Electronics Gift Ideas for Those on a Budget

Digital cameras are prized possessions. Both old and young alike love snapping and sharing photos. Some are very casual users but others of course are more dedicated to the art.

Whether for a casual user or a more enthusiastic amateur, we have electronc gift ideas that should help you out.

First we have a handful of tips for finding cameras within you budget

Then we have ideas for related items to consider.

The first thing to realize if you're shopping for a digital camera on a budget is that you don't want to pay for features that won't be used or fully appreciated. Chief among these features are megapixels. Generally speaking the more megapixels a camera has, the more expensive it is. For a casual user who will only share pictures online or produce 4x6 and 5x7 prints; 3 megapixels would be quite sufficient, and 5 would allow for some pretty nice looking enlargements.

Once you realize you don't need to pay for megapixels that won't be appreciated, there are a few other tips to consider when buying a basic digital camera.

Shop online for the best deals.

Stick with reputable brands for reliability. If the camera fails before it's time, it's not a bargain.

Determine your budget and stick to it. Here is a page about Digital Cameras Under $100 and Digital Cameras Under $200 to help you out in identifying some specific cameras to consider.

If you're planning a cell phone purchase and the camera is for casual purposes only, you might consider buying a camera phone and sticking to just one device instead of two. This page offers suggestions on some of the best camera phones. Of course, if your primary need is an MP3 player, but you want to take video, the newest iPod Nano is the perfect choice.

If your loved one is more of a hobbyist who wants more manual controls or extra features for special shooting situations there are other electronic gift ideas that can help you stay within your budget.

We still recommend shopping online for the best deals.

If you're looking for a more expensive camera you can consider buying factory refurbished models if money is really tight. These can sometimes be found on e-bay or at online stores such as TigerDirect.com Even new models can often be found for less on such sites; we've listed a few higher end models below.

If you're wanting a camcorder, the most affordable and portable models are pocket camcorders.

If your loved one already owns a camera there are many budget electronic gift ideas that they might potentially love.

Memory Cards:
Digital images are stored on memory cards. These are inexpensive items and make inexpensive but very useful gifts. They cost in the neighborhood of $10 to $25 on average depending on the amount of storage they offer. A memory card of 2 to 4 GB is good for most users. One of the more recent offerings is an Eye-Fi memory card which allows the user to wirelessly transfer photos from their camera to computer. Of course, they also come with a significantly higher price tag. Be sure the type/size of memory card is compatible with the camera.

Cleaning Tools:
The camera lens is somewhat delicate, often expensive, and is a key component in image quality. Keeping it clean is important. The right tools for the job are critical. Soft bristle brushes, blowers, and lens pens are handy, portable, and effective. Better yet, they are priced around $10.

Memory Card Readers:
Memory card readers are great for making the process of transferring photos to the computer easy. These devices can vary in price from as low as $15 to over $100.

Camera Bags and Cases:
Cases and bags can protect a camera and make it more portable. Some small cases are more of a fashion statement but for more rugged users, camera bags are a necessity to tote their camera and related equipment. Bags can range in price from $10 to over $100 depending upon material and size.

Camera Tripod:
A tripod assures a steady, in focus picture and is indispensible for those who are serious about their photos. Some are as small as a bottle cap but nearly all of them will collapse into a portable size and are lightweight. They range in price from about $40 for an aluminum tripod to around $500 for carbon fiber professional grade tripods. (bottle cap tripods are less!)

Backup and Storage of Photos:
Storing photos on a computer hard drive is ok, but computers crash occasionally. Storing images online is ok too, but many people like to keep their own on either disks or, if they have a lot, on an external hard drive dedicated to their photos. Disks are inexpensive; you can buy a package of 50 for about $20. External hard drives vary in price based on things such as the amount of storage they offer. They can be priced as low as $50 on up to $150 and more.

Printer:
Printers are of course handy for anyone who wants to print their photos at home. If you're looking for a budget gift idea along these lines Polaroid now offers the ProGo Mobile Printer. It's good for taking along just about anywhere to print 2x3 inch prints from a digital camera or camera phone and costs around $100 online.

Power:
Some digital cameras come with rechargeable batteries, others are powered with AA batteries. Replacing the AA batteries is simple but it gets costly over time as digital cameras use a lot of battery power. There are now rechargeable AA batteries and chargers. The batteries themselves run around $7 to $12 and a charger with batteries under $30 making them a very affordable electronic gift.

Television technology has really come a long way in recent years, with super slim displays, TVs with internet connections, and the transition to digital and high definition programming.

However, if you're looking for budget electronic gift ideas there are a few tips that can help you find a more affordable television and other related products and services that might please your pocketbook while providing great entertainment.

Here are a few things to consider if you're trying to save a bit when choosing a television:

Carefully consider which technology you can afford.
For instance, a traditional CRT tube TV is much more affordable than other technologies. These sets are a bit slimmer than they used to be, offer flat screens, and have a more modern look. Choosing one can save a lot of cash. If you truly need to purchase a slimmer flat screen technology, a plasma TV will generally cost less than a similarly sized LCD. Plasma consumes more energy however, and has a higher long term cost for the user. Plasmas look best in dim lighting, so if you decide it's what's needed, then opt for a smaller screen.

