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Home > Flight Computers
Flight Computer Comparison
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| Cambridge Aero
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LX Navigation
This page includes an overview of soaring
flight computer systems, example systems, and
comparison table.
Overview
Flight computer systems are the ultimate stage of functionality.
They include everything you may desire for cross-country soaring flight (see
list of features below). They are designed to help you go faster and
farther than you would without a flight computer. They also reduce
your workload by presenting the information you need at a glance so you can
enjoy your flight. Safety is another important factor. A soaring
flight computer can help you decide quickly whether you can make it to your
desired destination, or that it is time to make the safe decision and land
out.
Related Pages
Improved Safety
Pilots that haven't flown with a soaring flight computer system think
that they will decrease safety because the pilot will be staring at the
computer rather than keeping their eyes out of the cockpit. It is my
opinion that soaring flight computer
systems greatly improve safety because the pilot can glance at the display
and know instantly whether he/she is within gliding distance of nearby
airports.
With or Without a PDA
Some of the systems below include a Pocket PC or Palm computer. I
like using PDAs in the cockpit because they offer a lot of power in small
package along with a color display and intuitive touchscreen user interface.
It is great to be able to glance down at the moving map on the PDA and see
reachable airports highlighted on the screen. If you want more
information you can simply touch the airport you are interested in.
However, the first time you use a PDA in sunlight you will probably be
disappointed by the brightness and contrast of the display. They
contrast is not very good in sunlight. However, many pilots have found
that the low contrast is acceptable due to the amazing features available in
the soaring flight software that runs on the PDA. Another nice feature
of PDAs is that they are small enough to be mounted closer to the pilot on a
gooseneck or articulated arm. That is nice for pilots that have a
tough time reaching the instrument panel.
Some pilots feel that PDAs do not offer
enough contrast for use in sunlight. Those pilots will prefer soaring
systems that feature navigation displays that can be built into the
instrument panel (such as the ILEC SN-10 and LX7000. The user
interface is generally not quite as intuitive on those devices, but they are
extremely easy to view in sunlight and offer all the functionality found in
the PDA soaring flight software accessible through the use of knobs and
pushbuttons.
The decision whether or not to use a PDA in
the cockpit comes down to personal preference. Hopefully future PDAs
will offer better sunlight readable displays and panel mounted instruments
may eventually feature graphical touchscreen user interfaces.
Building Blocks or Complete Solutions
Some of the systems below are popular because they can be purchased as
components and eventually assembled into the complete systems you see below.
For example, the LX1600 and Borgelt B50 are very nice Speed-to-fly
variometers that can eventually be upgraded to full featured soaring flight
computers systems by adding an IGC approved flight recorder and a PDA
running soaring flight software. Also, the LX160 can be used as a
simple speed-to-fly variometer and final glide computer with manual
"distance to go" entry and can later be upgraded to accept "distance to go"
data from a GPS and can even send flight data to a PDA for use with soaring
flight software. These "modular" or "upgradeable" systems are nice
because you can buy the components over time as you can afford them.
However, as popular as these systems are, there is a minor trade-off.
The downside to this modular upgrade approach is that the final system is
not as clean as a system that is purchased as an integrated or "all in one"
flight computer system. There are generally more cables and switches
necessary and the ultimate reliability is therefore lower because cables
fail when you don't want them to.
|
What Flight Computer Systems
Can Do |
What Flight Computer Systems
Can't Do |
- Variometer with audio and
averager
- Speed-to-fly director
- Wind speed and direction
calculated using airspeed and GPS data while circling or
cruising
- Use GPS Position and Pressure
Altitude
- Moving Map with Waypoints and
SUA
- Final Glide Calculations
- Reachable Airports Highlighted
- Record IGC Approved flight logs
- OK for all contests, badges, and
records
- Tasks
- Flight Statistics
- Improved safety through quick
access to final glide data
|
|
Please Buy from Me
I work very hard to provide detailed
product comparisons for soaring pilots. I hope you will find this web
site useful. I also offer excellent support to customers who buy from
me. The best way to thank me for the services I offer is to help
support my business by buying from me - and telling your friends about
my company.
