GPS Chartplotter
 

I know, I know, another GPS thread. I go online for review, however, no less than 2,000 units to sift through. This is what I want:

1. Color screen
2. fits in 7" x 10" space
3. Option for multimedia control
4. as flat or low profile as I can get
5. Want gps speed and depth finder / thru hull transducer
6. Able to load maps, mainly Great Lakes,and South Florida offshore
6. Comparable head units, this may just be a standard interface, but I am not sure....

Questions:
1. Touch screen or hard buttons, any opinions?
2. Use for multimedia or have separate control for stereo?
3. Anyone have a good resource that could answer questions, or point me towards a site?

Not trying to stay within a budget, my ceiling would probably be $1500 for a unit that does it all.

I've heard good things about the Garmin 740s - are there comparable units that are more capable? Lowrance, Raymarine, Furuno, Simrad???

Help please?

Sorry, mods, can you move to Electronics?