gps, maps, chartplotter? confused

[Eug]

g'day all,

been looking and doing research at a range of difference devices from handhelds to laptops and quite frankly i'm a little confused.

what are the differences between a gps and a chartplotter? (my understanding is one just shows coordinates and the other has maps)

any suggestions as to where to start looking? been looking at furuno, garmin and navman and pretty much just swamped with features i'm not even sure i need.

i'd like to be able to navigate around moreton bay, jumpinpin, find out where the green zones are, in put marks, save marks, have the ability to update maps (is this important?), any other features that are vital?

cheers guys!

eug

[tugger]

if you want it to navigate then a chart plotter is the go but dearer on price to just a standard gps. they are both a gps but the standard 1 will hold fishing marks and way points for changes of direction like a new channel to follow. i've had a standard hand held for 5 yrs now and have had no problem finding my fishing spots in the dark