Jeff Bennett leaves Cambridge Aero Instruments

[[email protected]]

The one man factory at Cambridge Aero, maker of the 302 Variometer will no longer offer REPAIR Support for it's products...

Jeff Bennett has left the Building...

Like many, I've had a hard time getting anybody to answer my calls at Cambridge over the last months. I finally received a letter along with my returned instrument, which had been sent in for repair.


------------------------------------------------------


Dear Cambridge Aero Instruments, Inc., Customer:

We have lost our technician for repairs, maintenance and calibration of the Cambridge 302 and related products. We are sending instruments requiring calibrations, battery replacements, and other such maintenance procedures to our dealer Paul Remde of Cumulus Soaring in Savage, Minnesota. If your instrument has been sent to us for repair, we are returning it to you with a suggestion to contact Gary Kammerer, formerly a long time employee of Cambridge who has a shop where he can do repairs on a freelance basis (his schedule permitting). Gary can be reached by telephone at xxx/xxx-xxxx.


-------------------------------------------------------

[cuflyer]

Sigh...

Tim


On Wednesday, May 22, 2013 8:01:53 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> The one man factory at Cambridge Aero, maker of the 302 Variometer will no longer offer REPAIR Support for it's products...
>
>
>
> Jeff Bennett has left the Building...
>
>
>
> Like many, I've had a hard time getting anybody to answer my calls at Cambridge over the last months. I finally received a letter along with my returned instrument, which had been sent in for repair.
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
> Dear Cambridge Aero Instruments, Inc., Customer:
>
>
>
> We have lost our technician for repairs, maintenance and calibration of the Cambridge 302 and related products. We are sending instruments requiring calibrations, battery replacements, and other such maintenance procedures to our dealer Paul Remde of Cumulus Soaring in Savage, Minnesota. If your instrument has been sent to us for repair, we are returning it to you with a suggestion to contact Gary Kammerer, formerly a long time employee of Cambridge who has a shop where he can do repairs on a freelance basis (his schedule permitting). Gary can be reached by telephone at xxx/xxx-xxxx.
>
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------

[Evan Ludeman[_4_]]

On Wednesday, May 22, 2013 8:01:53 AM UTC-4, wrote:

> Dear Cambridge Aero Instruments, Inc., Customer:
>
>
>
> We have lost our technician for repairs, maintenance and calibration of the Cambridge 302 and related products. We are sending instruments requiring calibrations, battery replacements, and other such maintenance procedures to our dealer Paul Remde of Cumulus Soaring in Savage, Minnesota. If your instrument has been sent to us for repair, we are returning it to you with a suggestion to contact Gary Kammerer, formerly a long time employee of Cambridge who has a shop where he can do repairs on a freelance basis (his schedule permitting). Gary can be reached by telephone at xxx/xxx-xxxx.

Gary Kammerer asked me to debunk this: He says

"I am NOT doing 300 Series 'freelance' work. Roger dreamed that one up."

I don't wish to speculate on what might happen going forward (all you r.a.s.. readers can connect the dots however you like), but I think it's fair to quash that particular rumor right now.

Good soaring,

Evan Ludeman / CNi

[JohnDeRosa]

Sad.

Is Cambridge still selling their products like the 302 and 303? If
they sell them, they are manufacturing them. That would imply that
they are testing them. If they test them, then they would also be
able to repair them. So if they can't repair, they can't test, and
can't sell. Coming full circle, it would seem the Cambridge is going
out of business. At least why would anyone buy their products if you
knew you can't get it repaired?

Too bad, I love my 302 as do many others. Let's hope it keeps on
tickin' for another few years. Anyone suggest an alternative device?
The Butterfly Vario? Not yet a certified recorder I believe.

- John

[Mark628CA]

I sent my 302 to Cambridge (R-Track Technologies in Memphis, TN) a couple of weeks ago for repair (no audio) and calibration. Called yesterday for a status update and was told by Roger R. that they were testing it and doing the calibration. He said I should have it back within a week.

Imagine my surprise when that same day, I got a call from Paul Remde who informed me that he had my 302 (in Minnesota) and, yes, there was no audio. He said a note from Roger indicated that Jeff was no longer with Cambridge, they didn't have any parts, the calibration wasn't done and here ya' go....

Paul says he will have to send it to Dickie Feakes in ENGLAND (!) for the repair. So, there I was, looking out the hangar door at 18,000 ft, cloudbases, and knowing that I have to return the 302 I borrowed (Thanks Mitch!) next week.