Connecting to PCs that
Don't Have RS-232 Serial Connectors
Most flight computers and flight recorders connect to PCs using RS-232
communications. However, most new PCs do not have RS-232 serial
connectors. These are usually DB-9m (9-pin male) connectors.
There are several ways to work around that issue. My recommendation is
to use an RS-232 serial port PCMCIA Card. You can see an example here:
Socket Serial I/O PC Card Another
solution is to use a USB to serial converter. However, many of these
units to do work as well as one would expect. David Nadler has
compiled a very nice list of devices that have been tested and work well.
You can see his page here:
http://www.nadler.com/sn10/SN10_USB_Serial_Notes.html
Example Systems
Below are a few example systems. I've tried to pull together all
the components you need for a complete system.
How to Acquire These Example Systems
Not all the parts listed on this page are available from Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
I don't sell Pocket PCs because they change too rapidly so Pocket PCs and accessories are
available through alliances with PC Connection. In order to
purchase all the parts in some of the systems below, you would need to place
two orders - one with Cumulus Soaring, Inc., and one with PC Connection. I can buy them for international customers if you are also
buying other parts from me.
Borgelt B500 Speed-to-Fly Vario with
Glareshield Control and Display Unit and High-Performance GPS
The Borgelt B500 system is an impressive soaring flight system.
The B500 comes with a high-performance GPS that provides position fixes 4
times every second. That is 4 times faster than most soaring GPS
units. The current version functions as a speed-to-fly variometer with
2-channel audio and averager. The included Glareshield Control and
Display unit can be used to monitor the vario average and to adjust
MacCready, bugs and other settings. Future software enhancements
promise to make this a stand-alone flight computer with simple navigation.
Future Features (No release date
scheduled, subject to change and delays)
- GPS navigation display (on GCD) with
turnpoint database, wind information, and final glide computer
- Graphical Climb/Airmass history on
GCD
- Use the stereo speakers to help the
pilot center thermals
Note: This system does not include an GPS
Flight Recorder of any kind. I would recommend the use of a
Cambridge 302A or LX Colibri in addition to the system below.
|
Example System with
Borgelt B500 |
+
or
+
 |
B500
Speed-to-Fly Vario
with 2-channel audio and
averager,
Glareshield Control and Display (GCD) unit,
and
high performance GPS |
- Borgelt B500, $1395, Vario with audio,
averager and speed-to-fly
Total Price of all the components:
$1395
Borgelt B500 Speed-to-Fly Vario with B2000
Flight Computer
The Borgelt B500 system is an impressive soaring flight system.
The B500 comes with a high-performance GPS that provides position fixes 4
times every second. That is 4 times faster than most soaring GPS
units. The current version functions as a speed-to-fly variometer with
2-channel audio and averager. The included Glareshield Control and
Display unit can be used to monitor the vario average and to adjust
MacCready, bugs and other settings. The B500 can be connected to the
Borgelt B2000 for a complete flight computer system. The B2000 offers
a large LCD display, mounts in the instrument panel in an 80 mm hole and
offers thermal history graphs, navigation, and final glide data.
Flight Recorder
This system does not include an GPS Flight Recorder of any kind.
I would recommend the use of a Cambridge 302A or LX Colibri. The 302A
or Colibri would not be connected to the B500 or the B2000. They would
operate completely independently from the B500/B2000 system. Task
declarations would be done manually using the operator interface on the
Colibri or using a 303 Navigation Display or Pocket PC with the 302A.
This is a slight disadvantage when compared to other flight computer systems
because they allow the user to enter a task into the flight computer and it
then makes the task declaration in the flight recorder. That assures
that the task you are flying is the same as the task you declared.
|
Example System with
Borgelt B500 with B2000 Flight Computer |
+
or
+
|
 |
 |
Borgelt
B500
Speed-to-Fly Vario
with 2-channel audio and
averager,
Glareshield Control and Display (GCD) unit,
and
high performance GPS |
Borgelt
PDA-PS
PDA/Logger Power/Data
Connection Module |
Borgelt
B2500
Flight Computer |
- Borgelt B500, $1395, Vario with audio,
averager and speed-to-fly
- Borgelt
PDA-PS, $70 (when ordered with B500), PDA/Logger Power/Data Connection Module
- Borgelt B2500, $1695, LCD display for 80 mm instrument hole with thermal
history graphs, navigation, and final glide.
