Garmin GPSMap 64

$150 on Costco.com!

I've needed a GPS for a while after getting lost (because I didn't have a map — yeah I know — stupid).

But planning some major adventures coming up and don't ever want to be without map and GPS.

I like to know my progress and my map skills aren't 100% but I am pretty darn good.

I'm not rich and was never willing to drop $200-$400+ on a GPS

My girlfriend got me this one for Xmas on Costco.com for $150. I told her that was a steal since it goes for $250 and if I don't like it I can always take it back.

I was kind of disappointed that it isn't rechargeable out of the box (I'm getting spoiled with rechargeable technology). I had to order rechargeable batteries separately, but they do recharge in the unit. I guess this is a good thing in case the rechargeable batteries fail I can always swap them out with some AA's.

It only came with a rinky dink (super thin) wrist strap (like the ones that come with digital cameras). The Garmin site sells carabiners and clips for ridiculous prices so I just fashioned my own strap through it and put my own carabiner for free.

I also bought a cheap Ozark Trail sunglasses case from Walmart in their camping section that has a swivel clip and velcro belt strap for like $3 and it just so happened to fit and match the exact colors of this unit so I now have a case that can attach to my pack straps or belt (like this but with yellow trim also).

Still getting the hang of using it, but so far so good. It always shows you where you are.

It doesn't work right out of the box. You have to purchase maps online and or subscribe to their new satellite maps. I think I'm going to chose the satellite maps since I always carry topo maps with me.

The only thing that irks me is the topo maps to download are by region. I'm from Southern California. I need to buy West Coast for here but Southwest for Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado if I wants those areas which are so close, yet cost more.

That's why I'm going to subscribe to the satellite maps because there are unlimited downloads for a year. Just have to buy a micro SD card to save them.