Glide Navigator II Soaring Software

Top Features | Compatibility | Downloads | Manual | Tips | Revision History | Polar Data | Order

Overview
Glide Navigator II is soaring software for your Pocket PC computer.  It offers moving map navigation and final glide functionality.  It will run on all Compaq Aero, Dell and iPAQ Pocket PC's.  It is compatible with any GPS that outputs NMEA 0183 data (Garmin, Volkslogger, Colibri, Filser LX20, Transplant, EMTAC, TeleType, etc.) and offers two-way data communication with Cambridge Aero Instruments GPS-NAV, L-NAV and 302 instruments.

New Version Available
Version 3.0 offers a new password scheme that is tied to the pilot name rather than the GPS or PDA.  That means that you will not need to purchase a new password in the future when you upgrade your PDA or GPS.  Details are available on the Revision History page.  If you already own a license to GN II you can upgrade to version 3.0 by purchasing a new password.  You can download the new version on the Downloads page.

Strengths
The key strengths of Glide Navigator II are ease-of-use and the large text which is easy to read in flight.  There are some very impressive competitive products available, but none are as easy-to-use as Glide Navigator II.  It provides everything you need to fly your task as fast as possible without all the extra screen clutter and complexity you get with excessive features and topographical maps.  This strategy has made GNII a success with US competition pilots and many recreational pilots. Ease-of-use is important when flying your task, and when you are learning the product.  The simple user interface used in GNII makes the learning curve steep (fast). Another key benefit of Glide Navigator II is in cockpit visibility.  Many competitive products offer impressive topographical maps, but the use of multiple colors on the screen reduces contrast and therefore visibility.  Glide Navigator II's simple display with waypoints and SUA data only provides an black on white high contrast display that is more visible in bright sunlight (our natural environment).  That is very important because available Pocket PC screen technology is not as bright as you would hope in sunlight.

Pocket PC Training
Now Available as FREE Online Videos (low resolution) or purchase a CD with the full resolution versions for $14.95

Downloads Page
The items below are available on the Downloads page.

• Documentation - Glide Navigator II Tips, Pocket PC Tips and the Glide Navigator II Manual
• Waypoint and Airspace Files
• Program Files  - Released and Beta versions of Glide Navigator II are available

Polar Data
Customer supplied polar data is available here: Polar Data

Mailing List
I have an e-mail mailing list of Glide Navigator II customers who would like to receive announcements about the availability of new versions of Glide Navigator II. If you are not already on the list, please send me an e-mail at the address at the bottom of the page.  I automatically add you to the list when you purchase the software.

Glide Navigator II Mailing List/Discussion Group
Due to requests by customers, I have created a new Glide Navigator II User's Group on Yahoo.  It is an automated e-mail list/discussion group for Glide Navigator II users.  New members must be approved by me, so junk e-mail should not be a problem.  If you prefer you can use it as a discussion group such that you will not receive any e-mails, but will need to go to the web site to check for new messages.  To use it as a discussion group you must change your preferences so that you don't receive e-mails.  I will still maintain my own separate Glide Navigator II e-mail list of all customers.  This new group is an optional way for users to help each other with technical questions and to discuss ideas for new features to GNII.  The group is open to current GN users or people who are interested in learning more before buying. - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GNII

Cumulus Soaring, Inc. Email Newsletter
If you prefer not to receive e-mails from other GN II users but do want to learn about new software releases, please sign-up now for the free Cumulus Soaring, Inc. Email Newsletter using the form below.  The newsletter will provide timely information on new soaring products and services, new software version releases, special offers, and soaring news from around the world.  You can select from several e-mail lists - including a Glide Navigator II User's list.  I am using a very reputable e-mail marketing service called Constant Contact, so your data will be safe, and you can opt out at any time.  I promise to limit the frequency of the newsletters to a maximum of 1 or 2 each month (probably less). 

