I can't help with the panel however The Aviation Consumer recommends the new Garmin 296 ($1695) or the 196 ($900) as good 'hand held' GPS units. Both have a synthetic HSI, turn coordinator, altimeter, & VSI display for those days when the a system fails (a decent & practical if not IFR certifiable back up).
I like my 196, which I used to replace the Lowrance 300 which I loved when it died.
I probably would have liked the new, big, Lowrance even more, but it wasn't out yet
and I needed something NOW.
I wish the 296 had been out...the color would be nice, as the only gripe I have with
the 196 is that the display is a bit tough to read sometimes. Maybe somebody will
offer a nice trade-up program.
Greg
