[phillamb168]

I need a new GPS - my iPhone's GPS unit is totally wonky and we're going to be doing a lot of driving in the US soon.

Requirements:
* Fast
* Traffic re-routing
* Free map updates (including Europe & USandA)
* Parking garage finder (must work in europe)

The biggest factor is the working in both the US and Europe thing. I have no idea if it'll work or not. Thoughts?

[1vertical]

Think you should check a Tom Tom....dunno much about em tho...specially the euro side
of the pond...

[euge]

I believe the TomTom had European maps available for download. Before mine got stolen it worked ok-ish. Not sure about the Magellan but the base model TomTom was kinda hard to use. But it would reroute... Mainly the tiny screen was enough for map assistance but on the fly while driving adjustments, lookups etc were practically impossible.

The Android phone's GPS features with google maps etc are really rich and easy to use. Not much help with the iphone...

Bottom line don't get the cheapest model.

[1vertical]

Laptop with nav software?

[jiggs26.2]

I have a Garmin and it has worked pretty good it has both Europe and US maps.  It has worked pretty good but you only get one free update on the maps.  I have had a few one way street problems with it in Sicily but it has worked great for all the other places I have traveled in Europe.  Roads change here so much though it is kind of hard to keep anything updated.  Most big GPS companies will have maps available for download online.

[corkybstewart]

I have a Garmin and it has worked pretty good it has both Europe and US maps.  It has worked pretty good but you only get one free update on the maps.  I have had a few one way street problems with it in Sicily but it has worked great for all the other places I have traveled in Europe.  Roads change here so much though it is kind of hard to keep anything updated.  Most big GPS companies will have maps available for download online.

We used our Garmin in Germany last year and the thrill of turning into oncoming traffic on a one way street is something I won't soon forget.   On the positive side it took us completely off course one day and deposited us in a farmyard with about 500 ducks sitting in mud puddles.  It also refused to accept my parent's in law address.
But really as long as there weren't road closures for construction it worked  great 95% of the time.

[bo]

I have WPS

Wife Positioning System

[fatdogale]

I have WPS

Wife Positioning System

I have one of those - it's never wrong.  It may not be right, but it's never wrong!

[jeffy]

I have WPS

Wife Positioning System

I have one of those - it's never wrong.  It may not be right, but it's never wrong!

I have an SLD (spousal location device).  Some people call it a cell phone.

[tubercle]

Got a TomTOm...not sure of the model and it is fairly accurate. I have only noticed a few errors. The touch screen is not too hard to use while driving and it re-calculates quick.

The navagtor function on the Droid2 works well but it has to be plugged in the D.C. because it will drain the battery quick.

[Hokerer]

I have WPS

Wife Positioning System

That could be really, ummm, interesting if you take away the context   

[dhacker]

Phil . .I'm not sure any company is gonna give you unlimited free map updates. I have a Garmin Nuvi and it is decent . . not 100%, but as good as any and the British Chick voice helper is . .  a REAL  HOTTIE!

[MDixon]

Garmin hands down. Everyone who has other models seem dated by comparison IMO.

Of course you might want to check if that is true with the maps you might need.

[phillamb168]

Thanks for the advice guys - I ended up going with this one: http://www.darty.com/nav/achat/gps_autoradio_dvd_portable/gps_avertisseur_radar/gps/tom_tom_via_live_120_1.html

Tom Tom VIA Live 120. EDGE data connection, free one-year subscription, supposedly easy to update the maps. Haven't had luck connecting it yet, but it works pretty well.