US help.

[patryn33]

How do u get a prepaid SIM in SG and getting activated in USA?
GSM network in USA only AT&T, T-mobile. T-mobile coverage is bad so only AT&T.

shouldnt take U more than 30mins to go thru and catch key items u are not familiar with.
https://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf

driving in AZ read this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_SB_1070

 

[Shiny Things]

Gonna be flying off this Sat for ~2 weeks, travelling around the Arizona / California region.

Hey, awesome! The weather's a bit drab at the moment - we're finally getting drought-breaking rain over here - but you'll have a blast. The Grand Canyon's been looking lovely lately.

And, which carrier to buy? I'm thinking AT&T?

Yep, AT&T.

Oh, and first time driving there, quite worried about left-hand driving. Any tips to share? I'm mainly worried about not understanding the traffic signs then turn wrongly and get fined

Nah, it's pretty easy. The trick is just to follow the flow of traffic; trust your GPS; and if it all gets too confusing, don't hesitate to pull into a parking lot for a bit and think about what your next move is. My 70-year-old parents came over last year; they'd never driven on the right before; they picked up a Mustang in Vegas and took it all the way back to San Francisco the long way. Took 'em about half an hour on the freeways to get the hang of it and then they were good to go.

 

[boiboi123]

How do u get a prepaid SIM in SG and getting activated in USA?
GSM network in USA only AT&T, T-mobile. T-mobile coverage is bad so only AT&T.

shouldnt take U more than 30mins to go thru and catch key items u are not familiar with.
https://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf

driving in AZ read this
Arizona SB 1070 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

agree- get AT&T, much better than T-mobile. You just don't want to risk your phone failing on you when you need it most

 

[critical888]

just back from usa, still jetlagging!

t-mobile now has enchanced feature for prepaid sim card customer

if you are using iphone 5S, 5C, 6 , 6+
- you can access GOGOAIR internet, if your USA airline plane has wifi and has this gogoair internet, within usa , in the plane, you can use your tmobile sim inside the iphone to literally SMS your friend while on the plane. you also get to surf amazon.com and google.com for free while on the plane

for this, i have tested, SMS text works, SMS picture works, sms video works..while on the plane..

- u can receive VOICE MESSAGE, via the wifi on the plane, if anyone call your usa number, you can literally retrieve it and listen to the voice message left by the other party on the plane


- you get to use the WIFI calling feature, and SMS, YES... sms anyone overseas using tmobile sim.. while connected to the WIFI. you can also call anyone overseas that is included in the US$15 plan unlimited call list on the tmobile website. this wifi calling feature do not works on the plane but works with any wifi network but the sms works on plane.

i am back from usa, with my home wifi, i still can call or text anyone in usa, or singapore, etc using my usa tmobile sim card unlimited.. maddness isnt it

for the texting sms on the plane to work , while in usa, very simple, just enable wifi calling, update your emergency contact, make a first call via wifi calling before you board the plane

can only be done on the iphone model stated above.

i am using iphone 6 using ios 8.1 for testing, for info.


tmobile also gives u free music subscription via rhapsody app.. even back in sg also can carry on listening, can search for any old music albums songs etc. very good..

 

[boiboi123]

hey critical, how can one get the tmobile sim card u mentioned, as a visitor?

 

[critical888]

hey critical, how can one get the tmobile sim card u mentioned, as a visitor?

its a prepaid card, anyone can get it, its the usual tmobile sim card many hwz forumer has been using!!

in the hardwarezone travel bazzar!

 

[boiboi123]

its a prepaid card, anyone can get it, its the usual tmobile sim card many hwz forumer has been using!!

in the hardwarezone travel bazzar!

ah okay thanks!

 

[jackieatbtu]

When I was at Vegas, I stayed at Mirage. I did not have to buy water often. Just be thick skin and ask for those 300ml Mlife water bottles that they give out at check in and concierge. =P But, beware the water sold at the hotel giftshop. One bottle cost you USD4.50!

 

[Traxgen]

How do u get a prepaid SIM in SG and getting activated in USA?
GSM network in USA only AT&T, T-mobile. T-mobile coverage is bad so only AT&T.

shouldnt take U more than 30mins to go thru and catch key items u are not familiar with.
https://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf

driving in AZ read this
Arizona SB 1070 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yah that's what I don't get. My dad's friend (who is a US citizen) gave him that info and he... tends to be adamant about this kind of things haha.

I've looked through the CA driving guide! Hell, I even saved a copy in my iPad just in case haha.

Hey, awesome! The weather's a bit drab at the moment - we're finally getting drought-breaking rain over here - but you'll have a blast. The Grand Canyon's been looking lovely lately.


Yep, AT&T.



Nah, it's pretty easy. The trick is just to follow the flow of traffic; trust your GPS; and if it all gets too confusing, don't hesitate to pull into a parking lot for a bit and think about what your next move is. My 70-year-old parents came over last year; they'd never driven on the right before; they picked up a Mustang in Vegas and took it all the way back to San Francisco the long way. Took 'em about half an hour on the freeways to get the hang of it and then they were good to go.

Thank you for your info! Also read a few pages back (...or somewhere else) that it's not recommended to buy the SIM from airport, and that I should go down to the store direct? I didn't book a car with GPS so... getting to the nearest store is gonna be a challenge hahaha (already saved the route to the store though!)

