PA46 pilot experiences confusion when instructed to enter a right downwind and accidentally enters a left downwind. Infrequent flying and a recent upgrade to an all glass panel cockpit are cited as factors in the incident.

Narrative

I was flying an airplane new to me for the first time by myself. I was instructed by Tower when 15 miles out to enter right-hand downwind for Runway XX. Upon entering traffic pattern I entered a left-hand downwind entry. I haven't been flying as much as usual and to be honest I got confused as to what a normal pattern is and didn't get to thinking straight until I was already in the pattern. I thought to myself; 'I'm making left-hand turns; this is a left-hand pattern….DUH.' I was preoccupied with getting an airplane with an unfamiliar glass panel configured for landing. I'm sure had I had a higher comfort level with flying this airplane I would have been fine. I've never flown anything with glass panels other than a trip home of 3 hours in this airplane and 2 hours of checkout. I find I didn't know where to look for info I need at a glance like I do in an airplane equipped with steam gauges. I would think any kind of hard IFR would be very dangerous. If I had to point to a cause I would say lack of flying time and lack of proficiency in make and model with glass panel avionics of this type.