Sat Nav Hire/Purchase in the USA

[theaxe]

Last time I drove in the states I took a TomTom rented from the UK ( this lot I think).

[FUBAR]

theaxe said:

Last time I drove in the states I took a TomTom rented from the UK ( this lot I think).

Crikey they're cheap. FWIW I ended up with the Co Pilot Live for about £25 (£5 app and £20 for the map) rather than the $170 Alamo wanted.

Plus Mrs Fubes is a decent co pilot so I'll take a map as backup

o/t Also taking out our Halford's booster seats @ (currently) £8.50 each rather than the $70 each Alamo want. Can always leave them if we need to fill the suitcases with shopping on the way back.

[TomE]

Right thanks again you lot, I think I'll be finding my nearest best buy or ordering from amazon with next day delivery, whichever I can get cheaper!

Presumably TomTom's work straight out of the box? I dont need to register it online or anythign do I? I realise that it may need to do a map update though.

[jayfrancis]

I done the San Fran to LA trip a few years ago. It was fantastic!

Make sure you drive the coast road and not the freeway. Also make sure you got a copy of the Beach Boys greatest hits with you. You'll love it.

[Project C]

I was thinking along the same lines (and also doing a very similar route). It's £55 for a USA map for my own TomTom so I was looking for a cheaper option. I saw on WalMart that a new TomTom XL is only $69 (about £42) but it's only £34.50 to hire from that site (plus £5 to send it back according to the website) but I may be interested in yours if you do buy one.

Or do I risk driving Vegas/San Fran/LA without a SatNav and just a paper map with Mrs Project C trying to read it (not a good thought!)

[ViperDave]

Seriously its about half a dozen roads from san fran - LV - LA, get yourself a $6 Rand McNally from walmart or kmart. Sat nav will only try and take you down some dirt track out the back of death valley never to be seen again.

[Roo]

ViperDave said:

, get yourself a $6 Rand McNally from walmart or kmart.

They are probably the best maps available. I've got several and you can get them over here from places like Waterstones.

[Project C]

I really only wanted a SatNav for driving within SF and LA - I was confident to get from LV to SF and then down the PCH. That and the ability to ask for the nearest hospital/police station etc. in emergencies.

I have been looking at maps and wondered who to get so thanks for that.

[thehawk]

Just buy one from a store with a 'no quibble' 28 day exchange policy