows you how to drive to Hawaii!

 

[Joemonkey]

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: Joemonkey
I still think its awesome that your position is pinpointed by 4 satellites that compare the difference in their clocks due to the difference in time dialation between them and your car

E=MC^2 ftw!

I don't think people really appreciate the accuracy with which the satellites have to measure time. They are constantly being updated to be synchronized to within a few nanoseconds of each other.

yup, and with each satellite moving at something like 7000mph relative to the speed of the car on the ground, it makes it that much more difficult.

 

[radioouman]

My Mio C220 has US, Canada, Austrailia, some of southeast easy such as Singapore and Malaysia, and Eastern and Western Europe.

There is no reason that your GPS itself won't work, but you won't have detailed maps unless you load them.

 

[venkman]

Originally posted by: Joemonkey

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: Joemonkey
I still think its awesome that your position is pinpointed by 4 satellites that compare the difference in their clocks due to the difference in time dialation between them and your car

E=MC^2 ftw!

I don't think people really appreciate the accuracy with which the satellites have to measure time. They are constantly being updated to be synchronized to within a few nanoseconds of each other.

yup, and with each satellite moving at something like 7000mph relative to the speed of the car on the ground, it makes it that much more difficult.

human ingenuity never fails to amaze me.

 

[dullard]

Any more model recommendations?

 

[sciencewhiz]

I took a Garmin Nuvi 650 to Germany this year. The German maps were less then $100 (all of Europe would have been closer to $200). You can also buy Garmins with european maps preloaded.

I was happy with it. I don't think you can go wrong with a Garmin.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: sciencewhiz
I took a Garmin Nuvi 650 to Germany this year. The German maps were less then $100 (all of Europe would have been closer to $200). You can also buy Garmins with european maps preloaded.

I was happy with it. I don't think you can go wrong with a Garmin.

Thanks. That model is discontinued. But, I did a quick Garmin internet search and came up with an Amazon link with features. I picked models with Europe and Puerto Rico maps built in. The Garmin Nuvi 275t popped up as the cheapest non-discontinued model. It has text-to-speech which seemed good.

Hope it works well.