Woodstripper:
I do have a Garmin Map76 and have used it for close to eight(?) years.  It has been a very reliable unit for me with pretty decent battery life.  Fortunately, I have not had to test its ability to float yet, but keep it securely packed in a Pelican case when not in use.

Kind of like azalea, I have been thinking I need to replace it with a 'fancier' color unit maybe with a touch screen, but when I look at what the newer units actually do, I can't justify the cost to 'upgrade'.  Not as long as the Map76 does what I need it to do; get me from point A to point B.  I am also kind of like most others in that I still like to have that map out in front of me.  The GPS just affords me the straightest line and affirms my direction and on long days of paddling, it really helps.

My $0.02