All good information, thank you everybody so far for such quick and informative responses.
My aviation steed (haha)at this time is a Luton Minor, with even less space than a Chippie cockpit so I'm afraid I'll have to discount the laptop card idea. One of the guys at work got one of those by the way, but down here in Telford we couldnt get it to lock onto anything.
Julian, I agree with your comments but flight bag & Luton don't go well together! Absolutely no space for anything except under/behind the seat (tools & sandwiches).
Shaggy Sheep, your points are very valid re: use as a backup aid only in VFR. My feeling is that a GPS in the Luton is actually less of a distraction from looking out than a map is - because the open cockpit/map situation is fraught to say the least
I think I'm beginning to accept the fact that the Pilot III is the best bet so I'll have to swallow hard and not tell Mrs Poet how much it really was
May be able to get the cost down via a US mate of mine who's coming over for Xmas - I just hope he doesnt get arrested at checkin (he'll be best putting it into main luggage).
[ 30 November 2001: Message edited by: poetpilot ]