ALHTHS
Where's the choice? The choice is huge, thought not so big as to include all possibilities/permutations, so it's necessary to make certain choices and select the right unit for you based on anticipated usage, price and availability etc.
Doesn't the 176 meet most of the above requirements?
The refresh rate of the screen is far in excess of the III+, as is the screen size. I can't imagine needing faster.
Memory size is expandable to 128MB - same as the Streetpilot III. I've just looked and my R+R GB - it contains 296 maps, 38Mb in total. You could fit a lot of Euroland in the remaining 90MB, especially when France and Germany don't have complete coverage. Don't forget for the price of a Streetpilot you can buy a 176, two 128MB datacards and still have change for a weekend away to enjoy your new GPS. Camp, and you can have a card programmer too : )
Whilst the 176 is larger than the III+/V it is still possible to operate whilst on foot with one hand.
A 176 with auto-routing would be great - as the 196 appears to be, but with a projected price of double the 176 auto-routing ain't that great. GoTo is an very useable alternative that stands a good chance of taking you the same route as auto-routing.
IMHO, autro-route is something I'd like, but not something I'm going to get hung up on.
Cheers.
Russ