Garmin 250W for Marine use ???

Okay, I'm getting myself all wrapped around the axel here.

Visited the Garmin site. Trying to figure out what I can REALLY do
with the Garmin 250W and the associated USB cable and available SD
card slot.

Found the GARMIN MapSource BlueChart Americas 2008 CD-ROM. It
suggests that this will load U.S. navigation chart data into my 250W.

Does anyone have any experience with using this unit for Marine
Use ??? How "Useable" is it ??? Compared to units designed for
marine use ???

Thanks.

Per Wayne R.:

My experience with two Garmin GPS's that were even touted as
"waterproof" was that neither one was.

What's more, when I called Garmin support about the second one
they said "Water damage? We don't cover it." That was in
direct conflict with their claim about the product.
--
PeteCresswell

Need to be more specific. Not all Garmin are waterproof. IIRC my GPSIII is
Mil-Spec waterproof. No problems with the unit on a MC handlebar for over a
decade. Haven't looked at all Garmins but the Zumo is waterproof and fuel
resistant. Seems like the last time I looked, the least expensive waterproof
unit I could find was ~$400. I notice, now, the warranty is only a year.
Hope they are still making the waterproof units as well as the GPSIII was.

Okay, I talked to the Garmin rep at a recent Boat Show in my area. He
stated unequivocally that the Nuvi series was NOT waterproof,
especially in the salt water environment in which I live, and that it
was NOT designed for marine navigation.

Thanks all for you input on this forum.

BocaBill wrote:

If you get together with somewhat like that again, ask them why the
"marine" units are getting less capable all the time. Maybe there is an
explanation I've not thought of or haven't heard yet.

Ask him why, if I wanted to upgrade from a marine unit like a (name
almost any model on the discontinued products page), I would have to
give up a lot of marine navigation related capabilities and features to
do it?

Jack