Screen Captures Click on the images below to view them at full resolution.
Moving Map Reachable airports are highlighted	Airport Details Touch any waypoint  to view the altitude needed, distance and other waypoint info.	Improved Menu Navigation	Task Edit Note the large buttons and text you can easily select with your finger in flight
Edit Turnpoint Area Task (TAT)  Radius	Show Task Screen Note the new "Move Pt" button	Move Point Screen  Drag the turnpoint within the circle and see the "Estimated Total Time" change.	Go To Waypoint

Disclaimer
This software is to be used as a reference only for in-flight navigation.  Waypoint file, airspace file and polar data accuracy is the responsibility of the pilot.  Inaccurate setting of numerous user adjustable parameters in the software will make glide slope, distance and arrival altitude calculations incorrect.  Wind estimates calculated by Glide Navigator II and soaring flight computers are approximations and should be monitored by the pilot.  Even if all the data available to Glide Navigator II is correct, final glides in sailplanes are extremely sensitive to movement of the airmass you are flying in.  Winds vary with altitude and these variations are not accounted for in the software.  Also, a little bit of sink can change your glide slope dramatically.  Changes in barometric air pressure due to changes in the weather can affect the altitude received by Glide Navigator II and affect the arrival altitude displayed by Glide Navigator II.  It is the pilot's responsibility to verify that the data presented by Glide Navigator II makes sense and the pilot must make sure he/she does not get into any unsafe situations.  Cumulus Soaring, Inc. and Soaring Innovations are not responsible for incorrect information displayed by Glide Navigator II.  By downloading and using the software the pilot acknowledges his/her responsibility and will not hold Cumulus Soaring, Inc. or Soaring Innovations responsible for errors in the information provided by Glide Navigator II.

History
Chip Garner introduced the original Glide Navigator soaring software program in the early 1990's. Late in the 1990's it moved to the Windows CE platform as "Palm-NAV" and later "Pocket-NAV" under the Cambridge Aero Instruments logo. In mid 2002 Chip released the next generation of the product as Glide Navigator II with approval from Cambridge. He formed an alliance with Paul Remde of Cumulus Soaring, Inc. with Paul taking on the product marketing and support roles.  In 2008 Chip refocused his efforts onto the NK ClearNav product and decided it was best to separate himself from Glide Navigator II.  Cumulus Soaring, Inc. now owns the rights to Glide Navigator II and plans to move it forward in the future and continue to provide excellent technical support for years to come.

Top Features - Available Now

• Moving Map display of waypoints and Special Use Airspace
• Final Glide around multiple turnpoints
• Reachable landable waypoints are highlighted on the screen - This is the most important feature because you can glance at the screen and immediately know which nearby airports you can make it to.
• Large fonts and buttons for easy use in flight
• Easy task creation and editing
• Support for Turnpoint Area Tasks
• Statistics on the current task
• FAI Photo Sectors Displayed
• Accepts NMEA data from any GPS
• Used by top competition pilots around the world
• Perfect for new cross-country pilots
• Task declaration and flight log downloading with CAI GPS-NAV
• Task declarations can be sent to Cambridge 302 and 302A GPS flight recorders
• "IGC File" flight logging to flash card or Pocket PC memory (not official or IGC approved, but still fun to view after the flight in SeeYou or StrePla)
• Free upgrades for 1 year

Compatibility
Glide Navigator II is compatible with many GPSs, Flight Loggers, and Flight Computers.  The table below shows the features supported with each product.  Please let me know if you need us to add more support for your GPS.  We use customer feedback to help us prioritize our list of new features.
GN GPS-Logger Compatibility.pdf

New Features
All new features in all versions are show on the Revision History page.

Comparison with Competitive Products
Let me first say that there are some very nice competitive soaring software products available.  Glide Navigator II does not offer the color topographical maps available in some software products.  However, Glide Navigator II has everything you need to optimize your speed around a course. Do color maps help you fly faster? Or do they make it more difficult to find the data you really need?  Also, many pilots believe that Glide Navigator II has the best user interface for editing tasks in flight.  We strive to make Glide Navigator II the easiest soaring software to use.  Some pilots will prefer the other brands, others will prefer Glide Navigator II. 

Try It
Don't take my word for it, try it.  Download the software and run it in simulator mode on your Pocket PC.  Download the competitive products as well.  We hope you will agree that ours is the easiest to learn, and the easiest to use in flight.  You can run it in simulator mode without a password.  It will not connect to a GPS until you purchase a password. The program is available on the Downloads page.

