I never stay on boat over night or leave the local lakes here in TX but i wanted a decent, inexpensive chartplotter to find my way back at night or on unfamiliar lakes. Don't want to spend too much.

Was looking at the Garmin 421.

any ideas?

If you aren't going to use it very often, you should think about just putting the Navionics App on your Ipad or smart phone. $15 for phone App or $30 for Ipad App and it works great.

I have the navionics app for my iphone. It works surprisingly well, and I would agree, if it is only going to be used a few times a season, probably the best option.

Right on with the Navionics. Great app - low cost - downside: not always easy to see an iPhone in daylight - but on an unfamiliar lake at night - just the ticket.

I have the iphone app but am looking for something a little more easier to read while driving and more user friendly.

I am on my 2nd Garmin - a 445 and now a 546. Great resolution, easy to use, adjustable light level so it doesn't kill my night vision on dark nights. They also depth info, which is really important in SC Lowcountry. Depth sounder uses a through-hull sounder that is bonded to the inside of the boat's hull (no holes) and works well.

I have a 421s, love it. Wish I had the room for the bigger screen, because I would've bought a bigger screen.