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Using Handhelds, GPS and Eastern European Maps?

Posted by Cliff on from the roadtrips-geek-style dept.

RedDork asks: "I just graduated with a BS in Comp Sci and am planning a trip to Europe this summer with a Computer Engineer friend. We are renting a car and driving around much of eastern and western Europe including Croatia and the Czech Republic. We were originally intending to use a GPS and a handheld (iPaq 3870) to navigate, but are now having trouble finding maps for the previously mentioned countries. Additionally, we don't know what software or GPS units are behave the best with the iPaq platform. We were wondering if any of our fellow Slashdotters have done this kind of thing, and what recommendations they have for software/hardware/map combinations."

2 of 29 comments (clear)

  1. Accused of spying ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dude, any non native in those countries with such equipment can end up accused of being a spy. I would be careful. Most of the time you get accused of spying after you didn't pay bribes or let them steal your shit. It's no biggie, a week or two before the consulate makes them let you leave the country, but it does ruin the vacation.

    If anyone starts asking questions, be sure to behave like a stereotypical and harmless American tourist. I recommend asking directions to the nearest McDonald's, and also some questions that indicate total ignorance of geography, such as "how many days drive is it to Sydney, and from there can I go by train to Vienna and the rest of Australia ?"

    If you start to get nervous, ask the authority who has stopped you to "watch your stuff" while you make a phone call. Don't come back. This is a standard way of buying your freedom. I had to do this four times in Scotland.

  2. options, not many, but some by Mr+Tigerpants · · Score: 3, Funny

    Nope, maps of that area of the world DO NOT exist. I lived there and, well, when they see you guys coming they're going to firing up the kettles 'cause the fresh meat done arrived in town.

    Here's some advice from an old timer.

    Instead of taking a GPS and fiddling with it all the time, you could (HORROR), try a service station after you arrive in Central Europe, or (SHREIK) try local language portals like www.seznam.cz or (EEEEE!) even call their national tourism offices in New York and Washington DC.... or the most dastardly thing of all..... order a European road atlas from Amazon.co.uk.

    Low tech, but effective.