Graduation Gift?

[fitch270]

Follow Up, packing this weekend for a Monday morning departure.

So we did sign us all up for AAA, truck has been checked over and passed inspection. It needed some maintenance repairs before we sent him off so I had the shop do the yearly State Inspection three months early so we don’t have to deal with it in November.

Laptop was purchased and delivered back in July, text books ordered and will be waiting at the college bookstore.

I almost bought him a new set of Meopta binos but decided with two sets at home it was redundant. Instead we and our extended family started equipping him with tools after his Eagle Scout ceremony. Some new, some hand-me-down stuff. A little bit of everything; mechanic’s, carpenter’s, plumber’s, electrician’s and storage options. He’ll be taking some basic stuff in a box for behind the seat. The rest will stay here in waiting.

[fitch270]

When I graduated HS an Aunt gave me a membership to AAA (Auto association) I still maintain it to this day. Used it last year when a tire blew on the Turnpike and took out the brake line. Used it several times for jump start and stuck. When you move you make contact with the local office.

That’s something I’ve already told the wife we need to do for him before he goes since he’ll be several hours away.

Still, I hadn’t thought of that as a gift for other grads or even our older nieces and nephews for Christmas gifts so thanks!

[jhjimbo]

When I graduated HS an Aunt gave me a membership to AAA (Auto association) I still maintain it to this day. Used it last year when a tire blew on the Turnpike and took out the brake line. Used it several times for jump start and stuck. When you move you make contact with the local office.

[fitch270]

Yes, but the pull of female companionship is often stronger, lol! Talking from experience

Speaking of experiences, have you considered funding a graduation trip instead of material things? I remember my graduation trip to Panama City Beach, FL starting the morning after graduation. That was 44 years ago and some of it is still vivid! What a blast!

He is going on a senior class trip to Ocean City, Maryland. It’s an overnight deal.

😳😜😎

[PigHunter]

He’ll have different priorities for sure, but his hunt drive is awful strong. Hard wired for it probably to a fault.

Yes, but the pull of female companionship is often stronger, lol! Talking from experience

Speaking of experiences, have you considered funding a graduation trip instead of material things? I remember my graduation trip to Panama City Beach, FL starting the morning after graduation. That was 44 years ago and some of it is still vivid! What a blast!

[fitch270]

He’ll have different priorities for sure, but his hunt drive is awful strong. Hard wired for it probably to a fault.

[PigHunter]

I'd concentrate on items that will help him in the next few years of college and getting into a career. Hunting items like a range finder can always be borrowed from you until he gets a permanent job and can buy one on his own.

I stopped hunting between ages 18 to 30 because of education, wife, and job. He may keep some interest in hunting but there will be many other things grabbing his attention.

[FirstBubba]

Gotcha on the "techno stuff", but sadly, any techno stuff IS normally outdated pretty quickly.
Oh well. Such is life!

[fitch270]

Probably going to nix the watch idea, I can understand some folks continuing to wear one out of habit but in reality they’re likely going to go by the way side. My daughter does wear a FitBit but like dewman mentioned it’s more for the fitness tracking features, I’m not sure he’d be into that.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I’d like to avoid any tech type stuff that will end up obsolete in a few years but a rangefinder might not be a bad way to go. Amflyer’s bino suggestion is at the top of the list presently.

[PigHunter]

I have some very good watches that are now never worn. The cellphone is updated via the network and doesn't clutter my wrist. Take a look at the younger generations, hardly any wear watches.

[FirstBubba]

Fitch270, this popped up on my phone. Don't know if it will help, but just maybe......

https://www.verywellfamily.com/the-b...-gifts-5179241

[FirstBubba]

I worked a job for 14 years that required I have a timepiece that was accurate to within mere seconds per day.
You had to have your watch inspected and adjusted, if necessary, every 6 months and carry a "watch card" with you.
Therefore, I wear a watch every day.
Right now, I am equipped with a simple Casio digital, "WalMart", $13.95 special. It's accurate enough to stay with my phone.

When I wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, out of habit, I check the time. Insane? Uhm...maybe, but there are worse habits to have. LOL!

[dewman]

Fitch: No I no longer wear a watch. My phone besides instant day /date/time notifies me if I have an appointment I need to get to, complete weather, has a great flashlight, allows the wife to know where I am at all times, I record all deer sightings on it so I know time of day and location, mark new honeyholes (squirrels). Coupled with an accurate clock in my truck I'm never late and am always time aware as every indoors destination has a clock also.
Unless he desires a smart watch to track his health/fitness perhaps?

[franchi20]

My wife did think maybe a good watch might be appropriate. When he was a small kid up through a few years ago he did almost always wear one, he went through a few cheap dial types. Something we did early on to teach him how to tell time. Now with phones in everyone’s pockets I’m not sure watches are a thing anymore. I only ever wore one when bow hunting mostly to help pattern deer. Any of y’all still wear one?

I wear a Timex Expedition digital chronograph that I've had for years. Just replaced the batry and band for the 3rd (4th?) time. No telling how long I'll be able to find new bands, this time it was NOS aftermarket from the interweb.

[fitch270]

My wife did think maybe a good watch might be appropriate. When he was a small kid up through a few years ago he did almost always wear one, he went through a few cheap dial types. Something we did early on to teach him how to tell time. Now with phones in everyone’s pockets I’m not sure watches are a thing anymore. I only ever wore one when bow hunting mostly to help pattern deer. Any of y’all still wear one?