You and I (I'm guessing) had the M198. I have to say I had old man skepticism towards the M777 when I first heard about it. But I've got to see it up close a few times, and it's a beautiful gun. The weight reduction is incredible, and it was kind of funny seeing that curved ramming staff.
I haven't heard about it being more difficult to emplace and displace, but it seems the much lighter weight should make it easier to manhandle on awkward ground, etc...
I do miss fire direction -- loved that job, and the sharp Marines that were in the 0844/0848 MOS's.
IMO which is far short of .02 cents worth is that the 198 was a Marine Corps mistake, its prime mover could barely move it around 29 Palms when I was in, maybe they fixed that problem. And the 53E could barely lift it at sea level never mind Af/Pak. FTR SNAFU blogspot has a pic of 777 underneath a Chinook with what looks like ammo pallets slung next to it, sea level but still impressive for weight reduction compared to the 198.