On Wed, 12 May 2010 10:00:12 -0700, Eddie
wrote:

Ok, so I call Garmin and here is what I need for the Nuvi 500 in order
to use it while boating the Delta, it's the:
US021R - California-Mexico - $160.70
So, $200 for the unit and $160 for the card = $360. Now I'm wondering
if it's worth it. A unit made specifically for marine application
will run over $600. But it does have a larger screen.
Any thoughts on this? Good, bad?

Personally I would recommend a different unit. I have something
called the Garmin Colorado 400C which comes with all of the coastal
marine charts, as well as highway maps, already loaded. You can buy
it through amazon.com for $350. Be aware that there are a couple of
negative reviews on Amazon which are inaccurate. One states that
battery life and visibility are poor. The answer is to use long life
lithium AA batteries. Mine have been in use for a year and still
going strong. Visibility is fine if you turn up the brightness
control. Another review states that there is no external power cable
available. That is incorrect and I have one. It can also be used as
a data cable for laptop navigation software. The 400C is a small,
handheld, waterproof unit that can be used anywhere. The preloaded
charts are very accurate.