Fuji
I am starting with 50 hrs on a Cirrus in June so finally taken the plunge
the chute is definitely a big potential safety bonus but it should be used wisely and a plot should guard against the feel good factor luring pilots into situations and conditions they would not consider without the chute.
A bit like fitting explosives on every corner of a car in London. I am sure the drivers would be ultra cautious about hitting someone else but in an all singing and dancing car fitted with every impact safety device they would drive with false confidence.
So used as a back up to solid basic flying skills VFR or IFR and aware of the Lure factor it is indeed a big addition to safety
Pace