XCS is amazing value, but I am mystified that some of you prefer the interface to SYM. Much less flexible display with data only in fixed position navboxes, same navbox structure on all map pages, more keystrokes to enter tasks. What is better?

I've never used XCS but TopHat allows me to set up different pages with different nav boxes. Don't think I can change the basic number and position for a page but I can display different data. TopHat isn't perfect--I've submitted a list of bug fixes and wish list items--but I've been using it for the season with no backup (I left GNII in the cockpit last year). Some years ago I purchased a used HP handheld and set up SYM to basically emulate GNII plus added data. Granted, I never flew with it. But I was put off by the necessity to "learn" so much before it was usable. TopHat requires some of that, too, but then so does (to an even greater degree) my new ClearNav vario. Nothing is as intuitive as my old Cambridge LNAV and GNII: hop into the cockpit every spring after a 6 month layoff and back in business in a few minutes.

But all these systems are superb, what matters most is to be very familiar with whichever you use.

Yes, yes, yes! Hopefully that familiarity is easily achieved and persists indefinitely. See my comments above.

Chip Bearden