Loewy,
Have used a 496 (comes with street mapping, 495 does not) and it is superb, in the UK at least ! Have used it in France and also has really good depiction of IFR and or VFR zones , topography etc, the Ground prox system is superb(as good as a £25k unit we had before) it can have a traffic input (not tried it) it has a Brilliant Stanby panel (which when you get it you must have a look at , it really is clever with a VSI , Speed, turn and bank etc - all you need as a stby if everything else has gone wrong , and it really works well)
It comes with a cradle for the aircraft and a remote antenna so they can be left in your ac, or it comes with a bean bag mount which goes anywere !.
The only downside is that you cant use the aural warning parts as its not connected to the aircraft intercom, but the screen shows any altitude /terrain alerts anyway, and I beleive it is the same with the traffic (not used it myself)
It takes about 10 seconds to disconnect from the aircraft , and is great if you are at home, for planning etc (saves doing it while in th e aircraft)
If I could I would have gone for the 495, as it costs less and doesnt have the street mapping (so you can use it in a car) which I have never used in the aircraft.
All in all it is superb, but you have to remember it is only hand held, and always keep it in mind that what it does for what it costs !!!
Try Mendellhsons (?) they wree the cheapest when i got mine
Regards
HB