I am using the Lowwrance Baja 540C. This unit works very well in the mountainous areas as you can purchase region specific maps that are very detailed for that region. Lowrance has the U.S. divided into 5 or 6 regions, my map covers six states in the western and northwest region. You are able to map the trails you drive and pull them up at a later time to re-run the same trail. This also allows you to trace a route back in unfamiliar territory to prevent getting lost (good for large open ares like a desert).
The amount of cool stuff this thing can do is mind numbing but have found that I mostly only use the basic options, it seems like I have to re-learn this thing every winter due to all its fuctions. The best part is the large screen, detail, external antenna pod, onscreen overlay read-outs (elevation,direction,long/lat,speed,date/time etc) and the ability to customize screen and preferences to your personal liking.
The bad is the price of the unit as well as the regional map as a seperate purchase (although it is extremely detailed) and the fact that these style GPS unit (called chart plotters) do not have the ability to use turn by turn navigation, although you can pick a spot in the middle of a remote mountain top or a GPS cordinate and it will continuously point you in the right direction to get you there.
There is no monthly fee. This unit has recently been replaced with the Lowrance HDS 5 Baja and is probably around $750 if I had to guess and the map another $100 or so.
I have had mine for about three years and have not yet seen another one up on the trails. If you can get past the price this is one really cool GPS unit and will probably be the last one you ever have to buy.
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