Thermal Maximizer

What experience has anyone had with thermal maximizers
such a Winpilot Pro, SN10, or Thermi?
Are they helpful in locating the core? The question
regards locating the center not locating the thermal.
There has already been a thread started about thermal
locators.

I've used both, and both can be useful in reducing the level of
concentration and focus that is often required to center and stay centered.
This is especially useful when down low, towards the end of a long day of
flying, or when trying to multi-task (i.e. eating a power bar or
concentrating on other traffic etc).

Each has advantages over the other. The THEMI may require less head down
time, has memory for when you return to a previously thermal (will even
direct you back to it when you're close) but doesn't give you a graphical
display of exactly where the varying lift strength is around the flown
circle.

WinPilot comes "for free", so to speak, with what many consider to be one of
the best PDA based soaring computer/moving map systems. Like any relatively
complex soaring computer or GPS device, it's possible to fixate on the toys
to the detriment of outside scanning, though WinPilot's climb maximizer
doesn't require this sort of heads down if used properly. It has a large
arrow and an audio beep, either of which will let the pilot know when it's
time to roll-out a bit to adjust the circle.

If I had WinPilot, I probably wouldn't buy the THEMI. If I had the THEMI,
I'd still buy WinPilot. The THEMI is the better device for centering, but
WinPilot is a better deal if you consider all its other capabilities.
--
bumper ZZ (reverse all after @)
"Dare to be different . . . circle in sink."


"Ted Hauser" wrote in message
...
What experience has anyone had with thermal maximizers
such a Winpilot Pro, SN10, or Thermi?
Are they helpful in locating the core? The question
regards locating the center not locating the thermal.
There has already been a thread started about thermal
locators.