Sat Nav for USA trip

[Dave_S]

We are off to Florida soon, and have arranged to pick-up a hire car at the airport. Friends advise us that having Sat Nav is a huge benefit.

The car hire company will rent you a 'stick on the windscreen' Sat Nav for around £60 per week, which seems extortionate, as the car hire is only just over £100.

My own car, has a built-in Sat-Nav system, but I do have an old 'stick on the windscreen' Tom Tom Go 300, which still works, and for which I could buy (download) from Tom Tom the USA map for £35. Albeit it would unlikely ever be used again.

I also recently changed my smart-phone from a Samsung, to an I Phone 4S, and have been told that this could be used, with an app, as a Sat Nav system. Do you think that this is a viable option?.

Forgive my ignorance, but unlike my offspring, and grandchildren, to me its just a phone, as that's all I need.

Dave

[Tigger]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

I also recently changed my smart-phone from a Samsung, to an I Phone 4S, and have been told that this could be used, with an app, as a Sat Nav system. Do you think that this is a viable option?.
Dave

yes I use mine often if the car sat nav won't find the address - you'll need to have data roaming turned on so contact your provider to find out what the daily / weekly rates are, enjoy Florida ...very green with envy

[ST-EOS]

Sat Nav for USA trip

Dave I have used an App on my iPhone for travels in New Zealand and Australia, they worked for me. Make sure you have a charging lead that has the car cigarette lighter type connection on one end so that your iPhone is on charge as your driving. I also have the UK version of the App as well have a look for "NavFree" in the apple store.
The App downloads the Maps to your phone so you don't get data charges whilst using it abroad. Do the download when you have a WiFi connection. IHTH

PS. Get the UK version as well so you can try it in the UK so you know how it works

[Dave_S]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

So, my iPhone 4S is more than just a phone

I have always had International Roaming on my phones, as we usually have a couple of foreign holiday a year, but if in Europe, I take my own car.

As I understand, the phone doesn't need a mobile signal, just the ability to see the GPS satellite signal.

I will download the UK version as you suggest Peter, and have play with it.

Thanks again

Dave

[Tigger]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

or you could get the new iphone 6 that comes out next week, that will probably drive the car as well

[tesarver]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

If you. Have a iPhone 4s, then it should come with google maps, which works very well as a navigation tool and it's free. Google maps also have a traffic feature which can be very helpful

Tom

[cjf999]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

You could always consider going into Wallmart or Target and getting a tom tom in the USA and when you return home put the UK maps on it and you will possibly get this at a very reasonable cost much less than one in the UK..

[Dave_S]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

or you could get the new iphone 6 that comes out next week, that will probably drive the car as well

The only reason that I bought the iPhone 4s, was because my Samsung Galaxy, that worked fine for three years in my 2011 Quashqai, no longer worked with my new 2104 Quashai.

With this new model Quashqai (Tekna), it pretty much does drive itself. Apart from the usual Cruise Control and speed limiter, it has 360 degree cameras, blind-spot warning, lane deviation warning, a camera in the rear view mirror that monitors the drivers eye for rapid blinking (tired) or closing, auto lights and headlamp dipping, rain sensing wipers just adjust the speed according to the rain intensity or vehicle speed front collision warning and prevention, and the list goes on.

I haven't got the courage to test the anti front collision prevention system, but the theory is that front end sensors (or camera) sees that you are approaching a vehicle that has stopped in front of you. If it thinks you are approaching too fast and not braking, it will sound an audible warning, and if you still don't brake, it will apply them for you. I've tested the audible warning bit, but not let it get to the stage where it will apply the brakes.

For lady drivers , it will parallel park itself, or reverse into a parking bay space. The handbrake is also electronic. You operate a switch to apply it, and it will release itself as you pull away. Great for those who struggle with hill starts . When you stop the engine, it automatically applies the handbrake.

So, yes we are definitely heading towards the driverless car.

I'm just glad that I'm one of these silly people who buys a new car every three years, ie. when the warranty expires, as modern cars are now so complex, there is just so much to go wrong, and beyond the D.i.Y mechanics ability.

Dave

[Dave_S]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

You could always consider going into Wallmart or Target and getting a tom tom in the USA and when you return home put the UK maps on it and you will possibly get this at a very reasonable cost much less than one in the UK..

I could, but the having a 7" screen Sat Nav system built into my car here in the UK, and now an iPhone, there wouldn't be a lot of point.

Dave

[Dave_S]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

If you. Have a iPhone 4s, then it should come with google maps, which works very well as a navigation tool and it's free. Google maps also have a traffic feature which can be very helpful

Tom

It does indeed have Google Maps Tom, albeit I have never used them, but then I've only had the iPhone 4S for a few weeks, and with the car's built in sat nav system, I've not needed to.

So, it seems that I now have the choice, Google Maps, or Apple's NavFree. Which I have now downloaded (UK map), and will give a try when I go out in the car this afternoon.

Dave

[Dave_S]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

Peter. have been out in the car, and given the Nav Free app a try, it works very well indeed, and plenty audible enough. So I'll now download the USA one.

Might buy one of the 'cheapo' stick on the window, mobile phone holders, as the hire car will almost certainly have a metal roof, wheres mine has panoramic glass roof, and the phone had a good GPS signal, with it just laying in the centre consul.

Cheers

Dave

[ST-EOS]

Sat Nav for USA trip

That's great then Dave, I just had my phone on the centre console between the front seat in the hire car (no sun roof) and it worked fine on our New Zealand and Australia. Have a great trip

[Tigger]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

It does indeed have Google Maps Tom, albeit I have never used them, but then I've only had the iPhone 4S for a few weeks, and with the car's built in sat nav system, I've not needed to.

So, it seems that I now have the choice, Google Maps, or Apple's NavFree. Which I have now downloaded (UK map), and will give a try when I go out in the car this afternoon.

Dave

I use Google Maps Dave and its very good and as you'll be driving around the motherland of Google you can bet it will be right up to date and will probably offer other shopping / services linked into G-maps, plus its free ;o)

[Dave_S]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

Spoiled for choice then, Google Maps or Nav Free.

The lady in the Nav Free system sounds just like the one in my Nissan Connect system, so I felt quite at home with her this afternoon.

Dave

[Tigger]

Re: Sat Nav for USA trip

well least you have the advantage of trying them both out whilst on the road and seeing which one works out better