what ( marine) gps in the $1,000. range is the most user friendly?

I believe I'd go with Navman 5500 or 5500i. A good screen (color) and easy to use. (About $400USD at binnacle.com)

You might consider Raymarine, but the price is a bit outside your $1,000USD budget.

Most GPS systems really aren't marine oriented and color GPS are quite difficult to read in sunlight.

Good Luck

Depending on what you're going to be doing, you can get smaller units for an inexpensive price.

I had a 23' center console I used to go 40 miles offshore in Florida here, I had a Furuno, basic model that only was a few hundred dollars at the time (7 or 8 yrs ago.)

I'm sure they've come down in price since then.

You could go with some of the map GPS, those will have all kinds of info on them, marina's in certain states and cities and even show you particular slips in the marina.

I'm sure those will be much more in price, but you should be able to get plenty for under 1000.

Try looking at some of the marine websites such as West Marine, Offshore Angler/Bass Pro shops.

Then if you want more info on a particular model, go to the makers website and look into it deeper.

Good luck and happy boating.

Try semsons.com and ask if their built-in solar charger model comes the way you like it.