Indeed Azalea you bring much to consider. I personally have not felt the need for using a GPS in Quetico. I have only had to pull out a compass once. (I have been puzzled a time or two ;) ) That being said I can understand the freedom and carefree/less stressful attitude that using a GPS brings as I use it extensively for land navigation as I do much in the way of "house calls". I continually marvel at how enjoyable it makes travel. It stands to reason it would do the same for canoe tripping as well.

However, my gut feeling is I would only use a GPS as a secondary tool in wilderness travel howbeit an important one. I would still want to rely upon keeping track of where I'm at all the time via maps/charts and use the GPS to confirm my position. They can fail, can they not?