I recently bought a new copy of DeLorme's road map program, which touts its ability to "couple with" your GPS unit. Not having a GPS unit I can't say whether the program would work well with one, but since I registered the program I've been getting frequent offers to sell me a GPS unit at a drastic discount off the list price.

The US map software was only about $40 (US) and they claim to be able to match it up with a "highly recommended" GPS unit for an additional $90 (US). (Although they want another $89 for the "optional update" to the program that they insist really should go with the new GPS.)

Unfortunately, I just deleted the last couple of "offers" so I can't quote brand names. That's probably immaterial, since the best ones in your part of the world might be different anyway.(?)

My understanding of the GPS thing is that to use it for navigation you need a map to back up the GPS. The GPS just tells you where you are but not where the manhole you're about to walk into might be. Most of the GPS makers have good maps, but some offer them only as a "subscription" service that can be a hidden cost, sometimes quite substantial.

Being more or less an innocent bystander, I can't offer anything authoritative, but my impression is that you need to look at a "whole package" and not just the price of the GPS "head."

John