Travel Technology - Technical suggestions for 8 month international trip: cell, interent, gps

My family is planning a RTW ticket. We have purchased a Volvo in Sweden and also plan to drive in Europe a lot.

85% of the trip will be spent in Euorpe
10% of the trip will be spent in NZ
5% will be spend in the middle east

Technically what do you suggest (i.e. cell phone / internet connection).

We do not care about incoming calls that much (i.e. I can have my US cell phone / house phone e-mail us when we get a call to my BlackBerry).

Our house phone is an internet phone (voice pulse) which we used in NZ. However, I have not had experience with moving this box day to day.

We are light phone users, but from time to time might want to make a longer call.

We will be educating our children on the road, so a consistent internet connection would be nice. If we move from hotel to hotel would a t-mobile internet plan be good?

What about a wireless broadband cell card? Could the internet phone box be hooked to it? Are there good 'all you can eat' Europe internet broadband plans?

I also own a Garmin 496. I think there is a Europe City Navigator for it. Any experiences with it?

Any other technical suggestions for us?

Thanks.

If you have an unlocked GSM cell phone (most newer ATT/Cingular and T-Mobile), you can get prepaid SIM cards in various countries at 7/11 type outfits. In Europe most cell phone plans do not charge you for incoming phone calls; only outgoing. That can be quite convenient, and then you can use Skype or a pre-paid calling card for outgoing calls.

You can get European maps for most Garmin units. Call Garmin to make sure you know what the exact part number is for your unit, and then do a web search to see how much it costs.

Use www.jwire.com to scout out free WiFi internet access points if you travel with a laptop. Many hotels have it for free; some charge extra. Otherwise you can usually find internet cafes all over. Starbucks exists in many cities and usually has T-Mobile paid access, too. However, beware: I have the monthly unlimited subscription in the US, but all it does overseas is give you a very small discount on an hourly rate. I don't know what the story is on Europe-based T-Mobile plans.

Bring a basic language tape/CD for at least some of the countries you'll be traveling through. Learning please, thank you, sorry, how do I get to, how much, some common foods, and all that can be pretty helpful, even though you can usually find people who speak some or lots of English.

Check out the Nokia e61i... its the most feature packed phone on the market today, and its pretty much available unlocked only.

It has wifi as well as 3G cell coverage as well as a very functional (IE not restricted) bluetooth module. It has built in support for SIP (VoIP) so when you walk into a wifi hotspot, it will automatically register with your VoIP service for free(ish) calls. There is also a skype client. Its got google earth, but with a bluetooth GPS receiver you can use TomTom's software (or any other map software that you like). With a laptop, it can be used as a cellular modem and at Europe's 3G speeds, it just flys. It can support up to a 4gb micro SD card which means you can load it up with songs, movies, ect.

The beauty of using a 3G cell network for your internet is that you never have to search for a t-mobile hotspot, it works everywhere, including the road. The tricky part might be finding an affordable provider that works across Europe.... plenty of experts on that on this site!

You can check out FON, http://www.fon.com/. They seem to offer free wifi service if you jump through some hoops. :)

For WiFi, please check both ipass.com and boingo.com. My use is 99% in Asia and always as emergency backup in case no other services available.

ipass.com got me connected at starbucks and was fairly inexpensive. Not sure re coverage in Europe, etc. boingo coverage wasn't as good in asia but not sure re europe.

This has to be asked.

Why, oh why, did you buy a Volvo in Sweden? It is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to buy a car.

Germany, UK or Spain would have been cheaper.

And why a volvo? Recent checks show that they are more expensive to repair than any other car.

Volvo and Saab used to be cheap to repair and you could almost pick up pars in your local grocery shop (some volvo parts could be bought in big supermarkets) but that is not the case these days.

As for cell phone, check the sticky.

Internet - make sure your laptop has wi-fi and eathernet and go to internet cafe's.

/E

This has to be asked.

Why, oh why, did you buy a Volvo in Sweden? It is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to buy a car.


