Today was a good day for it, as there were CBs in all directions
around Mobile (so, what else is new?). Around the airport, though, it
was scattered cu. with bright sun, a good test for the Sony notebook's
viewability.

The WxWorx receiver slipped neatly into the Cessna's right front map
pocket (about calf level, for those not familiar). I velcro'd the USB
GPS and the WxWorx antenna to the glareshield up at the base of the
windshield and routed the cables down the right side of the
glareshield. The receiver cable goes right to the WxWorx box in the
map pocket. The GPS USB cable goes directly to the pc and the WxWorx
USB cable comes out of the map pocket and also goes to the pc. Power
for the WxWorx receiver comes from the aircraft cigar lighter outlet,
which is conveniently within inches of the map pocket. This sounds
like a nest of snakes, but everything stowed pretty neatly. As far as
actual clutter to deal with goes, I wound up with the little notebook
pc on the right seat with two USB cables connected to it.

My airplane is parked under a metal shelter, and both the GPS and the
WxWorx receiver had trouble getting locked until I taxied clear. By
the time I was through with the runup, all the WxWorx features were
active. I must say it was a near religious experience to be sitting at
the departure end of the runway and seeng less-than-10-minute-old
NEXRAD and lightning strike data within a 60-mile radius. The Sony
screen was splendid - always easily readable no matter what the sun
angle. I took an hour-long flight around the bay, looking out the
windows at boomers of various sizes and watching them being painted on
the WxWorx screen - just too, too cool.

This thing is great. If it was panel mounted, it would be perfect.
Since I don't feel comfortable spending five figures to make that kind
of thing happen, this will do just fine. It's early days, I know, but
right now I am very satisfied indeed.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

Thanks for the review, Dan.

I am looking at NavAir using the WxWorx system on a Tosh PDA. Do you think
the screen will be too small? I have flown through enough weather this
summer to try it on a whim, anyway...

Thanks,

Mark


"Dan Luke" > wrote in message
...
> Today was a good day for it, as there were CBs in all directions
> around Mobile (so, what else is new?). Around the airport, though, it
> was scattered cu. with bright sun, a good test for the Sony notebook's
> viewability.
>
> The WxWorx receiver slipped neatly into the Cessna's right front map
> pocket (about calf level, for those not familiar). I velcro'd the USB
> GPS and the WxWorx antenna to the glareshield up at the base of the
> windshield and routed the cables down the right side of the
> glareshield. The receiver cable goes right to the WxWorx box in the
> map pocket. The GPS USB cable goes directly to the pc and the WxWorx
> USB cable comes out of the map pocket and also goes to the pc. Power
> for the WxWorx receiver comes from the aircraft cigar lighter outlet,
> which is conveniently within inches of the map pocket. This sounds
> like a nest of snakes, but everything stowed pretty neatly. As far as
> actual clutter to deal with goes, I wound up with the little notebook
> pc on the right seat with two USB cables connected to it.
>
> My airplane is parked under a metal shelter, and both the GPS and the
> WxWorx receiver had trouble getting locked until I taxied clear. By
> the time I was through with the runup, all the WxWorx features were
> active. I must say it was a near religious experience to be sitting at
> the departure end of the runway and seeng less-than-10-minute-old
> NEXRAD and lightning strike data within a 60-mile radius. The Sony
> screen was splendid - always easily readable no matter what the sun
> angle. I took an hour-long flight around the bay, looking out the
> windows at boomers of various sizes and watching them being painted on
> the WxWorx screen - just too, too cool.
>
> This thing is great. If it was panel mounted, it would be perfect.
> Since I don't feel comfortable spending five figures to make that kind
> of thing happen, this will do just fine. It's early days, I know, but
> right now I am very satisfied indeed.
> --
> Dan
> C172RG at BFM
>
>
>

"Mark T. Mueller" wrote:
> I am looking at NavAir using the WxWorx system on a Tosh PDA. Do you
think
> the screen will be too small?

I dunno, Mark. The WxWorx screen is a "landscape" layout; all the
PDA's I've seen are"portrait." Let us know how it looks.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

"Dan Luke" > wrote in message

>
> ...all the PDA's I've seen are"portrait."

Well, that really depends on how you hold the PDA, doesn't it? :)

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/tknoFlyer
__________

"John T" wrote:
> ...all the PDA's I've seen are"portrait."
>
> Well, that really depends on how you hold the PDA,
> doesn't it? :)

Ha! I guess so! All the buttons would be sideways, but so what?

"Dan Luke" <c172rgATbellsouthDOTnet> wrote in message

>
> Ha! I guess so! All the buttons would be sideways, but so what?

Yeah, but some of the Garmin models allow you to rotate the screen, too.

But the general intent of the PDA screen is portrait mode - even though I
have a couple of apps that set it up in landscape.

