Get lost mapquest

I'm in sales.
I always dreaded downloading to my PDA (or printing out)driving instructions to my appointments from the likes of Mapquest. In doing so I drove the accident possiblity percentages sharply higher trying to keep one eye on the road and the other trying to read the directions in Seattle's heavy traffic.
I had heard associates rave about how GPS made things so much easier getting to appointments but felt automobile navigation systems were out of my price range.

Then I came across this Garmin i3. The price caught my eye. A very affordable sub 250 bucks. Overwhelmingly positive owner reviews had me sold. Next thing I knew I was signing at my front door for the delivery of this little rascal.

Downloading maps of WA, ID, OR and CA was pleasantly swift and uncomplicated.
With the attatched suction mount I positioned the Garmin i3 on my windshield , entered the appointment address and shortly was directed visually (with the map on the screen) and audibly along an accurate route to my destination.

An amazing experience. I was elated with what a fine work of technolgy the Garmin i3 really is.

Did I mention I am a senior citizen with a 20% hearing loss in one ear? And, yes, my eyesight is not what it once was. But not to worry. I heard the driving instructions clearly and (thank the Lord don't require glasses yet)could
read the map, small screen and all, with not much difficulty.

I did my own road test and put the Garmin through its paces. I deliberately went off course from the directed route to a couple of destinations. The i3 quickly recalculated and put me back on track in a matter of seconds. I even cranked up the volume on my sports talk station in what I felt was the ultimate challenge in hearing Garmin audio directions and was still able to hear the lady's voice telling me to turn right, left, etc..

The only knock on this splendid device has to do with its suction cup mount.

After its suction became suctionless and on more than one occasison the Garmin i3 fell harmlessly and uninjured to my dash..... I decided this had gone on long enough. I then ordered the Garmin automotive friction mount and was glad I did. For $29 you have a 6 inch in diameter, 3 legged mount that tenaciously clings to your dash regardless of whether its surface is flat or contoured. I have taken very sharp turns and this mount with my Garmin i3 attatched always stays put. Also I like the way the dash mount gives you better eye level viewing of the screen than when its mounted on the windshield. The friction mount is flat so it takes up little space in your glove box out of sight of theives when not in use. Its easily portable for use in other vehicles. As for stowing away my Garmin i3 in my breifcase I came up with a nice little digital camera case at Walmart for under 6 dollars.

If you want to get a reasonably priced, efficient automobile navigation system and can live without a lot of features that come with much higher priced GPS's then may I suggest you seriously consider the Garmin i3.

I hearitly recommend it.