I think we should clarify by "electric" we actually mean "audio" Most
electric varios still get there information by pnuematics ie a static and
TE probe and are driven electrically. I had an electrically compensated
Ball vario (no TE Probe and absolutly hated it. Its compensation changed
during the flight with temperature and was very confusing. Using the SN10
now and 66's discarded Sage from a glider or two ago. I use the Sage
mostly when low and scratching to help center small lift and the SN10 for
everything else.

At 21:55 16 July 2008, kirk.stant wrote:
On Jul 16, 4:35=A0pm, Ian wrote:
On 16 Jul, 20:37, Bruce wrote:

So why install mechanical varios in a new high tech glide? Convince
me.

How well do electric ones react to nearby lightning bolts? Apart from
that, isn't it an awful lot easier to fit a mechanical vario than it
is to fit a complete second electrical system?

Ian "All mechanical cockpit" J

I'm totally in the "all electric" camp. Tossed my mechanical 8 years
ago, replaced with a nice Ilec electric backup (with audio), and
haven't had a problem since. Primary is an SN10. Both agree all the
time.

And 2 electrical systems are only slightly more work than one, if done
at the same time.

Given more funds, I would replace the Ilec with something that has
electronic TE, so that losing the probe wouldn't fail both varios - my
current single point of failure...

Mechanical varios belong with barographs - on the shelf behind the
club bar. Especially on club ships, where good varios with audio are
really needed, yet rare (at least in the US).

Cheers,

Kirk
66