RE: GPS
I love my etrex. It seems to be the most user friendly of all the gps that I've seen. It is valuable for hunting, out west particularly. If in a new area, I always mark the truck and then know I can always get back. The one mentioned above with topo map etc seems like a good idea too, but I always carry a map and regular compass with me anyway and can find my exact location using those tools.
Although this gps technology is great, I would never rely exclusively on the device itself in a touchy situation. I'd always have to have maps and compass as backup as something electronic can break when you're still miles and miles in the back country. I know my local deer patch well enough that I don't need one there.