to GPS or not to GPS....?

[iluvtot]

Hi there,
We have booked a hotel in/on Hutchinson Island for the first few days when we arrive, and are planning to pick the car up and drive straight there from the airport. It looks fairly straightforward on the Florida turnpike, so do we need a GPS? It seems quite pricey to order one with the car, and the last time we were there, the car we chose had one in it anyway!
Really not sure what to do, so any advice would be appreciated
Many thanks
Jules xx

 

[chmurf]

I'll probably get flamed for this but I consider that the GPS is the most useless and worthless piece of equipment onboard a car, especially in the US where most itineraries are quite straightforward. (except large cities)

but I can understand that people find it convinient.

Now, I would never pay to rent one, as it's a rip-off

if you have one, you can take it with you if you're able to download the florida data beforehand.

if you have an ipad or android tablet, you can download navfree USA (for free) and it's a rather good GPS (works offline, so no extortionate data roaming charges)

You never really *need* a GPS, there are still roadsigns and those ... how do you call them ... errr ... maps, yes paper roadmaps
I always have one in the car, just in case (sometimes faster to find the way on the map than programming that ... thing ... lol (could you guess I work IT, lol)

now, it's more "do I WANT one" rather than "do I NEED one"
If you want one, then you have options, just don't pay too much for it.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Sorry Chmurf but satnav stopped us getting a divorce lol! I cannot read a paper map to save my life, Orlando with a satnav was so much easier.

 

[scoobydooby]

Sorry Chmurf but satnav stopped us getting a divorce lol! I cannot read a paper map to save my life, Orlando with a satnav was so much easier.

^ this.

 

[chmurf]

Sorry Chmurf but satnav stopped us getting a divorce lol! I cannot read a paper map to save my life, Orlando with a satnav was so much easier.

the only time I used one, because someone wanted to prove to me the vast superiority of the *thing* ... we got lost and were saved by my paper map (I still bug my friend about this one )

lol

 

[iluvtot]

Sorry Chmurf but satnav stopped us getting a divorce lol! I cannot read a paper map to save my life, Orlando with a satnav was so much easier.

Hahaha! I can never predict which side the exit will be on in Florida! One time I was reading a map to get us to the outlets, but the back way. Told DH to come off on the right, but it was actually a left hand turn; which we missed! Ended up halfway to the airport and went through 2 tolls there (and 2 back!) before we could turn around! Finally got back and the outlets were closing!! I was not very popular!
Chmurf, I have to agree I find them irritating,so it's not a case of wanting one. Thanks for the info about navfree USA. I will get one of the kids to download it for me
Jules x

 

[duffdo]

TomTom USA for my iphone was worth every penny for us. It was the first time I had driven abroad when I first got it. Off the plane tired, the last thing I wanted to do was read a map!

 

[wilma-bride]

We use CoPilot on my husband's tablet. It is quite cheap to download the US maps and you don't need data roaming in order to use it.

 

[wayneg]

We are hopeless with a map, first time we arrived in Florida (1993) all we had was a map and it was a nightmare, 2 hours after leaving the airport(should have been 30 mins to hotel) we ended up in a garage on a dark road asking for directions. worst arrival possible.

Yes you can get by with a map but I just don't see the point, you can download free software, pay a small amount for other software or buy a GPS unit at Walmart, last time I looked they had a Garmin online (free del to store) for $66 which is £41 incl tax. I bought mine instore on offer for about £35 a couple of years back.

Yesterday we clocked up over 1000 miles, we have been to St Petes, Tarpon springs + loads more, just far easier the Sat nav finding the route than me.

The park area, no I wouldn't use a sat nav, any further then its a must for me.

 

[wilma-bride]

Yesterday we clocked up over 1000 miles

Blimey, where did you drive to

 

[Princess Leia]

I suppose it depends what other stuff you are doing. I now have built-in sat nav in my car so keep my TOM TOM with the USA and Canada maps on it. I put in the hotel address before we go. I have lent it to family and friends when they go. I wouldn't pay the price of rental.

 

[wayneg]

Blimey, where did you drive to

while we have been here, not in the day, sorry badly worded..

 

[wilma-bride]

while we have been here, not in the day, sorry badly worded..

I figured that was what you meant, when I re-read it - had visions of you doing a lap of Florida

 

[Shazzie B]

Another vote for SatNav, we bought the maps to add to our UK Sat Nav, years ago can't remember cost but definately cheaper than divorce. It's now been to Florida more often than I have