I use a GNS 430 as my primary GPS (also linked to the autopilot) and my 496 (on its own battery and external aerial) as backup. I find both are straightforward to use and both give useful information. I hope I will never have to use the 496's pseudo flight instruments in earnest in IMC but I reacon at a pinch you could just about get youself out of trouble on them if all else had failed.
Also when I go home the 496 goes with me and the tracks are downloaded and saved as a record of my flights. You never know when you might have to be able to prove you outside controlled airspace!