On Monday, February 22, 2016 at 8:19:05 AM UTC-5, Surge wrote:
I'm trying to figure out why some variometer manufacturers place the knobs
on the right instead of the left of their instrumentation....

Considering that most people fly gliders with their right hands on the
stick and their left hand moves around the cockpit for flaps, airbrake,
cable release etc. it seems to be counter intuitive to have the knobs on
the right as operating right handed instruments with one's left hand
obscures the instrument when making adjustments.
The alternative is to keep swapping the hand holding the stick in order
to use one's right hand on instrumentation. Is swapping hands what most
pilots prefer doing? Personally I'd rather teach my left hand new tricks.

Good question!
First, for 270 degree analog displays as varios, the only readily available
position is center right or possibly corners.

The instruments I designed are intended to be easily usable:
- with the left hand
- wearing gloves
- in turbulence
Using knobs makes it much faster to make selections (beats
pecking at buttons with arm out-stretched as in flight).
Knobs cost more and present mechanical challenges, but are
quicker and much easier in turbulence...

Hope that helps answer your question,
Best Regards, Dave