At 22:30 23 September 2007, Dan G wrote:
If my primary (electric audio) vario failed it most
likely be because
of a general power failure, which would have also have
left me without
radio, GPS and logger. If I did want to use a mechanical
vario, I'd
have to go 'heads down', which is something I just
won't do. I'd fly
home via the seat of my pants.

So, no mechanical vario here.

The words of a K8 flying stroker! Get a life - any
reasonably experienced pilot is perfectly safe with
the odd glance at a mechanical vario!

My advice would be to have at least one back-up vario
either mechanical or electrical. (I fly with Cambridge,
so I have a backup everything, plus a mechanical).
As always buy the best you can afford. A 302 is a pretty
good vario and only fills one 57mm hole, and then you
get a back-up GPS as well. If you are lucky enough
to be able to afford this, then its an option.