Where is the LX S80?

On Thursday, October 23, 2014 7:04:52 AM UTC-7, krasw wrote:
On Thursday, 23 October 2014 16:11:45 UTC+3, Richard wrote:
On Thursday, October 23, 2014 12:15:57 AM UTC-7, krasw wrote:
Sorry for on-topic intervention, but is the variometer technology (hardware) identical in V7, V9 and S80? Or in other words, is there any evidence to think it is not identical?

Hardware is similar but the V9 S80 has inertial sensors.
Chart explains

http://www.lxnav.com/products/lxnav-varios.html

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

What do they use inertial sensors for, besides horizon?

5.5.2.13 Inertial assisted vario
With the LXNAV S80, it is possible to adjust the influence of g-force on the vario. This
influence is very small and can be set to Off or between 0 and 4.

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

On Thursday, 23 October 2014 17:51:52 UTC+3, Richard wrote:
On Thursday, October 23, 2014 7:04:52 AM UTC-7, krasw wrote:
On Thursday, 23 October 2014 16:11:45 UTC+3, Richard wrote:
On Thursday, October 23, 2014 12:15:57 AM UTC-7, krasw wrote:
Sorry for on-topic intervention, but is the variometer technology (hardware) identical in V7, V9 and S80? Or in other words, is there any evidence to think it is not identical?

Hardware is similar but the V9 S80 has inertial sensors.
Chart explains

http://www.lxnav.com/products/lxnav-varios.html

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

What do they use inertial sensors for, besides horizon?

5.5.2.13 Inertial assisted vario
With the LXNAV S80, it is possible to adjust the influence of g-force on the vario. This
influence is very small and can be set to Off or between 0 and 4.

Richard
www.craggyaero.com


G-force indicates there is only acceleration sensor used, that is whole different thing as full inertial setup.

There are accelerometers for all three axis.

On Thursday, 23 October 2014 18:43:04 UTC+3, wrote:
There are accelerometers for all three axis.

Yes, and if you add 3-axis (MEMS) gyros to that, you'll end up with so-called inertial sensors. You can measure acceleration all you want but those sensors alone cannot calculate the direction of acceleration, you need rate gyros for that. And even rate gyros need long-time reference from other sensors, such as 3D-compass + GPS.

Thank you.
In my next life I will try to be a physicist.
I am greatly attracted to the technology in the Butterfly Vario but in asking many people about their experiences, customer service and support is lacking. I am tired of paying full price to be a beta tester and then get abandoned.

On Thursday, October 23, 2014 11:11:44 AM UTC-7, wrote:
Thank you.
In my next life I will try to be a physicist.
I am greatly attracted to the technology in the Butterfly Vario but in asking many people about their experiences, customer service and support is lacking. I am tired of paying full price to be a beta tester and then get abandoned.

'I am greatly attracted to the technology in the Butterfly Vario but in asking many people about their experiences, customer service and support is lacking.'

I am a bit surprised by that statement. It is a European company, not Radio Shack down at the mall, nevertheless, my emailed requests and questions to Butterfly are nearly always answered overnight. In the one instance that I had a serious problem with released firmware, I explained what I saw, and had fixed firmware version within a couple of days.

I don't know what your expectations are, but I doubt you would do much better on this type of product unless the company president was a next door neighbor.

On Thursday, 23 October 2014 21:11:44 UTC+3, wrote:
Thank you.
In my next life I will try to be a physicist.
I am greatly attracted to the technology in the Butterfly Vario but in asking many people about their experiences, customer service and support is lacking. I am tired of paying full price to be a beta tester and then get abandoned.

I'm only interested in LX Nav's current state of variometer technology. As a general remark, modern consumer is beta tester in every product that contains software. Sadly.

On Thursday, October 23, 2014 11:11:44 AM UTC-7, wrote:
Thank you.
In my next life I will try to be a physicist.
I am greatly attracted to the technology in the Butterfly Vario but in asking many people about their experiences, customer service and support is lacking. I am tired of paying full price to be a beta tester and then get abandoned.

And who would these many people be? I have not had that experience.

Richard

On Thursday, October 23, 2014 11:11:44 AM UTC-7, wrote:
Thank you.
In my next life I will try to be a physicist.
I am greatly attracted to the technology in the Butterfly Vario but in asking many people about their experiences, customer service and support is lacking. I am tired of paying full price to be a beta tester and then get abandoned.

What you call "beta testers" is better described as "early adopters". I am sure Butterfly has a small subset of users that they actually enlist as beta testers.

We are lucky to have people that start companies like that which have the vision and are willing to take a inordinate risk by developing such advanced products - especially for such a small market - in the hope of establishing a sustainable business. They count on the availability of early adopters, without which their venture would most likely not be viable. On the other hand, the early adopters seek to get their hands on the latest technology as soon as possible. It is a symbiotic relationship.

It just happens that some people are just not willing or suitable early adopters. That's fine. Just wait until the product matures then consider it again. If you are expecting a completely finished product from the very first version, it is not going to happen.

Not in every case you pay full price as an early adopter. Many received a very nice discount on a Powerflarm for being one.

David

On Thursday, October 23, 2014 6:24:29 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Thursday, October 23, 2014 11:11:44 AM UTC-7, wrote:
Thank you.
In my next life I will try to be a physicist.
I am greatly attracted to the technology in the Butterfly Vario but in asking many people about their experiences, customer service and support is lacking. I am tired of paying full price to be a beta tester and then get abandoned.

What you call "beta testers" is better described as "early adopters". I am sure Butterfly has a small subset of users that they actually enlist as beta testers.

We are lucky to have people that start companies like that which have the vision and are willing to take a inordinate risk by developing such advanced products - especially for such a small market - in the hope of establishing a sustainable business. They count on the availability of early adopters, without which their venture would most likely not be viable. On the other hand, the early adopters seek to get their hands on the latest technology as soon as possible. It is a symbiotic relationship.

It just happens that some people are just not willing or suitable early adopters. That's fine. Just wait until the product matures then consider it again. If you are expecting a completely finished product from the very first version, it is not going to happen.

Not in every case you pay full price as an early adopter. Many received a very nice discount on a Powerflarm for being one.

David

I second what David said, and I also agree with Jon and Richard. I have a Butterfly Vario, and I love it. There are hiccups, sure, but I've got hiccups with my iPhone 6, too. Just like Apple has done, Butterfly has responded swiftly to fix them. Sounds to me like you're a perfectionist that wouldn't be satisfied with any piece of equipment, up to and including your glider.

-John, Q3