On Tuesday, September 30, 2014 12:28:46 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Monday, September 29, 2014 10:41:45 AM UTC-7, wrote:

From the description, it looks like this functionality is entirely safety related; assuming you follow the recommended install, it won't provide any real advantage for the more frivolous functions of FLARM (ie being able to track traffic way ahead of you)



Hopefully I've completely misunderstood the situation, because this seems like a really odd decision by FLARM. What's a feature charge going to do except actively discourage users from fitting the ideal antenna configuration for their aircraft?



Having done extensive testing with both 'A' and 'B' antennas of various types in various locations and combinations I have come to the conclusion that the 'B' antenna is mostly for extending range at the limit. Very few gliders have blind spots that are so directional that a 'B' antenna will add materially to collision avoidance functionality. To the extent that they do have very specific blinds spots it is likely due to poor placement of the 'A' antenna and/or RFI in the cockpit which can be remedied without a 'B' antenna. I conclude the 'B' antenna is mostly for pilots who want the absolute maximum range limit for better tactical situational awareness in contests or buddy flying.



As to pricing models - it's a software world where much, most, or even all of the value of products is attributable to the intellectual property that goes into a product (embodied in software), rather than means of delivering that intellectual property - including the hardware. You should expect that pricing will increasingly be based on customer value, rather than COGS (Cost of Goods Sold). Deleting ADS-B, PCAS, the 'B' antenna and other features are what allowed Flarm to dramatically reduce the price to reach new customers who don't value the full-featured version to the tune of $1500. Price elasticity of demand and market segmentation, pure and simple.



Even calibration - which is expensive because it is labor-intensive - is a feature that you can argue some customers don't need. In 12 years of flying and racing gliders I have never (0 times total) needed a logger calibration. If I could pay $25 or $50 less for an uncalibrated product I probably would - that's just me of course - other's might pay extra to have it included and it may not be the best strategy to have too many different versions of a product floating around just for inventory reasons and making the customers who want it have to send a product back out to get what they need (calibration) may not be the best approach.



9B

How much extra range do you typically expect with the B antenna?

This would be to enhance its primary value to me, which is as an inflight entertainment system. If the range enhancement is substantial, it would be well worth it.