Dittel glide computer

[[email protected]]

Has anyone flown behind one of these?

http://www.dittel-avionik.de/en/content/gca-glider-computer-advanced




Mark

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

Looks pretty nice. I have wondered what the Air-avionic Glide computers are like. Same sending unit as the butterfly S display but in the M or L display.

Competition in the glide computer market is good. Remember the HUDIS, never saw nor flew with one but I liked the idea. They went out of business after only a few years.

Years ago there was a new instrument to tell you which way to turn into a thermal, I think it was called the Thermi, what happened to that?


On Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 1:06:38 PM UTC-8, wrote:
> Has anyone flown behind one of these?
>
> http://www.dittel-avionik.de/en/content/gca-glider-computer-advanced
>
>
>
>
> Mark

[Dennis[_11_]]

I think it was correct 50 percent of the time . Better than my judgement ☺️

[krasw]

IMHO the most important thing in glide computers are display and user interface. Latter on is all about software. I like the idea of getting best possible sensor suite/variometer money can buy, and then choosing the software and display of your preferences to run moving map, task optimization, final glide calculation etc. Display technologies evolve (admittedly slowly) and new features are added to gliding softwares all the time. I would not invest several thousands to computer with a hope that manufacturer will keep the software up-to-date for decades.

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 2:08:37 AM UTC-8, krasw wrote:
> ... I would not invest several thousands to computer with a hope that manufacturer will keep the software up-to-date for decades.

With all due respect, Isn't that what anyone does who purchases a ClearNav, LxNav, LxNavagation, Butterfly, Ilec... We pay thousands and the manufactures do keep developing better and faster software/hardware. Just like in our daily use computers, phones...

I had been out of gliding for 13 or so years and was very impressed with the new instruments, the big screens, electronic TE, instantaneous wind, solid state flux compass, and Flarm really impressed me. I would be duly impressed with a HUD. Maybe next glider.

[jfitch]

On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 8:19:11 AM UTC-8, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
> On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 2:08:37 AM UTC-8, krasw wrote:
> > ... I would not invest several thousands to computer with a hope that manufacturer will keep the software up-to-date for decades.
>
> With all due respect, Isn't that what anyone does who purchases a ClearNav, LxNav, LxNavagation, Butterfly, Ilec... We pay thousands and the manufactures do keep developing better and faster software/hardware. Just like in our daily use computers, phones...
>
> I had been out of gliding for 13 or so years and was very impressed with the new instruments, the big screens, electronic TE, instantaneous wind, solid state flux compass, and Flarm really impressed me. I would be duly impressed with a HUD. Maybe next glider.

WRT the computer, the problem the industry faces is lack of a viable market.. Apple sold 50 million cell phones last quarter. If you could capture the W.W. market for glider nav displays, what would it be in a given quarter? A couple of hundred? Split that market between 4 or 5 competitors. This is why glide computers running on cell phones and PDAs seem always to be ahead. The vendor need only concentrate on an application, the hardware, OS, UI, comm stacks, etc., are already written, debugged, and maintained to service a market of 50M units/q. The hardware enjoys the benefits of scale, resulting in a price that is about 1/4 - 1/3 what specialized hardware can be sold for. They get a technology refresh twice a year.

[Richard[_9_]]

On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 2:08:37 AM UTC-8, krasw wrote:
> IMHO the most important thing in glide computers are display and user interface. Latter on is all about software. I like the idea of getting best possible sensor suite/variometer money can buy, and then choosing the software and display of your preferences to run moving map, task optimization, final glide calculation etc. Display technologies evolve (admittedly slowly) and new features are added to gliding softwares all the time. I would not invest several thousands to computer with a hope that manufacturer will keep the software up-to-date for decades.

Craggy Aero Ultimate Le 57 sunlight readable display and computer uses a current Dual Core 1 gHz processor. It has 2 USB ports and a serial port and can be connected to a variety of GPS and Vario solutions. I prefer LXNAV S7, S8 or S80 and a NANO or Powerflarm. A CAI 302 can also be used and the CAI 302 configuration program is loaded on the Ultimate Le 57.

