Need input.

Ok fellas, I'm starting to do a little desert shopping. First up on my list is a new digital camera and some GPS handheld navigation.

My current digital camera is the Olympus C700 Ultra Zoom. 2.1 Megapixels, 10x optical zoom, very nice. I love this camera. The only two problems are that it is bulky and eats batterys like M&Ms. I'm looking for something compact and durable. I think I've found my mark but I need some feedback first.

The Canon S410: 4.0 Megapixels, compact and casing made from metal. Has good reviews from Circuitcity.com. Give it a lookover.

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=9826

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Canon-PowerShot-S410-Digital-Camera--9345A001-/sem/rpsm/oid/90489/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do


Next up is a GPS handheld. Someone reccomended the brand Garmin but thats pretty much the only direction I have thus far. All I want is something compact and durable (notice a trend?) that I can stuff into an already full pocket or pouch, lay on, fall on, roll on, and otherwise abuse the hell out of. The only thing I really need it to do for me is give me coordinates of where I currently am. Anything extra is just a bonus. Long battery life is a plus.

If any of you have any input at all concerning either one of these products (or a suitable replacement) please let me know ASAP.






....That, or I'll shell your frickin' town. Out.l

I can't speak for a GPS, as the only ones I've looked for myself plug into my iPAQ. But garmin is a good starting point. The one we used while tree planting was one of theirs.. but G I don't think you could afford that one unless you have a company doing this purchase. It was exactly what you want as far as durability... but it also was also loaded with enough processing power and memory to do mapping, and a colour screen which blows the cost sky high.

Canon makes good camera's, and I know quite a few people that use this model or one of the older 3MP version. But you sure you are ready to give up on all that optical zoom? Digital zoom is useless. And none of these little consumer camera's are what I'd consider "durable". Metal casing good. Dinky motors and fragile buttons? Bad. It's a curse of all consumer camera's.

Thanks for the responce. I hate to take the hit on optical zoom but my situation requires compact size and durability above all else.

I recently purchased the Kodak 6490:
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuer...pq-locale=en_US
I love it...4 mp, 10x optical & VERY compact!!!
http://usera.imagecave.com/funsunset/ this is a web photo album I created yesterday with some of my favorite pics with this camera. I love it!

Thanks for the input but the Kodak is not as compact as I would like.

if you want a gps navigator then "tomtom" bluetooth or wired navigators are the best. i've got one with my ipaq pda.

As far as the GPS goes I'm currently looking at something along the lines of the Garmin eTrex Summit.

http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexsummit/


Any input is appreciated.

Sounds like you just need to do the research. Everything that's been suggested, you've knocked down. You are the only one that knows what you want...just do some google searches & find stuff you can use, IMO!

I think you're taking my posts the wrong way, Ma'am. I've asked for input on a certain digital camera (or suitable replacement) and I've asked for input on the brand Garmin (or suitable replacement.) As I narrow my search down I'm posting what products I'm currently looking at so I can possibly get feedback from people who've used those (or similar) products, such as the case in my previous post.


As far as "Everything that's been suggested," I've only knocked down one (out of two.) The camera you suggested is too bulky and does not present itself as being as durable as I need (per my original post), but I do appreciate you suggesting it.

Have a lovely day.

I wasn't taking anything wrong, but think you took mine wrong! I was merely making a suggestion of you doing the google searches with the info YOU need, that's all.

Anyway...just saw this, didn't know if it's too small, or what, so I thought I'd share!
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.as...Id=L-ESPIONXS-N

Have you been to www.tomshardware.com for reviews? Or even www.newegg.com for their reviews on stuff they sell? Good luck!

I bought the Canon PowerShot S410 a few days ago and so far it's fantastic. Slightly larger than my cell phone, excellent picture quality and so far has proven itself to be very durable (don't ask.)

So I think I've got the digital camera shopping done. I'm still researching GPS devices.

Any feedback on the Garmin eTrex Summit?

Cool...you're halfway home! Good luck with the GPS...I know nothing about them!