I'm not terribly concerned about OUT yet, but I do want IN for traffic and weather. I was just recently able to pick up a Garmin 696. Once it's repaired, it would make a dandy replacement for the panel mounted 496. Problem is, I'd have to rip up 2/3 of the panel and rearrange stuff to make that work. So I've been thinking about various options, in terms of cost and functionality.
Option 1: Add a GDL 39 to the existing 496. I'd get traffic but no weather, and I can barely read most of the screen. The initial cost is a little steep but annual upkeep is minimal, assuming I don't keep all of the Garmin databases current. Cost - moderate to high; functionality - poor. No weather and a tiny screen.
Option 2: Rip out the 496, install the 696, add a GDL 39. Cost would be about even with Option 1. Functionality - pretty much everything I want. But, I'm pretty sure the radio and transponder would both have to move and I'll either have to move or lose the glove box. It's a major rework.
Option 3: IPad Mini, ForeFlight and Stratux. I already have a Stratux built. A decent used iPad Mini is a little less than a used GDL 39, but of course there's the annual FF subscription -- partially offset by never really needing to update the Garmin databases. The down side is you enter your flight plan data twice, since FF won't talk to anythign else I have (the 496, 696 or D180). Cost - a little higher than #1 or #2. Functionality - Pretty good. FF has some advantages, and also some downsides.
Option 4: Leave it for now. At some point Stratux may well be able to feed GDL 39 formatted data to the 696, which would be by far the lowest cost option.
Option 5: XM WX subscription. No, not really even an option. No traffic, and ridiculously high costs. And they don't even throw in the music. Are they kidding? No thanks.
I'm glad I don't have to make a decision today. I think for now I'm going with Option 4. New features are being added to Stratux regularly. I could, if I had the time, even work on the feed to the x96 myself since it's an open source project. I'm not in a big hurry to do any of it at this point, but I know it's coming.