Software can be updated to the latest versions of SeeYou Mobile PNA(same software as the Oudie 2), XCsoar, LK8000.

Input is with any USB wired or wireless mouse. One customer uses a wireless mouse on his pant leg. Others use touchpads mounted behind the flap handle. I prefer the Ray Laser Stick controller. The Mouse input is excellent in turbulence.

It can be mounted in the panel or on a RAM arm.

http://www.craggyaero.com/ultimate_le_5_7.htm


Richard
www.craggyaero.com
Richard
www.craggyaero.com

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

I could not agree more. However, I just never liked the idea of using a PDA instead of a dedicated display, bigger is better. I love the new crop of instruments and have supported the development by purchasing. In my time away from gliding I was surprised to see two local glider ports had closed and at my field that used to have 15-20 private ships each Saturday now only have a handful. I have always tried to introduce that pilots I know to gliding, but have never had an introduction hold :(


On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 8:47:31 AM UTC-8, jfitch wrote:

> WRT the computer, the problem the industry faces is lack of a viable market. Apple sold 50 million cell phones last quarter. If you could capture the W.W. market for glider nav displays, what would it be in a given quarter? A couple of hundred? Split that market between 4 or 5 competitors. This is why glide computers running on cell phones and PDAs seem always to be ahead. The vendor need only concentrate on an application, the hardware, OS, UI, comm stacks, etc., are already written, debugged, and maintained to service a market of 50M units/q. The hardware enjoys the benefits of scale, resulting in a price that is about 1/4 - 1/3 what specialized hardware can be sold for. They get a technology refresh twice a year.

[jfitch]

On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 10:13:15 AM UTC-8, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
> I could not agree more. However, I just never liked the idea of using a PDA instead of a dedicated display, bigger is better. I love the new crop of instruments and have supported the development by purchasing. In my time away from gliding I was surprised to see two local glider ports had closed and at my field that used to have 15-20 private ships each Saturday now only have a handful. I have always tried to introduce that pilots I know to gliding, but have never had an introduction hold :(
>
>
> On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 8:47:31 AM UTC-8, jfitch wrote:
>
> > WRT the computer, the problem the industry faces is lack of a viable market. Apple sold 50 million cell phones last quarter. If you could capture the W.W. market for glider nav displays, what would it be in a given quarter? A couple of hundred? Split that market between 4 or 5 competitors. This is why glide computers running on cell phones and PDAs seem always to be ahead. The vendor need only concentrate on an application, the hardware, OS, UI, comm stacks, etc., are already written, debugged, and maintained to service a market of 50M units/q. The hardware enjoys the benefits of scale, resulting in a price that is about 1/4 - 1/3 what specialized hardware can be sold for. They get a technology refresh twice a year.

The current crop of cell phones have displays as large as most dedicated glider displays (5" +). They are not as bright as the best dedicated displays, but adequate. I would prefer the limited money available for the industry product development be put into better sensor technology (which has no larger market on which to piggyback) and use existing displays (against which they cannot possibly be competitive). But no one listens to me :).

[krasw]

maanantai 2. marraskuuta 2015 18.19.11 UTC+2 Jonathan St. Cloud kirjoitti:
> On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 2:08:37 AM UTC-8, krasw wrote:
> > ... I would not invest several thousands to computer with a hope that manufacturer will keep the software up-to-date for decades.
>
> With all due respect, Isn't that what anyone does who purchases a ClearNav, LxNav, LxNavagation, Butterfly, Ilec... We pay thousands and the manufactures do keep developing better and faster software/hardware. Just like in our daily use computers, phones...
>
> I had been out of gliding for 13 or so years and was very impressed with the new instruments, the big screens, electronic TE, instantaneous wind, solid state flux compass, and Flarm really impressed me. I would be duly impressed with a HUD. Maybe next glider.

