PanE thanks for clarrifying those points above. Garmin doesn't exactly push this stuff to the front of the promotional literature, so it's only through experienced users the rest of us get to find out about these differences. Many thanks again.

It's logical that as time marches on each generation of hardware will be capable of more than the previous. And in some cases it won't be possible to upgrade the software of earlier units to do the flash stuff the new units do. It's a pity Garmin don't go down to this sort of detail in their comparison facility on the web site. Look ahead POI is a facility I would especially use when calculating where to refuel next.

Tell me, is there a 'use only unpaved roads' feature on the StreetPilot? Because that would be a deal maker for me.

On the memory front we might have to agree to disagree. As I'm normally UK based, I consider having the whole country at street level in the unit pretty damn fine. But when I hit the road for my summer 2 weeks away I think I use my receiver in a different way to you. If I was heading to the Alps I wouldn't upload the French motorway network into the unit, I'd rely on the basemap. But when I get to the Alps I want detailed mapping so I don't need to pack a printed map as well. This may be a matter of personal choice.

And you're dead right on the cost side, my mistake there. £650 for the 276C, £180 for City Select CD, £140 for a memory card. £970 versus £900 for the SP2610 which comes with a CD and memory card.

How do you find the touch screen on the newer StreetPilots? Is it okay to use with bike gloves on? The main issue with touch screens is a lack of tactile feedback to let you know that the button has been pressed. Does the touch screen try to convey this information graphically (ala 3D button 'movement' on Windows/OS X)?

Thanks again for your experiences and opinions.

Iain.