Total Price of all the components:
$3160
Options
- LX Navigation
Colibri, $945, or Cambridge
302A, $895, IGC approved GPS flight recorder
or
Borgelt B500 Speed-to-Fly Vario with
Pocket PC and Soaring Flight Software
The Borgelt B500 system is an impressive soaring flight system.
The B500 comes with a high-performance GPS that provides position fixes 4
times every second. That is 4 times faster than most soaring GPS
units. The current version functions as a speed-to-fly variometer with
2-channel audio and averager. The included Glareshield Control and
Display unit can be used to monitor the vario average and to adjust
MacCready, bugs and other settings. The PDA-PS is a power converter.
It gets 12V power from the B500 and provides 5V power for the PDA. GPS
data and flight data (airspeed and vario data) are sent from the B500 to the
soaring flight software on the PDA.
Flight Recorder
This system does not include an GPS Flight Recorder of any kind.
Most soaring flight software can log the flight data for review after the
flight, but it cannot be used for badge or record validation.
|
Example System with
Borgelt B500 with Pocket PC and Soaring Flight Software |
+
or
+
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Borgelt
B500
Speed-to-Fly Vario
with 2-channel audio and
averager,
Glareshield Control and Display (GCD) unit,
and
high performance GPS |
Borgelt
PDA-PS
PDA/Logger Power/Data
Connection Module |
Soaring Flight Software |
iPAQ hx2190
Pocket PC |
Nimbus Cradle with
GNeck2-Assy-Panel-DB-9 |
Total Price of all the components:
$2216.85
Borgelt B500 Speed-to-Fly Vario with
Pocket PC and Soaring Flight Software
The Borgelt B500 system is an impressive soaring flight system.
The B500 comes with a high-performance GPS that provides position fixes 4
times every second. That is 4 times faster than most soaring GPS
units. The current version functions as a speed-to-fly variometer with
2-channel audio and averager. The included Glareshield Control and
Display unit can be used to monitor the vario average and to adjust
MacCready, bugs and other settings. The PDA-PS is a power converter.
It gets 12V power from the B500 and provides 5V power for the PDA. GPS
data and flight data (airspeed and vario data) are sent from the B500 to the
soaring flight software on the PDA.
Flight Recorder
I recommend a Cambridge 302A or LX Navigation Colibri for use with the B500
system. The PDA-PS module can provide 12V power for the Colibri
through the power/data cable. The 302A has separate connectors for
power and data so the PDA-PS cannot power it. The PDA-PS includes a
switch for panel mounting for selecting whether the PDA talks to the B500 or
the GPS flight recorder. That allows the PDA software to send task
declarations to the flight recorder and to download flight logs from it.
In flight, the B500's GPS provides GPS data to the PDA along with airspeed
and variometer data. The GPS output from the GPS flight recorder is
not sent to the PDA in flight.
- Borgelt B500, $1395, Vario with audio,
averager and speed-to-fly
- Borgelt
PDA-PS, $70 (when ordered with B500), PDA/Logger Power/Data Connection Module
- Soaring Flight
Software - $149+
- iPAQ
hx2190 Pocket PC, $349
-
Nimbus iPAQ Cradle
with
GNeck2-Assy-Panel-DB-9
- $149 + 104.85 = $253.85
-
Goddard
PFC-1 Colibri Power/Data Cable or
Goddard PC-1 302A Data Cable, $45 or $36,
Connects the GPS flight recorder to the PDA-PS.