 

[critical888]

When I was at Vegas, I stayed at Mirage. I did not have to buy water often. Just be thick skin and ask for those 300ml Mlife water bottles that they give out at check in and concierge. =P But, beware the water sold at the hotel giftshop. One bottle cost you USD4.50!

walgreen buy water 1.99usd one big bottle leh..

 

[tomicaguy]

Taking a stab in the dark. Anyone been to airshows in the US?

Looking at one in Ohio in June..

 

[Shiny Things]

Thank you for your info! Also read a few pages back (...or somewhere else) that it's not recommended to buy the SIM from airport, and that I should go down to the store direct? I didn't book a car with GPS so... getting to the nearest store is gonna be a challenge hahaha (already saved the route to the store though!)

Nah, if there's an ATT or T-Mo store at the airport you should be fine; it'll all be the same price.

If you're in San Francisco you can just hop on BART to Powell Street and the stores are right near where you pop up from BART; not sure about LAX or Las Vegas though.

The other option, like I've mentioned a few times, is the Navigon GPS software: it's $50-ish and totally worth it, because you don't need the data connection at all.

 

[homer123]

T-Mobile also has free data and text roaming in 120+ countries for their simple choice plan . I traveled to more than 10 countries this year without paying extra . It is simply the most 'value for money' cell services provider ever!

just back from usa, still jetlagging!

t-mobile now has enchanced feature for prepaid sim card customer

if you are using iphone 5S, 5C, 6 , 6+
- you can access GOGOAIR internet, if your USA airline plane has wifi and has this gogoair internet, within usa , in the plane, you can use your tmobile sim inside the iphone to literally SMS your friend while on the plane. you also get to surf amazon.com and google.com for free while on the plane

for this, i have tested, SMS text works, SMS picture works, sms video works..while on the plane..

- u can receive VOICE MESSAGE, via the wifi on the plane, if anyone call your usa number, you can literally retrieve it and listen to the voice message left by the other party on the plane


- you get to use the WIFI calling feature, and SMS, YES... sms anyone overseas using tmobile sim.. while connected to the WIFI. you can also call anyone overseas that is included in the US$15 plan unlimited call list on the tmobile website. this wifi calling feature do not works on the plane but works with any wifi network but the sms works on plane.

i am back from usa, with my home wifi, i still can call or text anyone in usa, or singapore, etc using my usa tmobile sim card unlimited.. maddness isnt it

for the texting sms on the plane to work , while in usa, very simple, just enable wifi calling, update your emergency contact, make a first call via wifi calling before you board the plane

can only be done on the iphone model stated above.

i am using iphone 6 using ios 8.1 for testing, for info.


tmobile also gives u free music subscription via rhapsody app.. even back in sg also can carry on listening, can search for any old music albums songs etc. very good..

 

[critical888]

T-Mobile also has free data and text roaming in 120+ countries for their simple choice plan . I traveled to more than 10 countries this year without paying extra . It is simply the most 'value for money' cell services provider ever!

free data roaming while overseas only applies to postpaid customer, not for prepaid

 

[critical888]

i am holding the usa t-mobile sim and using wifi calling/sms feature in singapore on iphone6, anyone wanna receive a sms or picture msg or video from my usa number can let me know ur sg number, i will text to u.. lol , coz its unlimited anyway

 

[critical888]

drive within speed limit if you are driving from Los angeles to Las vegas or the other way round!! especially day time!!

lots of high way patrol on the road.. u may get a ticket if u exceed 80mph!

the road is straight, in front no car, u may feel that its like so slow!

 

[califonia]

Quite hard to stay within speed limit. Most right lane cars are speeding beyond 125kmh.

Strangely, over 3 weeks driving I only witness not more than twice patrol cars on highway (once in LV entrance another is slip road in LA)

drive within speed limit if you are driving from Los angeles to Las vegas or the other way round!! especially day time!!

lots of high way patrol on the road.. u may get a ticket if u exceed 80mph!

the road is straight, in front no car, u may feel that its like so slow!

 

[califonia]

This is also my first time driving in States. I must say it is easier than in SGP (except when we were in LA/Hollywood).

GPS is your best companion! We relied 100% on it even for all our eateries, petrol kiosk and even shopping malls!!! I even brought a spare GPS coz I cannot imagine if the active one break down.

If you are picking up a rental car, you might want to pack your GPS in your hand carry luggage. That way, even before you get into your rental car, you can start the GPS instead of trying to dig for it. Also, do your homework by entering all the destination into your favourites.

1 thing I realised is you can turn right in red, provided there is no on coming cars or pedestrians. For the first 2 days, I tried to follow behind other vehicle, that way, I won't turn into the wrong lane.

Enjoy!!

My first time driving in states, hope someone can help.
Do I need the platepass if I am driving from Los Angeles to Las vegas.
Any recommendation for the easiest route from Los Angeles to Las vegas, our first time driving in states so we are a bit lost.

thanks

 

[califonia]

We bought 24 bottle pack in Target for $4.99!
First night arrive in LV hotel, bought few bottles at $4.50ea...heart pain.

walgreen buy water 1.99usd one big bottle leh..

 

[critical888]

actually can cheapo a bit buy water from sg to usa lo, few bottle.. coz of course wont bring so much clothes there coz go there to buy, sure have lots of empty space