Future Features "Wish List"
I've put together a "Wish List" of features that, in an ideal world, might be nice in future releases of Glide Navigator.  Many of the suggestions are from customers.  We can't promise to implement all the suggestions, but we want you to know what is on the wish list.  You are encouraged to e-mail your own wish list items to me for addition to the list.  If you really like and item, send me a note so that we can get a list of pilots who dig the idea.  We aim to please, so the more people that express interest in a particular proposed feature, the more likely we will be to implement it.  Reading through the list may also spark some new ideas, so please help us improve Glide Navigator.
GN_Future_Features_Wish_List

Licensing
The downloadable files on the Downloads page function in simulator mode until a password is entered.  This password is obtained by purchasing a license for the software.  Starting with version 3.0 passwords are tied to the pilot's name.  In previous versions of GN II the password was tied to either the PDA or GPS serial number.  That is no longer the case.  The password is tied to the pilot's name only and will work with any PDA or GPS.  That way you won't need to buy a new password when you upgrade your PDA or GPS.  However, we will charge for new passwords when new versions of the software become available.  When you place your order, you will be prompted for the Pilot Name to which you want the password tied.  It is not OK to enter a pilot name that is the name of a club or syndicate.  Glide Navigator will prompt you for the password the first time you run the software.  GN II will not connect to a GPS unless a matching Pilot Name and password are entered.  You can, however, run the software in simulator mode without a valid password.  Licenses and passwords are not transferrable.  If you sell the PDA we ask that you enter a bad password into GN II so the new user will be required to purchase a password. 

Licensing Examples

• Two pilots share a glider and keep a PDA in the glider for them both to use.  In this case I recommend that the pilot that owns the PDA buy a single GN II license with his/her name displayed at startup.
• Two pilots share a glider and both have their own PDAs.  In this case both pilots should own their own licenses for GN II.  This is required because they can take their PDA with them into other gliders.
• A syndicate owns a 2-seat glider and keep 2 PDAs in the cockpit for all syndicate owners to use.  In this case I recommend that the pilot that owns the PDAs buy a single GN II license with his/her name displayed at startup.
• A syndicate owns a 2-seat glider that can accommodate 2 PDAs, but each pilot owns their own PDA.  In this case each pilot should own their own license for GN II.  This is required because they can take their PDA with them into other gliders.

Free Upgrades for One Year
Purchasing a license entitles you to one year of free software upgrades. We call this a "Software Maintenance Agreement".  Upgrades during the year are free.  Upgrading after the year has expired will require the purchase of another 1-year Software Maintenance Agreement for $95.  If you don't feel that there are new features that warrant upgrading, you don't have to. The software will continue to function without limit - the password never "expires".

How to Order
Please download the software from the Download area above.  When you place your order, you will be prompted for the serial number of the item to which you want the password tied.  You will also be prompted for the "Dealer to receive sales commission".  Please select the dealer who convinced you to buy Glide Navigator.  The dealer will receive a commission on the sale.  Your password will be e-mailed to you within 1 to 2 days (excluding weekends and holidays). Nothing will be shipped to you, so be sure you select "No Shipping - Software" (do not select international or FedEx).
To order a product, click on the button next to the product. 
Once you are ready to complete your order, click on the button. 

