I use a 296 with Jeppesen FliteStar to create flight plans. Excellent way to plan the best route anywhere in Australia, available in either IFR or VFR. The route can then be easily transferred into the 296.
http://www.jeppesen.com/wlcs/application/commercewf?origin=category.jsp&event=link(browse)&wlcs_catal og_sourceKey=wlcs_categories&wlcs_catalog_destinationKey=wlc s_siblings&wlcs_catalog_category_id=FP1A2
Another less expensive way to achieve the same is with a GPS equipped Windows Mobile Device & PocketFMS.
http://www.pocketfms.com/