Free GPS Guidance
Posts Tagged ‘GPS store’
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.
After talking to someone recently I got to thinking of an unusual and very rare situation that had never occurred to me before. Because we have raised guide pups in the past through Guiding Eyes for the Blind, six to be exact, I have a special place in my heart for those wonderful noble creatures and the people they love and take care of. Now here is the situation. Imagine someone who suddenly finds themselves in a new environment with their guide dog and no other friend with them to read a map or street signs. How would they find their way around this unfamiliar city with the most independence and in the shortest amount of time?
Well, I had to stop and think of the different versions of automotive GPS units, several of which are small enough to be handy to carry in your pocket, and some of which are voice activated and give directions by speaking also. Magic! Their loyal dog will keep them straight on the sidewalk, guiding them around any obstacles and watching for traffic at crossroads like always, and the automotive GPS navigation will give them the directions they need which they will ask their dog to execute for them. I imagine they would do well to just contact their favorite GPS store for some help in choosing an appropriate GPS device. Now that will really give them independence and freedom. Any other thoughts on that?
Oh my, we get lots of calls requesting me to make a choice for folks so that they don’t have to decide which GPS unit to buy. Looks good on paper, but how can I know which features might be really useful or totally useless to each individual person. I could just decide which GPS unit I might prefer, but how would that information help a total stranger whose needs and budget may be totally different from mine? I feel like I really disappoint people when I try to point this out, but we are all individuals, which is why there are so many different versions of, for instance, handheld or automotive GPS units out there.
Most of the manufacturers, especially Garmin, have really great interactive websites already where you can choose to compare several units to each other so that at a glance you can sort them out by which features you really want, which ones would only be nice perks and which ones are definitely yes or no features for you. Do you want it to be small and thin with a great battery life so you can carry it with you to find your way back to your car? Do you want lifetime traffic? Bluetooth? You get the idea. Anyway, once you have it narrowed down to possibly one or two favorites, it becomes simple to go back to Google or your favorite GPS store and see which one they have to offer, which types of accessories you will need and for what price they are offered. I just think it totally simplifies your shopping experience. I like simple. After all, I would rather be spending time exploring with my GPS unit than sitting in front of a computer trying to figure out all the pros and cons or entrusting my decision to someone who doesn’t even know me. Well, good luck in your search for the best GPS units for your needs and budget, and I hope this helps.
Whether you’re going camping, backpacking, or hiking, there are a few essential pieces of equipment necessary to ensure safety and an enjoyable wilderness experience for all involved. The most important item to have is a first aid kit; it’s essential just in case of injury, snakebites, or infection. It’s also important to have a compass and map, or if you want to go modern, a handheld GPS unit can be purchased easily at your favorite GPS store. When venturing into the wilderness apparel like warm clothing, rain gear, gloves, and hiking boots can help you to stay dry and warm if you happen to become cold. Hypothermia can be a real danger in the outdoors, even in warmer locations where you wouldn’t think it.
It’s also important to notify a close family member or friend where you are going and when you intend to come back. If you are lost or injured in the wilderness and no one knows about it, you run the risk of not being found until its too late.
My wife and I recently moved from a townhouse in the city to a rustic cabin in the woods. A few of our friends were skeptical about this “downgrade” because our new home lacks the square-footage and desirable urban location of our old one. But they fail to consider the huge swath of property that came along with the new residence. I’m already doing some amateur surveying in preparation for some ambitious additions.
The first few times I surveyed the land, I almost got lost. It’s tough to find distinctive landmarks in a densely wooded forest. Luckily, my wife got me a handheld GPS unit at a GPS store to take with me in case I lose my way. It also comes in handy for informal mapping. I can easily tell where the property begins and ends, which has expedited the surveying process tremendously.