"Equipment that distracts him from looking where he's going?"
I dont know how much in "fun" your comments were
but I just dont buy that part of your comment - and it is a comment often made.
In my view there is no means of navigation that keeps your head out of the cockpit more than a moving map, if it is used correctly.
Visual navigation means you spend sometime looking at the ground, map and other instruments and inevitably detracts from a good scan.
The same is far less true of "IFR" navigation which in terms of eyes outside the cockpit is probably as good as using a GPS in VMC conditions.
With a good moving map only the occasional glance is required followed by a brief review that the picture outside corresponds with the picture on the map.
With respect I often feel that those who make this remark have not been taught or do not regularly use a moving map GPS.