At 19:30 25 May 2004, Romeo Delta wrote:
I am soliciting opinions on which is the best way to
go:

1. Cambridge Aero 302

-or-

2. Borgelt B50 system combined with a data logger:
a. CAI 302A

b. Colibri

c. Volkslogger

I would appreciate comments with consideration to ease
of
installation, ease of use, performance (to include
comments about
timing and accuracy of indication vs. actual conditions
as well as
one's liking of the respective vario's audio tones),
compatability,
reliability, factory support, etc.--especially from
anyone who has
experience flying with both systems.

Add'l info: I intend to couple either system with
a PDA using
GlideNav II. Also, I live in the U.S.

Thanks in advance,

RD

RD,

I have had a Borgelt B100 in one glider, a 302+303+
GN11 (with Borgelt B40 backup) in another, currently
fly with a temporary 302A/GN11 combination with a B2000
in the post, and am awaiting a new glider for which
I have been going through the same questions as you
pose.

My experience of the Borgelt varios is that they are
great thermalling varios and ours have been very reliable.


The 302 vario was repeatedly unreliable (and is U/S
again in my ex glider at present) but the logger aspect
is excellent.

The 302A is fine but at present the interaction with
GN11 is limited by the fact that the 302A cannot calculate
winds and GN11 also does not do a wind calculation
when attached to a 302A as it seems to expect winds
as from a full 302. Paul Remde says this is on the
to do list.

I plan to have a B50/B2000 system in the new glider
using a small dedicated GPS unit to drive them - this
would be the main vario and back up logger (non approved
in the B2000). I plan a 302A as the main logger (independent
of the B50) and my 1550/GN11 can hang from the 302A
as the back up nav system. A B40 would be the obvious
back up vario choice to my mind.

This set up gives redundancy (definitely needed) but
takes up a lot of panel holes. It would be ideal if
the B50 were to be developed into a one panel hole
unit (hint). Alternatively, if a second hand one becomes
available at a good price I could take a chance on
another full 302 as main logger/ backup vario - thus
deleting the B40.

I don't plan to have a Volklogger or Colibri just because
I dislike all that stuff mounted along the cockpit
sides. Also the current Volklogger memory capacity
is a bit marginal and it needs to be emptied between
flights because it does not roll over.

John Galloway