The 396/496 have features that can't be used in Oz (XM weather etc) so unless you want to use it in North America, why spend the extra money?
I have a 296, bought it in Cairns, best price I could find in Oz.
It is worth every cent -and then some! I would never have considered spending all that money on a GPS until I saw one and what it could do -instant convert.
I just purchased the car kit so I can use it as a street navigator. God bless Garmin!