Carefully consider what size TV you want.
Just as we mentioned above in relation to finding an affordable plasma TV, size matters when you're looking at cost. For instance, if you buy a 42" versus a 46" LCD TV you may save $300 or more.

Shop Smart
Shopping online can save, as long as you get free shipping. However, shopping in stores can sometimes net a good deal too if you're willing to buy a floor model or discontinued item.

Name Brands
Again we generally recommend staying with well regarded name brands as early failure is not a bargain at any cost. Checking Consumer Reports can give you expert opinions and JDpower.com reports on customer satisfaction. Clearly you don't want to pay just for a name, but you do want quality that lasts.

Consider Resolution
Yes, 1080p HDTV is all the talk but for many of us average consumers 720p doesn't look different to us, and as you might suspect, it costs less. You'll have to take a look for yourself to decide if it matters to you.

HDMI Cables
If you're buying an HDTV, you'll need HDMI cables probably. Don't get suckered into buying the really high priced ones, the less expensive versions will do just fine.

Perhaps your loved one already has a great television, there are still some affordable electronic gift ideas and related entertainment products and services that would be welcomed. Here are a few:

A Universal Remote
If your loved one is a gadget lover they probably don't stop at a TV. No they have the DVR, DVD player, and a plethora of devices they enjoy. A universal remote is a must in these cases. A learning remote is even better as it saves them from programming it, but these are also more costly. (Logitech Universal Remote Controls are among the best, they start around $50 online and move upwards.)

Remote Control Caddy.
Although they are just a companion item, a caddy can also be convenient and start around only $10. Some are made of wood or leather and can be quite nice.

Options for Movie Lovers
If you have a movie lover, a portable DVD player can be nice. They offer entertainment on the go for car and airplane trips or anytime they're away from home. They run from $70-$200 online. Of course, if they don't already have it you can help them Rent movies from Netflix!. You can start them with a few months subscription and let them decide for themselves if they like it. The cost would depend on the plan you chose, but could run from $15 to over $60 for three months. If they already have Netflix, then a Roku Video Player will set them free from their computer when streaming movies and allow them to view them on their television. This is an investment of $99.

For TV Fans on the Go:
If your loved one is out and about a lot, they might enjoy the Sling Media Slingbox SOLO which can allow them to enjoy their HDTV on their laptop or mobile phone whereever they are; really, anywhere! It will cost you a bit however. You can find it on sale for $135 online.

Enjoying Internet Video on TV:
If you have more cash, you could opt for the SlingCatcher which allows the user to enjoy internet video directly on their television. This item can be found on sale for $215 online. Of course there are a number of Blu Ray players that allow you to play Netflix, Cinemanow, and other movies from the internet directly on your TV. Even Xbox 360 and other devices can do this as well.

From here the prices go up. Blu Ray players are the way to go for high definition DVD's. DVR's are the hottest thing for those who want more control over their programming. TIVO and related devices (DVR's) allow you to record, fast forward and rewind TV. If your budget can handle $150-$300, these are good electronic gift ideas.

Mo list of electronic gift ideas would be complete without talking about MP3 players. MP3 players offer high quality listening in a very portable and personal format. We have a few tips on things to consider when shopping which could save you big if you're able to forgo the top of the line features and newest releases.

We'll also suggest a handful of accessory items that can enhance the MP3 experience.

Here are some things to consider when shopping on a budget:

Storage:
Determine how much storage is really needed as cost goes up significantly with the amount of storage.

Brands:
iPod and Zune are the biggest names, but SanDisk Sansa, Sony, and others have very respectable products too. SanDisk Sansa's can be found for $30-$70 online.

Video:
If you're able to forgo video you'll save a lot. For instance the iPod Shuffle 2GB (no video) is often found at nearly half the price as the 4GB iPod Nano (with video).

Music Phones:
If you're planning to purchase a new cell phone, you could consider buying one of the entertainment oriented phones that have a built in MP3 player. Most offer both music and video functions and could potentially save you the cost of buying two separate devices. Of course listening and comparing the quality is important, but this page on the best music phones should give you a starting point.

For someone who already has an MP3 player, there are a number of related electronic gift ideas that may suit them perfectly.

A Gift Card:
Gift cards can be a pretty boring gift but this is the type of situation where they really work. If your music lover pays to download tunes online, a gift card from iTunes for instance, can be the perfect gift.

Headphones:
The headphones or earbuds that come with an MP3 player are often less than optimal. Purchasing a pair with better sound can be a great gift. At the low end there's V-Moda's Bass Frequency earphones for around $20. In the $30-$50 range, there's Sony's MDR-G74SL and MDR-Q55SL. Moving up a bit higher in price are Jabra's BT8030 speaker/headset for around $65.