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/tknoFlyer
__________

"John T" wrote:
> > Ha! I guess so! All the buttons would be sideways, but
> > so what?
>
> Yeah, but some of the Garmin models allow you to rotate
> the screen, too.
>
> But the general intent of the PDA screen is portrait mode
> - even though I have a couple of apps that set it up in landscape.

Now you've got me curious. Next time I run the app, I'll check to see if it
will rotate the view.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

> ... The WxWorx screen is a "landscape" layout

This is an interesting point. I have a Fujitsu tablet that I use for
JeppView approach plates. Of course, JeppView makes the most sense in
portrait orientation. So would you have to flip the orientations back
and forth? Or does WxWorx skew their window to whatever the long
dimension is? Or would it work in Portrait mode?

Hmmm....

-Jon C.

Dan,

Great report. Enjoy the unit. Of course now that you got it, the
thunderstorms will die down and you'll have blue skies.:->

A friend of mine just got his unit and reported similar results.
Unfortunately I don't have room for a PC, I usually have people in the right
seat. But maybe I can try the system on a PDA.

jerry

"JerryK" wrote:
> Enjoy the unit. Of course now that you got it, the
> thunderstorms will die down and you'll have blue skies.:->

The generator I bought has successfully repelled hurricanes - I expect
WxWorx to do the same for CBs.

> Unfortunately I don't have room for a PC, I usually have people
> in the right seat.

So do I. This will give them something useful to do.

> But maybe I can try the system on a PDA.

Let us know how it looks.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

FWIW, I asked WxWorx about this, and currently their software does not
support portrait orientations. Apparently they're working on it for a
future version.

-Jon C.


"Jon Carlson" > wrote in message
et...
> > ... The WxWorx screen is a "landscape" layout
>
> This is an interesting point. I have a Fujitsu tablet that I use for
> JeppView approach plates. Of course, JeppView makes the most sense
in
> portrait orientation. So would you have to flip the orientations
back
> and forth? Or does WxWorx skew their window to whatever the long
> dimension is? Or would it work in Portrait mode?
>
> Hmmm....
>
> -Jon C.
>
>

"Jon Carlson" > wrote in message news:<zX_bb.558103$o%2.244106@sccrnsc02>...
> FWIW, I asked WxWorx about this, and currently their software does not
> support portrait orientations. Apparently they're working on it for a
> future version.
>
> -Jon C.
>
>
> "Jon Carlson" > wrote in message
> et...
> > > ... The WxWorx screen is a "landscape" layout
> >
> > This is an interesting point. I have a Fujitsu tablet that I use for
> > JeppView approach plates. Of course, JeppView makes the most sense
> in
> > portrait orientation. So would you have to flip the orientations
> back
> > and forth? Or does WxWorx skew their window to whatever the long
> > dimension is? Or would it work in Portrait mode?
> >
> > Hmmm....
> >
> > -Jon C.

There are 3rd party software tools for rotating displays from portrait
to landscape. As long as the host program can accomodate a screen
resize, it will work. I used one with a remote touchscreen display
for my laptop and it worked well.

Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the program.

-Nathan




Nathan

No, that's a different issue. The issue with WxWorx is that they have
lots of (big) buttons that they have around the sides of their
display. I suspect the button layout doesn't work when it's in
portrait orientation. The screen will rotate, but the application
looks like crap because it's not designed with a flexible layout.

-Jon C.


"Nathan Young" > wrote in message
om...
>
> There are 3rd party software tools for rotating displays from
portrait
> to landscape.

I have been using WxWorx for nine months, beginning with the early
beta software. I prefer a tablet pc with enough resolution to run in
portrait mode with WxWorx on the top 1/2 of the screen and XMLink on
the lower 1/2 so I can monitor the signal status. I have a velcro
kneeboard the compaq tablet attaches to. I am doing a talk for a
local aviation conference and posted the powerpoint files to
http://www.weatherpros.com/wmwx_files/frame.htm
Warning, slow connections will take some time to see the photos, but
you will clearly see what the display looks like in sunlight, portait
mode, in actual convection, etc. There are some comparison of XM-WX
data to data from internet sources.

John McLaughlin
Commercial Pilot
Radar Meteorologist

John McLaughlin > wrote in message
om...
> I have been using WxWorx for nine months, beginning with the early
> beta software. I prefer a tablet pc with enough resolution to run in
> portrait mode with WxWorx on the top 1/2 of the screen and XMLink on
> the lower 1/2 so I can monitor the signal status. I have a velcro
> kneeboard the compaq tablet attaches to. I am doing a talk for a
> local aviation conference and posted the powerpoint files to
> http://www.weatherpros.com/wmwx_files/frame.htm
> Warning, slow connections will take some time to see the photos, but
> you will clearly see what the display looks like in sunlight, portait
> mode, in actual convection, etc. There are some comparison of XM-WX
> data to data from internet sources.
>
> John McLaughlin
> Commercial Pilot
> Radar Meteorologist

Great presentation John, Thanks!

