wrote:
The cost - about $2000. How can any intelligent
person argue against that. Are some people so illiterate that they have
no appreciation about cost benefit analysis to not understand that this
is one of the best deals ever?

The Becker 4401 alone costs roughly US$2000, you still need an encoder,
antenna, and wiring harness, which adds at least another $500. Add
typical shop rates, and the actual installed cost in a certified glider
will be a minimum of $4000 (I know, I've paid for it). The operating
limitations on most experimental gliders would require an IA sign off,
so even in that case, most will be paying a shop for the install.

I fly in the Reno area, too, so most of the gliders I've owned over the
years have had transponders (seeing a Southwest 737 up close and
personal tends to encourage one to pay the price). But, there are a lot
of us who can barely afford what we already have invested in our
gliders. So, it's not quite the slam dunk you think it is...

Marc