At 07:04 AM 4/09/2007, you wrote:
>- The basic variometer resolution is about 0.01 knots on a B500 and about -
>- 0.04 knots on a B400. I can't tell the difference. An LCD pointer would -
>- have meant a best resolution of 0.4 knots and some seem to use about 1
>--- knot steps. I consider this unacceptable"
That was written in response to John Wharington's comment re the
resolution and response time of hang glider instruments.
I'm always amazed at the short cuts and compromises taken by some
vario manufacturers in the displays used on their products.
After all it is only the most important instrument in the glider.
Almost anything is useable by experienced pilots in good conditions.
When it counts is when you are getting away from 600 feet trying to
avoid an outlanding in a weak, broken +/- half
knot thermal or if you are a new pilot trying to learn how to
thermal. Of course the audio is very important but under these
conditions, less than optimum displays are an unnecessary
handicap. Using lift effectively means integrating the air sounds,
the seat of pants, audio and visual displays.
If you are going to have a backup vario it should also operate in
similar fashion to your main unit. I once had an early Sage vario.
After persevering with it for a few months I tried the "can I fly
on this if my main electronic vario stops" experiment. The answer was
no and I took it out of the panel permanently.
In over 30 years of vario design I've also learned that what pilots
say they do and what they actually do are sometimes quite different
things and they only realise this when the vario they
allegedly use for the primary visual display (typically
Winter/PZL/Sage - but I listen to the audio from the electric) fails
and they don't miss it as they've been integrating the electronic vario
audio and visual displays all along. This includes top contest pilots
over the years. It is hard to be sufficiently analytical.
Mike
Borgelt Instruments - manufacturers of quality soaring instruments
phone Int'l + 61 746 355784
fax Int'l + 61 746 358796
cellphone Int'l + 61 428 355784
Int'l + 61 429 355784
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
website: www.borgeltinstruments.com
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