[Dave Hirshberg]

I agree that separate units is the optimal way to go, but on your budget you'll get better quality and more features in a combo that cost less than separate units of the same quality. Lowrance has really steppped it up in marine electronics lately and has a new LMS 335C dual frequency Color fishfinder/chartplotter/chart recorder with color high resolution 5" diagonal screen for $699. I've used the garmin stuff as well and like it but you'll spend $880 for their combo and won't have chart-recording capability. They have also introduced a small all in one color unit called an M68 S/Map with Daylight readable color screen that I've played with at shows for $349.00. You can't add to the base map but its a great size for a small boat and the antenna is internal. If you want I'll give you the number of a supplier that sends me a mailer on all of the lorance stuff. he's usually at leasst $50 cheaper than the retail stores on the same units.