[chumbucket]

I have a Standard Horizon Intrepid+ VHF radio, Garmin 160 Blue FF and a Garmin 162 GPS with Bluechart cartography software loaded onto it. I'm really happy with all of the components and think they are all a good value for the money (about $750-$800 for everything). Go with the essential VHF at first. In a couple of months, I think you'll see the price on current technology GPS's dropping tomake way for newer digital and faster processers. You'd have nothing to loose by waiting a little bit to see what happens.
I know real estate comes at a premium on the cuddy cabin model consoles so the combo unit attracts many. I had no problem with the center console though and feel that if you can come up with a mounting solution, the separate units are a better way to go. If, for any reason, one or the other needed to be serviced, you wouldn't be without both for that period of time.