I just "pre-ordered" one of the new Garmin GPSMAP 545 units. Really impressive units especially when you upgrade with the new Bluechart G2 Vision.
FWIW here is a link to the new Garmin stuff -
Garmin 2007
Expected delivery is April 4th. (No ETA on the G2 Vision cards yet)
I went with this smaller stand-alone unit because I recently (last year) bought a new Furuno 1715 Radar (lost my old one in Katrina) and have a good Furuno color sounder.
For me the jury is still out on the all in one units. I guess if I were buying all new (new Radar, GPS, Plotter, and Sounder) I would probably go with a single display.
Here is how I justify keeping my $$$ and my standalone units-
- If the "all in one" unit goes out then you have nothing (unlikely but possible so always carry a handheld GPS as a backup)
- When you try to view the radar, plotter and sounder simultaneously the screen size for each (Even on a 12" display) is small. Granted on most newer units you can overlay the radar onto the chart which helps..
- AND Some people (me included) prefer GPSs made by Garmin and sounders and radars made by Furuno etc. etc.
Anyway hope some of this helps and will let you know when I get my new Garmin installed..