Our flight department has used/owned several different units. To date, the Garmin 696 is the best. The continuous weather updates, via XM, is worth every bit of cost. Quick and easy access to any needed data here. I tried the Garmin 796 for a week and did not like it myself. Only 4 data fields can be placed on the home page, compared to 12 available on the G696. And changes/alterations were more labor intensive on the G796. No thanks Garmin. We have a G696 in both our aircraft and plan to stay with them, until something better happens.
I have been a David Clark fan many years. I use the Lightspeed Zulu headsets now however. We have 2 in each of our aircraft. Nice comfy fit. I prefer the fit/feel better than the competitors product, Bose.
Be minimal. Charts for your area of travel and surrounding also. You may have to divert, so be prepared. A notebook or scratchpaper, for writing clearances, etc., several writing pens.
www.fltplan.com....is FAA approved wx brief and great flight planning/filing site.