>can someone recommend a good GPS receiver then?

Avoid the Garmin eTrex series -- their dinky antennas render them near useless under tree cover, rainy skies, and even in my living room.

I got a Magellin "Meridian Platinum" (same as "Gold", plus compass, barometer, and temperature sensor.. only the compass is useful, though), which has a proper internal antenna that is mostly unaffected by trees, rain, single story dwellings, etc.. Other models from other brands also have good antennas.

Cheers