Ultimate GPS

Sure

I was trying to post the question. What do you think is the ultimate GPS receiver for the techno geek?

Are you looking for one that you can hack?

No ... absolutely not! I have a nuvi 350 and I've used some early handheld garmin aviation receivers. I've used Delorme etc., but I miss the tracking and other details that are available on some receivers etc. etc.

GPSr units are no different then any other product, the more $$$$ you put into it, the more extras you get (most of the time). Of course, after the novelity wears off, you probably wont use most of them.

Would love to see one that I could add my own custom maps, and could customize the interface.

Will be one like my friend has on his sailboat tied up to the auto-pilot, one that I can tell to take me somewhere while I read the newspaper and do the driving for me.

For people that really dont mind playing with them to get what you really need they are the best. They have more /real nav features not just user friendly..I learned with an Etex so my Street pilot really was easy, then the Nuvi ..But I miss the features in my Etrex...Such as routing...the North arrow...the Bread crumbs...etc..etc..

IMO, none of the GPSr units out there are perfect. Most of them have enough features to keep you busy for while but like the other poster said, "it wears off after some time."
I have a Zumo (motorcycle GPS) and it has a ton of features such as MP3, Bluetooth, etc., but as with any unit some people like even more stuff. Especially customizability (not sure if that is actually a word) is a big thing with people.
And that is where the manufacturers are making assumptions when they design a new GPS. They take out features that they had in older units to simplify the units. After they release the GPS to the market people complain that all of the sudden they can't do certain things anymore that they were used to on their older unit. So, as with anything else its all a compromise. Good luck finding your ultimate GPS.

I am a boater i would love a gps that was as good on water as it is on land a fish/depth finder lake maps as well as a great automotive and pedestrine mode. Maybe something like this is already out there? I am new to the gps world. Does the lakes and land version exist?

I would agree. The ability to plot my own route with multiple waypoints on a pc and upload it to my Nuvi 360 would be great.