[Paddlewise] GPS & Mapping Software

I have made a tenative decision to buy a Magellan 315 GPS and Chartview 
Planner mapping software.  They will be used strictly for kayaking (at least 
for now I do not know how else I might use them).  The decision was based 
mainly on the fact that a friend has used this combination for several 
multi-week/multi-location trips and has had very good results.

I picked the Magellan 315 over the Garmin E-trex due to its ability to store 
multiple routes.  On trips I generally paddle at 4 or 5 different locations 
so having multiple routes stored before I leave home seemed like something I 
would need.  I did not like the layout of the Garmin GPS 12 as well as that 
of the Magellan.  However, I have not had a chance to spend as much time with 
the Garmin as I have with my friends Magelan 315 so I might be missing some 
of the Garmin's extra features.

I have no experience with mapping software so I selected Chartview Planner 
based on my friends recommendation.  As I understand it, for $100 it comes 
with north american maps (maybe not all of Canada and Mexico) that are 
suitable for generating waypoints for most all coastal trips. I think he has 
planned and downloaded routes in the Great Lakes, Georgia/Carolina coast, 
Florida/Everglades and Texas with the basic package. Additional Nautical 
Chart quality electronic maps are available as CD-Roms for particular areas.  
I just want to do general planning at home before I leave and download 
waypoints to the GPS.  I will take paper charts with me on the trips.

Am I missing anything I might want to consider before making this purchase.
I have tried to get information at a couple of GPS websites, but I just kind 
of get overwhelmed with all the information they have.

Thanks for your help.

Mark J. Arnold
MJAkayaker_at_aol.com

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