Lots of good gouge here. I’m in this exact conundrum myself as I want to both upgrade and simplify the radios in my C172 used for local area VFR recreational flying 98% of the time. I have an Aera 660 but will trade up for a Aera 760 soon. Along with an iPad running FlyQ, that’s about all I need beyond a comm radio and already installed GTX335 ADS-B out with GDL50 in. That said, I have a brand new King KX125 in a box and could install it but then I’d have to put in a separate intercom and lose some vertical real estate.
I carry a Bad Elf GPS pendant in my flight bag in case my other source of GPS for the iPad goes out. Not discussed here is the fact that if you’re using a panel mounted GPS nav source for IFR, you have to keep up the subscription. That’s another consideration.