So I'm looking to buy a new digital camera and GPS. Ive never really bought many electronics accept my phones, my dad has always used that department for gifts so I never really had to research on my own. I'm a dummy when it comes to electronics and wanted some advice

As far as my camera, I absolutely want it to be waterproof bc I want it for an big beach trip this summer ( and I go to the beach alot anyways bc my family lives there so ill get a lot of use out of the water/sand proof function)

As far as a GPS goes, I dont really want anything too high tech, I dont have high expectations, I just want it to be user friendly and relatively cheap in price, but not quality ( in other words Ill spend an extra 20-30 from the cheapest average if it means its not going to break in a month).


For my camera I've been looking at the Olympus Waterproof series, ( Stylus 790 sw or 850 sw the 850 is newer but like 50 dollars more so I dont know if its worth the upgrade for one more megapixel ?) Ive been researching reviews but I suck at it. I found alot of mixed reviews, but I found mixed reviews for EVERY camera I researched, so if anyone has any opinions.



As for the GPS I found a refurbished Tom Tom 3rd Edition for $99! This seems almost too cheap, they go for like 180 so does that mean I'm taking my chances with a refurbished product or is it still under warranty? I dont know how that stuff works really. Once again I'm a complete electronics idiot. Ive heard the Tom Toms are a good GPS brand so I went with those but I'm open to suggestion




So to sum it up, does anyone have any of these things, or know anyone who hates/loves it? And anyone know of a good review site thats credible? Im trying to buy by this afternoon so I can have it mailed by next week for a weekend beach trip

5/8/2008 9:31:24 AM

My buddy just bought one of the Olympus waterproof cameras and loves it.

I've also never problems with refurbished things that I've bought in the past. For the price, i'd go with the Tom Tom you found. It SHOULD come with the same factory warranty that a brand new one will come with.

5/8/2008 10:52:18 AM

My outdoorsy friend got a the waterproof olympus as a gift and it's fantastic, if you are hard on stuff.

As for GPS you want something that will read road names out to you, I doubt that the tom tom will do that, but you never know.

I'd recommend a garmin, but it's out of your price range.

5/8/2008 11:12:54 AM

^^ Thanks for the feedback about refurbised electronics, I've never gone that route, but I don't mind used things as long as I know its going to work.

^ I've read alot about garmins, and maybe my next GPS will be one, but you are right they are a little pricey for what I'm looking for and this is my first GPS, so I'll start simple. After posting I just talked to a friend who has a Tom Tom and said she loved it, and its an easy to use out of the box type thing.

Thanks for the input, I think I've made my decision.

5/8/2008 1:22:25 PM

Oh look. It's the "I'm buying something technical so I must start my own thread instead of using search" thread.

Those never happen.

At least you only made one thread instead of one for each.

Still could have searched and found lots of info for both items. Especially the GPS.

5/8/2008 2:04:08 PM

i have the olympus 720SW. It's ok for what's its meant for but i find the quality mediocre at best compared to non-waterproof at the same price point. But then again i can carry this thing on the lineup while surfing. It has it's uses. I'm guessing the newer models have improved in quality not just megapixel.

5/8/2008 10:53:28 PM