On Nov 18, 12:42*pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:

I agree completely that a pilot should learn how to use it while on the
ground to get full use out of the unit, but my impression is somebody
can be handed one, given a 5 minute basic introduction, then go flying.

I second Eric's thoughts on this.

IF there are setup requirements to get the FLARM system operating in a
"dumb" mode, that can be done by the folks providing the rental
service. Seriously, we do this in the IT world all the time - like
setting up a bunch of PCs to be identical in an office environment and
taking away some of the more powerful/troublsome features &
applications. Or provisioning PDAs and SmartPhones with certain
settings already configured.

And rental places for bikes, kyaks, and other equipment do this same
sort of thing. Renters *shouldn't* have to figure out how to
configure the darned unit as if it came out of the box. They should
be handed a unit that's basically "ready to mount", and as Eric says -
turn it on, turn it off, and _maybe_ know how to mute it.

If my job situation were a little more stable, I'd take the money in
my savings account and buy 30 PowerFLARMs right now, for this
purpose. The problem is that - by my calcs - it would take 3-4 years
to pay off the initial investment (renting each unit out 3 times a
year for about $150 - $250 per contest). I just can't have that money
tied up for that long of a period... but I *have* given it some
thought (I could write some of my flying off as a business expense -
wahoo)!

--Noel