Father's Day Ideas???

[amber.hodge]

So last year I got ben a lazy boy for father's day....don't want to go the typical watch/wallet/sunglasses route...he already has craftsman full size toolbox and matching top box from last year's birthday and it is in storage until the house is built.....Any ideas for cool stuff for a jeep dad????

[RickBeer]

:D A snorkel comes to mind

[offroadaz]

on board air for the jeep

snorkel kit

AAA towing

SCUBA certification

:D

[amber.hodge]

I can't help it - I'm laughing so hard I can barely type....he'd kill me.....

Other than things that will remind my husband he did something really dumb while driving the jeep with his wife and kid in it......????

Probably a good christmas present, though...just after he thinks he's done being razzed.... :D

[amber.hodge]

oooooooh....maybe I could put his present at the bottom of a box with water wings, a dorky looking water mask with kiddie snorkel and inflatable rubber ducky innertube on top.... :D

[FrenchChili]

when is father's day:eek:?

[offroadaz]

heh that sounds likea good idea, inflatable pool toy would be funny

[amber.hodge]

when is father's day:eek:?

You know, I have absolutely no freaking idea!! (that's okay, I had to actually remind Ben 4 days before mothers day so that he didn't forget to take remi so he could get me something! and he already forgot which day we were married on once, and we got married 6 months ago on Saturday!!)

[amber.hodge]

heh that sounds likea good idea, inflatable pool toy would be funny

yes, but what under it for the real present? Anyone have any ideas? I'm looking to spend around 100.00 to 200.00....with all the repairs 100.00 may be more realistic for this year.:(

[TRLR8TDTJ]

At least floaties. Maybe waterproof case for cigs and phone:D

Kyle

[amber.hodge]

LOL yeah, he almost drowned trying to get his cigs across dry, but I've been wanting us to pick a quit date, so I don't want to encourage smoking as a longer term habit by investing in cig related stuff.

[AZLugz]

The yellow Submarine Album!!!!!



When you start "the Quit", let me know, I can at least pray for ya, I have been almost 5 years now.

[amber.hodge]

Will do.....He actually quit during basic, then I was supposed to quit before he came home so he wouldn't start back up....I failed miserably and we are both back to a pack ea a day (300.00 per month!! EEEEYYYOOOOW!)

Yellow submarine is on the Abbey road...isn't it? I know I already have an album with it on......

I have to get him something that says "you are a good dad"....I can't get him all "you suck at jeeping and you do really dumb things that I like to rub in your face" gifts!!! (I like sleeping in the bed!)

[lancetkenyon]

A boat, lifejacket, waterproof camera, flippers, wetsuit, wet/dry shop vac, chest waders, float tube, fishing pole, trolling motor, pool noodles, compass, "Do Not Enter When Flooded" sign:rolleyes: , paddle tires, deep cycle marine Optima blue top battery, "wet okole" neoprene seat covers, silica gel, dehumidifier, electric fan with shut-off switch(for deep water crossings), satellite phone, GPS, tow rig with trailer, understanding wife.......oh wait, he already has that.:D


There are actually some good ideas in here in between all the sarcasm.

[amber.hodge]

A boat, lifejacket, waterproof camera, flippers, wetsuit, wet/dry shop vac, chest waders, float tube, fishing pole, trolling motor, pool noodles, compass, "Do Not Enter When Flooded" sign:rolleyes: , paddle tires, deep cycle marine Optima blue top battery, "wet okole" neoprene seat covers, silica gel, dehumidifier, electric fan with shut-off switch(for deep water crossings), satellite phone, GPS, tow rig with trailer, understanding wife.......oh wait, he already has that.:D


There are actually some good ideas in here in between all the sarcasm.


Yeah, I guess he does....he took the boy and him out of the jeep and left me in the jeep in dirty water for an hour with the dog....he came back after a half hour and said "honey, I'm so sorry I did this!".....I just laughed and told him to call someone from VJC. :)

Anyway....GPS GREAT idea --- I totally forgot he's been really wanting one of those!!!

OKAY......BRANDS, RECOMMENDATIONS???

[AZLugz]

A nice digital camera!

Most guys like a good digital (just be careful what he does with it while you are sleeping), they are good for postig pics up to yer buds, pics of the family to take on drill weekend and all that stuff, 'specially for pics of the current build.











And great when you drove off into the river that was too deep!!!!

[lancetkenyon]

Yeah, I guess he does....he took the boy and him out of the jeep and left me in the jeep in dirty water for an hour with the dog....he came back after a half hour and said "honey, I'm so sorry I did this!".....I just laughed and told him to call someone from VJC. :)

Anyway....GPS GREAT idea --- I totally forgot he's been really wanting one of those!!!

