been looking at the garmin range too. i got an old migellan explorer but it does not show topography so might take you the shortest route up or down a cliff. i was a bit worried about the touch screen as i have a bad track record with touch screens.but the blokes on here don't seem to have a problem tho, so maybe they are tougher than i thought, the topo systems start off at about $ 450 unless you can find a discontinued line on e bay . does anyone know if they show topo in waterways too? let us know how you go because im in the market for a new one myself ,been doing some map work with a compass too and its amazing how much i had forgotten it took a while to triangulate my position but the skills are coming back.my gps let me down once and it is damn scary how much faith we put in these gadgets . so i went out and got a good compass and been practicing .just in case,