but I wouldn't spend an extra $300 to incorporate a receive-only function dedicated to the VHF radio. Instead I recommend you spend about $600-1000 and get a class B transceiver that can interconnect via NMEA to the radio and other display devices (PC nav, CP and/or iPad). Having the info overlaid on a chart (with course projections and ship names/speed, and CPA info) is better than radar. It doesn't replace radar, because not every boat will show up, but for those that do the info is superior.

Regardless; if you never run at night and seldom get caught in fog this comes as a "nice to have" but certainly not on the "need to have" list.

(A few years ago I bought a "black box" class B transceiver that I interfaced to my laptop and use with Coastal Explorer nav software. Even in daylight passing situations it's great to be able to call big fast moving ships by name to discuss intentions when they're still a few miles away, or around the corner in a constrained channel. I also like the fact that it increases my chances of being seen.)