OKAY......BRANDS, RECOMMENDATIONS???

I have a Garmin E-trex. Very simple to use(even I can work it). They are around $100.

[amber.hodge]

Okay, he has voiced he wants a digi cam and gps numerous times in past months.....if anyone had neither, which one would come first, and also I don't know the first thing about either or where or what to buy...

[Wildcat455]

Okay, he has voiced he wants a digi cam and gps numerous times in past months.....if anyone had neither, which one would come first, and also I don't know the first thing about either or where or what to buy...

Digi Camera... It has more "Family" oriented feel to it.
He'll dig it... especially if you Include a hand made coupon good toward a couple of "Racey Photos" of you!! :D

[AZLugz]

The digi cam can be used more often but the GPS is more important for wheeling, so I guess it depends how often you are going out. I have the Garmin E-Trex Legend C, color unit, pid the extra for the color unit cause it had more memorey and I was stupid enough (computer background) to think memroy was a big thing in GPS also. Don't waste the extra but the Legend is a great unit. We also have the Garmin made Jeep brnded and sold Dash mounted unit, it is nice cause it has the extra junk for road nav and voice guidance but still has trail stuff but it is a LOT of extra cash for what you are getting.
Most any GPS setup ou get, you will need extra software for the coputer to really take advantage of it, keep that in mind when looking at units.

[amber.hodge]

Digi Camera... It has more "Family" oriented feel to it.
He'll dig it... especially if you Include a hand made coupon good toward a couple of "Racey Photos" of you!! :D

oh god...not until I lose the 15 lbs I gained being on crutches from March to April for pulling a ligament on a 4.5 mile trail run during lunch!!!

[TRLR8TDTJ]

You have to at least get him the propeller that goes in trailer hitch receiver.:D

Kyle

[amber.hodge]

LOL!! Well, dave at desert fab wanted to make sure we understood our new bumper is not waterproof....maybe just stick with the digi cam so that he doesn't think having a prop makes him an amphibious capable jeep owner!! :D

[amber.hodge]

So, before I get distracted and hijack my own thread......brands, things to look for and where to buy with a digi cam?????? I have no idea.

[MadCarlisle]

A digi camera is always good...remember though, spend the money on the optics and get at least a 4-6 mega pixel camera....optical zoom is way better than digital zoom

I am certain other will post comments whether asked or not.



Another suggestion, a good set of FSM or Haynes manuals for your jeep so he knows what to look for when wrenching.........

[AZLugz]

Did he watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang before wheeling, I would hate to think he tries to make it fly next time!

[amber.hodge]

ooooooh.... I wonder if I could get a manual set in hard copy (have it electronically now) and a digi cam that is of good quality would run under 200.00???? I wish I could spend more on him....I spent more on him the third month we were dating when I bought him a hypercharger for his cruiser.

[AZLugz]

Lots of nice pocket size digi's for under 2 bills

[ROKCRLR]

If you're going to go for the camera, see what MadCarlisle said above.

If you're going to go for a GPS I'd highly recommend a Garmin E-trex. I used the heck out of my Legend Cx before I got my dash mounted Garmin. I'm very happy with both.

[amber.hodge]

Did he watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang before wheeling, I would hate to think he tries to make it fly next time!

No....but he has already made the jeep fly in sedona when he first bought it. Got all 4 tires off the ground and when it came down, the stereo deck landed in his lap! So it is an alar, amphibious jeep....

He makes my life a lot of fun and there is never a dull moment at least! :) And even when he does something dumb, he always makes sure we are taken care of first.

[MadCarlisle]

I have a Canon Digital Rebel XTI with extra zoom and battery.....10 mega pixel

and a Fuji pocket camera (A20) to carry when I don't want to lug the Canon around.

Again, I stress spend money on optics including optical zoom, then on pixels (at least 4.0 but prefer 6 or more), then on lithium ion batteries not aa's. Forget the digital zoom as it can cause the photo quality to go down. If he is a photo buff or thinks he may develop into one, you want to spend more money and get something you can play with for setting. There are some really good camera mags with good review and tips

For the zoom, get at least a 6 optical or larger. Good for the long range shots.

Finally, if you have time, search on line after you decide on a camera. The prices will vary and be lower than locally most times.

[amber.hodge]

If you're going to go for the camera, see what MadCarlisle said above.

If you're going to go for a GPS I'd highly recommend a Garmin E-trex. I used the heck out of my Legend Cx before I got my dash mounted Garmin. I'm very happy with both.

