Slashdot Mirror
Using Handhelds, GPS and Eastern European Maps?
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."
- Most European countries require a person to be 25 or older to rent a vehicle. If you've just graduated, there may be an issue there.
- Take LOTS of cigarettes with you. Whether you smoke or not, as bribes they will make your journey much easier in the old eastern block countries..
- Research. Thoroughly check the areas you want to visit well ahead of time.
- Language phrase books. If your truck breaks down, a Linux box with Garmin GPS will not help you at all. Practice the lingo before you go.
- Get the phone numbers and addresses for all US/British embassies for each country you travel to. If you have a major problem, you can speak to someone in English.
- Get a friend/relative/babelfish/school mate to create a letter with "In Emergency Please Contact" in every language plus your family contact details and keep it in your pocket/wallet.
In other words, to hell with GPS/iPAQs and that crap. Get good, up to date paper maps and some plastic map protector covers. You will spill coffee on them.