6PK,

The main issue in trying to use XCSoar is that the XCSoar team is no longer updating the Windows CE or Mobile version of the software. You can download an older version of XCSoar and, with a little understanding of Windows CE, get it to install on the Ultimate.

It's not ideal, and Richard doesn't want to support a configuration that you may create. That's understandable and good business practice.

On the other hand, the Naviter folks have been continuing to do bug fixes on the SeeYou Mobile. As long as they support the platform the Ultimate will continue to be a great flight computer.

I had an Ultimate 5.7 in my Libelle which I used for one year. Personally, I was challenged by the set up process and felt in many ways it was difficult to get the specific decision support data I wanted using SeeYou Mobile. I spent many hours studying the manuals and trying different info boxes and map pages, never got everything I wanted.

Full disclosure, Prior to buying the Ultimate, I had used XCSoar for 7 years, on various Android devices. Due to that experience I expected things in a different format/presentation than SeeYou provided.

When I sold the Libelle the Ultimate went with it and the current owner is happy with the unit. I have an OpenVario in my Mini Nimbus, running XCSoar. That works fine for me: I like to tinker and it takes a bit of tinkering to get a fully working unit. As I recently mentioned to Richard, if I didn't already have a functional flight computer, and didn't have so much experience with XCSoar, I'd get the LXNav 90XX in a heart beat. It still has a learning curve, but the LXNav team seems to really have a great product and are very responsive to user input and support requests.

A lot more than $0.02, but my opinion, as you asked.

Mike