- LX Navigation
Colibri, $945, or Cambridge
302A, $895, IGC approved GPS flight recorder
Total Price of all the components:
$3147.85 (with 302A)
Total Price of all the components:
$3206.85 (with Colibri)
Cambridge Aero Instruments 302 with 303 LCD Navigation
Display
This system is great in regard to simplicity and ease of use. It
avoids the complexity of having a Pocket PC in the cockpit. It is
great for syndicates because data for multiple pilots can be stored and
edited using the 303. The 302 displays vario and speed-to-fly
information and the 303 is used for navigation, task editing and
declarations. It also displays final glide information. The
integral GPS and logger are IGC Approved for all types of soaring
accomplishments.
Total Price: $2,770
Cambridge Aero Instruments 302 System
with Pocket PC and Soaring Flight Software
This system is fantastic. The
302 displays vario and speed-to-fly information and the Pocket PC is used
for navigation, task editing and declarations. It also displays final
glide information with reachable airports highlighted on the moving map.
The integral GPS and logger are IGC Approved for all types of soaring
accomplishments. Does everything the Borgelt B50/Volkslogger system
above does, but in a much cleaner and simpler system.
Total Price of all the components:
$3126.85
ILEC SN10 with Garmin GPS35-HVS
This is the basic ILEC SN-10 flight
computer system. It is very popular because the SN-10 offers a nice
graphical display that is easy to read in the cockpit. The user
defined flying screen is very well liked because you can select which
parameters you prefer to view. The unique thermal height band graph is
also very useful. This system can record flight logs but it is not IGC
approved for badges or records. This system is popular with customers
that don't want to use a PDA in the cockpit.
-
ILEC SN10, $3655, Flight computer system
with graphical display
-
Garmin
GPS16-HVS, $129
- Option to have Team Goddard attach the
GPS to the ILEC supplied panel cable, $39
Total Price of all the components:
$3823
LX Navigation LX160si Vario and Final
Glide Computer
The LX160si is an interesting product because it starts off at a very
simple, low cost level but can be upgraded in the future to include a GPS or
IGC approved flight recorder and even a Pocket PC running soaring flight
software. See the example systems below for upgraded systems.
The basic system shown here includes a variometer with audio, averager and
speed-to-fly data and an a panel mounted control unit with switches that are
used to set the final glide parameters. It will manually count down
the remaining distance to go. It is great for soaring clubs.
|
Example System with
LX160si |
|
|
LX160si |
- LX160si,
$1355, Final glide computer with mechanical switches for data entry and
vario with audio, averager, and speed-to-fly
Total Price: $1355
LX Navigation LX160si Vario and Final
Glide Computer with Colibri
This example system pairs the LX160si final glide computer with a
Colibri IGC approved GPS flight recorder. The final glide computer
gets distance to destination from the Colibri. It is great for soaring
clubs. The system offers a very simple panel mounted user interface
using mechanical switches and the variometer offers audio, averager and
speed-to-fly data. The LX160si is connected to the Colibri with a
single RJ (phone jack) cable which provides the data and 12V power
connection to the Colibri.
- LX160si,
$1355, Final glide computer with mechanical switches for data entry and
vario with audio, averager, and speed-to-fly
- Colibri,
$945, IGC approved flight recorder
Total Price: $2300
LX Navigation LX160si Vario and Final
Glide Computer with Colibri and Pocket PC and Soaring Flight Software
This example system utilizes the LX160si final glide computer with a
Colibri IGC approved GPS flight recorder and a Pocket PC running soaring
flight software. The final glide computer gets distance to destination
from the Colibri. The system offers a very simple panel mounted user
interface using mechanical switches and the variometer offers audio,
averager and speed-to-fly data. The LX160si is connected to the
Colibri with a single RJ (phone jack) cable which provides the data and 12V
power connection to the Colibri. The LX160si provides 5V power for the
Pocket PC so no external 12V to 5V power converter is required. The
addition of the soaring flight software on a Pocket PC adds a graphical
moving map with reachable airports highlighted on the map. The soaring
flight software provides final glide data so the switches on the front of
the LX160si are not needed for final glide computations. The LX1600
(see below) was created without the mechanical switches for that reason.
