Buying GPS instead of renting

Silverstreak02 · Veteran Member

Buying GPS instead of renting

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

At Tesco (Stores in Enis and Limerick -- depending upon which direction you are heading -- ), you should be able to buy a UK & Ireland mapped GPS for around US $100-120. Upon return to the US, list it on Craigslist or Ebay and recoup about half of that.

Example: http://www.tesco.com/direct/tomtom-xxl-classic-series-sat-nav-5-screen-with-uk-and-ireland-maps/544-6527.prd?skuId=544-6527

Now, Do you NEED GPS? It CAN come in handy, but it's only as good as its maps. In Ireland, the Galway area is NOTORIOUS for construction that post-dates most GPS map data -- resulting in wrong directions (It tells you to take the second exit at the Roundabout -- that used to have four, but NOW has 6!) or losing you entirely, as the road follows a 'bypass road' that was built AFTER the map data was compiled! furious furious

General info: Most Map Data is 6 - 12months old. by the time it is first sold to the public. In places where construction is rare and changes seldom occur, that's NOT a big deal. In parts of Ireland, 6 months makes a HUGE difference -- particularly in large towns and cities like Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork -- where you are most likely to NEED a GPS.

Maps and signage for rural Ireland is generally pretty good.

wckc · Guru

We have a Garmin that we take with us. We purchased our original set of maps in 2008, and then purchased the 2012 updated version before our 2012. It has come in handy for us. There have been a couple of wild castle chases we've been on where the GPS was of no help at all.

My thought - if you're used to using a GPS, it's worth having. If you've never used one before, the Irish people are very hospitable and willing to help.

murphy · Guru

1st 3 trips to Ireland with no GPS and we got along ok. The 4th trip I took my Garmin Nuvi which had been fitted with a micro SD card of Ireland/uk (purchased on Amazon ) and it took a lot if stress out of driving. Only led us astray 3-4 times but we just considered that as the "scenic route" and it truly was! Sure we would have gotten along fine with out it, but it is a no-brainer to take it along if you have one and are comfortable using it. As for renting one? Not sure how long it would take you to learn and get use to using it. Driving on the left side of the road in Ireland would not be a good time to try to figure out how to use an unfamiliar GPS in my estimation!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Argos is another place to purchase a GPS: http://www.argos.ie/ In Ireland call it a Sat Nav.

Bob has written an article about gizmos you will find useful: http://tinyurl.com/q5he36t

You might enjoy this:

Silverstreak02 · Veteran Member

Itallian Chauffeur wrote:
At Tesco (Stores in Enis and Limerick -- depending upon which direction you are heading -- ), you should be able to buy a UK & Ireland mapped GPS for around US $100-120. Upon return to the US, list it on Craigslist or Ebay and recoup about half of that.
Example: http://www.tesco.com/direct/tomtom-xxl-classic-series-sat-nav-5-screen-with-uk-and-ireland-maps/544-6527.prd?skuId=544-6527
Now, Do you NEED GPS? It CAN come in handy, but it's only as good as its maps. In Ireland, the Galway area is NOTORIOUS for construction that post-dates most GPS map data -- resulting in wrong directions (It tells you to take the second exit at the Roundabout -- that used to have four, but NOW has 6!) or losing you entirely, as the road follows a 'bypass road' that was built AFTER the map data was compiled!
General info: Most Map Data is 6 - 12months old. by the time it is first sold to the public. In places where construction is rare and changes seldom occur, that's NOT a big deal. In parts of Ireland, 6 months makes a HUGE difference -- particularly in large towns and cities like Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork -- where you are most likely to NEED a GPS.
Maps and signage for rural Ireland is generally pretty good.

A year ago I would have laughed if someone told me I would need a GPS to go anywhere, but after using one on my last vacation I'm hooked. I now use it whenever I leave town. I find it helpful to not only find my destination, but also to find hotels and food, shopping etc. I followed the Tesco link and tried to order the one you highlighted, but it didn't recognize my zip code. My guess is they don't ship to the United States. Is there another site that may ship it?

Jeff

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I doubt if you will find a major retail source that exports, but possibly, amazon UK or carphone warehouse would. You could see if you could have it 'Drop Shipped' to your first night's lodging (But I would check with THEM, first!). confuse

In the US, try: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/186-2431699-2803349?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=gps%20with%20UK%20%26%20Ireland%20maps

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Nuvi-Satnav-4-3-inch-touchscreen/dp/B00FQHVJCU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397767208&sr=8-2&keywords=gps+with+UK+%26+Ireland+maps

My suggestion would be to purchase it, on the day, once you've arrived -- that's why I suggested the Ennis and Limerick locations (since I didn't know what direction you are heading).

I use the GPS enabled Nokia Drive on my Mobile (Cell) phone -- a Nokia Lumia 910 -- enhanced by a Wifi connection through a Mifi device that I own -- BUT, I travel over at LEAST once EVERY year -- sometimes, TWICE -- and usually stay for three weeks or longer.

At least, that's how I justify it! biggrin biggrin biggrin

I use the GPS mostly for finding really remote sites -- like Round Towers, Neolithic ruins and such -- 'NOT for Point A to Point B'. Driving out of Galway last year, the GPS was HOPELESSLY lost, even though, by following the signs, I was NOT! aww

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Found some listings on Ebay that are UK based, but ship to US: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&LH_BIN=1&_nkw=gps+with+uk+%26+ireland+maps&=&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=3

NOT advocating a particular Brand / Model -- These just happened to be the lowest priced! biggrin biggrin

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-Nuvi-205W-Widescreen-GPS-SAT-NAV-UK-Ireland-Maps-Speed-Camera-Alerts-/121287718947?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems&hash=item1c3d4fb823

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-Nuvi-205W-Widescreen-GPS-SAT-NAV-Ireland-Maps-Speed-Camera-Alerts-/121288357665?pt=Apparel_Merchandise&hash=item1c3d597721&vxp=mtr

Silverstreak02 · Veteran Member

Thanks for the help finding an Ireland mapped GPS I ordered the Garmin Nuvi 205W from e-bay last night. It should be here at the beginning of May. Thanks again.

Jeff