Wanna buy a GPS?

[Guest Cape Cod Cache]

Wanna buy a GPS? get a good deal and support?

GO BRICK & MORTOR !!!!!!

I USED to sell GPS for a discount marine store. Didn't make squat for a sale, but I'd spend time and energy. Buy an accessory through e-mail order, you still get screwed in the long run. No support. I'd show you how to run it, make it run miles for you, and keep running. Don't buy second-hand merchandise. Buy from a dealer... In person

[Guest Ron Streeter]

I bought my Magellan 315 from Wal-Mart, not because of the support (the sporting goods dept. personnel didn't know a thing about them), but because of the price.

 

One large sporting goods store in a town 45 miles away didn't even carry gps devices..the reason...they got beaten to death on the price by Wal-Mart !

 

As far as accessories go, no dealer who handled gps devices (Wal-Mart and gun shops/sporting goods stores) had the data cable/power cable combination, so I went mail-order to a store that has a brick/mortar presence, but not in MY area.

 

So, I guess I am saying it depends on where you are and what you need when deciding who to buy from.

 

Ron

 

24H/26F/1C/4S

[Guest tbird2340]

How much did you spend and what kind did you get?

[Guest Iron Chef]

The problem with going brick and morter sometimes is that it is hard to find a place that has all the different units, both Garmins and Magellans. I had that difficulty when I first picked out my unit. Second time around I bought from an online retailer just because the price was unbeatable by any local shops.

 

------------------

-Iron Chef

_ _ _ _ _ _____ _ _ _ _ _

agefive.com/geocache/ ~ Fe-26

Lets Drive Fast and Eat Cheese!

[Guest Chris Juricich]

I checked out Fry's Electronics, Best Buy, CompUSA, and all for naught. Finally hit West Marine and they had an eTrex on sale for $114.95 (wow--$5 off!) so I went for it. I'd seen several on eBay for around $100, but when I want something, I usually want it...

 

NOW!!!

 

Anyway, check out the big box stores!

[Guest ClayJar]

I went by the Wal to check their prices, but they didn't have the MAP 330. I then went to Academy (Sports and Outdoors), and they not only had the Garmins and Magellans, but they even had a guy who is a fishing guide and knew the plusses and minusses of each. (I went with the MAP 330, since it fits my style a lot better than the Garmins, and isn't that what matters?)

[Guest WJJagfan]

I purchased two units online and have had no problems. I'm sure that there are bad experiences out there, but after checking the stores in my area that sell GPS, I found I could save $40 on the unit I wanted if I bought over the internet.

 

I picked up all the tips and tricks I needed for operating the unit from various sources on the net as well.

 

Granted, no personal touch, but for a total savings of $80, I'll chance it.

[Guest Geoffrey]

When i Bought GPS units from Brick n Mortor stores, I went throught 5 units before one worked. I bought a Magellan 4000xl, it broke. then bought a Magellan Color Trak, that failed. traded that in for another, and that was broke also. Finally traded it back in for a Garmin 3 GPS. Then that unit's Map data shorted out(Got lost). Exchanged that for another Garmin 3. Been working good for 2 years now. Bought a Garmin 3plus at Best Buy. Now i carry 2 GPS units around.

[Guest Jebediah]

Buying GPS online is like buying compasses on line. If you want product support and specialized tech advice it's there, just go to the specialist sites. Think geology, caving, marine, backpacking, mountaineering, surveying, etc.

 

The U.S. isn't a country of neighborhood shops and short distances. Either we live way out in rural areas or jammed together in roadbound suburbs. I'll be damned if I'm going to drive thirty miles just to check out a dusty shelf with a few models all at MSRP.

[Guest Anton]

ssage has been edited by Anton (edited 15 July 2001).]

[Guest BigDoggie]

I actually started by going to my local WalMart. First, the sporting goods dept was deserted. After waiting a while, I ended up using the phone on their counter to call the operator and request that she page a clerk. The responder, wearing an asst mgr tag, knew nothing about the units, couldn't find the key to the showcase, and couldn't even say if they carried accessories like cables and protective cases.

 

I left in disgust, and learned more on the Internet in 10 minutes than I had in 45 minutes of driving, parking, walking, and waiting for Walmart.

 

I ordered mine from amazon.com and, through a combination of savings, I ended up saving $10 and, probably, 10 hours.

 

See my message discussing this at:

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/ubb/Forum13/HTML/000345.html

[Guest skibum]

Check out this website for excellent comparison shopping of all different gps units. www.gps4fun.com

[Guest Geoffrey]

Try this link, it is my GPS information Page.

http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/geoffr524/myhomepage/howto.html?mtbrand=AOL_US

[Guest Cape Cod Cache]

When I started this thread, it was because I had seen ALOT of people having a bad time with on-line stores..... I don't care for Walmat or any other 'big box' stores. I USED to work for a 'discount marine' store.

The fun was showing a buyer how the units worked, I had all the toys to play with. I went with Garmin, I have a G48 handheld that I use for 'caching and boat delivery, and a G128 on 'das boot'. I was lucky enough to have a similar Garmin and Magellan in my hand at the same time. Go to a good store that will give you advice, and let you try one in the parking lot. Of perhaps 100 units sold, 2 returns , some people are clueless.

[Guest nerys3]

What if you want to play and can't afford a GPS?

 

( a Wally World employee)

[Guest bob_renner]

See if you can find a friend who has a GPS and get them to join you in a hunt. Check ebay or other places for a used GPS. Also, you might want to check out

http://www.letterboxing.org/

This is a similar "treasure hunt" game that uses word clues rather than GPS coordinates.

 

Bob

[Guest nerys3]

Thanks. I don't know anyone with a GPS, but maybe one of these days I may get one.