Best GPS for travelling abroad - keep getting lost on hols!

LoraineP · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2007 Posts: 3

This is my first visit to this forum, so please forgive me if I am asking obvious questions.
As I have absolutely NO sense of direction, my husband has offered to buy me some form of tracking device so that I can safely travel from my holiday apartment to the local supermarket and back.
I love the idea of having an interactive map in my hand, but do not want one that costs money every time I turn it on!
Could your members recommend an inexpensive device that I can use in both the UK and the Greek Islands (mostly Rhodes)? I have a Sony Eriksson K800i phone, which takes a GPRS device, but I suspect that this would cost me dearly every time I use it. I just want to pay for the device and the maps, then run it for free.
I do not drive, so I don't need an in-car system. I really only need something that lets me plot my start position, then 'guides' me back when I've finished shopping, although coloured street maps sound good. Also, I would prefer something that can take a few knocks.

I would be very grateful for any advice your mambers could offer me.

Loraine

Darren · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject:

Hi Lorraine and Welcome

The first problem is Rhodes, there is almost no GPS mapping of the small Greek islands.

I would recommend a stand alone navigation device such as a TomTom, easier and simpler to use then phone based and no costs other than purchase.

If use on Rhodes is the primary purpose then I'm afraid there is no solution as yet Crying or Very sad

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Darren Griffin

LoraineP · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2007 Posts: 3

Thank you for your speedy reply. My husband is now offering to buy me a Long Lead.
Could you tell me if TomTom and Garmin use different types of mapping software, and which, in your opinion, is likely to be the most popular GPS software in the future (I am old enough to remember plumping for Betamax instead of VHS!)

Darren · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:22 pm Post subject:

TomTom and Garmin have different software so different look and feel, they also use different map data providers.

However both are very good solutions. I prefer TomTom's interface but it's very much a personal preference.
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Darren Griffin

philpugh · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject:

tanda · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:51 pm Post subject:

If you can't find a map of the Greek Islands with Rhodes, would a Garmin e-trex be better for you, no maps at all, but it will show you the way home, look here.

http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/garmin-etrex-description.html?PHPSESSID=d6abdf307e3dfd60a189701b64063dd3

You can buy a more expensive model with maps, but I don't know if they do Rhodes.
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Audi A3 Sline sat nav

oddsock · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject:

Some maps Here but may not have enough detail but beter than nothing. I used a map on my Gpsmap 60c from this site when I went to Corfu and it was very useful.If you are getting a Garmin hand held unit I would go for one of the high sensitivity receivers,more money but worth every penny.
Dave
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TomTom one v1,tomtom one v 3,TT Start20,Garmin Oregon 300,Nuvi 300
Garmin Quest

LoraineP · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2007 Posts: 3

Wow! I am delighted with the response I have had to my question. I didn't expect so many people to take the time to reply.

After reading all your advice, my husband (Andy) has been converted from Garmin to TomTom (he thinks they will be the most user-friendly).

I am seriously interested in the Garmin Etrex - if I can't get a GPS map of Rhodes then it would be great to just plot my travels and have a device guide me back via a reverse route.

I am hoping to obtain a Garmin device in the next couple of weeks, but in the meantime I have managed to bag a Bluetooth GPS on Ebay. In theory this will connect effortlessly to my Sony Ericsson K800i and take the TomTom V5 software that I pinched from a friend. As this cost less than £30, and apparently doesn't incur running costs, I won't be too upset if I can't get it running, but if it does work it will help me to decide which system suits me best. Who knows, it might even help me to convince Andy to get GPS for the car - this could save many a heated debate on day trips!

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