On Thu, 23 May 2013 16:05:09 -0500, Wallace Berry wrote:

Better instruments is better instruments. I get that. I just keep
thinking these expensive systems must do something other than be
incrementally better. How much better is a new super vario than a well
compensated Borgelt B40? Would a super vario make that much difference
in a club class ship? If I'm cruising faster than 70, it is such a
booming day that a pellet vario would be overkill. Now, filtering out
horizontal gusts is a feature I would be willing to shell out the bucks
for (assuming I would not have to put up with waiting for the "Next
Software Upgrade" to get the advertised features and off-again-on-again
technical service)!

FWIW, and as a Libelle driver, I have an SDI C4 as my main vario (I
already had it when I got the Libelle and I like its noises and nice, big
LCD display), a Borgelt B.40 as backup vario (thanks to the 9v battery
strapped to its back) and a really cheap Binatone B.350 satnav running
LK8000 to take care of the rest of the navigation tasks.

The B.350 has been replaced by the R.350 and costs from £50 ($US 76): it
runs LK8000 (I've checked), the screen is bright enough to use in the
relatively shaded Libelle cockpit and, sitting on a flexi RAM mount in
front of the panel, unlike with many of the bigger PDAs I can easily see
everything else on the panel. This shows what I mean:
http://www.gregorie.org/gliding/libelle/FLARM_panel.jpg

I don't race but I do go XC with this kit.

HTH


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |