Initial review PowerFlarm

[kd6veb]

Hi Gang
I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
rotation will probably make it unusable.
For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
important consideration.
So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
much! It is readable but only just.
Conclusion
The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
Phoenix.

[Sean Fidler]

Yikes. That review is going to hurt! I have to disagree. I think they are great products and had no trouble reading the display with polarized glasses. I did mount it straight ahead though so maybe...

I flew with mine last season in Uvalde. My dad is flying with one in FL at current. It works very well. It's user interface is simple and well thought out. Its proximity alerts for other gliders is IMPRESSIVE!!!!!

Our only support request from FLARM would be a user select-able proximity alarm (default 2-3 miles?) for non FLARM traffic. At current there are NO ALARMS for transponder or ADSB general traffic. That traffic could hit you and you would never get an audible or visual alarm...as I understand it from my Dad's experience this winter in FL.

FLARM FOLKS, Please make this non flarm traffic alarm happen, and right quick. This kind of traffic as important to avoid as gliders! And the alarm is key to safety in my opinion. That should be fairly simple to add. Please get it out by spring.

As far as enhancements such as unit size, batteries, etc... I'm sure that new models and enhancements (as with ALL PRODUCTS) will come with time.

Sean
F2


On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.



On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.



On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.



On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.



On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.



On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.



On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.



On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.



On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.



On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.



On Monday, February 27, 2012 4:37:55 PM UTC-5, kd6veb wrote:
> Hi Gang
> I recently purchased a portable PowerFlarm from Rex. It came with
> the old software and I downloaded the 1.2 firmware onto the micro SD
> card (supplied) and installed it so that the PCAS function would work.
> I then added the security code for my Mode S transponder which
> requires you to go to a couple of FAA sites to find this individual
> code. I sold my 2 Zaon MRXs using the RAS bulletin board.
> I installed the PowerFlarm on the glare shield at 10-15 degrees to
> the horizontal. That was a mistake. The PowerFlarm uses an old type
> hard to see in the sunlight LCD display similar to my HP 5015 PDA .
> Almost invisible using polarized sunglasses! So before you permanently
> mount your PowerFlarm sit in the glider and make sure the display is
> visible especially if you use polarized sun glasses. A 10 degree
> rotation will probably make it unusable.
> For the motor heads there may be another quirk. When you start the
> engine the voltage transient on the 12 volt power line may reset the
> PowerFlarm back to the agreement/license page which is an annoyance
> but not a show stopper. As you might remember I reported in my Phoenix
> the Westerboer all electronic total energy vario is tripped into Never/
> never land and the power supply has to be removed and reapplied before
> the vario operates correctly. This quirk is only for motorgliders.
> Then I have a real gripe. The size of the portable PowerFlarm is
> twice as large as a unit could be if the batteries had been left out
> of the design. The PowerFlarm uses 6 AA batteries. Why the batteries?
> The power consumption is low and in most gliders would not be an
> important consideration.
> So what do I think of the ergonomics of the PowerFlarm display? Not
> much! It is readable but only just.
> Conclusion
> The Zaon MRX is in my opinion a much superior device for just PCAS
> and I cannot envisage someone replacing their MRX for a PowerFlarm in
> a power plane. The PowerFlarm provides a useful safety device for
> sailplane pilots in a busy environment if sufficient numbers of people
> use them. I support their use for gliders and am flying with one in my
> Phoenix.

[Andrzej Kobus]

On Feb 27, 5:50*pm, Sean Fidler > wrote:
> Yikes. *That review is going to hurt! *I have to disagree. *I think they are great products and had no trouble reading the display with polarized glasses. *I did mount it straight ahead though so maybe...
>
> I flew with mine last season in Uvalde. *My dad is flying with one in FL at current. *It works very well. *It's user interface is simple and well thought out. *Its proximity alerts for other gliders is IMPRESSIVE!!!!!
>
> Our only support request from FLARM would be a user select-able proximity alarm (default 2-3 miles?) for non FLARM traffic. *At current there are NO ALARMS for transponder or ADSB general traffic. *That traffic could hit you and you would never get an audible or visual alarm...as I understand it from my Dad's experience this winter in FL.
>
> FLARM FOLKS, Please make this non flarm traffic alarm happen, and right quick. *This kind of traffic as important to avoid as gliders! *And the alarm is key to safety in my opinion. *That should be fairly simple to add. *Please get it out by spring.
>
> As far as enhancements such as unit size, batteries, etc... I'm sure that new models and enhancements (as with ALL PRODUCTS) will come with time.
>
> Sean
> F2

I can see pilots looking at the display instead of looking outside.
Pretty bad indeed! What did they think?

