I have asked a number of people to explain to me exactly what their

"super varios" do that a good basic vario and a decent PDA/software

setup does not do. I mean besides calculating to more decimal places.

Maybe I would understand if I flew a glider with more than two speeds....

Better vario: Immense. Nothing matters as much. What can I do with a better -- and carefully set up -- vario? Outclimb people who think I have some actual thermaling ability. Climb when they land. Roll into that savior bullet thermal that looks like a gust on their varios.

What do I do with a better glide computer? Not look at it so much, and spend less time futzing with it. My PDA was an endless cycle of rebooting, battery management, keeping it cool, and punching screens. My current clearnav has what I want when I want it. I spent a lot of money for an instrument so I could avoid looking at it and look out the window instead. Less crucial, but certainly worthwhile.

I don't understand why people spend so much money on gliders, and spend so much time and effort on this sport, and then cheap out on instruments.

John Cochrane