LXNAV Nano 4 GPS Flight Recorder with variometer and color touchscreen navigation display

The Nano 4 is a fantastic GPS flight recorder with full IGC approval for all badge, record and contest flights. It includes a built-in GPS engine, built-in GPS antenna, built-in battery, touchscreen, and flight recorder. It is also extremely easy to use. It also features a built-in variometer (not Total Energy compensated) and a navigation display which shows waypoints, airspace, tasks, etc. It also displays FLARM, ADS-B and PCAS (Mode C/S transponder) traffic (when connected to a FLARM. The Nano4 is the largest dedicated FLARM traffic display available!

The user-interface is very simple and graphical and utilizes a 480 x 640 pixel 3.5" touchscreen and 4 push-buttons. Note that the Nano4 will soon display terrain maps with mountains, rivers, lakes, roads, cities, etc.

Comparison - LXNAV Nano and Naviter Oudie
https://www.cumulus-soaring.com/store/lxnav-nano-and-oudie-comparison

LXNAV Nano4 Overview
Overview Video, by Paul Remde

LXNAV Nano4 Overview
Duration: 16+ minutes
One of 80+ videos in the Soaring Product Training series

LXNAV Nano4 - Quick Review - by Paul Remde

I received the first batch of Nano4 units yesterday. I'm extremely impressed with the Nano4. It is easy-to-use and the display of airports and airspace and FLARM data only makes the screen clear and uncluttered. It is a very high resolution display for its size - so it looks very sharp.

It has a very bright display. I just walked outside in sunlight with an Oudie IGC (same screen as Oudie 2) and Nano4 and the Nano4 is a bit brighter than the already very bright Oudie IGC. The Nano4’s screen is about 2/3 as tall and 3/4 as wide as the Oudie screen. It can display altitude AGL (it must have a built-in terrain elevation database).

To change a Navbox, you simply tap and hold on the navbox for a second and then lift off it. Large icons for each navbox option are easy to select with a fingertip.

To change the MacCready setting, you just tap on it. It is displayed on the right side of the screen in the middle. Then large plus and minus buttons are used to change the setting for MC, Bugs, and Ballast - or you can drag the slider to change the settings. The glide ratio and best glide speed are shown on the bottom of the screen and update as you change the settings.

Why Get a Nano4 rather than a Nano?
I highly recommend the Nano4 over the Nano because you can enter a task using the Nano4 user-interface - just before take-off. To enter a task declaration into a Nano, you need to use a PC or PNA like an Oudie. It is not convenient to power-up and use a PC at the gliderport. Soaring weather is very changeable, so it is important to be able to update the task at the gliderport. Also, the Nano4 has a built-in variometer, the Nano doesn't. Also, you can view flight statistics imediately after landing with the Nano4 screen. Also, the Nano4 displays airspace - to help keep your flight legal and safe. The extra features are well worth the extra cost.

Color Display

Sunlight readable LCD touchscreen
3.5'' (88.9 mm) diagonal screen size (2.1 x 2.8")(53 x 71 mm)
VGA 480 x 640 pixels

Main features

Terrain maps with cities, rivers, lakes, mountains, etc.
Thermal Assistant
Audible airspace warnings
Easy handling. (Turn on and go)
Touch screen and seven buttons for simple and easy operation.
Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios - compatible with iOS and Android systems.
Flight recorder according to high-level IGC specification.
2048bit digital file security signature
Advanced engine noise level recording. (also for JET engines)
Built-in high resolution variometer with adjustable volume.
Task and waypoint navigation (CUP compatible).
Airspace display (CUB compatible or from LXNAV database).
Airports from LXNAV database.
Wind indication
Final glide calculation
Unlimited storage for flights. (+28000 hours at 1 sec interval)
Flights stored in IGC file format are downloadable through USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Easy-to-understand status LED's
NanoConfig program for creating declaration and system settings (for PC and Android)
Integrated flight recorder according to high-level IGC specification (pending)
Built in high resolution variometer
FLARM, ADS-B, PCAS (Mode C/S transponders) traffic display (when receiving data from a FLARM)
Up to 14 hours of operation on internal battery with LCD on at full brightness
Up to 36 hours of battery life with smart power management (LCD turned-off when not in use)
Automatic power down after landing (can be set by user)
Start logging at power-up (for paragliders or pedestrians)

Hardware

50-channel GPS receiver with built-in antenna
Built-in BlueTooth
Built-in Wi-Fi
3.5'' Sunlight readable screen with VGA (640*480) resolution
Low power ARM processor
4 GBytes of solid state memory
7 buttons (1 power on, 2 zoom buttons and 4 screen buttons)
50-channel GPS receiver
Plug and play USB interface (mass storage device), compatible with all operating systems (MS Win, Linux, Mac OS)
Advanced engine noise level sensor. (also for JET engines)
High resolution variometer - same technology as on V9/S80 vario
Built-in vario speaker
High resolution pressure altitude sensor measures up to 30,000m (100,000ft)
Ineretial platform - 3 axis accelerometer and 3 axis gyroscope.
Integrated Li-Ion battery delivers you up to 36 hours of operation
Easy battery charger via USB port on your notebook, PC or wall charger
Robust ABS plastic housing

