Free GPS Guidance
Posts Tagged ‘GPS mounts’
I was talking with my brother-in-law today about his automotive GPS and that we had noticed an article on the news recently about how often automotive GPS units are getting stolen these days. When you are parking your car, especially in the larger cities, it is all too common for someone to do a “smash and grab”, and your GPS unit is gone. He says they are even looking to see if there is a mark on your windshield where the suction cup has been removed, so some folks will break into your car just in case you stuffed your GPS under the seat or in the glove compartment or something. That suction cup mark is a dead giveaway that there probably has been or may still be a GPS present in your car. That led to a discussion about different options in GPS mounts and the possible problems with each.
Again, the suction cup mount will more than likely leave a telltale mark on your windshield. Also, the GPS car cup holder mounts or vent mounts would either be visible and also a tipoff of the presence of an automotive GPS and might actually cause damage if you were trying to take it off and on whenever you park your car. Not good at all.
In my opinion, a great option would be a bean bag mount, or even better, in my opinion, is the Nav-Pack which is a new, innovative mounting device for most GPS units that doubles as a carrying case when not in use. It contours to the top of your dashboard and works on most uneven or textured surfaces. With a high tech, anti-skid material that keeps the device from sliding, the Nav-Pack provides a stable mounting base for your portable GPS or other electronic devices. With the added benefit of becoming a padded carrying case for your automotive GPS when not in use, I think that is the best way to go in today’s sad society where some people don’t think twice before stealing something, possibly even for a lark. Well, be smart and protect your car and GPS by making a simple change to the way you use your automotive GPS. I think you will be glad you did.
Well, I was out Christmas shopping this afternoon, and I saw a wonderful but sad shopping situation. Mother and daughter knew that dad would like an automotive GPS for Christmas, but instead of looking for the features he would use most they were looking at the price. Let’s see, we were planning to spend $XXX for his gift, so I guess this is the one we will buy because it fits the price range.
I would like to recommend that you use some of the articles that have been posted here to help you sort through the differences and benefits of different automotive GPS systems. Will he enjoy spoken street names? Would he use Bluetooth capability? How about the size of the screen – widescreen or small enough to carry in his pocket with the ability to use while sightseeing on vacation or to help find the way back to the car at the mall? Anyways, there are so many options to choose from, and don’t forget to look at refurbished or sale GPS systems in order to get the most bang for your buck. And then there are the many GPS accessories, such as GPS mounts, to complement your choice which you might also consider.
I feel that gift giving is much more about the relationship than the gift. I expect dear old dad would appreciate either a simple or fancy unit with the features he would enjoy most way more than knowing that you spent the allotted amount of money on his gift… I know that I would! Well, I hope Santa brings you exactly what you wanted for Christmas (or whichever holiday your own family happens to celebrate) this year!
Don’t fall into the Christmas rush; shop early while the selection is still good. Well, that is my goal this year. I know it is still early, but I get so frustrated with myself when sometimes I over analyze each gift, then waiting for the very best sale, only to find that by the time that special sale came along there were only a limited number of whatever it was I wanted to buy. Actually, only a handful of the folks who were at the store waiting for the doors to be unlocked, often pushing and shoving to get to the prize first, were the only ones who actually got the “bargain”. In my book, that is no bargain. Then you find yourself in a shopping frenzy, grabbing other things that are on the “special sale” that perhaps you weren’t even considering in the first place, costing much more in time, money and frustration than the actual gift was worth.
Well, I have decided to shop at the stores I already trust who give reasonable prices and excellent service; although, I still look for their sales while I am there. At one GPS Store in particular I recently heard a customer say “Thanks John! You guys are great to work with…I’ll let my friends know.” Now, I already liked that particular GPS store, but it really felt good to hear someone else express the same sentiment. Many of my friends just need or would appreciate GPS accessories like a case, GPS mounts, handheld GPS accessories, maybe even a new charger cable. Well, I know where I will be shopping for those items this year, and I am planning to get ahead of the crowds this time.
What do I think of refurbished GPS? I was asked this recently by someone who was uncertain. Does this mean they are used or faulty? No, my friend, it does not. Whenever a package is opened and returned to the manufacturer for any reason, say the customer ordered the wrong thing, there was a loose wire from the factory or possibly even a slight imperfection in the case, the manufacturer goes over it with a fine-toothed comb and fixes anything which may not be working correctly, but it can no longer be sold as “new”.
As one gentleman put it “the fish don’t care if I find them with last season’s GPS” – OK, he was talking maps, but I feel the same thing applies here. With the same warranty and a much lower price, it makes perfect sense to me that if I can find the unit I am looking for at a greatly discounted price, why not buy it? I can get the GPS receiver I want, and I can use the extra money for something else – the GPS mounts so I can move it from car to car (or cabin to flybridge) perhaps, or I can check out the cases or GPS antennas I wanted but could possibly not otherwise have purchased? Anyway, don’t be afraid of a refurbished or factory remanufactured GPS unit. Don’t think of them as just cheap GPS devices. They are a great value and worth a second look.
Can money buy you happiness? Someone posed the age-old question. Well, let’s consider. First, money purchased my hiking shoes, not a lot mind you, but money all the same. And it took money to purchase my inexpensive handheld GPS unit for geocaching. I rode my bike down a really pretty country road to where I wanted to search for that geocache which is only a couple miles from my house. My bike originally cost me money, but I have had it for quite a while and gotten quite a bit of use out of it, so cost per use would be pretty low by now. Of course, I could have walked the entire way – that would have been free. It did take some money for that GPS bike mount for my handheld GPS device, but not bad compared to the hands free convenience as I feel the right GPS mounts can make all the difference in using your handheld GPS systems. Hmm, also the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair were free. The sound of the birds in the trees and the rustle of the leaves was not only refreshing, but free. Well, I am thinking money purchased some conveniences and my GPS navigation device, but certainly the happiness of the day was certainly FREE, as was my soaring spirit that day. Now get out there and enjoy your life!