glider/airplane collision

The problem with the prox device in my opinion is two-fold. Overall
size is huge, the readouts are tiny, and the screen is cluttered.
Power consumption is little concern for the Vrx if you plug it in.
since the prox unit doesn't take batteries anyway, the Vrx has a clear
advantage. The other problem is their approach of spamming the web
with "3rd party" reviews.

Given their reputation so far, foreign design, and lack of product
experience, I can't think of a good reason to spend the extra $ on the
prox.

The review I have seen from a pilot who flew with the prox has not
been too favorable thus far either.


"bumper" wrote in message ...
"BHelman" wrote in message
m...
There is another Tcas that is even smaller and can be battery powered.
It seems to have more favorable reviews. www.surecheckaviation.com





The Shurecheck TPAS and the Proxalert R5 seem to be at the top of the small
heap of these passive devices. Unlike earlier generation devices that only
provided approximate range information (and left you guessing if it was an
airliner way above you or a chunk of GA aluminum closing on your tail), both
these newer units decode the "threat aircraft" transponder reply and display
their altitude info. Further, they both give you the ability to limit the
"shield volume", both in altitude and range, so as to minimize nuisance
alerts in busy areas.

Of these two, the R5 has more features, but also costs a couple of hundred
more. R5 has a bigger footprint than the VRX (5" X 4.65" compared to 3.6" X
5.3"), but is less obtrusive when mounted atop an aircraft panel. It
accomplishes this trick with an "L" shape design that has the base of the
"L" dropping down below the panel by about .8" to allow a bigger display
without blocking your view. Thus the R5 height above the panel is just 1"
compared to the VRX's 2" height.

Some other differences between the two: The R5 has no internal batteries, so
must be plugged or wired in, the VRX uses AA batteries and can also be
plugged in. The R5 displays 3 threat aircraft and tracks up to 10, the VRX
displays one. The R5 is the only passive device that displays threat
aircraft squawk, and from this you can tell if the threat is not getting ATC
advisories (SQ 1200), or talking to ATC and hopefully being told of your
presence (discrete SQ code), maybe military (I've heard, but don't know for
sure, that they may use unique SQ codes), or a glider (SQ 0440 near Reno,
NV).

The R5 has a built in speaker for audio alerts in a quiet cabin (glider),
VRX has no internal speaker, only audio in/out jacks so has to be hooked to
intercom, headset, etc. Both units weigh within an ounce of each other
(about 11 oz), in the case of the VRX, that's without batteries installed.

Power consumption with the R5 is substantially less (100 ma with backlight
off, 140 ma with the light on - - light not needed for daytime ops). The VRX
is a bit more thirsty, (claiming 175 ma to 400 ma, with 350 ma listed as
"nominal" in the user manual). For those not into such things, 100 ma or
milliamps is 1/10 of an amp.

I got my R5 four days ago and so far have only done ground testing, "burning
the unit in" for much of this time, I jump up and run outside to get a
visual when it "alerts" - - so far the accuracy is impressive. I've also
taken it to the airport to see how it does in a busy environment. I'll fly
with the R5 in my Mooney early next week and compare its alerts with the
info I get from NorCal approach . I'll also fly with it in my glider as soon
as possible, then will post a full review.

The R5 is relatively new, being available now for only a couple of months in
the US - - that's why you won't find many comparos on the internet yet. One
of the French developers must be a glider pilot as there's a glider on their
website and the text specifically refers to ops in a glider. The US
distributor is Proxalert in Phoenix, AZ phone 602 992-3120. So far, the
distributor's price ($1295) is less that advertised by Eastern Avionics
($1495).