The LX160si can airspeed and variometer data into the NMEA data stream and
send it to the PDA. SeeYou Mobile and WinPilot can use that data.
Total Price: $3051.85
LX Navigation LX1600 Vario with Colibri
and Pocket PC and Soaring Flight Software
The LX1600 is similar to the LX160si in that it offers a variometer with
audio, averager and speed-to-fly director. But the LX1600 does not
include the panel mounted mechanical switch box for final glide data input.
The reason is that the Pocket PC is used for the data input an the
mechanical switches are no longer required. That means it uses less
panel space. A few buttons are included on the front of the LX1600 for
adjusting volume, MacCready, etc. The LX1600 is connected to the
Colibri with a single RJ (phone jack) cable which provides the data and 12V
power connection to the Colibri. The LX1600 also provides 5V power for
the Pocket PC so no external 12V to 5V power converter is required.
Several soaring flight software programs were updated to allow settings in
the LX1600 to be adjusted from the Pocket PC: flyWithCE Navigator, SeeYou
Mobile and WinPilot. The LX1600 can airspeed and variometer data into the
NMEA data stream and send it to the PDA. SeeYou Mobile and WinPilot
can use that data.
Total Price: $3291.85
LX Navigation LX7007 Pro IGC Flight
Computer
The LX7007 Pro IGC is a very power flight computer with graphical user
interface. The high resolution screen looks fantastic even in bright
sunlight. It is an IGC approved flight recorder. Supports 2nd seat display
and up to a total of 4 different
"analog style" meters. Sends air data to a Pocket PC along with the GPS
data. See Air Data Transfer for
more info. Can store setup data for multiple pilots.
- LX7007 Pro
IGC, $4450, Flight computer with audio variometer with averager and
speed-to-fly director.
Total Price: $4450
NK ClearNav
The ClearNav is a large, bright, color, navigation display that runs
ClearNavigator soaring flight software. The
display has a large and extremely bright screen without the overall
dimensions being too large. I find the remote to be easy to use and the
software very intuitive. The 2 software features that impress me the
most are the way area tasks are supported, and the
"Glide Amoeba" glide range rings.
- NK ClearNav,
$2800, Large, bright, color, navigation display that runs
ClearNavigator soaring flight software.
Total Price: $2800
NK ClearNav with Cambridge 302
The ClearNav is a large, bright, color, navigation display that runs
ClearNavigator soaring flight software. The
display has a large and extremely bright screen without the overall
dimensions being too large. I find the remote to be easy to use and the
software very intuitive. The 2 software features that impress me the
most are the way area tasks are supported, and the
"Glide Amoeba" glide range rings.
- NK ClearNav,
$2800, Large, bright, color, navigation display that runs
ClearNavigator soaring flight software.
-
Cambridge 302, $2375, Extremely popular
speed-to-fly variometer with built-in IGC Approved GPS flight recorder.
Total Price: $5175
Tasman V1000 Variometer, Tasman FP10
Flight Pack and EW Avionics microRecorder
This system is a full featured flight computer system. It does
everything that the all-in-one flight computers can do. The EW
microRecorder is an IGC approved flight recorder. The Tasman V1000 is
an audio variometer with averager. The Tasman FP10 Flight Pack is a
flight data module that adds vario and true airspeed data to the GPS data so
the PDA can display speed-to-fly information and calculate accurate vector
wind data. SeeYou Mobile can also use the vario data with its Thermal
Assistant. The best thing about this system is that it is modular.
You can start with the Tasman V1000 and add the FP10 and other items later.
Or start with the EW microRecorder and PDA and then
later add the V1000 Variometer and FP10 Flight Pack, or...
- EW microRecorder -
$855
-
EWmicroRec-DB9f-x, Cable for
connecting EW microRecorder to 12V power and Tasman FP10 Flight Pack, $55
- Tasman V1000
Variometer, $675
- Tasman FP10 Flight
Pack, Flight data module, Adds vario and true airspeed data to the
GPS data stream., $510
-
Nimbus Cradle
with GNeck2-Assy-Panel,
$149 for cradle with 1 m long cable + $49.85 for the gooseneck and
mounting adapters = $198.85
- iPAQ
hx2190 Pocket PC, $349 - Note: I don't sell Pocket PCs.
