Good suggestions!

Geez! I get serious tunnel-vision at times, especially when it's
related to a big purchases... For two years, I've been looking at the
GNS430, with its vivid colors, moving map, built in COM, and had my
mind directed towards that as the target! I briefly researched a few
of the lower end IFR certified GPS's, but to be honest, I don't know
that I was even aware of the built in COM factor outside of the GNS
family? For some reason, I had it in my mind that I had to go with a
$7k GPS to get that capability.

I just did a quick search and found an overhauled GNC300XL for about
$2600 (and saw another for around $2300), which like you said, gives me
COM, DME and GPS approaches! I'm assuming that would come with the G/S
indicator, but I'm not sure??? Just buying a second COM and DME would
put me above that cost! Then, picking up a 396 for weather, TFR's,
etc. for another $2500... All that and still $2k under the GNS430!

Obviously this opens up many possibilities and much more research is
required, but at least it gets my head out of the tunnel. Thanks!

If others have had similar experiences as far as minimal original IFR
configuration and gone the same route as discussed here, I would be
very interested in hearing what equipment you went with and what your
experience and satisfaction has been. There are so many choices! I'd
like to give myself at least 2 or 3 options and then get a nice list of
pro's and con's going before I start figuring out how I'm going to pay
for all of this! ;-)

Best Regards,
Todd