The Garmin GPSMAP 3005C is targeted towards the serious boater or fisherman who wants to have cutting-edge GPS and optional weather data at their finger tips. While it's hard for me to consider a $1000+ unit "affordable" I'm also not a serious boater, so what the hell do I know.

What I do dig is that this waterproof unit has two optional XM Satellite weather accessories to choose from. First you can get the XM WX Satellite weather receiver (GDL 30), so you can geek out with your fishing buddies showing off your NEXRAD goodness while kicking back a few tallboys. Or, you can be the real uber-angler with the GDL 30A Weather/Audio receiver that allows for both the XM WX Satellite weather goodies, plus XM Radio that you control via the user interface. Dope.

Specs:

Manufacturer: Garmin
Available Date: Now
MSRP: $1066.65
Size: 7.8?W x 4.7?H x 3.0?D
Weight: 1.8 lbs.
Screen Size: sunlight-readable, 5-inch Diagonal, 256-color, 640x480-pixel VGA display

Accessories Included:
? Basemap: Worldwide Marine
? GPS 17 WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel sensor with 30-foot cable
? Power/data cable
? Bail mounting bracket
? Unit cover

Accessories Sold Separately:
? GDL 30 Marine Weather Satellite Receiver ($642.84)
? GDL 30A Marine Weather + Audio Satellite Receiver ($857.13)
? GSD 20 SONARtransmitter remote sounder; dual-frequency, 500 watts RMS ($266.65)

Orbitcast was the first to show you the XMWX enabled Garmin GPSMAP 376c for your car or boat, but somewhere admist all the excitement we missed the Garmin GPSMAP 396C and 3005C. First, let's cover the 396c though.

This thing is a portable GPS navigation system for aircraft, boat and car featuring integrated XMWX Satellite Weather services and XM Satellite Radio audio capabilities. The water resistant WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS receiver uses a GXM 30 Smart Antenna for XM audio and data services to display real-time weather information overlayed on top of your map. Very cool, but not for those living paycheck to paycheck as this thing will run you $2,695 MSRP.

You can run this baby for 5 to 15 hours (depending on backlight settings) off it's rechargeabale lithium-ion battery, and she'll give you voice-prompted road guidance when you connect her using the power/speaker cable. The only bummer, which I truly truly hate, is the proprietary Garmin data cards that are used for transferring pre-programmed map information and other goodies. I understand it's an extra buck for Garmin, but those data cards suck.

Anyway, here's the specs you're lusting after:

Manufacturer: Garmin
Available Date: In stores now
MSRP: $2,695
Size: 5.7?W x 3.2?H x 1.9?D
Weight: 14.2 ounces with battery
Screen Size: 3.8?Diagonal, 480 pixels W x 320 pixels H
Accessories Included:
? GXM 30 smart antenna ? delivers XM WX and XM audio services
? Yoke mount
? Cigarette lighter adapter
? AC adapter cable
? USB-to-PC interface cable
? Low-profile remote GPS antenna
? Carrying case
? MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager CD-ROM