New $1700 transponder - a disappointment

Sandia announced a new transponder that is "ideal for LSA - Glider - UAV
Operations"; unfortunately, the only good thing about this transponder
is the price.

It's an odd shape for glider panels at 2" high by 3.5" wide, but the
worst part is the 500 ma current draw at 12.5 volts, twice what the Trig
21 uses. Almost as bad - it's a Mode C unit instead of Mode S, limiting
your options for ADS-B in the future.

At about $500 less than the Trig 21, it might still be attractive to
some pilots that want a new transponder with an integral encoder, and
can accommodate the odd size and high drain.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

On Friday, June 1, 2012 11:25:51 AM UTC-4, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Sandia announced a new transponder that is "ideal for LSA - Glider - UAV
Operations"; unfortunately, the only good thing about this transponder
is the price.

It's an odd shape for glider panels at 2" high by 3.5" wide, but the
worst part is the 500 ma current draw at 12.5 volts, twice what the Trig
21 uses. Almost as bad - it's a Mode C unit instead of Mode S, limiting
your options for ADS-B in the future.

At about $500 less than the Trig 21, it might still be attractive to
some pilots that want a new transponder with an integral encoder, and
can accommodate the odd size and high drain.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

Don't do it - get Mode S !
You'll be much happier as will your neighbors...

On Jun 1, 8:25*am, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Sandia announced a new transponder that is "ideal for LSA - Glider - UAV
Operations"; unfortunately, the only good thing about this transponder
is the price.

It's an odd shape for glider panels at 2" high by 3.5" wide, but the
worst part is the 500 ma current draw at 12.5 volts, twice what the Trig
21 uses. Almost as bad - it's a Mode C unit instead of Mode S, limiting
your options for ADS-B in the future.

At about $500 less than the Trig 21, it might still be attractive to
some pilots that want a new transponder with an integral encoder, and
can accommodate the odd size and high drain.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

For those in the know, it's not such a good deal. It's even odd sized
for most power LSA aircraft, and a UAV does not need a panel mount,
they can be "rack mounted".

Always buy Mode-S.

T

On Jun 1, 9:25*am, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Sandia announced a new transponder that is "ideal for LSA - Glider - UAV
Operations"; unfortunately, the only good thing about this transponder
is the price.

It's an odd shape for glider panels at 2" high by 3.5" wide, but the
worst part is the 500 ma current draw at 12.5 volts, twice what the Trig
21 uses. Almost as bad - it's a Mode C unit instead of Mode S, limiting
your options for ADS-B in the future.

At about $500 less than the Trig 21, it might still be attractive to
some pilots that want a new transponder with an integral encoder, and
can accommodate the odd size and high drain.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to

email me)

I have spoken to the owner of Sandia Aerospace and .....

The specs below are very conservative. Operating at 12 volts, a PRF
of 500 and Squawk code of 1202, the amp draw is less than .30 ma. with
the heater running on start up.

The shape is not difficult to cut and will also fit in a 3 1/8" cut
out using a blank. Isn't the Trig is also a weird shape but fits in a
2 1/4 " cut out using a blank?

1.3.3.1 STX 165 Panel Mount

Operational Voltage: 11-33Vdc
Current: All Current readings are with the encoder heater on
Aircraft Power PRF Squawk Code Watts Current
14Vdc 500 7777 6.09 .43A
14Vdc 500 1200 4.2 .30A
28Vdc 500 7777 6.07 .21A
28Vdc 500 1200 4.24 .15A
Operating Temp: -20oC - +55oC
Altitude: -1000’ - 35,000’

Mike