What to do? Well, I ended up buying another 302 (at a discount- Paul was sympathetic) that I really can't afford and instructing him to do what it takes to get the thing to the UK for the fix.

At any rate, I was flat-out LIED to by Roger. Take this as a warning. Forget Cambridge, R-Track Tech and deal with Paul or another reputable distributor.

And I will have a slightly used 302 for sale as soon as I get mine back- hopefully before the end of the season.

Mark

[Wallace Berry[_2_]]

In article
>,
JohnDeRosa > wrote:

> Sad.
>
> Is Cambridge still selling their products like the 302 and 303? If
> they sell them, they are manufacturing them. That would imply that
> they are testing them. If they test them, then they would also be
> able to repair them. So if they can't repair, they can't test, and
> can't sell. Coming full circle, it would seem the Cambridge is going
> out of business. At least why would anyone buy their products if you
> knew you can't get it repaired?
>
> Too bad, I love my 302 as do many others. Let's hope it keeps on
> tickin' for another few years. Anyone suggest an alternative device?
> The Butterfly Vario? Not yet a certified recorder I believe.
>
> - John



The more I read about high end instruments, the less I regret not being
able to afford them.

I have asked a number of people to explain to me exactly what their
"super varios" do that a good basic vario and a decent PDA/software
setup does not do. I mean besides calculating to more decimal places.
Maybe I would understand if I flew a glider with more than two speeds....

[[email protected]]

Gary & Rodger need to come to an agreement, assuming Gary even wants to support the 300 series, we need to officially dissolve the no-compete or whatever has kept Gary from working on the newer cambridge stuff.

Someone Must offer repair service for the thousands of Cambridge units in the USA.

Understand, we are not talking about the ability to calibrate or to make simple repairs, Paul and Dickie are capable of that, from what I know Gary is probably the only person who can realistically trouble shoot and repair these things for the Soaring Community.

[Evan Ludeman[_4_]]

On Thursday, May 23, 2013 10:00:33 AM UTC-4, WB wrote:
> In article
>
> >,
>
> JohnDeRosa > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Sad.
>
> >
>
> > Is Cambridge still selling their products like the 302 and 303? If
>
> > they sell them, they are manufacturing them. That would imply that
>
> > they are testing them. If they test them, then they would also be
>
> > able to repair them. So if they can't repair, they can't test, and
>
> > can't sell. Coming full circle, it would seem the Cambridge is going
>
> > out of business. At least why would anyone buy their products if you
>
> > knew you can't get it repaired?
>
> >
>
> > Too bad, I love my 302 as do many others. Let's hope it keeps on
>
> > tickin' for another few years. Anyone suggest an alternative device?
>
> > The Butterfly Vario? Not yet a certified recorder I believe.
>
> >
>
> > - John
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The more I read about high end instruments, the less I regret not being
>
> able to afford them.
>
>
>
> I have asked a number of people to explain to me exactly what their
>
> "super varios" do that a good basic vario and a decent PDA/software
>
> setup does not do. I mean besides calculating to more decimal places.
>
> Maybe I would understand if I flew a glider with more than two speeds....

The bottom line is "better information".

In my case, it's helped quite a bit.

Evan Ludeman / T8

[Marc - Butterfly Avionics]

> The Butterfly Vario? Not yet a certified recorder I believe.
sorry, I know this is off-topic, just to make this clear: It is a certified flight recorder since 30th of March.

Cheers
Marc

[[email protected]]

>
> I have asked a number of people to explain to me exactly what their
>
> "super varios" do that a good basic vario and a decent PDA/software
>
> setup does not do. I mean besides calculating to more decimal places.
>
> Maybe I would understand if I flew a glider with more than two speeds....

Better vario: Immense. Nothing matters as much. What can I do with a better -- and carefully set up -- vario? Outclimb people who think I have some actual thermaling ability. Climb when they land. Roll into that savior bullet thermal that looks like a gust on their varios.

What do I do with a better glide computer? Not look at it so much, and spend less time futzing with it. My PDA was an endless cycle of rebooting, battery management, keeping it cool, and punching screens. My current clearnav has what I want when I want it. I spent a lot of money for an instrument so I could avoid looking at it and look out the window instead. Less crucial, but certainly worthwhile.

I don't understand why people spend so much money on gliders, and spend so much time and effort on this sport, and then cheap out on instruments.

John Cochrane

[Paul Remde]

Hi,

It will be interesting to see what plays-out in regard to the parts and
Cambridge name. Roy Ridgeway has expressed interest in selling what's left,
but hasn't put a price on it. Since new 302 sales have been extremely slow
for the last year or 2, it seems to me that the only value is in the parts.
Hopefully Roy will see it that way too.