- SeeYou Mobile
Soaring Flight Software, $279 - If you don't already own SeeYou for
the PC, you'll probably want to buy the SeeYou-Bundle for $419.
Total Price: $2,921.85
($2246.85 if you already own a Tasman V1000 variometer)
Tasman V1000 Variometer, Tasman FP10-s5V
Flight Pack and LX Navigation Colibri
This system is a full featured flight computer system. It does
everything that the all-in-one flight computers can do. The LX Colibri
is an IGC approved flight recorder. The Tasman V1000 is an audio
variometer with averager. The Tasman FP10 Flight Pack is a flight data
module that adds vario and true airspeed data to the GPS data so the PDA can
display speed-to-fly information and calculate accurate vector wind data.
SeeYou Mobile can also use the vario data with its Thermal Assistant.
The best thing about this system is that it is modular. You can start
with the Tasman V1000 and add the FP10 and other items later. Or start
with the Colibri and PDA and then
later add the V1000 Variometer and FP10 Flight Pack, or...
Total Price: $3206.85
($2531.85 if you already own a Tasman V1000 variometer)
Comparison Table
Please note that I'm not 100% certain of all the data in the table below.
I've done my best to get complete and accurate data, but some of it is difficult to find.
If you see any errors or have any suggestions for the table below please let
me know. My goal is to make the table as accurate as possible.
|
Flight Computer Comparison
Table |
|
Electrical Vario with
Audio, Averager and Speed-to-Fly Director |
Photo
(click on image to view larger version) |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Product |
LX1600 |
Tasman V1000
and
Tasman FP10 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Price |
$1595 |
$675
+ $575 = $1250
(PDA and soaring software required) |
|
|
|
|
|
| Type |
Pressure Transducer |
Pressure Transducer |
|
|
|
|
|
Response Time
(seconds) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Audio |
Audio |
Audio |
|
|
|
|
|
Averager
(seconds) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Speed-to-Fly Director |
STF |
STF
(PDA and soaring software required) |
|
|
|
|
|
| G-
Meter |
No |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2-Seat Repeater Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Speaker |
External |
Built-in or External |
|
|
|
|
|
| Temp.
Probe |
Remote |
Remote |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capacity Required |
No |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
| Size |
57 mm
vario readout |
57 mm
vario readout |
|
|
|
|
|
Power
(mA) |
30+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Unique Features |
Only 1
small hole required. Provides 5V power output for Pocket PC.
MacCready setting and other parameters can be edited with the
buttons on the front of the unit, but it works best when connected
to a Pocket PC running
flyWithCE Navigator or SeeYou Mobile.
When connected to a GPS it can send GPS and flight data to the
Pocket PC. See Air Data Transfer
for more info. |
The Tasman
V1000 is an audio variometer with averager. When you add the
FP10 and a PDA with soaring flight software you get a complete
soaring flight computer system. The speed-to-fly information
is displayed on the PDA screen. The FP10 sends GPS data (GPS
not included), airspeed, pressure altitude and vario data to the
PDA. I neat low cost solution. Tasman V1000 owners can
upgrade to a complete soaring flight computer system for much less
money than buying the other flight computer systems on this page.
