[Paddlewise] VHF or GPS?

So my dad has offered to buy me a GPS or a VHF for christmas. (Thanks
dad!)  I think it helps that he is a large boat sailor, and he may feel
sympathy for my poor graduate student plight. Problem is, I need to choose
only one. Does anyone have any advice along these lines?  I noticed that
the local marine store has about twenty different models of VHFs and GPSs,
and am quite interested to hear anecdotes or advice regarding specific
brands and specific units. It should cost in the neighborhood of $250, but
I don't want to sacrifice high quality of equipment to save a few $$$.
Also, it should be small enough to keep handy on or near my person as I am
paddling. 

Rules for avoiding a holy war:
 1. Assume that I will not use the GPS as a substitute for proper
knowledge of navigation and the ocean environment, or proper non-battery
powered navigation tools. It will be for tracking absolute speed, testing
actual navigation ability, and for the "gee-wiz" effect. I am a quite the
nerd, so the latter is actually rather important. :)
 2. I do not consider a VHF essential safety equipment. It is nice and
useful in the same way that a GPS is nice and useful to supplement a chart
and compass. Weather radio (or barometer), flares and signal mirror are
more essential.

Happy holidays, and good luck avoiding the muzak,
Kevin

	 ___________________                                                            
	/   Kevin Whilden   \
       |Dept. of Geosciences \___
       |University of Washington \
       |kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu| 
        \________________________/                       

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