I do agree that it does take time to get used to the no touch key board, but now that I can turn the screen to landscape it is much easier for e-mails.
As far as the screen is conserned I have had mine since Oct. 08', I have put the Otter Box case around th iPhone for protection. It is Great. No problems, it does weigh alittle bit more but it is now Water rest. and much more shock proof.
I am using iNavx and Navionics from the APP store as back up navigation. Like both of them.