Don’t Waste Your Money on a GPS with a Rental

[G719]

We rented a van to go to universal and to use to drive to the parks. I thought a GPS unit would be a good idea but it was not. It is not updated for the roads around property. Google maps was better. After a day, we got used to just following the signs on property. We return the car tomorrow. I might ask for a refund for the GPS just because it did not have current maps.

 

[FCDub]

Unless someone doesn’t have a smart phone, I wouldn't think rental companies are seeing much demand for GPSes these days, to be honest.

 

[Moliphino]

Unless someone doesn’t have a smart phone, I wouldn't think rental companies are seeing much demand for GPSes these days, to be honest.

It would be useful for international travelers. When I went to Guam the car rental place only had wifi hotspots, which actually worked out better since I could use it to have internet access anywhere (Guam isn't included in US cell plans). I took it with me when I walked around to play Pokemon Go.

 

[gharter]

We used to bring our portable GPS for the car.
Now we just use Google maps. So much easier and convenient. And will route you around accidents, etc.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We used to bring our portable GPS for the car.
Now we just use Google maps. So much easier and convenient. And will route you around accidents, etc.

We made this change as well. No longer need to update maps for the GPS. Sent it to electronics recycling instead.

 

[Cheburashka]

Unless someone doesn’t have a smart phone, I wouldn't think rental companies are seeing much demand for GPSes these days, to be honest.

I find it useful because sometimes I need to charge my phone in the car, and last summer when we rented a car it kept doing a weird takeover of my phone whenever it was charging. I'm not the tech type & can't recall exactly what it was doing, but it kept getting in the way of me using the map app on my phone (as well as anything else I wanted to do on my phone, such as looking up our AP passes when arriving at the MK parking lot). I even called into the rental car company & they said that they didn't know how to stop the car from doing that while the phone was charging in the car- it was some kind of automatic connection that took over the phone.

So I like a GPS, but I bring my own, since renting one is a rip-off. Some cars have their own nav systems built into the display, so that's always nice, too.

 

[Akck]

I too bring my own GPS which I update just before traveling. I use it for off property travel and put it away any time we go to the parks or DS. Once, when we took a Minnie Van, the CM recommended not using a GPS on property, just follow the signs for directions. The main reason is it will potentially direct you to a service road. Indeed, the first time we rented a car, our GPS did try to put us on a service road and then directed us to CBR for the Riviera.

 

[Evita_W]

It would be useful for international travelers. When I went to Guam the car rental place only had wifi hotspots, which actually worked out better since I could use it to have internet access anywhere (Guam isn't included in US cell plans). I took it with me when I walked around to play Pokemon Go.

With T-Mobile, most plans have unlimited data and text in Guam with voice being $0.25 per minute.

 

[Heather07438]

We usually rent SUV and they all come standard with navigation now.

 

[Moliphino]

With T-Mobile, most plans have unlimited data and text in Guam with voice being $0.25 per minute.

I have Verizon and it was definitely not included (this was two+ years ago). It's an extra $10/day to use your normal plan allowances.

 

[G719]

I too bring my own GPS which I update just before traveling. I use it for off property travel and put it away any time we go to the parks or DS. Once, when we took a Minnie Van, the CM recommended not using a GPS on property, just follow the signs for directions. The main reason is it will potentially direct you to a service road. Indeed, the first time we rented a car, our GPS did try to put us on a service road and then directed us to CBR for the Riviera.

Yes we found following the signs was the easiest way to navigate. The trouble with the GPS we had was some roads didn't exist on that unit. We would be getting on world drive near the car care center and on the GPS it showed us driving off road.

 

[gharter]

We found Google Maps seemed to be much more accurate than even an updated Garmin GPS. And it gave you live updates.

 

[Lewisc]

Bring a cigar lighter charger. Some of the USB ports in cars don't carry enough current to charge your phone. Using it will slow discharge rate.
Probably not an issue at WDW, your not in the car that long.

 

[Bullseye]

Google Maps worked best for me the past two weeks. Tried the rental cars built in GPS and it was slow... crappy. Just use your phone.

 

[gharter]

Bring a cigar lighter charger. Some of the USB ports in cars don't carry enough current to charge your phone. Using it will slow discharge rate.
Probably not an issue at WDW, your not in the car that long.

So true. We always bring the charger along incase we need it.