What are these acronyms?
RUC = ?
LES = ? (Lake Effect Snow?)
SCIT = ? (Storm Cell Identification and Tracking?)

Cheers,
John Clonts
Temple, Texas
N7NZ

(John McLaughlin) wrote in message >...
> I have been using WxWorx for nine months, beginning with the early
> beta software. I prefer a tablet pc with enough resolution to run in
> portrait mode with WxWorx on the top 1/2 of the screen and XMLink on
> the lower 1/2 so I can monitor the signal status. I have a velcro
> kneeboard the compaq tablet attaches to. I am doing a talk for a
> local aviation conference and posted the powerpoint files to
> http://www.weatherpros.com/wmwx_files/frame.htm
> Warning, slow connections will take some time to see the photos, but
> you will clearly see what the display looks like in sunlight, portait
> mode, in actual convection, etc. There are some comparison of XM-WX
> data to data from internet sources.

Great site John. Thanks. WxWorx would gather more customers if they
had half as detailed of info (on their website) as you do on this
site.

You mention transreflective tablet PCs in your presentation. Although
tranreflective laptops and PDAs can be found, I have not been able to
a transreflective tablet PC. Do you have any suggestions?

Nathan

"John McLaughlin" wrote:
> posted the powerpoint files to
> http://www.weatherpros.com/wmwx_files/frame.htm

Great slides. The WxWorx/Intellicast side-by-sides are very
interesting.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

Great review! Thanks very much.

I like your positioning the WxWorx window at the top of a portrait
display. I am flying with a Fujitsu Stylistic tablet, though, whose
resolution is only 800x600. I suspect that with a little window
dragging, though, one could see most of the actual data display area
and just move the buttons on screen as needed.

Thanks again.

-Jon C.


"John McLaughlin" > wrote in message
om...
> I have been using WxWorx for nine months, beginning with the early
> beta software. I prefer a tablet pc with enough resolution to run
in
> portrait mode with WxWorx on the top 1/2 of the screen and XMLink on
> the lower 1/2 so I can monitor the signal status. I have a velcro
> kneeboard the compaq tablet attaches to. I am doing a talk for a
> local aviation conference and posted the powerpoint files to
> http://www.weatherpros.com/wmwx_files/frame.htm
> Warning, slow connections will take some time to see the photos, but
> you will clearly see what the display looks like in sunlight,
portait
> mode, in actual convection, etc. There are some comparison of XM-WX
> data to data from internet sources.
>
> John McLaughlin
> Commercial Pilot
> Radar Meteorologist

One other question, actually. You're using one of the Compaq tablet
PCs. You mention transflective displays might be better. How bad is
what you've got? Is it readable at all in sunlight?

Also, using the official Tablet PCs, do you find the requirement for a
radio based pen to be an issue at all? I can imagine dropping it at
the moment when you really need to click something somewhere on the
screen.... And frequently a fingertip works nicely for me on the
Fujitsu tablet. Also it's handy not to have to fish the pen out of its
holster all the time. Any commentary?

-Jon C.


"John McLaughlin" > wrote in message
om...
> I have been using WxWorx for nine months, beginning with the early
> beta software. I prefer a tablet pc with enough resolution to run
in
> portrait mode with WxWorx on the top 1/2 of the screen and XMLink on
> the lower 1/2 so I can monitor the signal status. I have a velcro
> kneeboard the compaq tablet attaches to. I am doing a talk for a
> local aviation conference and posted the powerpoint files to
> http://www.weatherpros.com/wmwx_files/frame.htm
> Warning, slow connections will take some time to see the photos, but
> you will clearly see what the display looks like in sunlight,
portait
> mode, in actual convection, etc. There are some comparison of XM-WX
> data to data from internet sources.
>
> John McLaughlin
> Commercial Pilot
> Radar Meteorologist

I did some significant research into this recently. I have been looking for
a quality TFT Tablet, but the only mass production version is a Fujitsu with
very poor user feedback (screens fail, poor colors, not very durable - do
not ever drop!) I fly a Tiger, and with the "bubble" type canopy, I MUST
have TFT...

I came to the conclusion what I really needed was one of the "ruggedized"
TFT Tablets made for the military/law enforcement market. But those are
insanely expensive.

The good news is NavAir has a WxWorx Pocket PC solution. I don't have all
the equipment yet, but I did pick up a Toshiba e755 (TFT) for under $350,
and a WAAS enabled GPS CF card for under $150. The bonus is I can actually
use the PDA for work and other personal business!!!