Can't speak for the OP, but Volvo has a good deals going on new car purchases ordered through a local US dealer but picked up at the factory. If I were in the market for a new Volvo I would take advantage of this program.

I've not seen the repair cost data of which you speak, but can say from personal experience my 2005 Volvo has been cheaper to have serviced than my domestic built cars. As always I think it is fair to say that YMMV.

Can't speak for the OP, but Volvo has a good deals going on new car purchases ordered through a local US dealer but picked up at the factory. If I were in the market for a new Volvo I would take advantage of this program.

I've not seen the repair cost data of which you speak, but can say from personal experience my 2005 Volvo has been cheaper to have serviced than my domestic built cars. As always I think it is fair to say that YMMV.

The cost of transport back to US must make up for the difference - no?

It is the recent models that are the most expensive to fix. A colision with a Volvo will cost more to repaire than any other car. Sadly, the same goes for Saab, which is my vaforite car (next to Audi).

Volvo used to be built like tanks and run for ever. I'm not sure that is the case today.

It is weird, but in Sweden a Volvo is a working class car (unless you go for the top of the range version) and the US models are luxury cars.

The Volvos I've driven - new and old models - have been nothing but trouble. My father swears by them despite all the repair costs he's had.

I'll take a Ford over a Volvo any day (current car is a Ford). If money was no object, an Audi Q7, A6 avant twin turbo, S5, A5, S4, A4 or A3 (in that order) would be my choice. As well as a SAAB 9-5 Aero Sport. Put your foot down and it grows wings.

The Impala I had as rental in YYZ last year was pretty neat and I wouldn't say no to one of those.

/E

Ps. There is a Volvo factory in Belgium I believe (or is it Holland). Must be cheaper to pick up there.

Ps2. I've lived in both cities in Sweden where the main Volvo factories are.

Ps3. AS much as I dislike Volvo cars and love SAAB cars I love the Volvo truck and hate the Scania truck (Scania - part of SAAB). I used to be a truck driver in a former life.

Wow sounds like a great trip. I wish you and your family the best times and safe journey!!

Please blog about it so we can learn from your travels.

Check out the Nokia e61i... its the most feature packed phone on the market today, and its pretty much available unlocked only.

It has wifi as well as 3G cell coverage as well as a very functional (IE not restricted) bluetooth module. It has built in support for SIP (VoIP) so when you walk into a wifi hotspot, it will automatically register with your VoIP service for free(ish) calls. There is also a skype client. Its got google earth, but with a bluetooth GPS receiver you can use TomTom's software (or any other map software that you like). With a laptop, it can be used as a cellular modem and at Europe's 3G speeds, it just flys. It can support up to a 4gb micro SD card which means you can load it up with songs, movies, ect.

The beauty of using a 3G cell network for your internet is that you never have to search for a t-mobile hotspot, it works everywhere, including the road. The tricky part might be finding an affordable provider that works across Europe.... plenty of experts on that on this site!

What he said.

Just back from the UK and the TT software worked very well on the E61 - you just need a GPS "puck" and away you go. Keep in mind the TT is hard work on the 'phone, doing a pretty good job of draining the battery after about 3-4 hours of continuous use. So make sure you have a travel charger. The GPS pucks draw very little power, and last for well over 10 hours - my process was to recharge the Nokia from the 12v source first, then after an hour of charging have my pax transfer the lead from the E61 to the puck.

I have maps for "UK and major WE roads" as well as "Australia", all loaded with the TT on one SD Mini card. You should be able to load all the maps you need on a 2 Gb SD Mini card.

The E61 is also Wi-Fi enabled - and installing Opera completes the web package with this device.

Volvo offer 9% off MRSP including shipping, 2 air tickets to Sweden and a few nights in a hotel, plus insurance for your drive around Europe. You can pick it up in Belgium if it is a S40, but s60 was only Sweden when I was buying, you can return the car anywhere in Europe and they ship it back, all included. They will even lend you winter tires if you want to go through Finland etc in winter.

