Need help: Looking to buy: Northstar units?

[RIGGNTS]

Looked at Garmin 4208. OK its awesome but its $2K. Looked at Lowrance LCX27C which is a GPS and depth and its only $1K. I know im paying for usability of the Garmin but dang, $1,000 worth? Then I call my electronics guy and he recommends the Northstar M84 for some price in between. So has anyone got this unit or has anyone compared there maps to the others? Do they use there own maps like Garmin or do I need to keep repurchasing new "chips" for outside updates? HELP if you can. Want real time user feed back. Thanks in advance!!
Tommy

[1987-cobb]

Try a Lowrance LCX28HD. It has built in detail maps on a hard drive. I have the previous model (LCX26HD) and if has worked flawlessly for three seasons. The LCX27 is
the same unit without the hard drive. Both can use Navionics Platinum charts and are radar ready. Lowrance sonar is considered second only to Furuno.
Also has NMEA2000 and ethernet networking. The M84 is limited in this area. Just depends on what you want and how much you are willing to spend.

To be honest I have never seen a Northstar in action, but here is some info and a price on the m84
Northstar M84 System-M84 Northstar Mulit-Function Display (http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Northstar+M84+System.html)

[pgoodchild]

Just looking around... Here is a M84 in action. I love this unit..

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee71/pgoodchild/Dusky/IMG_0034.jpg