After getting lost several times this year, I'm ready for a GPS. Here is what I want: Basic computer functions such as speed,distance, average speed, feet climbed would be nice. I want a map that has side roads besides main roads, being able to zoom in and out of the map is also needed. I couldn't care less about downloading information to my computer. I just want to know where I am. Local bike shop is steering me towards a Garmin 800, but I'd prefer to spend less.

Problem is, the features you are looking for are pretty much limited to the more advanced bike computers such as the Garmin 800, and the ones you don't care about (downloading stats to computer) are found across the board. Check eBay & Craigslist for a used or old stock Garmin 705 to save a few bucks.

what kind of phone do you use? Some inexpensive phone apps can accomplish that for less than a bike spec comp...

+1 on the phone suggestion. Just make sure you've charged your smartphone and you should be fine for anything less than 150ish miles. I use MyTracks from Google, which is free.

These phones aren't so inexpensive when you add in the data plan. And some of them don't work very well (for mapping) without the data plan.

But if you are paying for the smartphone anyway, then yes, the free mapping apps are pretty good for what the OP was asking for. Any road you see on Google Maps on your PC should be visible on your smartphone maps. Some apps will even having detailed hiking trail maps.

If you want something mounted on your bike that you can refer to on the go, your LBS is probably correct. The Garmin 800 will give you what you're looking for...........at a price, of course.

If you're a cheapskate and don't want to (or can't afford to) use a smartphone for mapping, look at GPS units designed for hiking instead of bicycling. For some reason that I do not understand, the hiking GPS units are much much cheaper. I expect that the Garmin hiking GPS units will use the exact same map data as the Garmin bicycling GPS units. The main negative to the hiking GPS units is that they are somewhat bulkier (larger and heavier) than the bicycling GPS units.