Sometimes we seem to be a bit anal when it comes to GPS in the UK, at the end of the day you should use all information availiable to yourself. If you have a map and GPS use them to compliment each other! What happens if you map flies out the window, gets covered in coffee or eaten by your 5 yr old nephew when you werent looking!
In the US GPS use is commonplace, I regulary use GPS when over there but backed up by charts so I keep my situational awareness and that goes for wether I am flying under a VFR or IFR flight plan.
GPS approaches are also possible in the US with the integrity of the systems being confirmed using RAIMS before the approach is commenced. Note : We were using an IFR certified GPS system with current database. If anyone gets chance to do when sometimes whilst they are in the US then give it a go, even if you just get an Instructor to show you one.
Did you manage to try one Whirly?
We regulary took up a handheld Garmin eTrek with barometirc alt (£130!), for interest and as pointed before there doesnt appear to be any difference between these and expensive ones for telling you where you are.
I am now playing with it by hooking it upto my laptop to provide a full colour moving map display on a 14" screen
Julian.