Thanks for taking the time guys
I kind of suspected that there would be no "free lunch" here, but we live in hope.
Since I'm essentially a chart & wristwatch VFR navigator, the GPS idea is a backup (no, really!) and there wouldn't be a good return on investing in a serious bit of pilot-specific kit. Why - we might be talking the price of 24 hours flying here at our marginal wet rate of £25/h.
My pre-millenium magellan non-map does basic routes if I can be a**ed to programme it beforehand, but at least it gives me a distance, bearing and groundspeed.
The PDA method (even if display quality was acceptable) is a non starter as I already have one for work (with all it's useful connectivity removed for security reasons) and I'm blowed if i'm buying another one just to fly with.
Thanks anyway - I'll just have to wait until market forces assert themselves.
Good thing I'm a "late majority adopter" in the old jargon of consumer segmentation.
regards
HnH