rustedhook,

I read a lot of guys talking about how great their hand helds are, and I have no doubt they are that great. But, I used to have a hand held unit, and I was always scared to death I was going to drop it over the side of the boat, or forget it laying on the front deck, and take off and have it go saling through the air.

If you get one, I'd reccomend one like the one mentioned that comes with the ram mount so You can afix it to your boat.

Now I have to admit, when I had my hand held unit, it was around 1996, and they were at least $600, so losing it was much more problematic.

If you get one that does contain maps, then I would recommend a color unit. That is really the only thing I'm disatified with my unit. But when I got it in '02, color was super expensive. Amazing how prices have come down.

Good luck, and I hope you find exactly what you want.

Danny