If you are doing research before joining the more than 80,000 customers that have rented our camping and travel gear, or have already received your camping gear rental package from us, here's where you can learn about the setup and operation of a specific travel or camping gear item before you head out on your big adventure.

The information below provides more details on how to operate the nuvi gps for Europe car travel we rent, but we encourage you to give us a call or find more resources online if more details are needed. For more information on this rental item including rates, check out the main product page at Rent a GPS for travel to Europe. There are more how-to pages on nearly all of our most popular rental items; find most at our video and user guide to rentals main page .

The GPS models we rent for car navigation are going to be some version of a Nuvi model from Garmin.  We rent a wide range of different models, but of relative importance is the fact they have either a chip with the European data base embedded, or the maps are part of the unit hard drive.  They work he same on the screen either way.  While we buy new units and map chips every year, we hang on to them until failure, so the maps on our rental units will be 1-4 years old.  As with any navigational aid, believe your eyes over anything a compass or gps tells you!  Included in your gps rental will be the display unit, a DC power cable, and a suction cup attachment if you wish to put on the windshield (this is optional; some prefer having the unit in the hands of he passenger "navigator".





The windshield attachments are attached in various ways that are pretty intuitive once you see it.  Here's one common setup.




Some gps units we rent for European travel have the map embedded on a micro-SD card.  DO NOT REMOVE THIS!




The specific Nuvi model we have rented you usually has the model number on the back.  Sometimes behind the mounting plate; otherwise typically on the bottom of the back side.  If you need additional operational guides, user manuals for each model are available online.




Once powered on, the main menu screen will allow you access to 3 main areas:  directions to a specific locations; viewing a map of your current area; or setting up the device for your specific needs




To use any rented gps device, for auto or trail navigation, you need to capture satellite signals, which requires a clear shot to the sky - on your dashboard or otherwise outside.  Most gps devices will not work indoors. 




Nuvi models have trip computers to reflect distance and time traveled and estimated arrival times.  Rest this as needed.




This is important - to enter a specific address to route to, you need to first specify a general area nearby.  This box of "search near"  may default to the last place used; edit this box to change to the destination area of interest. 



To narrow down your search, most models go from biggest geographic area to smallest - country / state / city / street / house number.  




You can find a destination by street address, or points of interest by category




One overlooked setting adjustment you may want to change is the way your movement on the display map is shown - "track up" always shows you direction headed upwards - sometimes that is easier since if the audio directions say 'turn left' you will be going left on the display screen.  Some prefer "north up" which will orient your travels as if on a paper map with northern direction being upward.  Experiment to see which you prefer; there are pros and cons either way. 




Here is an example video about the nuvi gps.  While this may not be the exact model you get, the principles of operation are very similar.