[Morgan[_2_]]

I've got about 5 flights with the PowerFlarm now although only 1 with
another PowerFlarm equipped glider nearby.

With a transponder equipped plane approaching, the display goes red at
a couple of miles of estimated range. No audible alert though.

What I've found so far is probably similar to other PCAS users. You
are suddenly surprised at how many aircraft are around that you never
see. Most of these have been over 4 miles away, but it can be a
challenge to find traffic at 3-4 miles even when you know their
relative altitude.

I can understand why they do not have an audio alert. First off, the
range is estimated not an exact position. Second, there is no
directional information. So what are you going to do with the alert
info you possess? Hopefully keep your eyes peeled with greater
scrutiny. It takes but a 1/2 second to include the PF in your
instrument scan and get a sense of range/altitude of the nearest
target.

Lastly, the main reason they may not have an audio alert is that there
are currently some false alarms showing up from your own transponder
if you're equipped. I'm hopeful that future revs of the software
will filter that out further, but currently I've seen a number of
false alarms even with a Mode S Trig. They usually don't last long,
but it would be a different story of nuisance if they were audio
alerting.

Morgan

[Andrzej Kobus]

On Feb 27, 10:32*pm, Morgan > wrote:
> I've got about 5 flights with the PowerFlarm now although only 1 with
> another PowerFlarm equipped glider nearby.
>
> With a transponder equipped plane approaching, the display goes red at
> a couple of miles of estimated range. *No audible alert though.
>
> What I've found so far is probably similar to other PCAS users. *You
> are suddenly surprised at how many aircraft are around that you never
> see. Most of these have been over 4 miles away, but it can be a
> challenge to find traffic at 3-4 miles even when you know their
> relative altitude.
>
> I can understand why they do not have an audio alert. *First off, the
> range is estimated not an exact position. *Second, there is no
> directional information. *So what are you going to do with the alert
> info you possess? *Hopefully keep your eyes peeled with greater
> scrutiny. *It takes but a 1/2 second to include the PF in your
> instrument scan and get a sense of range/altitude of the nearest
> target.
>
> Lastly, the main reason they may not have an audio alert is that there
> are currently some false alarms showing up from your own transponder
> if you're equipped. * I'm hopeful that future revs of the software
> will filter that out further, but currently I've seen a number of
> false alarms even with a Mode S Trig. *They usually don't last long,
> but it would be a different story of nuisance if they were audio
> alerting.
>
> Morgan

There should be a selection of range for PCAS so you don't have to be
alerted at 4 miles unless you fly high where power planes fly with
greater speeds. Sound should alert you to look at the display, there
should be no need to scan this display. One beep that all it takes to
let you know someone is near you. While in a thermal there is no time
to do scanning. You keep your head outside at all time. Every so often
a pick at a variometer is enough of a distraction from observing
traffic around you.

[Ramy]

