We're hoping to have some newbies trying XC next season - and are looking for best cots logger options. I have an older garmim that works fine - but it requires a serial interface. I'm thinking there must be better options.

gracias'

kk

Traitor!
How about the pilot's own cell phone with XC Soar or LK8000, etc.
Of course, it requires a RAM mount and more eyes down time as you can't see it like a real display. If it goes to sleep your newbie is screwed.
But it's the ultimate toy for a glider pilot, cheap!
Jim

On Wednesday, February 12, 2014 10:11:55 PM UTC-5, KiloKilo wrote:
> We're hoping to have some newbies trying XC next season - and are looking for best cots logger options. I have an older garmim that works fine - but it requires a serial interface. I'm thinking there must be better options.
>
>
>
> gracias'
>
>
>
> kk

Nook, or Kobo, + GPS "puck"..with Top Hat software...can be put together for under $100..

Fly with CE...a bit over $100 but simple...and can be used for badges...

Cookie

Any Android phone or tablet with a GPS can run (free) XCSOAR and will
generate an igc file acceptable to OLC.


"KiloKilo" > wrote in message
...
> We're hoping to have some newbies trying XC next season - and are looking
> for best cots logger options. I have an older garmim that works fine - but
> it requires a serial interface. I'm thinking there must be better
> options.
>
> gracias'
>
> kk

Hi KK,

How about if some of them pool together and buy an LXNAV Nano for $495. It
is a fully IGC approved logger. It is also extremely easy to use and
extremely reliable.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/lxnav.htm#LXNAV-Nano

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
________________________________________
"KiloKilo" wrote in message
...

We're hoping to have some newbies trying XC next season - and are looking
for best cots logger options. I have an older garmim that works fine - but
it requires a serial interface. I'm thinking there must be better options.

gracias'

kk

Depends on what they want to do with the log files. If it's just to post to OLC or GCup and/or review flight logs, than any of the Phone/Tablet based (iPhone or Android OS) programs like XCSoar, TopHat, etc. are more than good enough. Free if you already own the device. You can use all sorts of Garmins and the like as well, though the UI on dedicated programs like those I mentioned is optimized for soaring flight.

If you're looking for Badges, then you need either a GPS Position Recorder (so far, we've approved the FlyWithCE models in the US) or an IGC Approved FR. FlywithCE is just over $100 and very, very simple.

P3

On Wednesday, February 12, 2014 10:11:55 PM UTC-5, KiloKilo wrote:
> We're hoping to have some newbies trying XC next season - and are looking for best cots logger options. I have an older garmim that works fine - but it requires a serial interface. I'm thinking there must be better options..
>
>
>
> gracias'
>
>
>
> kk

Not my item for sale, but heck of a bargain, in my opinion!

http://glidersource.com/cgi-bin/post.cgi?id=452

Steve Leonard

The mobile stuff is he most practical assuming your not looking to get a badge. Otherwise I agree with Remde's advice to get a Nano. I have a used one I would be willing to sell.

On Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:15:47 PM UTC-5, Sean F (F2) wrote:
> The mobile stuff is he most practical assuming your not looking to get a badge. Otherwise I agree with Remde's advice to get a Nano. I have a used one I would be willing to sell.

Nano is $495.
FlyWithCE FR300 is $139.
Both are approved for OLC and SSA badges, which is probably what is needed for club use (not racing).

If just for XC use, XCSoar, TopHat, LK8000 are great, as stated above.

from:
http://www.naviter.com/products/seeyou-recorder/

SeeYou Recorder is a simple and free IGC files recorder for Android, iPhone and iPad for Paraglider, Hang-glider and Sailplane pilots.

Launch the app, choose to start recording your flight and put it in your pocket. After landing the flights are synced to SeeYou Cloud. You can then use SeeYou for Android and iOS or upload them to online contests of your choice. Our experience shows that recent smart phones are able to record 10-13 hours of flight before the battery reaches 20% and the app stops recording (percentage is selectable in the Settings). Tablets have much larger batteries and are for this reason very suitable for running the SeeYou Recorder.

I find letting my new students use a flight computer gives them a great distraction, they can tell you that they are 12.3 miles from the airport, if they can read the screen. However they fail to look outside and recognize the thermal off to the left with the bird in it and we get to land at that airport 12.3miles away. Even in our Stemme I cover the flight computer for the student and make them learn to read a map, it is a useful tool that you cant teach once they learn the local area.

I always teach my new XC students pilotage, having FlyWithCE lets you record their flight and upload it to the OLC when they get back. Also lets them claim a Silver badge if anyone wants to go that route. You can also get a few for the price of a fully IGC approved logger. However at this stage they probably wont need a full IGC logger. Just like they don't need an EB28 to get their silver...wait...I mean HPH 304...But of course you need one of those, I know the dealer, nice guys.

Ive also used a couple logger apps on my IPhone, they are only as great as your cell phone battery. Then you need a second battery. This was about as tidy in the back of the 2-33 as my portable ClearNav I hung on the back of the front seat.

Garret Willat
Wings and Wheels