Re: GPS + Chartplotter + fish-finder uint?
Baylake - I had a Garmin 185s Chartplotter with Sounder (combo unit) from 2000 - 2010. It was a good unit and I used in in Galveston West Bay and offshore with great results. This January I upgraded to a Garmin 546S Chartplotter/Sounder unit and it's awesome. Bigger, much faster, color, charts, sounder/fishfinder, tide tables, and everything except birth control (which we don't need any more anyway). I have a small boat (17') so I can't load it down with a bunch of different electronics. I also have an ICOM 422 fixed VHF and the two units communicate with each other for auto plotting of distress calls.
We apparently boat in similar waters so I can tell you that the charts of West Bay which came pre-loaded into the unit are excellent. Of course, the cut through San Luis Pass changes constantly so you have to stay on top of things when you go through there. However, I really really like this unit. They don't give these things away, but for me it was well worth the money and I'm extremenly satisfied with the unit. Hope this helps. -Woodnaut