The FP10-s5V version can also provide 5V power for the PDA. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electrical Vario with
Audio, Averager, Speed-to-Fly Director and Glide Computer |
Photo
(click on image to view larger version) |
+
or
+
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
| Product |
Borgelt B500 |
Cambridge 302 |
ILEC SN10 |
LX160si |
LX7007 Pro IGC |
LX8000 |
NK ClearNav |
Overview
Video |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Price |
$1395
with GCD1
$1665 with GCD2 with SD Card |
$2375
$2770 with 303 LCD Nav. Display |
$3655 |
$1355 |
$4450 |
$5595 |
~$2500? |
| IGC
Approved Flight Recorder |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes
(soon) |
|
Vario Type |
Pressure transducer |
Pressure Transducer |
Flow
Sensor |
Pressure Transducer |
Pressure Transducer |
Pressure Transducer |
None |
Response Time
(seconds) |
|
|
1 or 3 |
|
|
|
|
| Audio |
Audio |
Audio |
Audio |
Audio |
Audio |
Audio |
|
Averager
(seconds) |
20 |
30 |
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
Speed-to-Fly Director |
STF |
STF |
STF |
STF |
STF |
STF |
|
| G-
Meter |
No |
G |
G |
|
|
|
|
|
2-Seat Repeater Option |
|
Repeater |
Repeater |
|
Repeater |
Repeater
(greyscale - not color) |
|
|
Speaker |
2 x
External |
Internal (standard)
External (for motorglider) |
Internal |
External |
External |
External |
|
| Temp.
Probe |
Yes |
Remote |
Remote |
Remote |
Remote |
Remote |
|
|
Capacity Required |
No |
No |
Internal capacity flask |
No |
No |
No |
|
| Size |
Meter: 57 or 80 mm
Glareshield Control and Display:
30 x 82 x 30 mm |
57 mm |
57 mm
vario readout
80 mm flight computer display |
57 mm
vario readout, 57 mm data entry unit |
57 mm
vario readout
80 mm flight computer display |
57 mm
vario readout
3.5" diagonal flight computer display
98 x 88 x 80 mm (display unit) |
4.3"w x 5.8"h x 1.1"d (109mm x
147mm x 27mm) |
Power
(mA) |
|
300 to
360 |
100 to
150 |
120 |
400 |
550 |
~700
mA (at 12V)
|
| Unique Features |
The high performance GPS sends data 4 times
every second. The stereo speakers help the pilot center the thermal. The GPS data and air
data can be sent to a Pocket PC. See Air Data Transfer
for more info. The Glareshield Control and Display can be used
to edit MacCready and bugs settings and in the future will display
thermal history graphs and navigation and final glide data. |
Only 1 small hole
required, GPS flight recorder, 5V power output for Pocket PC, IGC
Approved GPS flight recorder. Sends air data to a Pocket PC
along with the GPS data. See Air Data
Transfer for more info. |
The user
defined flying screen is
very well liked because you can select which parameters you prefer
to view. Thermal Height Band
Graph, Optional additional vario readout. No Pocket PC
required. Reachable airports displayed on the moving map
screen. |
Only 2 small holes
required. No Pocket PC required. Supports 2nd seat
display for up to a total of 4 different indicators. When
connected to a GPS it can send GPS and flight data to the Pocket PC.
See Air Data Transfer for more
info. Provides 5V power (2A) for a Pocket PC. |
Large graphical
display, IGC approved flight recorder. No Pocket PC required.
Supports 2nd seat display and up to a total of 4 different
"analog style" meters. Sends air data to a Pocket PC along with the GPS
data. See Air Data Transfer for
more info. Can supply 5V power for a Pocket PC. |
Large
color graphical
display, IGC approved flight recorder. No Pocket PC required.
Integrated FLARM. Supports 2nd seat display and up to a total of 4 different
"analog style" meters. Sends air data to a Pocket PC along with the GPS
data. See Air Data Transfer for
more info. |
The ClearNav is a large, bright, color, navigation display that runs
ClearNavigator soaring flight software. The
display has a large and extremely bright screen without the overall
dimensions being too large. I find the remote to be easy to use and the
software very intuitive. The 2 software features that impress me the
most are the way area tasks are supported, and the
"Glide Amoeba" glide range rings. |
Air Data Transfer
Several soaring instrument systems are able to send air data (airspeed,
vario, etc.) to a Pocket PC in the data stream with the NMEA GPS data.
Software packages such as WinPilot Pro, pocket*StrePla, SeeYou Mobile and
Glide Navigator II can take advantage of the data. For example, WinPilot Pro offers a climb
maximizer and other nice features when connected to an instrument which
sends airspeed and vario data. |
