Finally picked a GPS. Thanks to generous Best Buy gift cards from my folks, I was able to pick up the Garmin c330 GPS today. I like the interface and some of the features, but the route it calculated for me to take home from Best Buy went through several city streets and not the freeway, so I'm not sure I saved any time or distance with the GPS proposed route. Time will tell if the unit meets my high satisfaction demands.
I also looked at the TomTom One and Lowrance 350c, and several others in the $300-$500 price range. Some had some of the features I wanted but there wasn't one clear winner. I finally decided on the Garmin because of free updated POI (Points of Interest), clean interface, and cheaper price. Seeing how I had Best Buy GC I was limited in my choices though since Best Buy doesn't carry Lowrance GPS units.
As a result of this purpose, I have forgone my Xmas 2006 list and won't be getting anything from it. Ah well. Driving around New England SUCKS and a GPS should really help. I hope.