I would be interested in buying the parts, but probably can't afford them.
I can currently calibrate, re-seal and replace backup batteries in 302s. If
I had access to parts I could do much more.

Gary is not interested because he's very busy with ClearNav work.

Dickie Feakes is a very experienced 302 support person in the U.K. He has
agreed to repair 2 units that are in need of repair. He has some parts in
his stock - including the parts necessary for the 2 repairs.

I sincerely hope that some was will be found to support 302 units going
forward.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
_____________________________________________

wrote in message
...

Gary & Rodger need to come to an agreement, assuming Gary even wants to
support the 300 series, we need to officially dissolve the no-compete or
whatever has kept Gary from working on the newer cambridge stuff.

Someone Must offer repair service for the thousands of Cambridge units in
the USA.

Understand, we are not talking about the ability to calibrate or to make
simple repairs, Paul and Dickie are capable of that, from what I know Gary
is probably the only person who can realistically trouble shoot and repair
these things for the Soaring Community.

[son_of_flubber]

On Thursday, May 23, 2013 12:11:18 PM UTC-4, wrote:

> Better vario: Immense. Nothing matters as much. What can I do with a better -- and carefully set up -- vario? Outclimb people who think I have some actual thermaling ability. Climb when they land. Roll into that savior bullet thermal that looks like a gust on their varios.

With the cost of a relight at $50+, a vario that keeps you in the air more should pay for itself.

I thought that a vario needed to use the 3-D inertial sensor to sort out the horizontal and vertical components of "gusts", and I thought that nobody was doing that just yet. Or does the inertial sensor just make the filtering better?

[Wallace Berry[_2_]]

In article >,
wrote:

> >
> > I have asked a number of people to explain to me exactly what their
> >
> > "super varios" do that a good basic vario and a decent PDA/software
> >
> > setup does not do. I mean besides calculating to more decimal places.
> >
> > Maybe I would understand if I flew a glider with more than two speeds....
>
> Better vario: Immense. Nothing matters as much. What can I do with a better
> -- and carefully set up -- vario? Outclimb people who think I have some
> actual thermaling ability. Climb when they land. Roll into that or bullet
> thermal that looks like a gust on their varios.
>
> What do I do with a better glide computer? Not look at it so much, and spend
> less time futzing with it. My PDA was an endless cycle of rebooting, battery
> management, keeping it cool, and punching screens. My current clearnav has
> what I want when I want it. I spent a lot of money for an instrument so I
> could avoid looking at it and look out the window instead. Less crucial, but
> certainly worthwhile.
>
> I don't understand why people spend so much money on gliders, and spend so
> much time and effort on this sport, and then cheap out on instruments.
>
> John Cochrane

Better instruments is better instruments. I get that. I just keep
thinking these expensive systems must do something other than be
incrementally better. How much better is a new super vario than a well
compensated Borgelt B40? Would a super vario make that much difference
in a club class ship? If I'm cruising faster than 70, it is such a
booming day that a pellet vario would be overkill. Now, filtering out
horizontal gusts is a feature I would be willing to shell out the bucks
for (assuming I would not have to put up with waiting for the "Next
Software Upgrade" to get the advertised features and off-again-on-again
technical service)!

What PDA setup were you using? I have flown for the last 10 years with
an old Palm Tungsten T, excellent readability in bright sun (actually
better the brighter the ambient light). Using SoaringPilot software
(still supported but not being actively developed anymore). Clip on
battery pack that also functions as the panel mount and the bluetooth
connection to a gps puck means it is a totally wireless system. I have
never had a software problem with it, in-flight or otherwise. Did have a
touchcreen go flakey on me in flight once, but at about $30 apiece, I
carry a spare pda and a spare GPS puck ($50 bucks at Sempsons.com).
Never had a overheating problem, even at 104F days at Cordele. I only
use two screens in flight: moving map and final glide screen. Would I
love to have a Clearnav? Yes, absolutely, but it would take a lot of
"better" to justify the cost in my case.

Amongst cross country and racing folks, I really don't see people going
cheap on instruments (except me). I have seen 1-26's with high end
instruments. Heck, in club class, who besides me, does not have a 302 at
least? Maybe it is just me, but I have less than $20k total in my setup
to include the glider, instruments, trailer and even the motorhome I
drag it around with. On the other hand, I have spent a butt-load on
tows, club dues, and piddling stuff like going halves on a Pawnee.

