Whatever technology is behind the panel (analog or digital), the human
interface for instruments where trends and relative magnitude are
important then the "analog style" gauge is far superior to a digital
readout. It is easily discerned for ballpark, trends up or down, and
actual value rather precisely. So for airspeed indicators, varios, and
the like, the "analog style" interface is the way to go.



For battery voltage levels, radio frequencies, etc. where precision is
more important than trends or "ballpark" then a digital readout is just
the ticket.



Regards,



Larry





"Bill Daniels" wrote in message
:

Does it strike some of the digerati here that expensive mechanical
altimeters with easily mis-read clock-like hands locked into either the
metric or US measurement systems are archaic?

GPS provides highly accurate, although not ATC compliant, altitude. Various
vendors provide electronic pressure altimeters with digital displays that
can be switched between meters and feet with the push of a button. Digital
pressure altitude sensors drive the "glass cockpits" of new GA aircraft.

I seems to me that clock-like altimeters designed 70 years ago and
maintained by watchmakers must be nearing their well-deserved retirement.

Bill Daniels


"Bert Willing" wrote in
message ...
Yes, they are.

--
Bert Willing

ASW20 "TW"


"Roy Bourgeois" a écrit dans le message
de
news: ...
This may be a silly question - but are all metric altimeters
configured with 'Zero at 6 O'clock' as I saw in France?
I did not have trouble converting to meters/kilometers
but I did have trouble quickly reading the altimeter
with the zero at the bottom of the instrument face
(especially on the little 57mm instruments). Just
curious.

Roy