tom pettit tompetatpeak wrote:
So, the answer to my original question is a Garmin 480 at about $15K. Even
with the big Garmin, it looks like I could not do my training, nor take the
checkride. I would not fly IFR without some redundancy, so a conventional
system would be needed, too.

The GNS480 and also the 430 and 530 and probably others have integrated
ground-based navigation, so you can do an ILS for example with just the one box.
You can do both precision and non-precision approaches with just one box. I
think that's all you need for training and certification, leaving aside the
question of whether you want redundancy.

On the other hand, the
skill improvement of flying instruments is attractive, and on the mornings
when the fog is thick, it would be nice to be able to fly through the fog to
get up on top, instead of getting up at 3:00AM and taking off before the fog
forms.

You have the right idea. I predict you'll be going for the rating before long.
You won't be sorry.