I know this may be a stupid question, but is there an affordable GPS unit out there that European road maps that can be uploaded to it? I don't mind paying a little extra for that option later on when I need it, but I want to make sure I buy a unit that can do that. Or can they all do that?

I know this may be a stupid question, but is there an affordable GPS unit out there that European road maps that can be uploaded to it? I don't mind paying a little extra for that option later on when I need it, but I want to make sure I buy a unit that can do that. Or can they all do that?

Bi-Honar Aziz, I think they all should be able to support this functionality. I reality, there is nothing special in thr system about it and you just have to upload a map into it. However, I suggest you contact their manufactures, such as Garmin or Tomtom to make sure about this.

Thanks Shahin jaan. I was looking at the Magellan units and couldn't find any specific info on it. I'll check the other two. Check your e-mail by the way! ;)

If u got a phone with gps, get tomtom cracked :)

Mr. T, you know I`m technologically challenged! The only `TomTom Cracked`I know is the cracked out homeless dude Tom that roamed the streets when I was living downtown! ;)

Mr. T, you know I`m technologically challenged! The only `TomTom Cracked`I know is the cracked out homeless dude Tom that roamed the streets when I was living downtown! ;)

The best solution ould be to run tomtom on your phone if it's a smartphone. You can run it on symbian which is the operative system in nokias & sony ericcson, or windows mobile, or on Iphone, which is what I do.

if your phone dont have a gps integerated, then you get a bluetooth gps dongle...those are pretty cheap.. like 30bux, and use that with ur phone.

You can get the latest gps softwares out tehre for phones. its the exact same thing they use in their professional gps cars system.

Iphone: http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5448405/TomTom_Europe_1.3_iPhone

Pocketpc/PDA/windows mobiles: http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4721836/TomTom_7_Version_7.910.9185__amp__All_Western_Europe_Maps_For_PPC

Nokia/Sony ericsson: http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3962497/TomTom_6.10_Voor_Nokia_N-SERIES_%28_Symbian_S60_V3_%29

So, you're saying that I can turn my Ericson W810i into a GPS unit by adding a GPS dongle and this software? Are these software links for the maps? I guess I'm willing to give it a try if you say it works but my only issue is that my screen is pretty small.

So, you're saying that I can turn my Ericson W810i into a GPS unit by adding a GPS dongle and this software? Are these software links for the maps? I guess I'm willing to give it a try if you say it works but my only issue is that my screen is pretty small.

well... looks like tomtom doesnt support symbian anymore. you can probably install the older versions but then u have outdated maps.


here's the phones they support:
http://www.tomtom.com/products/category.php?ID=2&Language=1

Thanks Shahin jaan. I was looking at the Magellan units and couldn't find any specific info on it. I'll check the other two. Check your e-mail by the way! ;)
Behrou jAn,
Why don't you get just like the 1 we used in DC. It is Garmin Nuvi 280 (or some thing) I think I paid around 180 USD in Costco.
You can download the Euro software through internet.
Mageallen also is an excellent GPS I've never used it.

Also check ebay, you might be able to buy 1 with the software already loaded.

Thanks for all the help and info gentlemen. It took me a full day of research to even understand what Mr. T's talking about!

Since, I'm a little more up to date on mobile OS now Mr. T, I'm leaning toward Android. I've never been a big fan Linux, but the mobile platform looks very promissing. Plus, the data plans for the iphone are rdiculously priced here in Canada an extra $400 a year + $200 for the phone itslef on a 3 year extended contract!!! So, I'm leaning toward an HTC with Android. What you think?

Rasoul jaan, I really liked that GPS unit and looked into it. The Euro maps are quite expensive and byt the time it's all said and done, it's going to be around $300 (unit + maps).

I think the best route to go is an unlocked phone with GPS in it and installing one of these ripped software like Mr. T suggests. Total cost for all maps and a new phone: < $100!

Pirates!! :D

LOL. They make the damn things so unnecessarily expensive, they leave you no choice Mr. A. If they sold the map that has already been developed for $10, I'm sure everyone would buy it and they'd make even more money, but then again that's why greed is one of the 7 deadly sins! ;)

LOL. They make the damn things so unnecessarily expensive, they leave you no choice Mr. A. If they sold the map that has already been developed for $10, I'm sure everyone would buy it and they'd make even more money, but then again that's why greed is one of the 7 deadly sins! ;)
Differ!!
That assumption defies the logic. No one will pay $10 for something if they can get it for free.
And remember it is illegal only if you get caught.:Oldguy:

Differ!!
That assumption defies the logic. No one will pay $10 for something if they can get it for free.
And remember it is illegal only if you get caught.:Oldguy:

I don't know Mr. A, if they spend $1, put it on a nice CD with a cover and a nice jewel case and require you to register your copy and get automatic updates, I for one would rather pay $10 and get the real deal than download a sketchy copy and feel like a thief! :dunno:

LOL @ differ btw. :)

I have a Nokia 6650 and it has GPS in it, but I can only use it with AT&T service, which sucks because it is too expensive and I have to pay monthly for it. I am sure there is a way to break the lock but I don't know how. It would have been great if I could unlock it and use it with a Tom Tom software, I wouldn't mind paying for the software either.

Mr. Ped, from what I learnt over the weekend, you can use the GPS feature without a data plan, if you preload the maps on an SD card. You do need maps that work with the Symbian operating system on your phone though. Perhaps Toofi can shed some more light on this, because that's the same route I want to go with a different operating system.

Okay guys, I'm the proud owner of a new HTC Magic for only $80 (3 year plan) and I got an insider tip that I can cancel my data plan anytime for only a $100 penalty. Since they had made a mistake on my bill for quite some time (small one, but it added up) I got a $100 credit, so it all evened out. In the mail, excited to not be technologically challenged anymore. :)

Mr. Ped, I was searching around some more and I think you can upload the map for your phone from http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4094189/Garmin_Mobile_XT_Full_Image_For_Symbian__Windows_Mobile__Palm. It's supposed to work with Symbian (the OS on your phone), so give it a try. I didn't try the link or anything, but it's a good starting point. You put the map on your SD card and you're good to go (no need for a data plan).

I will give it a shot, but my problem is that as soon as I press the gps button on my phone it starts AT&T's navigation application. I doubt just putting the map on my sd card would disable that application. I have a feeling I need to unlock the phone first.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that. You definitely need to unlock the phone, but that shouldn't cost any more than $10-$20. Any wireless store not affiliated with only one company and usually not inside the mall can do that for you. Some phones can also be unlocked electronically from what I've read. In these situations, Google is your best friend Mr. Ped. BTW, you should follow the instructions from the map company on which directory the stuff goes into on your SD card and as far as I know some stuff needs to be on the root directory of the SD card.