Hi Ray
thank you so much for your invaluable advice... I just placed an order for the Ublox-7 to see how that works out. I was able to confirm with the vendor that it will take 5v (hopefully the item I get will indeed do so... as you said, you never know 
). Just in case I will check to make sure the regulator is indeed in the board, per your recommendation.
Thank you so much for your very valuable words of advice... it really helps for guys like me that are starting to learn about all the different GPS "flavors" out there 
Take care,
L.