Basic Accessory Items:
There are of course, basic accessories that are companion items like cases/skins and armbands/wristbands which protect or help carry these devices. Most of these items cost under $20.

Docking Stations and Speaker Systems:
Keeping an MP3 player charged is important and being able to listening to them at home without earphones is great. There are all kinds of docking stations (for under $20)many of which include boomboxes, speakers, clock radios, karoke systems and more for $50-$80. The Bluelounge is an extreme option for keeping things charged. It charges several gadgets at once; cell phones, MP3 players, Bluetooth devices and more. It's priced higher however and can be found for $109 online.

Enjoying Video:
For those with an MP3 player with video there are additional items to enhance the experience. For instance the One Touch Irecord allows users to record TV shows and movies directly to their MP3 player to enjoy later. This item is more costly though at about $185 online.

Cell phones are popular with young people, with professionals, with kids... well, with just about everyone. Some of the most popular phones are pretty pricey but it's the cost of the monthly plans long term contracts that really make them expensive.

We have a handful of electronics gift ideas to help you find a more cost conscious cell phone as well as ideas for related items your cell phone user will love.

Here are a few tips:

The largest expense with a cell phone is the cost of the monthly calling plan. If the user is able to live with limits on their calling, a prepaid phone is generally a more cost effective option despite a higher per minute rate. They come with no contract. (You can learn more about them at the link below.)

If your cell phone user needs more calling time then a plan does often offer a free or deeply discounted phone. Shopping online can be convenient and cost effective. TMI Wireless is one such site that can offer plans with free phones.

If you're looking for the most popular phones, touchscreens are it. The Blackberry Storm and Samsung Intinct are recent releases and of course the iPhone 3G is what most phones seek to emulate.

If you're shopping for a child's first phone you need to consider security. You can learn more about this at the link below.

If you're shopping for an older person you may want a plan that offers lower cost for fewer minutes or perhaps a phone with fewer functions or perhaps one that is easier to see, hear, and operate. Learn more about these options below as well.

This is easy! Here a few ideas:

Faceplates, Skins, and Cases:
Most of these will cost under $10 online. They come in every hue you can imagine, plain, patterned, transparent, opaque, rubberized, bejeweled, and so forth. Wireless Emporium offers a wide selection.

Gift Cards:
This is another place where gift cards can come in very handy. If the receipient has a pay-as-you-go or prepaid phone, you can buy them a supply of minutes to use. Nice!

A Camera Phone Accessory:
The Polaroid ProGo Printer is highly portable and is made to work with cell phones. It prints 2x3 inch prints directly from a camera phone. It costs around $100. (You can learn more above in our links to Digital Camera accessories.)

Headphones and Headsets
If your cell phone user loves their music, then better headphones are the thing to make their day. Jabra BT8030 are an example. Of course using a phone in a noisy environment is tough too, so there are noise canceling headsets to provide easier communication. TheBoom and Aliph's Jawbone2 are great for such instances. (TheBoom runs around $149 and the Jawbone2 around $90 online)

Here are a few more electronic gift ideas:

Searching for WiFi hotspots in unfamiliar territory can eat up time and cause frustration. You can save your road warrior from this scourge by purchasing them a WiFi detector. The ZyXel is priced at about $64 online.

Keeping devices powered up when you're mobile can be hard. The PowerMonkey travel chargers are powerful and work with a variety of devices such as cell phones and iPods. They're a handy gift that starts around $60.

In-car GPS devices are popular for a reason. They are extremely handy and provide security as well. Garmin is a top name and their 350 can be found around $150 online.

A jump drive is affordable, under $20, and they're so handy if your loved one ever uses files/data from their computer in other machines. Just take it along, plug it in and go.

With the explosion of internet video in recent years, camcorders are popular items even with youngsters. The Flip series of devices are good quality and among the most affordable. Models start just over $100 online.

For anyone who is online a lot, managing all of their passwords is difficult. The Mandylion Password Manager offers an affordable solution to tracking and keeping secure passwords up-to-date.

Digital photo frames are a great way to display photos. There is a wide range of frames on the market and some are obviously much better than others but cost is often a concern as well. One of the best bargains we've seen is an 8" Opteka frame which comes in right at $100 online.

Photo Credits
Introduction: maaco.
Let's Talk Budget Gift Ideas for Camera Lovers: andrewarchy.
Digital Cameras for the Casual User: Inuyasha Izayoi.
Digital Cameras for Enthusiastic Amateurs: hyku.
Digital Camera Budget Friendly Accessories: Declan TM.
Electronic Gift Ideas-Televisions: mbtrama.
Finding a Budget Friendly TV: JSF539.
More Budget Gift Ideas for Television Fans: William Hook.
Electronic Gift Ideas- MP3 Players: riot jane.
Selecting an MP3 Player: Andrew*.
Related MP3 Player Products: Frank B. Daugaard.
Electronic Gift Ideas-Cell Phones: liewcf.
Affordable Cell Phone Accessories: AAFES PA.
More Electronic Gift Ideas: Saquan Stimpson/monstershaq2000.