On Dec 4, 10:53*am, Itsaplane wrote:
I'm looking for a ship to buy and find that I don't have much
perspective in evaluating various glide computers. *Is there an
existing and comprehensive glide computer review?

My doubtlessly flawed view of the glide computer universe divides
things into two main groups - panel mounted and PDA-based. *Another
way to divide things might be between moving map and non-moving map
systems. *I'm sure the type of flying is an important in this choice -
contests vs. general XC flying for example.

At the least, I'm hoping for some guidance to distinguish the
Cambridge 302 and the Ilec SN-10B. *What else deserves to be
evaluated? *Also, are things moving in a particular direction -- like
large super bright (vs. PDA's) built in displays? *Having components
that would be useful for doing that later would be plus.

I value: ease of use, readability in sunlight, the ability to monitor
multiple landing options simultaneously, no 250 turn point limitation
(L-Nav), and reliable wind data. *I like to fly into areas I've never
been to before and haven't done contests - but might.

Thanks to all who will take a crack at this,

Eric
ER

Asking to compare a 302 and an SN-10 is like comparing apples and
oranges. Most 302s will be used with PDAs or PNAs and those that have
303s installed are used as back-ups to the PDA. So the question is
more comparing flight computer software to the SN-10 than the 302 per
se.

There for support and features and a whole variety of reasons I would
look at SeeYou Mobile or XCSoar.

But instead of worrying about any of this go buy a glider. If you
happen to find two otherwise identical gliders and the significant
difference is the flight computer then you might have a problem. Worry
about that then. Eitherway with any leading system, 302, SN10B,
clearnav, etc you can fly with it for a while and see if you like them
and sell the unit on the used market fairly readilly so in the big
picture it is probably not a significant financial risk. Whatever you
buy is unlikely to have the panel layout exactly as you will want so
to be safe factor in a new panel blank and labour to tweek the layout,
maybe after you have flown for a while.

Of course if this was really important I know where you can go try out
and fly the same model glider you are considering with some of these
instruments...

Darryl