Driving in The US - sat nav recommendations?
Discussion
Shortly going to be driving along the west coast for around 2 weeks, covering approximately 2000 miles so thinking a sat nav may come in handy at some point.
Does anyone have any recommendations for one to use? Don't want to pay extortionate rates to hire one so was thinking or purchasing either a garmin or tomtom so I can use it at home too.
Anyone used the iPhone garmin or tomtom apps for the USA?
Does anyone have any recommendations for one to use? Don't want to pay extortionate rates to hire one so was thinking or purchasing either a garmin or tomtom so I can use it at home too.
Anyone used the iPhone garmin or tomtom apps for the USA?
I used my Garmin over there (with the addition of a £40 US update micro-SD card) worked like a dream. Cheaper than relying on the likes of Hertz to supply you especially if you use it back here too.
No experience with the app based one - wouldn't that cost you buckets with data usage in the US>
No experience with the app based one - wouldn't that cost you buckets with data usage in the US>
Corpulent Tosser said:
I have booked a hire car with satnav for Miami in October and the increase for the satnav for a week was $35, that was as part of a package with Virgin so maybe a better deal than just a plain car hire, but I didn't think it was too bad.
actually that's WAAAAY cheaper than what I was quoted!! Doesn't sound too bad TBHI used NavFree USA last week while in California, it is not perfect but good enough. For some reason the POIs are not good and sometimes it does not recognise the street name when you type it in but it will be there when you look at the map but it was fine. The other option would be to buy a cheap one from Best Buy or similar when you arrive.
http://www.cheapsatnavhire.co.uk/
I don't know if they're cheaper or more expensive than whoever you're looking to use.
I don't know if they're cheaper or more expensive than whoever you're looking to use.
Mr E said:
I used "nav free usa" on the iPhone. I believe it also exists for android.
Doesn't need a data connection. Allows you to plan routes ahead of time (IIRC). Free.
Did the job. I think I even paid extra for the ad free version.
This.Doesn't need a data connection. Allows you to plan routes ahead of time (IIRC). Free.
Did the job. I think I even paid extra for the ad free version.
I used this for our Honeymoon in the New Year and was faultless, runs off GPS so can put the phone in flight mode and avoid roaming charges.
Just took a phone cradle and charger in my hand luggage and job done, we drove round California for 2 and a bit weeks. We covered over 2,000 miles and didn't get lost once.
BoostMonkey said:
Has anyone ever just purchased a $80 decent TomTom from a Walmart or other shop?
I will be doing lots of driving over in the US over the next 18 months, and this seems like a sensible solution.
Will need my phone for calls, and my Ipad is not 3G
As noted above, i have a Garmin model from the US and it's perfect.I will be doing lots of driving over in the US over the next 18 months, and this seems like a sensible solution.
Will need my phone for calls, and my Ipad is not 3G
BoostMonkey said:
Has anyone ever just purchased a $80 decent TomTom from a Walmart or other shop?
I will be doing lots of driving over in the US over the next 18 months, and this seems like a sensible solution.
Will need my phone for calls, and my Ipad is not 3G
Yes. I have bought 1 garmin and around 6 TomToms over the years. I have bought from Walmart and Amazon with out issue. I normally pay around $100 but im buying them to keep. I do have the advantage of living in the US though. I will be doing lots of driving over in the US over the next 18 months, and this seems like a sensible solution.
Will need my phone for calls, and my Ipad is not 3G
One tip for GPS (that's what it's caled here) users in the US. Some states, including California, require the GPS to be in the very corner of the window. Otherwise you will get a ticket (fine).
BoostMonkey said:
Has anyone ever just purchased a $80 decent TomTom from a Walmart or other shop?
I will be doing lots of driving over in the US over the next 18 months, and this seems like a sensible solution.
Will need my phone for calls, and my Ipad is not 3G
They work very well. I'd suggest a TomTom or Garmin, their software seems to be the best.. Garmin software is what Chrysler products now use in the USA (not sure on Europe tbh).I will be doing lots of driving over in the US over the next 18 months, and this seems like a sensible solution.
Will need my phone for calls, and my Ipad is not 3G
Few rental cars will have Navi fitted to them unless it's a seriously top of the range car, even cars that normally are optioned with Navi won't be optioned that way by rental car companies (BMW 3 series, Infiniti G37, Hyundai Genesis, etc).
BoostMonkey said:
Has anyone ever just purchased a $80 decent TomTom from a Walmart or other shop?
I will be doing lots of driving over in the US over the next 18 months, and this seems like a sensible solution.
Will need my phone for calls, and my Ipad is not 3G
Yep.I will be doing lots of driving over in the US over the next 18 months, and this seems like a sensible solution.
Will need my phone for calls, and my Ipad is not 3G
I purchased a Garmin Nuvi in New York in 2004 and have been using it all over the world ever since.
It came with the US and Canada pre-loaded then I have Europe on 1 SD card, UAE on another, West Africa on another, Asia on another etc etc.
Don't forget that if you have a UK sat nav with an SD card slot you can simply put the US maps on a card and away you go.
Thanks to a site that I won't name on here due to PH rules I update the maps yearly for no charge.
This system has been utterly foolproof for more than a dozen road trips covering in excess of 30,000 miles in the USA over the last 9 years.
I paid $200 I think, but less than $100 will get you a fully upgradeable Garmin from Walmart or similar.
This would be the route I would choose with no question.
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