Michael, I have used a Lowrance Chartplotter for the last couple of years and visit the 1000 Islands often, I have found it to work very well with plenty of detail. My unit also uses micro cards from Navionics so I always have all the maps of the Great Lakes and surounding waterways at my finger tips. The thing that I have found most useful is the size of the screen so as you said it is readable at 50-60 mph in full sun and pounding waves, I hope this helps.

Actually, that is a big help, I was first steered to the Garmin GPSmaps unit, but, after doing a little shopping, I am starting to really like the Lowrance stuff [not there is ANYTHING wrong with the Garmin stuff, in my opinion anyway]

I think I will get a Lowrance wide screen unit, I have an Older Garmin 210 now, and it works fine, but, its black and white and I cant find a chart for my boating area [1000 Islands] because they no longer make them.

"Northern Outlaw" where in 1000 Islands do you usually boat, and when?, I have a small cottage on Wolfe Island [South Shore] and have a 24ft Outlaw, although its quite a bit older than yours, if you are gonna be up in the Islands let me know, THANKS!