Here is the response I got from Garmin concerning the differences between the 35 and 18pc..
Dear Bill,
It's really a matter of cost of materials. The GPS 35 PC design, being an
older design, uses more expensive parts. The GPS 18 PC is in most respects
a better design for significantly less money. The only differences worth
noting (other than WAAS compatibility as you noted) are that the GPS 18 PC's
cigarette lighter plug contains a voltage regulator that steps down from 12
V automotive to 5 Vdc and that the GPS 18 PC's serial output voltage swing
is from 0 to 5 V, rather than the -6 to +6 V used by the GPS 35 PC. If you
remove the cigarette lighter plug from a GPS 18 PC, its voltage supply
requirements change to 5 Vdc, rather than 12 V automotive.
If you are just plugging into a cigarette lighter socket for power and
plugging the DB-9 serial connector to your laptop's com port, then the GPS
18 PC is a functional replacement for the GPS 35 PC and the price is roughly
cut in half.
Regards,
Brad Wiseman
Straight from the horse's mouth!
Bill.