If they didn't have some excellent manufacturer rebates when I bought mine, I would have taken this offer.

Reliability was OK, but it had full warranty and 3yrs maintenence in the US, so fees for me were zero.

As for the OP, there are plenty of wifi services around, but no real europe wide coverage as in the US.

What about a wireless broadband cell card?
Hardware-wise, I would recommend the Sierra Wireless 850 Aircard (HSDPA/3G/EDGE/GSM). I have one of these and it is excellent - just pop in any SIM from any provider and it will do the setup for you.

But that is the easy part. The tough bit is getting affordable netwerk service accross Europe.

Do you know anyone living in Europe? If so, it might be worth your while to get that person to buy a top of the line small-business/corporate type of mobile 3G data card + intil roaming subscription package. Typically, these are only worth it for someone corporate ie expense accout is paying, but in your case on the road permanently it may well be worth it, to get that on a one yr subscription.

So somethig like this plan here:
http://www.vodafonebusinessshop.co.uk/3GBroadbandDataCard.html
can probably be found for cheaper through a 3rd party like Misco or their counterparts

I am not suggesting necessarily Vodaphone, but you will need to go around and shop the usual suspects eg Orange, T-Mobile, 02/Telefonica, Telia, the Swedish companies etc.



It is weird, but in Sweden a Volvo is a working class car (unless you go for the top of the range version) and the US models are luxury cars. The Volvos I've driven - new and old models - have been nothing but trouble. My father swears by them despite all the repair costs he's had. I'll take a Ford over a Volvo any day (current car is a Ford).
I think it is more accurate to say that here in Scandinavia the Volvos transcend class definitions. The top end ones are quity pricy actually, but even the low-end ones are far from cheap compared to a Toyota.

Also, I dont knowwhat Ford model you have but one could well argue that your Ford is a lower-end Volvo. The Focus is basically a base C30. I thinkhte S40/V50 is same plaform as Mazda 3 or Mazda 6 and the Focus S-max. And the new Ford Modeo wagon is underneath a V70. Its called spreading your costs over the same platform.

This is not new, one of the most durable models is the old workhorse V40, which is also a mitsubishi.

More ironically some people here believe thatr sharing platforms and parts with Ford is contributing to the drop in Volvo reliability and durability.

More ironically some people here believe thatr sharing platforms and parts with Ford is contributing to the drop in Volvo reliability and durability.

Mondeo is what I have. Not one of the newer models.

It's funny, my opinon is that when Ford bought Volvo that was a step up for Volvo and a step down for Ford (as well as it being a step up for Ford nuying Jaguar and a step down for Jaguar). I much prefer Ford to Volvo, driving comfort and all. Apart from the first Focus models which are so wobbly on the road, the back end over takes you when you go around a low dosed curve in 2mph. First C-Max reportedly even worse. At least according to Robert Colling at Aftonbladet.

Saab93 and 95 I believe are built on Vauxhall/Opel undercarriage.

Uhm - I think we've just hi-jacked the thread. Maybe moderator's should split it and ship it off to wherever it should be.

Volvo has gotten their design right, lately and the cars are less uggly. In fact, quite good looking. I much prefer the new design of the Volvo compared to the 9-3 Saab design. It gets away with it as a convertible. I love the saab 9-5 estate.

I still don't like Volvo. I'm not prepared to be converted. I nearly was by an 850 company car my ex had. Until my dad got an 850. Second time I drove his car I nearly called home to have someone pick me up. The car scared the cr@p out of me being all over the road. I was only visiting and begged my sister to let me use her Renault Laguna. If there is a car I like less than Volvo it is any car built by the French. I'll take a Skoda over a French car. *ducking*

/E

I bought a Volvo because they make an SUV of decent size.

BMWs SUV X5 and Mercedes make them in the States and thus are not eligible for the European Delivery plan.

The Volvo is my cheap rental car for 4 months and will probably be sold as soon as it arrives in the States.