Thank you.....I'll likely get him a camera with a optical zoom thingy? what does this mean??? I don't understand....and the 4 or 5 mega pixelly thingy.... I really know less than the average nursing home resident about digital cameras and electronics. :rolleyes:

[TRLR8TDTJ]

I have one like this one. It is right around 200 and comes with 2 gig memory card. It will even shoot video with sound. I like it cause I can carry it is my pocket. When we are in vacation I dont feel like tourist carrying around camera.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11211799&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US

Kyle

[MadCarlisle]

This site is excellent for camera reviews

http://www.dpreview.com/

[AZLugz]

We looked at Digi's t Best Buy this weekend for my daughter and for under 2 bills you can get in the 6-7 Meg range. MC is spot on with the optical vs digital zoom optical is true zoom, digital increases the pixel size and makes the pis look mre "distorted". I have several big higer end digi's tho a bit older and I have been real happy with most but have had the most problems with my Sony's tho they have repaired 2 of the 4 for free.

Memory cards/sticks are going to be a MUST with the purchase as a high meg camera will eat a memory stick in a heart beat. Go on line and look at local stores for the deals on them. I picked up a 2Gig SD card for my IPAQ for $29 on sale and then the wife found a 3 pack of 1Gig SD's at Staples for her PALM for $29. WHere ever you find your best deal, see if they sell it at Staples, if so, they give you 110% on the difference. My IPAQ was $500 there but another store advertized it $50 less, so Staples sold it to me for $55 less. All just food for thought. Watch batteries too, AA's are good cause you can take lots and get rechargables but not as many come that wy anymore and some with the specialized batteries can be real expensive for a replacement/spare. Always look at the cost of the accessories when buying stuff ike this, that is where most companies make most of their money from.

[AZLugz]

double clicked the post button!!!!!

[Mike McCarville]

For the past several years, I've been asking my wife for a slip yoke eliminator, but she thinks it is some sort of egg cooking device that removes the yokes...

[Wildcat455]

oh god...not until I lose the 15 lbs I gained being on crutches from March to April for pulling a ligament on a 4.5 mile trail run during lunch!!!

He's your husband you dork! He loves you.

[amber.hodge]

LOL!! I know he does, and he doesn't care what I look like, but I do. I don't want to just let myself go just because I'm married....and there's no way that kind of thing would fly if I wasn't happy with how I looked. (its a girl thing...I can have a couple stupid girl moments, can't I?)

[amber.hodge]

For the past several years, I've been asking my wife for a slip yoke eliminator, but she thinks it is some sort of egg cooking device that removes the yokes...

If only kitchen gadgets had such cool names! :D

[AZJeepdad]

A GPS from Sportsmans warehouse would be nice;)

Tom

[amber.hodge]

Well, after commo on the phone with mad.....I may end up getting a GPS and saving up for a nicer digi....or maybe get a decent digi that I can hand down to Remi when we upgrade....I'd like to have the gps myself.....

I know....for fathers day I can let ben clean out the full gallon of waterlogged combo gear/tranny/motor fluid that he accidentally let spill all over the trunk of my 2004 Crown Victoria LX.....hmmmmmmmmmmmm

[desertrubi]

I would go for the GPS now and get a Digi a little later. That way you can go out and look at them a little more. Check out some of the peoples cameras on trail rides and see how you like them.

I was thinking a stick though. Two great uses. To test how deep the water is and to smack his boss on the back of his head.:D

[Cave Gimp]

GPS, I like the Garmin Legend eTrex, the blue one. It is pretty rugged, has enough memory and is simple and straight forward.

Digi Camera, we just bought a Panosonic at Sears last weekend for $190. It has a 6x optical zoom, and is 7 mega-pixels. Best Buy had a Panasonic with a 10x optical and 7 megapixles for $200. We went with the lower zoom because it runs off of AAs. We take a lot of pictures while caving, and I always have tons of AAs with me to run my lights. If you do get one with a rechargeable battery, make sure it is a Lithium Ion, not a nicad.

[rockwerks]

There is more to pixels that meet the eye. many cameras use interpolation or software to increase number of pixels and actual can be as much as 50% less than interpolated.

These would be my choice for trail/fun camera in the 200.00 range

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsc/4864-6501_7-31703664.html?ctype=msgid&messageSiteID=9&messageID=2076074&cval=2076074

camera with mini tripod, case and other stuff.......

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W30-6MP-DIGITAL-CAMERA-Users-LOVE_W0QQitemZ160122457188QQihZ006QQcategoryZ10789 8QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Oldgamefreak]

If you are still looking for a smart @ss thing. Buy a few pool noodles (the hollow ones and brighter the better) and re-wrap your roll bars with them. Tell him that you got him an auxiliary flotation device for the jeep.