Lester Evans wrote:
I started to look for a GPS, took a look in West Marine. I am baffled. So
many models.

For a coastal guy, along the coast of New England, what GPS is good. Is
there a last year model that maybe I can find on ebay.

And what is up with the software.

GPS ,,, ?????????????????

this is for a small sailboat.

These comments refer to handhelds, if you're thinking of a larger
fixed-mount type one, they won't apply.
For years I have used and recommended the eTrex Legend as a good
compromise between features (mainly mapping) and affordability. But
just recently I moved up to and am very happy so far, with the
waterproof lowRance iFinder H20 Color, which is not too much more to
purchase (about 200 on the street vs. around 140) and features a bigger
beautiful COLOR mapping screen which makes a big difference; I also
like this unit's compatibility with inexpensive, plug-and-play memory
chips for greater detailed maps without having to connect to a computer
or mess with any connections or software; the Garmins (more popular for
now but I think these new Lowrance's might give them a run for their
money!.. if you want to expand the Garmins' basemaps you have to buy
more expensive cd-roms and are limited by the amount of memory in the
unit (I was able to squeeze most of the east coast onto my Legend's 8mb
using their MapSource cd-roms; their BlueChart cd's are fancier but
much more expensive and only compatible with the higher-end units) but
now have detailed charts of the whole US on my Lowrance just by popping
in the chip which I bought for about 60 bucks). TO get color screens
on the Garmins you have to move up to either a GMPMap76C or Etrex
Legend C, both of which are well upwards of $300 and don't have plug-in
memory cards.

richforman