OK, can you convince me?

[grifta67]

Hey everyone,

After my parents and my friend just got Tomtom's, I looked into them more. They seem incredible and I'm so tempted to get one for myself. But, I rarely drive anywhere I don't already know how to get to blindfolded. I've having a hard time convincing myself to pull the trigger on a purchase. I know I want one, but it also looks like I certainly don't need one.

So give it a shot...
-Sean

 

[Wiley]

I'm having a hard time convincing myself to pull the trigger on a purchase. I know I want one, but it also looks like I certainly don't need one.

So give it a shot...
-Sean

Note the cost of a TomTom of your choice, and donate that amount to an organization that represents a cause that you care deeply about. You'll get far more enjoyment from that simple act, than purchasing something that you don't need.

 

[GarCor]

Hey everyone,

After my parents and my friend just got Tomtom's, I looked into them more. They seem incredible and I'm so tempted to get one for myself. But, I rarely drive anywhere I don't already know how to get to blindfolded. I've having a hard time convincing myself to pull the trigger on a purchase. I know I want one, but it also looks like I certainly don't need one.

So give it a shot...
-Sean

A GPS is a great navigational tool to help you navigate in unfamiliar territory but if at this time in your life you seldom travel in areas that you aren?t familiar with then a GPS is a waist of money. I agree with Wiley in previous post.

 

[Thom]

I really don't absolutely need it, but I like to habve it just in case. To me it's cheap insurance. I do travel for work and letting it guide me is great. I sometimes load it and run it on my local roads. I can explore streets without having to retrace my route if I get mis-placed (do men get lost?) or even just use it as a heads-up speed guage.

If you're considering one of the less expensive models, I so go for it..

PS, then you can hang out with all the cool people here...

 

[sidkaye]

But, I rarely drive anywhere I don't already know how to get to blindfolded.

Maybe that is a good reason to get a GPS and expand your horizons. A GPS makes it so much easier to visit and explore new places. The POI's will help you find a place to eat, museums to visit, parks to have a walk or a picnic, libraries to connect to internet, and a whole lot more.....Oh! Did I say a WHOLE lot more?

Sidney

 

[danzeb]

Hey everyone,

After my parents and my friend just got Tomtom's, I looked into them more. They seem incredible and I'm so tempted to get one for myself. But, I rarely drive anywhere I don't already know how to get to blindfolded. I've having a hard time convincing myself to pull the trigger on a purchase. I know I want one, but it also looks like I certainly don't need one.

So give it a shot...
-Sean

For a day or two it's fun after that it is just a tool. I don't even keep mine in the car unless I'm traveling to an area that would require me to use a map. When I do need it it is very useful.

 

[grifta67]

Maybe that is a good reason to get a GPS and expand your horizons. A GPS makes it so much easier to visit and explore new places. The POI's will help you find a place to eat, museums to visit, parks to have a walk or a picnic, libraries to connect to internet, and a whole lot more.....Oh! Did I say a WHOLE lot more?

Sidney

That certainly compels me...

And yes, I'm looking at the lower priced model, the v3. The kicker is the Staples sale where it's only $139. Not to mention I'm a gadget guy and just love having cool new technology.

*sigh* decisions....

 

[Thom]

Go with the V2 (aka LE) if you can find one (ebay?) it's got an SD card slot that the v3 doesn't have.

Every "gadget guy" needs more space, right?

Just buy it, and consider that you're helping to support the suffering economy.

 

[micp879]

Keep in mind, the vast majority of us that have a GPS don't have it because we travel to new exotic places on a daily basis. Most of us know where we are going, but it comes in incredibly handy on those rare instance we dont. Its like a cell phone... we all knew how to live without them before they were invented, but now that we have them, it would be an incredible inconvenience to be without them. I was amazed at how handy the GPS is, in many aspects I didn't even think of. Personally, I love the "find me" feature on the TT1. If Im ever on vacation or in a new area, and I happen to need the police or EMS, I can hit the button and it will tell me exactly where I am, so I can relay to emergency services.

 

[grifta67]

I would love the SD expandability in the v2 but the whole catalyst for this is the low sale price of the v3 this week. I'm sure I'll get to some point in the future where I'll kick myself for not having that slot, but I can deal with that when it comes up!

One of the prefect timing aspects of this is that next week I'll actually be making one of those rare drives into undiscovered country for me. It would come in quite handy at least once!

micp, you've made a very compelling arguement... damn you!

Looks like I'll probably end up getting it tomorrow. Look forward to teaching me the finer details of it in the near future!

 

[Thom]

I always though that "gadget guys" (I consider myself one) are better at coming up with excuses as to why they BOUGHT something, not reasons as to why they SHOULD buy something.

Just go get it already...

Side note... When I got the LE, I didn't realize the deal I got. I paid $119.00 on Black Friday (at Best Buy). I'm suprised that tehy were selling LE's for that, sonce they're still selling for well over the V3's?

 

[46jimbo]

Please, grifta67, just take the plunge. At this price, it's small change. You won't regret it!

 

[feejo]

Don't waste money on something that will not benefit you, but it is provent that people claim for less car accident while having a GPS on board, and also there is speed traps you can get noticed of if you find some on internet.

But a true investement would be to give your money to the poors.

 

[Gilbert]

Something no one has yet mentioned... There are excellent paper maps but, when driving alone, even more so on highways, it is quite difficult to determine _exactly_ where you are on the large paper map while driving with your eyes on the road and traffic... At night, in an unfamiliar area, reading street names off the street signs that nearly always seem to be lit from the wrong side without slowing down and keeping your eyes on the road and traffic. Then the heavy snow fall, fog or torrential rain vision impairments and knowing how far the next turn or exit is. Also, being on an unfamiliar highway, stuck between semi trailers and trying to see the exit signs when the height of the semi trailers don't allow you to see down the road and you barely can catch a glimpse of the 6 lines of text the direction board carries at 70 mph.

 

[grifta67]

Alright alright, my wallet cries uncle! I had to go to 4 different stores but I picked up a ONE 3rd today! I can't wait to get off work and cruise around a bit.

Thanks to everyone for pointing out the benefits, and to those who suggested a donation in lieu of a GPS, I'll be dropping off an extra bag of canned goods to the homeless shelter that I'll now be able to find with my tomtom.

Stay tuned next week for posts such as "Ok, how do I get these darn voice files to work" and "What neat side-features should I know about."

Thanks again everyone!
-Sean