You can use a GPS to find an exact location. Or you can use a GPS to get close and then use your eyeballs. Last year Garmin discontinued the most frugal method of using a GPS for marine navigation. This was the "MapSource Points of Interest CD-ROM". The CD contains four databases of waypoints (not maps) that will load on just about any G product that can be hooked up to a computer. Some are still available on eBay and various discount/discontinued outlets. The features include: * Marine navaids worldwide, and includes lights, buoys, beacons, marinas, mile markers, wrecks, obstructions and hazards for the U.S. * U.S. interstate exit information, such as service stations, hotels, hospitals, restaurants and more. * Locations of services throughout the U.S. and Canada, including food and drink, lodging, entertainment, shopping, banks and much more. * Addresses, phone numbers and descriptions for business listings. http://www.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/poi.jsp These waypoints may be preloaded on some GPS models. In a car, when you are barreling down the interstate and want to know if the next exit has multiple gas stations and restaurants it can show that to you. Maybe the data will be out of date. I am more interested in knowing if I will have a choice of vendors or must deal with a sole proprietor. On the water it shows buoys and other marks. You can follow the buoys if you have a chart, or put a route together before you start. And you need a chart in case the GPS goes out. Your GPS may or may not have a background map that the waypoints can be displayed on. If there is a map, as I have on a larger gps/fish finder, this gives a fairly detailed view. My smaller handheld unit will display the waypoints only, but does not clutter the screen with too much information. I still have a sense of how far I am from buoys or exit ramps. One problem with a GPS, especially a handheld, is there is so much information you have to filter things out to spot what you want. I like both of my GPS units. However, in a way I wish my handheld were bigger, and in a way I wish my FF were smaller. Each has advantages and disadvantages. steve Steve R. M-15 #119 Lexington, KY