Only traded my 296 so that I could get a 496 - which is still wonderful. The instrument panel page is superb and quicker than on the 296, so you really can use it when the vacuum pump fails. Actually demo'd to my examiner during IMC renewal, and still got passed.
What I love about 296/496 versus panel-mounted Garmin, is that you can take home to do planning and when ready to go just turn on and do it, rather than have to have engine running whilst you punch your plan in.
And I still keep a Pilot 3 on top of the coaming just in case of any failure - which has never happened! And a map, of course
