As a meteorologist contest pilot flying in the Western U.S., accurate winds for locating convergence zones are quite important. I'm looking to upgrade my small Discus 2a panel and would like get some reviews on the performance of these two vario/sensor families.

* If winds seem to be better in one over another.. how did you determine this?
* What kind of update rate do they generate? What's optimum ?
* How difficult is it to install both units in a "tight" panel area?
* Have there been any studies/reviews comparing these two families?
* Do either of these families require a flux gate compass mounted somewhere?

Interested in hearing your comments.

My impression from listening on r.a.s and other XC pilots... the Butterfly Air Glide family does a better job with winds. But, there may have been improvements with the LXNAV family in recent models or firmware upgrades. Perhaps the winds are "...good enough". I do know that placing the Air Glide sensor (IMU unit) is very sensitive, probably due to there being a compass in there.

Walt Rogers "WX"