iBuy GPS

When I turned fifty, I decided to use all the vacation time I had built up over the years at work and tour the 48 states within the continental United States.  I spent at least an hour or two in each state, even if it was just driving through and stopping at a restaurant for lunch.  I think I spent the most time in Florida, Utah, and the New England states, but with all the adventures I had, it’s kind of hard to remember where I just stopped for lunch or dinner and where I spent one or two days touring.  For the duration of the trip I kept my Garmin handheld GPS with me at all times.  The Garmin handheld GPS helped me to navigate foreign roads, find the quickest routes out of the city, and even find the best places to stop for a meal.  I would have been lost without it.

It took me a little under three months to visit all the states, and at the end, I was ready to head back home.  I think I discovered a lot about myself on my trip and I also met a lot of people who were different from me in the various states.  It was a life altering experience that every American should experience once in their lifetime. 

There’s nothing worse than having an inaccurate map when you’re driving to a place you’ve never been.  The truth is, road maps are often outdated fast as new roads are built in suburban areas.  You might not even be able to find a neighborhood or freeway exit if you’re looking on a road map that is a few months old.  In these circumstances, a Garmin GPS device is far superior.  Garmin maps are updated all the time, so there’s never a worry that you won’t be able to find a recent development or road.  In addition, with a Garmin GPS device you can rest assured knowing that you never need to purchase an updated roadmap again.  Your Garmin GPS can also help you to plot out a course to your destination, ensuring that you’ll never be lost again!

With Garmin maps, you know that you are receiving the latest in contemporary GPS quality and you’ll never need to rely on a road map again.  You can also use your Garmin GPS for backpacking, hiking, boating, or anytime when you need directions.  It’s the device for navigation regardless of location! 

When it comes to backpacking, I recognize the importance of eliminating unneeded weight, but I just don’t feel comfortable going without my GPS.  Whether I’m stuck in a dense forest, navigating a canyon, or standing in front of an alpine lake in the middle of nowhere, my Garmin Etrex GPS works like a charm.  I can locate the nearest road, park station, even locate the best place to find water over the next ridge.  While most backpackers prefer a map, if anything, I just can’t put down my GPS; it’s too convenient and it helps me to feel safe in the outdoors. 

I recommend carrying a GPS to all backpackers, though it does weigh more than a map and can become damaged, if you keep care of it, it’s an invaluable asset to have on the trail or in the great outdoors.  In the case of an emergency, though it’s unlikely, you’ll be glad to have it! 

In today’s tough economy purchasing a new automobile can be difficult, and asking a bank for credit to purchase that auto can be even more challenging.  If you’re looking to update your car, truck, or SUV and don’t have the money or credit to spend on a new one, it’s a smart idea to purchase a few new accessories.  For example, a mounted navigation screen, like the Garmin Nuvi GPS, will help get directions to your destination and even find destinations like restaurants, entertainment, and gas.  You might also consider a new MP3 player or IPod compatible stereo for your car, and a new speaker/sound system to go with it.  If the outside of your car is looking a little outdated, professional auto painters like Maaco don’t offer paint services as prestigious or lasting as a body shop, but cost a fraction of the price and can help tide you over until you want to purchase a new vehicle. 

Auto accessories like mats, hubcaps, rims, seat covers, steering wheel covers, and trunk liners also make great, less expensive, holiday gifts. 

Despite recent advances in the American auto industry, the American automakers for years failed to compete with Japanese and foreign automakers.  This is the reason that Ford, GM, and Chrysler are now in dire need of help from the federal government.  While Japanese and several foreign automakers focused on fuel efficiency and technological advancements like GPS mounts, rear view cameras, and smart brakes, American companies were trying to make it all bigger and better, when consumers were demanding smaller vehicles.  Though the American automakers realized their mistake in the last year, the damage had been done.

To right themselves and remain a force in the industry, Ford, GM, and Chrysler will have to appeal to the modern consumer, and redefine themselves as companies that are making technological and smart evolutions to the auto. 

Whether you live in an urban area, or are a frequent visitor, a GPS device is a great option for navigating city streets and finding stores and restaurants.  Though these devices come standard on many new vehicles, installing them in an old vehicle is quite simple.  First of all, decide on a GPS device.  Garmin, as the original GPS brand, and the most renowned, is a safe bet.  For city navigation, the Garmin Nuvi is cost efficient and comes with all the contemporary features. Once you have selected the GPS device you want, you will want to purchase a car mount.  These can be installed on your dashboard and will hold the GPS in place. 

Once you have both the GPS and the mount, turn it on, read the instructions, plug in your destination, and follow the on screen map; piece of cake! 

Even if you don’t travel, if you visit new places often, or live near a large city, a GPS can help you reach your destination and even discover new places.  Many new cars now come standard with automotive GPS systems.  With a GPS system you can enter a destination and it will calculate the fastest route, and with some of the more advanced systems, even avoid traffic and road construction.  It’s a carefree way to visit new places with no risk of becoming lost. 

Though new cars come with automotive GPS systems installed or available as an option, if you don’t feel like buying a new car, GPS units are sold individually as well.

Simply speaking, nuvi 850 is one advanced navigator. It features speech recognition (SR), a widescreen display, preloaded maps, an FM transmitter and more. Like the rest of the wide nüvi 800-series, just speak a menu option and nüvi obeys your command.

Go from North America to Europe without loading more maps with the transatlantic Garmin Nuvi 670. This pocket sized Personal Travel Assistant™ comes with built-in street maps for both continents, making traveling abroad so easy. Similar to the 660, Nuvi 670 includes a colorful widescreen, hands-free calling, traffic alerts and FM transmitter, then takes it to the next level with even more maps.