I need to pick out a GPS for the boat I am having built. There is plenty of room on the dash so I would like to get one with a decent size screen. I am thinking 6 - 8 inches. Looks like 5" screens like the Garmin 545 are around $1K. 6" screen like the Garmin 3206 is $1.5K. And the one I like the best is the new Garmin 4208 at $2K but I can get it for around $1800 with my West Marine Port Supply card. It's so new supply is limited and I don't know if I can get one in time to get it installed before the boat comes my way.

Is it worth paying the extra several hundred bucks for 2 or 3 additional inches of screen?

I have a 5 inch and wouldn't gop any smaller, it has been big enough.....do you travel that much???? If you regularly explore vergin water then it may be worth the upgrade, otherwise I don't see the point in paying the extra bucks.

Besides, you can always cut the hole bigger later if needed.

Russ C.

I don't think I will be able to afford many long trips anytime soon.

Which model is recommended?

if you want to save some money west marine just started a sell on some Garmin chartplotters, I am picking up the gpsmap 492, it is preloaded with blue chart g2 software for all of U.S.A. even hawaii. price is cut to 499.99. its a 5" unit .

The 2007 garmin models are the same or less than those last year models at west marine marked down price. You get a couple extra features and the new models are nicer looking.

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Detail-Ga...artplotter.asp

Actually, here is a link to the one I am currently thinking about. Looks to be preloaded with Bluechart. What do you think?