Best Glide computer and why

I noticed a lot of people using the Cambridge with a PDA. Anyone using
the LX 7000, any new computers on the horizon. Any Zander users? I
have never liked the idea of a MS handheld device. I understand the
PDA is just the way of getting a screen, but I have also read all the
posts of not being able to see the screen in sunlight and the mounting
problems.

Anyone know of a MFD computer on the market or in design? What about
the European computers, anyone using those? I understadnt eh Zander
has a stick grip with control functions for teh computer, sounds like a
greaat idea.

On Oct 23, 9:24 pm, "ContestID67" wrote:
I have a Cambridge 302 with an iPAQ. IGC certified and easy to
transfer files as said earlier. It is easy to hook up and has
integrated gear/brake warnings (switches extra). Importantly the
Cambridge supplies 5Vdc to the iPAQ!!

I fly with Glide Navigator but any of the commercial products are good.

- John

I actually use an LX7007 as my primary nav/computer/vario/logger. I
like it very much. Having the 302/IPAQ combination as a backup allows
me to always have a moving map display visible.

I also have a toggle switch on my panel that lets me change the IPAQ's
connection between the LX7007 and the 302. This allows me to fly with
the 302 driving the IPAQ, and download the LX's flight log to the IPAQ
after the flight, which is much faster (19200 bps vs 4800 on the 302).

~ted/2NO

Roger wrote:

What about the European computers, anyone using those?

I have an SDI C4 and really like it.

Its big strength is that, unlike the Cambridge, it has only the one
display 'page' and you can configure it to show what you want to see
during each phase of the flight. Once you've set it up the way you want
it, you have to confirm the day's baro reading and input ballast before
launch. During the flight you only have to change MC, bugs and ballast
(as you dump it). All other display changes, etc are done automatically.

The climb and cruise tones and display symbols are different enough that
you're unlikely to be confused. The display always shows instant climb
rate, average rate and trend (if the climb rate is increasing or
decreasing). It calculates wind strength and direction during thermal
climbs and will also recalculate it during cruise. The cruise
calculation nails the wind strength though the direction is not very
accurate. It works as a normal TE vario in climb and a Netto during cruise.

Climb/cruise switching can be on airspeed, manually or from the GPS.

Tasks and turn points are entered on the GPS and sent to the C4 so it
can calculate final glide, so there's no double entry. Almost any GPS
can be used: I use a Garmin GPS II+ with it.

The C4 occupies a single 80mm hole in the panel. There is an option to
fit an extra analogue vario display, which I don't have or need. You can
also fit a slave display for a two seat glider.

There are currently no dealers outside Europe. The website is
http://www.sdi-variometer.de/ and is only in German. I think that SDI
owns Zander - they certainly sell the ZS1 alongside the C4 but somebody
with better German than I should confirm that.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |