Touring - From good old road map to GPS

Hi all you guys
I have just finished my FLBT of Ireland www.fullyloadedbiketour.com (http://www.fullyloadedbiketour.com) live updates I was using a good old road map as I always do but I am thinking of moving up a gear or two and trying a GPS something I have never used before and wondering if I could get a little advice on a good one to buy, budget around £300 give or take a £ or two
thanks george

I use the Garmin eTrex 20. It is excellent in terms of features, reliability and battery life - 2-AA's last 20 plus hours. Recharge at night and you're good to go the next day.

There are "free" maps available online at various sites - not sure about coverage of Ireland itself.

I have bought a Garmin Etrex within the last year for use when cycle touring. However, I will still be using good scale maps to plan my next day and the overall route as you cannot see this level of details on the GPS screen. The GPS has its uses but I will not rely on it totally.

eTrex user here too. Rugged, versatile device. I plot a tour track (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=2&doc_id=8122&v=Ls)with an online mapping service, then down load to the eTrex. Follow the track. Revert to turn-by-turn routing thru a city.

The Garmin Edge series is specifically taylored to cycling and is touch screen activated.

It's an interesting, often useful gadget. Paper maps are more reliable. Any gps map will have errors, and turn-by-turn directions can take you on roads you do not want or need to be on. Proceed with caution.

I consult mine most often to find out how far it is to the nearest town/service.

thanks for the info it seams that the eTrek is the one of the best the reason why Im thinking of gps I realy don't need one when I am touring Ireland but I am thinking of touring from Florida to Alaska in early 2013 and need all the info I can get