TomTom (at least the v4 I have) couldn't route across maps either, so they added a 'Major Roads of Europe' map for that, enough to get you across the borders, then you could (if necessary) switch to a local map.

As for voice vs. text on screen.. in Italy, at least, if you look away from the road for a _second_ you're dead. You learn that pretty fast (or you're dead..). So I just listen to the voice on my TomTom most of the time, except when I'm standing still. If you can manage to place the screen [the N800] somewhere in the visual field of the road it's probably a bit safer. Some of the images posted earlier seemed to be ok in that respect.