Doug wrote:
A GPS will probably just complicate getting your IFR ticket. Suggest
you start without it, talk to your instructor and look at what other
pilots in your area are doing. Also, talk to your DE. Yes an IFR GPS
is a great instrument to have, but it's actually easier to learn on
traditional instruments.

I think the moving map makes things A LOT EASIER for IFR. Given
a choice, I'd give up my autopilot long before you could have my
moving map. The key is to find an instructor who REALLY KNOWS
the GPS you have in your plane. We spent a good amount of ground
time "buttom mashing" the Garmin simulator before we ever attempted
to fly it.