[Martin Gregorie[_5_]]

On Thu, 23 May 2013 16:05:09 -0500, Wallace Berry wrote:

> Better instruments is better instruments. I get that. I just keep
> thinking these expensive systems must do something other than be
> incrementally better. How much better is a new super vario than a well
> compensated Borgelt B40? Would a super vario make that much difference
> in a club class ship? If I'm cruising faster than 70, it is such a
> booming day that a pellet vario would be overkill. Now, filtering out
> horizontal gusts is a feature I would be willing to shell out the bucks
> for (assuming I would not have to put up with waiting for the "Next
> Software Upgrade" to get the advertised features and off-again-on-again
> technical service)!
>
FWIW, and as a Libelle driver, I have an SDI C4 as my main vario (I
already had it when I got the Libelle and I like its noises and nice, big
LCD display), a Borgelt B.40 as backup vario (thanks to the 9v battery
strapped to its back) and a really cheap Binatone B.350 satnav running
LK8000 to take care of the rest of the navigation tasks.

The B.350 has been replaced by the R.350 and costs from £50 ($US 76): it
runs LK8000 (I've checked), the screen is bright enough to use in the
relatively shaded Libelle cockpit and, sitting on a flexi RAM mount in
front of the panel, unlike with many of the bigger PDAs I can easily see
everything else on the panel. This shows what I mean:
http://www.gregorie.org/gliding/libelle/FLARM_panel.jpg

I don't race but I do go XC with this kit.

HTH


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

[Marc - Butterfly Avionics]

> The full approval for the Triadis can be read at:
>
> http://www.ukiws.demon.co.uk/GFAC/approvals/triadis.pdf
>
>
>
> To claim approval for the Display Unit is incorrect and misleading.
A Butterfly Vario installation always consists of Integrated Sensor Unit (ISU, small box also including all sensors and the triadis RU3 flight recorder) and the Display unit.

There have been many multi-subsystem installations with IGC-Flight Recorders in the past, e.g. Zander, LX, CAI, and this is just another one. What is misleading?

Thanks
Marc

[Marc - Butterfly Avionics]

> The full approval for the Triadis can be read at:
>
> http://www.ukiws.demon.co.uk/GFAC/approvals/triadis.pdf
>
>
>
> To claim approval for the Display Unit is incorrect and misleading.
A Butterfly Vario installation always consists of Integrated Sensor Unit (ISU, small box also including all sensors and the triadis RU3 flight recorder) and the Display unit.

There have been many multi-subsystem installations with IGC-Flight Recorders in the past, e.g. Zander, LX, CAI, and this is just another one. What is misleading?

Thanks
Marc

[Marc - Butterfly Avionics]

>I thought that a vario needed to use the 3-D inertial sensor to sort out the horizontal and vertical >components of "gusts", and I thought that nobody was doing that just yet. Or does the inertial sensor >just make the filtering better?

https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!topic/rec.aviation.soaring/S-xv58PSe0Q

[Peter F[_2_]]

I believe the advice given by an English 2x World Champion is to have a
good, well compensated, leak free, simple, vario then spend the difference
on Aerotows.

Likewise most modern (Standard Class) gliders have a kink in the polar,
such that best speed to fly for almost any rate of climb is somewhere
around the kink. So there are in fact only two speeds to fly; at the kink
if you're comfy, best LD if you're in survival mode.

So for the original Discus (Dry) it's either 80kts or 50kts

PF

At 14:00 23 May 2013, Wallace Berry wrote:
>In article
>,
>
>The more I read about high end instruments, the less I regret not being
>able to afford them.
>
>I have asked a number of people to explain to me exactly what their
>"super varios" do that a good basic vario and a decent PDA/software
>setup does not do. I mean besides calculating to more decimal places.
>Maybe I would understand if I flew a glider with more than two speeds....
>

[Mike Clarke]

At 08:46 24 May 2013, Peter F wrote:
>I believe the advice given by an English 2x World Champion is to have a
>good, well compensated, leak free, simple, vario then spend the
difference
>on Aerotows.
>
>Likewise most modern (Standard Class) gliders have a kink in the polar,
>such that best speed to fly for almost any rate of climb is somewhere
>around the kink. So there are in fact only two speeds to fly; at the kink
>if you're comfy, best LD if you're in survival mode.
>
>So for the original Discus (Dry) it's either 80kts or 50kts
>
>PF
>

I had the great pleasure of flying with the same English 2x World Champion
two weeks ago. His advice for modern 18m gliders was also two speeds,
90-100kts or 60kts. I tried it, it works!

Mike