Mark


"Nathan Young" > wrote in message
m...
> (John McLaughlin) wrote in message
>...
> > I have been using WxWorx for nine months, beginning with the early
> > beta software. I prefer a tablet pc with enough resolution to run in
> > portrait mode with WxWorx on the top 1/2 of the screen and XMLink on
> > the lower 1/2 so I can monitor the signal status. I have a velcro
> > kneeboard the compaq tablet attaches to. I am doing a talk for a
> > local aviation conference and posted the powerpoint files to
> > http://www.weatherpros.com/wmwx_files/frame.htm
> > Warning, slow connections will take some time to see the photos, but
> > you will clearly see what the display looks like in sunlight, portait
> > mode, in actual convection, etc. There are some comparison of XM-WX
> > data to data from internet sources.
>
> Great site John. Thanks. WxWorx would gather more customers if they
> had half as detailed of info (on their website) as you do on this
> site.
>
> You mention transreflective tablet PCs in your presentation. Although
> tranreflective laptops and PDAs can be found, I have not been able to
> a transreflective tablet PC. Do you have any suggestions?
>
> Nathan

(John McLaughlin) wrote in
om:

> I am doing a talk for a local aviation conference and
> posted the powerpoint files to
> http://www.weatherpros.com/wmwx_files/frame.htm

I get a 404 not found error when I try to go there. I am able to get
to the www.weatherpros.com main site. Is the presentation down or
moved?

Phil
www.pfactor.com

Mark,

The NAVAir display on a PDA is only available in portrait mode. On
PCs, Tablets and EFBs is operates in both Portrait and Landscape
modes.

The PDAs have a small, low pixel count screen (240 wide by 320 high),
and we found they would not support enough forward navigation
real-estate in landscape mode. When we modeled it, the pilots that
flew these tests all prefered more forward than sideways "visibility"
and display range.

On EFBs, where we have 800x600 or more to play with, that is less of
an issue.

Still, almost all who fly with our products on an EFB, from single
engine props to Bizjets, report that Portrait is their poison of
choice. The reasons are the same as on a PDA, and the fact that in
most cockpits, portrait is easier to fit physically. We tested various
units in anything from a Citation II to G-Vs and getting the unit
positioned in landscape mode in a tight cockpit is next to impossible.

Addditonally, if you are using Jeppview or NOS approach plates on the
EFB, they really require a vertically oriented presentation to be
usable on anything less the 1024x768 screens, and those, for the most
part are too big to fit in most cockpits.

On the PDA in portrait mode, you can easily see detailed WX to ranges
of 500 and even 1000 miles. While we support 2500 mile zoom range, the
PDA screen is too small for anything less than continent-wide WX
systems.

Another point to think about is wiring complexity, and we have created
a unique, integrated wiring harness that feeds both the WXWorx
receiver and the PDAs from a single power input supporting 12 - 28VDC.

NAVAir Support - http://www.airgator.com

"Mark T. Mueller" > wrote in message >...
> Thanks for the review, Dan.
>
> I am looking at NavAir using the WxWorx system on a Tosh PDA. Do you think
> the screen will be too small? I have flown through enough weather this
> summer to try it on a whim, anyway...
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark
>
>

Mark,

The NAVAir display on a PDA is only available in portrait mode. On
PCs, Tablets and EFBs is operates in both Portrait and Landscape
modes.

The PDAs have a small, low pixel count screen (240 wide by 320 high),
and we found they would not support enough forward navigation
real-estate in landscape mode. When we modeled it, the pilots that
flew these tests all prefered more forward than sideways "visibility"
and display range.

On EFBs, where we have 800x600 or more to play with, that is less of
an issue.

Still, almost all who fly with our products on an EFB, from single
engine props to Bizjets, report that Portrait is their poison of
choice. The reasons are the same as on a PDA, and the fact that in
most cockpits, portrait is easier to fit physically. We tested various
units in anything from a Citation II to G-Vs and getting the unit
positioned in landscape mode in a tight cockpit is next to impossible.

Addditonally, if you are using Jeppview or NOS approach plates on the
EFB, they really require a vertically oriented presentation to be
usable on anything less the 1024x768 screens, and those, for the most
part are too big to fit in most cockpits.

On the PDA in portrait mode, you can easily see detailed WX to ranges
of 500 and even 1000 miles. While we support 2500 mile zoom range, the
PDA screen is too small for anything less than continent-wide WX
systems.

Another point to think about is wiring complexity, and we have created
a unique, integrated wiring harness that feeds both the WXWorx
receiver and the PDAs from a single power input supporting 12 - 28VDC.

NAVAir Support - http://www.airgator.com

"Mark T. Mueller" > wrote in message >...
> Thanks for the review, Dan.
>
> I am looking at NavAir using the WxWorx system on a Tosh PDA. Do you think
> the screen will be too small? I have flown through enough weather this
> summer to try it on a whim, anyway...
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark
>
>