I prefer to fly with a GPS, but I would not leave the ground without one at night!
There have been several times when flying to airports in the Mid West on perfectly clear nights when it took many long minutes before I could pick out the GA airport where I had planned to land from all the city and road lights that surround them. Even when my GPS unit told me I was right over it!
Now I can just hear the smart comments brewing about how hard can it be to look for the dark areas. Minneapolis for example, has over 50 lakes in and around the city, any one of which would dampen the sprites of an aviator foolish enough to make that assumption.
Personally I think GPS is a fine tool, one I use all the time, and I believe new pilots should be encouraged to use them.
Regards,
White Bear