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I have a boat and I like to travel. I was interested in the garmin 650 at $199.00 but with my limited research it seems this would be useless on the water. I don't need depth charts etc, just to find my way back to the dock after a few. Any suggestions that would fit the bill for someone that would like a semi-portable gps for the open road as well as use on the water without breaking the bank?

Thanks in advance

Even the most basic GPS, the Garmin eTrex H, has trackback feature. You can enter waypoints along the way and then reverse your track log to get home. It doesn't use maps, just points you in the right direction. It's waterproof also.

When you say Garmin 650, I assume you are referring to the Garmin Nuvi 650 model. That is a car model for roads.

If what you are looking for is to set + locate waypoints, obtain the current latlon, navigate the waters, record a track, and set your course for a waypoint, etc., then there are lots of GPS that will do that for you, many for under $100, like the Garmin eTrex. In fact, I just found a used Garmin-45 unit for less than $5 on eBay. Many sailors sailed across the ocean using a old Garmin-45, made in the 90's.

GPSMAP® 640 (link) Product Available: 1st Quarter, 2009

I appreciate the info...All of you. I am going to get the nuvi 650. Seems like a decent entry level for us as we travel all over the US-Canada-Alaska. Can't believe we haven't had one by now. Been relying on the laptop and streets and trips without the gps attachment. This should be quite the eye opener for us.

Maybe I'll be ready for that GPSMAP 640 in a year. Looks like it does exactly what I will eventually need..