The 496 has a faster processor and updates faster when you are switching
views. IMO that's the biggest advantage although there are a few bells
and whistles you get with the 496 not found on the 396.

Yes -- although the 496 is still painfully slow to use. Scrolling is an
exercise in patience and frustration, and work-arounds to this problem are
unsatisfactory.

Hopefully a future iteration will address this issue, but -- as long as
there is no direct competition from Lowrance or AvMap -- there is little
incentive for Garmin to improve such a niche product.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"