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Old 08-13-2010, 05:52 PM
 
Location: Hockley, TX
784 posts, read 3,112,672 times
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Are USA GPS usable in the UK or are they a different system? I know that using roaming on an iphone would be very expensive so Google maps and other programs like that would not be cheap.
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Old 08-13-2010, 05:56 PM
 
Location: Inman Park (Atlanta, GA)
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The one I had, you could download UK maps. You obviously had to pay for the download.
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Old 08-13-2010, 05:56 PM
 
Location: Full Time: N.NJ Part Time: S.CA, ID
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As a general rule: Yes.

The problem is not the gps "system", its the map software on the device. Satellites find your location on the globe, but in order for it to be useful, you'll need street data. Many (most) newer automotive GPSs (garmin, tomtom) come with software for Europe. If yours doesn't, most likely you can download map data for Europe.
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Old 08-13-2010, 06:01 PM
 
Location: Hockley, TX
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Cool. Thanks. How cheaply could I get a decent GPS? I don't have one but would consider getting one to take with me when I go to the Uk. I am always getting lost there.
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Old 08-14-2010, 05:27 PM
 
Location: Chicago
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If you have a UK/Europe map loaded on it, yes. If not you can load it on provided there's room for it.

As for how much... I bought a pretty basic unit (Garmin 255W) used for $70. It doesn't have a lot of feature content compared to higher-end models but it does have audio directions in addition to the arrows on the screen and what-not.
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Old 08-14-2010, 05:48 PM
 
Location: Hockley, TX
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Wow, $70 is definitely doable provided it will allow me to load a UK map. Thanks.
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Old 08-15-2010, 10:58 AM
 
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Also look at the Magellan. They aren't heard of much even though they were the very first personal consumer GPS available.

I bought one for $99 and it has a larger screen than the competitors. It also has a couple features the Garmin and TomTom didn't (in fact I would shy away from the TomTom).

In the USA it comes with the entire library of AAA TourBook pre-loaded.

I know you can download (for a price) the UK map to it.
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Old 08-15-2010, 11:21 AM
 
Location: Full Time: N.NJ Part Time: S.CA, ID
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https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=13426

I use garmin ... i've been using their aviation and automotive products for years. Personally ... since maps of europe is a requirement, I would find one with them pre-installed. The 275 is the cheapest way to go if you choose garmin.
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Old 08-15-2010, 11:29 AM
 
Location: US Empire, Pac NW
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Some cellphones have this ability. I have a Droid with tri-band and it was able to download maps for Europe. I used Google maps app. If I wanted guided directions, I could buy a $4 app for that.
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Old 08-15-2010, 11:31 AM
 
Location: Full Time: N.NJ Part Time: S.CA, ID
6,116 posts, read 12,519,375 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eskercurve View Post
Some cellphones have this ability. I have a Droid with tri-band and it was able to download maps for Europe. I used Google maps app. If I wanted guided directions, I could buy a $4 app for that.
from the first post:

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaroleF View Post
I know that using roaming on an iphone would be very expensive so Google maps and other programs like that would not be cheap.
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