Flarmnet

My hangar partner, airshow pilot Bob Carlton is fond of saying, "The most important piece of glass in a glass cockpit is above the glareshield."

However, Flarm is as valuable to me as the altimeter. Both tell me whether something solid (rock, aluminum or plastic) might ruin my day.

I'm flying a Phoenix motor glider out of a towered airport near San Diego. It's not unusual to have 9 aircraft talking to the tower for landing instructions. ADS-B is needed, as we are in a mode C airspace and for safety. I've had a Flarm setup but it doesn't show both 1090 and 978 that are both used here. I've added a Sentry ADS-B receiver and an Ipad with Foreflight software so I can see all the ADS-B traffic. It is a real eye-opener to see what all is going on.
When I get to the mountains for soaring I can see the Flarm signals on one display and if they have ADS-B out I can see them on the Ipad also.
If you are counting on Flarm only realize most power traffic is not going to see you without looking out the canopy. They have not even heard of Flarm. I suggest you get ADS-B out.
I know Flarm is better in close thermaling situations but does not put out a signal to power traffic that does not have Flarm.
I hope someone can make a Flarm type device that works on the ADS-B frequencies. By all means, spend as much time as possible looking out through the canopy.