Garmin GPS Help

[imhammer]

I am looking at buying a Garmin GPSmap 172c to put on the rig. I know very little about them and was looking for some assistance. I can get it for $250.00 new. I have never owned or used a GPS.

Do I need to buy the bluechart map right away or is the map on the unit sufficient for use for a while before spending the extra money for the card?

What all is on the factory installed map? I checked online but couldn't find any details.

Should I be looking at a different unit/units? Does anyone have any experiernce with this one?

[WestEndAngler]

Factory installed shows really nothing Chip... You'll need to either borrow someones BlueChart or buy a copy of your own... I just bought a Garmin GPS MAP 76CSx and I bought the micro SD card. It shows all local hotspots etc... The micro SD is just another form of BlueChart mine will cover from Brownsville to somewhere in Florida...

[imhammer]

Thanks for the info......I may look at buying a current model since the 172c is discontinued. I would like to have one that will take a card that is not proprietary. so that I can use the cards that I have and load them from the PC. It sounds like a better way to go.