I use Skydemon on a tablet as my main VFR GPS these days, but always carry a Garmin 296 as backup, Ive never known a Garmin go tits up.
....though tbh, Ive not had my tablet (nexus 7) go tits up either, but Ive only got about 50 hours using it, not enough to build the confidence Ive got in the Garmin (yet)
The best handheld Ive ever used is a Garmin gpsmap 60csx, not aviation specific, but its solid as a rock, has an exceedingly clear bright screen, is readable in direct sunlight and the best weak signal receiver Ive come across
P.S. The quite common overheating Ipad thing, shouldnt put you off using programs like Skydemon, rather it should put you off over priced I-Crap, I've never had a nexus overheat and I havnt met anyone who has