You probably want a GPS that has the ability to use maps. Not all have that. And, some, but not all, Garmins can use opensource maps (free maps you can download), and you can get some pretty good maps too, these can save you a lot of $$.

It's tough though, there are so many makers and models, so many price ranges, and so many different features.

After going through the options and weighing them all, last year I purchased a factory refurbished Garmin Oregon 200 that had a one year factory warranty. I paid around $200 for it on eBay, it was a "Buy Now" purchase.

I like it a lot. It doesn't have some of the features other models do, but it has a color touch screen, accepts the opensource maps, is easy to use, and the price was what I could afford to spend.

I think it's a good base model to compare against others you might be considering, and for me, it offered the minimum of what I wanted and has a few extras that are nice to have.