196 is a great GPS - perfect for over 90% of VFR pilots.
If you fly lots of new mountains/night the terrain avoidance of the 296
would be great.
If you fly in lots of crappy weather, often enough to make paying a
monthly download fee sensible, the 396 is great.
So how do you fly?
196 is enough for most - not all.

HTH

Tony
Garmin 196

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Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE