What I'd like to see is a matrix or decision tree or expert system
type of diagram that walks me through the purchase decision process by
answering the questions I raised above. So if my biggest threat is
other gliders in contests and fast bizjet and airliner traffic near
NYC where I fly, and if I'm concerned that I should be more diligent
at watching for traffic, and if I have no current anti-collision
hardware, and if I'm not willing to buy something unless I know it
will be useful for at least 5 years (preferably longer), and if I'm on
a budget and don't want to or can't drop several thousand bucks into
new avionics, then I should buy X because that's the sweet spot in my
cost/benefit curve.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

Thank you Chip. You saved me from writing an essay covering those exact
points and saved everyone else from having to read my dreadful writing.

I'm one of those guys that is in the "I just can't afford to put any
more money into soaring..." situation. For the last 10 years, I've been
racing sports/club class with a setup that cost me less than $20k. That
includes the glider, instruments, AND the motorhome that I drag it all
around with. I know it looks like I'm a cheapo, but racing does not
account for even half of what I spend on soaring. My club gets most of
my soaring bucks. Dues, tows, little things like going halfsies on a
Pawnee...