Satnav, buy or rent ?

georgecostanza_2

Have got 11 days car rental , driving from Vegas over to various places in California. Hertz charge $12 a day for satnav rental, how much would a decent unit cost in the shops ? Ideally one able to be loaded with european maps at a later date .

aerostar

For the $130 dollars it is going to cost to rent buy one over there and when you come back buy UK/Europe map.

You can get Satnavs at good prices.

Wallmart have some in stores, but use the link as a guide to prices

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=navigation&ic=48_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=0

My personal favourite are TOMTOMs.

eslick

get a refurb one from here

http://www.totalpda.co.uk/TomTom.10026/

if you are lucky you can get one with US and European maps for around £100 to £150 they dont have any moment but they are excellent, know 2 people who have bought them before. if you cant get one with US maps then you could by one with european maps and buy the US maps before you go.

Getting them in the US is also an idea but if you need it straight away then the refurb versions are a good bet.

steveo3002

should easily get one for 99$ there , can always sell it on ebay afterwards

victor2

Bringing a SatNav back from the US might trigger a thorough inspection of your luggage when leaving the US. If it's in your checked in luggage, they'll probably just open the suitcase, breaking any locks if necessary. We returned from the US once with broken locks and a note inside the suitcase saying it had been inspected by US authorities and we had no right to claim for damages etc. etc.
Plus in theory you should probably pay VAT/duty on stuff you bring into the UK. That's the theory anyway!

Personally, I'd just bite the bullet and rent the unit. You're not using the cheapest car hire company around, so I assume cost isn't the greatest factor.

georgecostanza_2

victor2 wrote: »

Bringing a SatNav back from the US might trigger a thorough inspection of your luggage when leaving the US. If it's in your checked in luggage, they'll probably just open the suitcase, breaking any locks if necessary. We returned from the US once with broken locks and a note inside the suitcase saying it had been inspected by US authorities and we had no right to claim for damages etc. etc.
Plus in theory you should probably pay VAT/duty on stuff you bring into the UK. That's the theory anyway!

Personally, I'd just bite the bullet and rent the unit. You're not using the cheapest car hire company around, so I assume cost isn't the greatest factor.

I have brought back tons of stuff over the years , watches , dvd, cd, leather jackets. No way they can prove you brought it out there if its out of the packaging and been used. I also have the TSA locks on my cases.

Would appear buying one out there would be best bet, Hertz have their ones attached to the dashboard , and in full sight of any potential tealeaves !

eslick

put the sat nav in your hand luggage as you would do with cameras no issues at all.

Gloomendoom

eslick wrote: »

put the sat nav in your hand luggage as you would do with cameras no issues at all.

This is what I do with absolutely no problems at all.

I have a Garmin with US and European maps preloaded. Oddly enough it actually worked out cheaper to buy in the UK.

It worked flawlessly, even the traffic warning an re-routing.

steveo3002

yeah dont be affraid of that , thousands of tourists take sat navs on holiday , its hardly a rare item these days, if questioned say you took it out from the uk

any elec items like that need to be the hand luggage

the customs /security can open your bag regardless of the contents for a random spot check

Inactive

Why do you need a Sat Nav?:)

georgecostanza_2

Inactive wrote: »

Why do you need a Sat Nav?:)

Driving from vegas to palm springs to huntington beach to LA.As well as the route a satnav can give you warnings regarding problems up ahead. Have someone in navigators seat but she would be first to admit she is not the worlds best at such things .