Taking My GPS

stewh · Guru

Taking My GPS

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Stewart --

I have a Nokia Smartphone with built-in (hardware) GPS, for which I have purchased maps for UK & Ireland. It has worked just fine, with some minor quirks, for the last two years.

There is NO license requirement, per se, but you WILL have to purchase the appropriate maps -- and they are NOT available for all GPS models. Assuming, however, that your GPS has the ability to load additional, european maps, it should work out just fine.

More (and MORE definitive) info:

http://www.travelwebdir.com/travelarticles/Downloadable-GPS-Maps-of-Ireland,-A-Great-Way-To-Explore-The-Emerald-Isles-866.html

http://www.gpsireland.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=39

http://www.mysatnav.ie/

Hope this helps ---

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Stewart,

I have not heard that GPS units require a license in Ireland but I will send off a quick email to friends in Ireland who have one to see what they say. Meanwhile, Bob seems very up to date on the issue. I haven't used a GPS yet in Ireland because I have one in my head. biggrin

Michele

wckc · Guru

we have a Garmin that we took with us last year. It worked great!

Michele Erdvig · Host

wckc,

Thanks for the head's up on the subject.

Michele

stewh · Guru

Thanks wckc I now have a new Garmin (my old one was lost or stolen) and I would be adding Europe on an SD card.

Bob, thanks for all the practical advice - your technical knowledge is always helpful.
Michele, I know what you mean about a GPS in your head. With a couple of memorable exceptions - Dublin in Rush Hour on our 1st trip comes to mind - I have not been negatively lost in Ireland.

I am a bit torn between a love of gadgets and a tendency to 'keep it simple' and travel light.

Thanks to all
Stewart

Michele Erdvig · Host

Stewart,

My husband is a "gadget man" too. Fortunately he leaves most of his "toys" home when we travel!

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Well ... You know the old saying about BOYS AND THEIR TOYS .... biggrin biggrin

I find that the REAL value of the GPS is finding my way BACK -- usually CREATIVELY -- as I have the default setting at 'Shortest' . The mapping software has enabled / encouraged / led me down MANY a byway that I might never have used had the GPS not encouraged me to follow.

Does the average tourist NEED a GPS??? Probably not, though I WILL admit that being told WHICH exit to take off the Roundabout, BEFORE I even get to it, DOES make negotiating them MUCH easier.

When we travel with friends, one of them usually joyfully volunteers to be the designated map reader / navigator.

But when I assign my wife that duty, she is invariably gazing out the window - map neatly folded, closed, on her lap -- just when I most need guidance information. furious furious

The GPS Smartphone was cheaper than a divorce, but it DOES NAG me much worse than my wife ever has .... biggrin biggrin biggrin

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

You are so funny! Does the GPS Smartphone have a female voice for nagging?

Just got an email from my contact in Ireland. No license required for GPS in Ireland.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig on Saturday 2nd of January 2010 02:26:33 AM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Actually, the voice chosen for ALL phone functions (including GPS) is an IRISH Female. I find her mis-pronunciation of names utterly delightful! biggrin biggrin biggrin

That DOES raise a GOOD point, though. A GPS without voice guidance is not only a detriment --- it is probably a severe DANGER. Trying to eye-ball a small screen, drive on the "wrong" side and handle all the other differences is , in MY opinion, a SERIOUS accident just waiting to happen.... bleh bleh

Also, Stewart, if your Garmin offers constant Traffic Updates via FM, THAT function DOES require licensing fees -- NOT from the Irish Government, but rather, from Garmin, or their service provider.

I can't believe that constant traffic updates would have much inherent value to anyone other than a regular driver in the larger cities, though .... confuse confuse

Bob

stewh · Guru

Michele & Bob, Glad to hear about the license situation. My previous (lost or stolen) GPS did give traffic updates but the new one is simpler. We have found that touring is much more peaceful with the GPS than with maps and a 'good sense of direction'. My wife has a genetic aversion to map reading ; you could call it cartophobia. On the other hand, to my surprise she is fond of the wonders of the GPS. Happy times for everyone. I am leaning heavily in favor of buying the European map set and taking the Garmin with us. In the words of Chet Baker, "Lets Get Lost"
thanks for the help

Michele Erdvig · Host

Stewart,

We will look forward to hearing about your GPS adventures when you get back. Do you have an itinerary yet?

Michele

stewh · Guru

Michele
The UK & Ireland maps are installed on my GPS; I'll report when we return. We are flying into and out of Shannon, spending 21 days on the ground. We have decided to spend most of the time in SW this trip, as usual a combination of mostly self-catering with a few B&B's or Guesthouses thrown in. So far I have booked a week (our 2nd full week) in Killaloe, now looking for West Cork (probably) for a week. I think we'll have 3 nites in Kenmare, possibly at Virginia's http://www.virginias-kenmare.com/. No doubt, you will be getting more questions from me soon.
PS: I don't know why my links will no longer paste as links???

Stewart

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Stewh -- Are you using the "Quick Reply", rather than the "Advanced Editor"????

Just out of curiosity -- if it's not too personal -- what model Garmin do you have and about how many $$$$s did the map upgrade cost???

We loved our drive from Killaloe to Athlone, via Shannonbridge and Clonmacnoice, this past summer. The area was VERY reminicent of the Lake George area, in upstate NY....

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Tuesday 5th of January 2010 08:34:16 PM

stewh · Guru

Hi Bob
I now have the Garmin 255W. My (lost or stolen) GPS was a 265WT - Bluetooth, Traffic Service forever etc. The 255W works exactly the same for trips if you don't need the other stuff. I got the maps (UK/Ireland) via my local Kijiji site for $60 CDN. Garmin sells it for $99.99. You can get all of Europe for not much more. The maps are on SD card.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/buymaps.do

While we love 'the wild West' of Ireland we have spent some time around Lough Derg, certainly a gentler landscape but some great places, another facet of 'real Ireland'. A few trips ago we spent a week self-catering and touring from Birr, still a favorite.

Stewart

PS I thought I was using Advanced editor but...

-- Edited by stewh on Tuesday 5th of January 2010 09:54:56 PM

-- Edited by stewh on Tuesday 5th of January 2010 10:02:54 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Stewart,

I have yet to inspect Virginia's. It is usually locked up tight when I am walking around Kenmare. I phoned them once but they were not available to show me around. Will try again next time. If you stay there you will have to park on the street as they don't have private parking. If you want to stay right in town look at O'Donnabhain's. Their rooms are very nice, they have a lift and a separate dining room for guests' breakfast. Private parking out back. If you make an inquiry mention my name and see if Ger will give you a special offer.

If you want to be within walking distance of Kenmare (5 minutes) try Arthur's Lodge Wood. It is very nice and actually has a/c. Although you probably won't need it in May. Liz was giving my readers a special offer last year. I need to update that as soon as I get a moment. But when staying 3 days you should get a lower rate, and again mention my name. Next door to Arthur's is The Lodge and they were doing specials around 40 euro pps.

Yes, Bob is right. You have to be in the "Advanced Editor" mode for the links to work. Quick Reply does not hyperlink them.

Michele