OK....OK... you Adamsons, I yield...sort'of...
Perhaps my use of the words "fancy avionics" was a bit strong, and probably not the right words I was searching for. What I was referring to was some of the $50,000 avionics packages I've seen installed on airplanes (RVs among them).
This technology is truly amazing and no doubt, WILL save lives. I couldn't agree with you guys more on that point. In fact, I do intend to have sort of state of the art hand held Garmin (or equivalent) with all the bells and whistles on it. I also intend to have the latest "glass" Dynon or equivalent. This stuff is more reliable, probably cheaper than all the matching steam gauges put together, and definitely easier and cheaper to maintain (no moving parts). And is without question, liable to save a lot of lives.
I suppose the point I was trying to make was that the average homebuilder has a limited budget with regard on how much he/she can spend on this new technology. One has a budget for some type of SA (situational awareness) enhancing perhaps, but then the rest is left up to that squiggly mass inside your skull.
This new stuff is great but should be recognized for whatever limitations come with that particular piece of technology. For example, the XM wx pics do have a time delay (15-20 minutes), and should recognized for that limitation. They're awesome for big picture stuff ( deviating several hundred miles away) to get around a wx system, but not as accurate when trying to "thread the needle" as it were. Onboard radar or stormscope would be much better for the close in stuff. Personally though, threading the needle with a single engine, single pilot aircraft is a bit nuts.
Without getting any more verbose than necessary, I am simply trying to advocate for the average homebuilder who has a limited budget for his/her dream ship. One can add whatever technology one can afford ( and can get by the CFO), and the rest is left to our noodles. These new things are great, but are simply more tools to use and process towards making sound (life saving) decisions. Just recognize them for what they are... and yes...the limitations that may accompany them. Remember, your brain is your absolute best "save your bacon" resource. Don't let new technology take over for good sound judgement.
My Instrument Instructor said to me on the day of my receiving my Instrument License to think of my new license not as a license to bore holes in clouds, but rather as a license to further learn when it is much smarter to leave the hangar doors closed and go hang with the locals at the FBO.