Input and output

micro-USB port with USB, TTL serial, and 5V power connections
USB interface (mass storage device)
serial RS232 interface for PDA connection (with NanoPower adapter)
Bluetooth interface for wireless connection with PNA or Smart phone
Wi-Fi radio for connection to iOS (iPhone, iPad) devices

Size and weight

Outline dimension 65 x 105 x 17 mm (2.6 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches)
Weight: ~145g (5.1 ounces)

Included

Nano 4 GPS flight recorder with audio variometer and color touchscreen navigation display
Wall Charger (100 to 240 AC and 50/60 Hz) with 4 different wall plug prong types for use just about anywhere in the world
USB to micro-USB Cable (for connecting the Nano to a PC or Mac or Socket Mobile Power Pack, and for connecting the Nano to the NanoPower cable)
Barograph calibration certificate
The manual is not in the box but may be downloaded here: Manual

Options

NanoPower Adapter - Power/data cable for connection to 12V power and a PDA or PNA. A female USB "A" connector is provided to allow the use of a standard USB to micro-USB cable to connect to the Nano. A USB to microUSB cable is included in the box with the Nano4. A female RJ45 connector is provided for connection to PDA or PNA. Red and black wires are used for connection to 12V power (Red wire to +12VDC and black wire to common).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Nano4 units with serial number up to 06099 require the use of a USB adapter between the USB to microUSB cable and the USB port on the NanoPower adapter. It is included in the Nano4 box - if necessary.
LXNAV-Nano4-Cradle
LXNAV-Nano4-Mount-AdhesiveBase
LXNAV-Nano4-Mount-DiamondBase
LXNAV-Nano4-Mount-SuctionCup

Cable Options

LXNAV-CC-NP-Oudie, for connecting the NanoPower adapter to Naviter Oudie or Oudie 2 or Oudie IGC. The NanoPower adapter powers the Oudie with 12V.
LXNAV-CC-NP-Kobo, for connecting the NanoPower adapter to a Kobo e-reader display. The NanoPower provides power to the Kobo.
LXNAV-CC-NP-38, for connecting the NanoPower adapter to iPAQ h2200, h3800, h3900, h5500, hx4700, hx2000, etc.
LXNAV-CC-NP-LX, to 6-conductor RJ12 connector, for connecting a NanoPower Adapter to an LXNAV S7, S8, S80, S10 or S100 (RX/TX are crossed)
LXNAV-S7-GPS-Nano, for connecting the Nano or Nano3 or Nano4 directly to an LXNAV S7, S8, S80, S10 or S100.
LXNAV-NanoPower-PF-MicroUSB, for connecting the Nano4 to a PowerFLARM's 8-pin RJ45 port - so the Nano4 can display FLARM, ADS-B and transponder traffic. This makes the Nano4 into the largest dedicated FLARM traffic display available!
RJ-Coupler-RJ45-Rj45-Panel and Cumulus-Cable-RJ45-RJ45-0p5 to move the PDA connector out to a panel-mounted RJ45 connector. This is a perfect option for soaring clubs - allowing club members to easily connect their own PDA cables.
Goddard-Cable-Nano-Oudie-5vBatt-1 - for connecting the Nano or Nano 3 to a 5V Battery Pack and Oudie
Cable-Nano-SMPP-DB9f-1 - for connecting the Nano or Nano 3 to a 5V Battery Pack and PDA cable
Cumulus-NP-PFlarm-0p3, for connecting the NanoPower adapter to a FLARM or PowerFLARM's 8-pin RJ45 port, The NanoPower adapter is included with the Nano3. The NanoPower adapter must be powered with 12V.

Airport and Airspace Files

Airport and Airspace files for the USA are available here:
https://www.airnav.com/airports/

Soaring Site Waypoint Databases are available here:
http://soaringweb.org/TP/HomePage.html

Creating Your Own Waypoint and Airspace Files
You can create your own waypoint and airspace files using the SeeYou Mobile Wizard in Naviter SeeYou for PC software. A great training video showing how to do that is available here:
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=18_175_446_449- Video #46

Setup Software
The Nano Configurator setup software is extremely easy to use. It is used to enter the pilot and glider details and to enter a task declaration. Click on the images below to view full-size screen captures of the setup software.

The first screen capture (above) is of the Windows Explorer view that opens upon connecting the Nano to the PC. Use this screen to copy and paste flight logs from the Nano to your PC. Double-clicking on the "NanoConfig.exe" program launches the simple setup program shown in the other 2 screens below.

Clicking on the "Load Waypoints" button allows you to open any SeeYou ".cup" waypoint file. You can then easily build a task using the waypoints in the file.