Touche'! I didn't count on a reply of this nature. However you are quite right. I'm not buying a GPS to take to Hawaii, it was just part of my own justification for doing so. I agree that a GPS is not necesary, at any time or situ in reality. It is however 'a nice to have'. Although I wonder how many pilots will be able to navigate VFR without one in 10-20 years time?
I'm still interested to hear from anyone with info about GPS maps and how to negate or reduce the map pack update cost.
Cheers