I also strongly considered purchasing a 196 or a 296 as I am too working on my cross countries. Finally decided not to do it and rent a plane with a GPS if I were to go through class B, if not just use VORs, dead recking, and good old pilotage. BUT if renting a plane with a GPS isn't an option, I would go with a 196 because it's cheaper, and it works great. I have never used a 296, so I can't speak for that.