Part #	Description	Photo	Price	Lead-time
GNII	Glide Navigator II License This is the option for customers buying their initial Glide Navigator II password. Please download the software from the Downloads page.  When you place your order, you will be prompted for the Pilot Name.  The name must be 10 or more characters long.  The pilot name you enter will be displayed when you start the software.  Your password will be e-mailed to you in a day or 2 (usually less). Nothing will be shipped to you, so please select "Free Shipping" at checkout.		$95	1 to 2 days
GNII-Password	Glide Navigator II - New Password - Upgrade to Version 3.0 This option is for customers who already own a Glide Navigator II license, but want to upgrade to version 3.0 and use a password that is tied to their name rather than their PDA or GPS.    When you place your order, you will be prompted for the Pilot Name.  The name must be 10 or more characters long.  The pilot name you enter will be displayed when you start the software.  Your password will be e-mailed to you in a day or 2 (usually less). I charge for new passwords because it takes time to create and record the new password.  I keep a record of all passwords in my Outlook database which is synced with my PDA and mobile phone.  That way I always have your password handy.  Then, if you lose your password you can call me or send me an e-mail and I will relay it to you for free. You do not need to buy a new password if you have simply lost your password - I'll resend your existing password for free.  Just call me or send me an e-mail. Nothing will be shipped to you, so please select "Free Shipping" at checkout.		$20	1 to 2 days
Training-Phone	Training Over the Phone or Web With Free Web Conferencing - One-on-one or in groups of up to 15 attendees - Very Popular I offer training over the phone on the soaring software topics listed below for $40/hour.  What we cover is up to you.  It includes free web conferencing features as described below.  I bill for fractional parts of 1 hour so if you need less than 1 hour, the bill is less than $40.  1 hour is usually plenty to get most people on the right track.  Phone charges will be your responsibility as you will call me.  After you place the order, please call to schedule a time for the training.  The best time for me is usually between 9 AM and 5 PM, or between 8:30 PM and 11 PM U.S. Central Time, Monday through Friday, but other times can be arranged.  If you are a very technical person - you probably won't need this training. Skype If you want to call me for free you can reach me using Skype.  It is a free internet phone service that requires only a high-speed internet connection and a microphone and speaker for your computer.  You can download it free here: http://www.skype.com. Web Conferencing - Included - Free of Charge Adobe Acrobat Connect is a fantastic web conferencing service to which I subscribe.  The standard hourly training fee includes the use of this service - it is free for the customer.  I have been using it a lot lately for one-on-one training sessions.  With the customer's permission I setup the system so I can see that they are doing on their PC.  I talk them though a software download or soaring software feature and they learn better because they do the work.  I can also take control of their machine (only with their permission) to do complex tasks more quickly.  This service is amazing.  It is as if I am in the same room with the customer, looking over their shoulder (at the PC screen only - no need to comb your hair or get out of your pajamas).  It also allows me to hold web conferences with up to 15 attendees at a time.  It could be used to do group training in which I walk through software features on my computer and all the attendees can view what I'm doing on their PCs.  There is no need to install software at the customer's end.  When you connect through a web browser a very small utility is installed in a few seconds.  I use this service during nearly every phone support session I do - several times a week.  The service also includes phone conferencing so that we all call a number and be connected together (long distance phone charges apply - or you can use Skype which charges very low per/minute rates for calls to land lines).  To connect to a conference in progress go here: http://connect.acrobat.com/cumulus Supported Products Glide Navigator II SeeYou SeeYou Mobile StrePla pocket*StrePla Cambridge 302, 302A and 303 LX Navigation Colibri Example Training Topics Downloading waypoint or airspace files from the internet to your PC or PDA Transferring files from your PC to your PDA or vice-versa Install soaring software on your PDA Download flight logs from your flight recorder Setup pilot name and glider ID in your flight recorder Upload waypoint and airspace files to your GPS flight recorder or flight computer Generate waypoint and airspace files for your region Pocket PC Training CD I have created a training CD that is great for anyone that is new to using Pocket PCs.  It sells for only $19.95.  You can see details here: Training		$40 per hour	Scheduled
GNII-Setup	Glide Navigator II Setup on Your Pocket PC Send your Pocket PC to me and I'll install Glide Navigator II on the Pocket PC.  I can also install waypoint and SUA files on your Pocket PC if you tell me where you fly from.  Of course, I cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the waypoint and SUA data.  The files I install are example files that you should verify before using them in flight.  I download waypoint and SUA files for existing soaring sites from the Worldwide Soaring Turnpoint Exchange.  For soaring sites that are not available on that web site I can create new files using a current F.A.A. database and SeeYou or StrePla.  Please send an SD or CF memory card so I can also copy the program and waypoint and SUA files to the memory card.  Shipping is not included - you must pay to ship the Pocket PC to me and for shipping back to you.		$40	1 to 2 days