The kln94 is very easy to use and i'm very low tech, however the King Schools video helped in spades. If you get a 94 let me know and i will loan you the video.
The best way to go for this trainer is the aera or aviator and then you can put it in there next plane and they will already be up to speed.

gary

Another opinion....

If I put anything in the panel, it would be a 430 or 430W and now you have pretty much state of the art. Install costs probably aren't much difference and they are fairly expensive. I wouldn't put anything older in the panel.

If you didn't do that, I'd do a portable and the heck with GPS approaches.

The decision would be on how valuable GPS approaches were and how long you would own it, enjoying the benefits of a 430, and a guess at how much more the 430 would add to resale, and the benefit of selling a KX155 and the ADF.

I would wait.

No rush to add that now and if your'e right about Garmin's new avionics then used ones will likely become less costly.

That's a well equipped trainer. No rush.

An Aspen would fit just fine. Retain the T/C, ditch the VSI, and put the backup AI in the VSI slot (VSI isn't a required instrument, and there is one on the Aspen).

Now you guys know why I'm having a hard time making a decision. I was hoping that I was missing something that would have otherwise made my decision much easier.

I'll get some hard numbers and will report back.

Rick,

How long do you plan on keeping this plane and what missions will it be flying after your family is done obtaining their tickets? The Tiger is a fun little plane to fly, but I would never spend any serious money on an IFR panel as the plane is not as capable as the panel if you do. You already have more than enough for IFR and the autopilot will track the heading bug just fine. When you want to use GPS, use your Aera to determine the heading and set the bug.