I think Paul R gives good advice and I also am a Cambridge Dealer but
think the GPSNAV Display and the later 303 display (in same case) are
great for pilots that want a simple and easy to use system and it is
simply not right to sell a customer a system beyond their ability.
Last week I was at Queensland Comps (over 50 gliders I might add and
FAI Australian Nationals at Dalby Q this and next week also over 50
gliders) and was talking just before the flight to a friend in his
seventees and flys their group Duo Discus. All Dennis wanted to know
in the front seat was how to find the next turn point and possibly the
last point and it was all too hard to explain the new back seat pilot
the 3950 - all they both wanted was how to use the 303. Information
overload was not what either pilot wanted and make no mistake Dennis
is a very good crosscountry pilot. The other consideration is how good
are your eyes - GPSNAV and 303 are easy to read when compared to most
HP/ iPaq. I have fitted out many of the newer generation club two
seaters and I always have them with dual GPSNAVS or 303s. I believe
in the KISS principle and will not change. I do admit airspace is not
a problem in Australia and this is one of the reasons given for a
Pocket PC and if you need a map display then use a Garmin!!!. I do not
believe the pocket PC is really necessary for the POST etc - The maths
is no problem but I do think seeking out the 7kt thermals rather than
working the 5kt thermals is by far more important to the bottom line
speed!!!...........Ian McPhee, Byron Bay, Australia.

PS Besides software needed never use a Pocket PC in a Cambridge box
unless the power mod is done (Pin8 on the D9 connector should be 5v
and not 12 volt) and always use a charged Pocket PC linked to a
Cambridge box otherwise there could be problems as the Cambridge only
supplies top up current not full charge current at 5 volts)


Stewart Kissel wrote in message ...
Any XCSoar users want to chime in?





At 20:48 04 October 2004, Jim Kelly wrote:

One more consideration: your subject line refers to
'Compaq
Aero.' If,
by that, you mean the older Compaq 1520/1530/1550 series
that a
lot of
us still use, then I'm not sure that WinPilot or SeeYou
Mobile
will
run satisfactorily (older, slower processors; monochrome

displays).


Many have noted here that your display may work better
in
sunlight than any of the more recent colour displays,
which can
often be difficult to read in flight. However, if you
needed more
cpu speed and bought a new gadget chances are that
you could turn
off some of the clutter and increase font size (thus
making it
easier to read) with an arguably better overall result.

jk