On Feb 28, 3:58*am, Andrzej Kobus > wrote:
> On Feb 27, 10:32*pm, Morgan > wrote:
>
>
>
> > I've got about 5 flights with the PowerFlarm now although only 1 with
> > another PowerFlarm equipped glider nearby.
>
> > With a transponder equipped plane approaching, the display goes red at
> > a couple of miles of estimated range. *No audible alert though.
>
> > What I've found so far is probably similar to other PCAS users. *You
> > are suddenly surprised at how many aircraft are around that you never
> > see. Most of these have been over 4 miles away, but it can be a
> > challenge to find traffic at 3-4 miles even when you know their
> > relative altitude.
>
> > I can understand why they do not have an audio alert. *First off, the
> > range is estimated not an exact position. *Second, there is no
> > directional information. *So what are you going to do with the alert
> > info you possess? *Hopefully keep your eyes peeled with greater
> > scrutiny. *It takes but a 1/2 second to include the PF in your
> > instrument scan and get a sense of range/altitude of the nearest
> > target.
>
> > Lastly, the main reason they may not have an audio alert is that there
> > are currently some false alarms showing up from your own transponder
> > if you're equipped. * I'm hopeful that future revs of the software
> > will filter that out further, but currently I've seen a number of
> > false alarms even with a Mode S Trig. *They usually don't last long,
> > but it would be a different story of nuisance if they were audio
> > alerting.
>
> > Morgan
>
> There should be a selection of range for PCAS so you don't have to be
> alerted at 4 miles unless you fly high where power planes fly with
> greater speeds. Sound should alert you to look at the display, there
> should be no need to scan this display. One beep that all it takes to
> let you know someone is near you. While in a thermal there is no time
> to do scanning. You keep your head outside at all time. Every so often
> a pick at a variometer is enough of a distraction from observing
> traffic around you.

Audio alerts are a must. Otherwise, unless you stare at the PowerFlarm
all the time, you will not see the alerts. I've been flying with PCAS
for many years, and only notice the alerts after I hear the audio
alert.
If I recall correctly, they announced at the SSA Convention talk that
audio alert is coming next. It will not be an alarm sound, just an
alert.

Ramy

[Morgan[_2_]]

On Feb 28, 2:05*pm, Ramy > wrote:
> On Feb 28, 3:58*am, Andrzej Kobus > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Feb 27, 10:32*pm, Morgan > wrote:
>
> > > I've got about 5 flights with the PowerFlarm now although only 1 with
> > > another PowerFlarm equipped glider nearby.
>
> > > With a transponder equipped plane approaching, the display goes red at
> > > a couple of miles of estimated range. *No audible alert though.
>
> > > What I've found so far is probably similar to other PCAS users. *You
> > > are suddenly surprised at how many aircraft are around that you never
> > > see. Most of these have been over 4 miles away, but it can be a
> > > challenge to find traffic at 3-4 miles even when you know their
> > > relative altitude.
>
> > > I can understand why they do not have an audio alert. *First off, the
> > > range is estimated not an exact position. *Second, there is no
> > > directional information. *So what are you going to do with the alert
> > > info you possess? *Hopefully keep your eyes peeled with greater
> > > scrutiny. *It takes but a 1/2 second to include the PF in your
> > > instrument scan and get a sense of range/altitude of the nearest
> > > target.
>
> > > Lastly, the main reason they may not have an audio alert is that there
> > > are currently some false alarms showing up from your own transponder
> > > if you're equipped. * I'm hopeful that future revs of the software
> > > will filter that out further, but currently I've seen a number of
> > > false alarms even with a Mode S Trig. *They usually don't last long,
> > > but it would be a different story of nuisance if they were audio
> > > alerting.
>
> > > Morgan
>
> > There should be a selection of range for PCAS so you don't have to be
> > alerted at 4 miles unless you fly high where power planes fly with
> > greater speeds. Sound should alert you to look at the display, there
> > should be no need to scan this display. One beep that all it takes to
> > let you know someone is near you. While in a thermal there is no time
> > to do scanning. You keep your head outside at all time. Every so often
> > a pick at a variometer is enough of a distraction from observing
> > traffic around you.
>
> Audio alerts are a must. Otherwise, unless you stare at the PowerFlarm
> all the time, you will not see the alerts. I've been flying with PCAS
> for many years, and only notice the alerts after I hear the audio
> alert.
> If I recall correctly, they announced at the SSA Convention talk that
> audio alert is coming next. It will not be an alarm sound, just an
> alert.
>
> Ramy

I imagine the audio tone will come with better filtering of false
alarms. So far the range aspect of the transponder has proven to be a
strength. But admittedly Avenal is uncrowded enough that I can leave
the range set to 8 miles or so and the occasional power traffic will
show up long before becoming an alert.

Thankfully I haven't heard the alarm tones yet. Even when approaching
a thermalling glider initially at the same altitude the threat
filtering was accurate enough that it "knew" we'd arrive below the
climbing glider. Entering the thermal 100ft or less below him I
didn't get any false alarms of conflict during the entire thermal.