I have the little Magellan GPS300, without any database.
With good reliability and accuracy, it tells me where I am, where I'm going, and how fast. It also (importantly) tells me whether I've lost lock. It'll store 20 waypoints and a 10 waypoint route.
And that's it. It cost £90, works well and got me all the way across Europe in an Islander on one set of Batteries (as a backup you understand). It's also small enough to stick in my top pocket or kneeboard.
Mind you, I wouldn't mind the more expensive one with the Jeppesen database.
G