Jamesmil,
I, too, like the look of that panel. The 696 is a great piece to compliment the rest of the Garmin package. I would like to know, if nobody else, what product you used to paint the panel. It gives it a soft, sofisticated (Professional) look...not to mention it's tough as nails. It looks like some type of Krylon "Rattle Can" product...i.e. "Outdoor Spaces" Textured Paint or "Make it Stone"...Khaki color. Is this correct? Looking forward to seeing more of your plane as the adventure continues.
BTW, is that 10 mile island for sale? Haha! An east coast "Kitfox Airpark" perhaps? What a great place to be able to land!