Keith
I have been a Garmin devotee since my first 330 Streetpilot, due mostly to their totally intuitive nature. I finally decided to go for lifetime maps, so chose the newest model at the time (3490), about a year ago. It was also a little bigger screen and only about a 1/4" thick. Very sexy. However, it turned out not be the intuitive operations seen on my prior two. Disappointing, but not a deal breaker. Long story short, that unit went black screen on me as I was trying to navigate from Soho, NYC to mid Manhattan. I think all the tall buildings caused to to lock up. After a day or so of navigating with my Blackberry app, I gave up and bought a little older model Nuvi 40LM. This unit was readily available at Staples at $150, and has the lifetime maps, and the same intuitive nature as my older units. While reading the quick start instructions, I then ran into a fix for the prior locked up unit. Just held the on switch a little over ten seconds, and away it went. Great. At least I then had a backup. As much time as I spend in unfamiliar territory, I really like a backup, but had chosen to travel light this time.
Bottom line, is that you might want a little older generation anyway. All of the Garmins I have purchased (usually with hotel points), still work, but just don't have all the bells and whistles. I still have my original 330 streetpilot, but would recommend the Nuvi 40LM.
I hope this helps in some way. As to availability of the newest models, I have no clue.
Is this happening in the marine market too??
