Sat nav needed for usa

Chewbumpkin

We are going to the states for a month and will be driving around Florida and Puerto Rico quite a lot. Both our cars came with built-in sat nav, so I am thinking of buying a portable one. I don't want to use the phone as it works out very expensive outside the UK.

If I buy a sat nav here, will I be able to download maps for the areas we will be in and will it work over there? I looked on the Tomtom site, but it wasn't very clear.:undecided

Also, which system would be best for the least amount of money?

Looking forward to the answers!

Gloomendoom

I have seen US sat navs for hire on eBay. It might be worth a look. Also, many car hire firms give you the option to rent one with the car, either when you book or at the desk when you pick the car up.

We bought a Garmin nüvi satnav specifically for a US road trip a few years ago now. Unfortunately, it wasn't cheap as it came loaded with full North American, UK and European maps. We've since added Australia and other areas to it and it has worked faultlessly and saved a packet compared to renting.

mrs_sparrow

We bought a Magellan Sat Nav from someone in the UK before we left. It was brilliant and has the lane guidance and street name - the same as the Garmin we have here in the UK.

photome

If you hiring cars and they come with built in sat nav why do you need another system.

Using a smart phone with US maps app would be free as you wouldnt use any data

EDIT

Just reread your post and I think I got the wrog idea, it is prob your cars in the UK that have the built in sat nav

Chewbumpkin

Thanks for the info. Yes, it is our uk cars that have sat nav built in.
I was thinking of buying a portable sat nav as then it could hopefully be used in other countries as well - we do travel quite a bit all over the place. And if I can get one that works all over, then it would save money in the end rather than paying the hire car firm.
I will look at the Garmin. I suppose I could do worse than go into somewhere like Halfords and actually look at them before making my mind up and then doing a price comparison on line for the one I fancy.
Any models particularly recommended?

wongataa

Chewbumpkin wrote: »

If I buy a sat nav here, will I be able to download maps for the areas we will be in and will it work over there? I looked on the Tomtom site, but it wasn't very clear.

Yes you can do this. I did just this thing when I went to the USA earler this year. It was cheaper to buy the US maps than to hire a sat nav with the hire car. I use a Garmin. I assume TomTom would be similar if you went that brand.

Indout96

I use a tom tom Go live - but which ever type you choose you need to make sure that the one you buy has
A) enough space to download the US maps or
can take Micro SD cards (not all Tom Tom do this now, not sure about Garmin)
Then you just download the maps you need and instal them on the card. as soon as its done you will be able to select which map to use via the menu.
One word of caution though, it can take anything from 5-10 mins to lock on to the satalites the first time you use in in the US as its looking in the wrong place so dont panic, after that its just the same as using it over here.

Forgot to say you will also need to get a micro SD card, try somewhere like mymemory.co.uk for good cheap ones, try to get a class 10 for faster read speed.

cb1979

We go the the USA often, we bought a garmin nuvi 205w there 2 years ago for $99 + tax in compusa

There are many stores that sell them,compusa, best buy, target walmart, etc have a look on their websites before you go and print a map off to find them when you arrive

The car hire companys hire the but that is about $10 per day so cheaper to buy one

I had my laptop with me and did all the free updates on it while i was there

missile

You can buy a sat nav with usa maps or wait until you get there, where you may find them cheaper.

I have a Tom Tom

You might like this > http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctg/70-HD-Car-GPS-Europe-USA-3D-Maps-Touch-Screen-Navigation-4GB-/114380420?_refkw=usa+sat+nav&_pcatid=121&_pcategid=156955&_dmpt=UK_In_Car_Technology

or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-HD-GPS-Navigation-Sat-Nav-Built-in-4GB-Mp3-FM-128RAM-POI-WinCE-6-0-Free-Map-/130696542586?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item1e6e1ef97a

Lum

I'm guessing you are not wanting to use your phone as it's an Android device that downloads the maps, which will cost you a fortune in in international data and roaming charges?

If so, why not buy a pay as you go SIM card at the airport when you arrive in the USA, It'll be with an American carrier such as T-Mobile USA, then you'll get an American phone number and pay the same rates for data and calls as Americans do.

This also solves the problem of some plonker calling you while on holiday and gabbing for hours, costing you money to receive the call. You can just send an SMS to the important people telling them your new temporary mobile number, which will be a USA number meaning they will incur the full cost of the call, and thus be discouraged from frivolous calls.

You can further reduce the costs by plotting your route while still in the hotel, assuming the hotel has wireless.

buscape

Buy a cheap Symbian phone, free maps and navigation and it works without a data connection. Something like the C7 will do the job as a sat nav.