Since direct can only be given under radar control (IFR GPS or
otherwise) ....

I am not sure where everyone is getting this information. Maybe it is
a 'rule' but I have often been given direct routes when out of ATC
radar and, for a while, out of ATC communications. And I don't have a
panel GPS. I use the handheld. But I always get a vector before hand,
not for legality, but in case the GPS craps out I have some idea of
what direction to fly. Yes I could look at the GPS direction, but
hearing the vector and writing it down, just enforces it into my
memory.

And I monitor VOR's to double check the path the GPS is telling me.
And I use the two VOR's to double check that they are working properly.
What the heck else do you have to do in the clouds for three hours?
Once is a while I tune in the ADF to check it. Then I monitor
intersections with the two VOR's. I may even get two radials and
triangulate my position to see how close I get to what the GPS says I
am at. And during all this I am not falling asleep.

I have had the GPS signal get lost twice during IFR flights. This
lasted for about 20 minutes. One time was not a problem with the 'box'
as I had two handhelds and the second one came up with no satellites
also. Both events were over Nebraska. So don't believe that it can
not happen. I was glad to have been on an airway both times with the
VORs set to the previous and next stations.

Greg J.