Most of the things you mention are in my "sensor suite/vario" category. Touch screen display is critical for sure, I'm not sure if the optimum place for it is in instrument panel. There is huge difference between 5-7 inch display installed in panel and same display installed a foot closer to eyes. Not to mention using touch screen with arm stretched.

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

I too like the 7inch screen, I find 5" just too small for my 58 year old eyes.

[Dan Marotta]

My 5" Streak is mounted on a stalk about 6" closer to me than the
panel. In rough air, should I want to use the touch feature, I grasp
the Streak and, using a finger on the same hand, touch where I need to.
Mostly, though, I have the Streak pretty well setup for my flying needs
so I don't often need to touch it. It makes necessary changes
automagically.

On 11/3/2015 1:54 AM, krasw wrote:
> maanantai 2. marraskuuta 2015 18.19.11 UTC+2 Jonathan St. Cloud kirjoitti:
>> On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 2:08:37 AM UTC-8, krasw wrote:
>>> ... I would not invest several thousands to computer with a hope that manufacturer will keep the software up-to-date for decades.
>> With all due respect, Isn't that what anyone does who purchases a ClearNav, LxNav, LxNavagation, Butterfly, Ilec... We pay thousands and the manufactures do keep developing better and faster software/hardware. Just like in our daily use computers, phones...
>>
>> I had been out of gliding for 13 or so years and was very impressed with the new instruments, the big screens, electronic TE, instantaneous wind, solid state flux compass, and Flarm really impressed me. I would be duly impressed with a HUD. Maybe next glider.
> Most of the things you mention are in my "sensor suite/vario" category. Touch screen display is critical for sure, I'm not sure if the optimum place for it is in instrument panel. There is huge difference between 5-7 inch display installed in panel and same display installed a foot closer to eyes. Not to mention using touch screen with arm stretched.

--
Dan, 5J

[swinkelj]

Op zondag 1 november 2015 22:06:38 UTC+1 schreef :
> Has anyone flown behind one of these?
>
> http://www.dittel-avionik.de/en/content/gca-glider-computer-advanced
>
>
>
>
> Mark

I have one year experience with this instrument. It is a very good device. The visibility in sunlight is unbeatable. It has a fast processor. And the price is much lower than comparable LX systems.

[Karaka29211]

On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 10:06:38 AM UTC+13, wrote:
> Has anyone flown behind one of these?
>
> http://www.dittel-avionik.de/en/content/gca-glider-computer-advanced
>
>
>
>
> Mark

What Turnpoint and Airspace files does the GCA support?
TNP?
OpenAir?

[Karaka29211]

On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 10:06:38 AM UTC+13, wrote:
> Has anyone flown behind one of these?
>
> http://www.dittel-avionik.de/en/content/gca-glider-computer-advanced
>
>
>
>
> Mark

What Soaring software does the GCA support?
XCSoar?
SeeYou?

[swinkelj]

Op donderdag 5 november 2015 18:52:32 UTC+1 schreef Karaka29211:
> On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 10:06:38 AM UTC+13, wrote:
> > Has anyone flown behind one of these?
> >
> > http://www.dittel-avionik.de/en/content/gca-glider-computer-advanced
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Mark
>
> What Soaring software does the GCA support?
> XCSoar?
> SeeYou?

OpenAir.
It has its own software.

[swinkelj]

Op donderdag 5 november 2015 18:52:32 UTC+1 schreef Karaka29211:
> On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 10:06:38 AM UTC+13, wrote:
> > Has anyone flown behind one of these?
> >
> > http://www.dittel-avionik.de/en/content/gca-glider-computer-advanced
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Mark
>
> What Soaring software does the GCA support?
> XCSoar?
> SeeYou?

Turnpoints: TPT, CUP, or Welt2000
Airspace: OpenAir
Software: GCA has its own software

[[email protected]]

Am Sonntag, 1. November 2015 22:06:38 UTC+1 schrieb :
> Has anyone flown behind one of these?
>
> http://www.dittel-avionik.de/en/content/gca-glider-computer-advanced
>
>
>
>
> Mark

Hello i am using the Gliding Computer Advanced since four weeks now. Good readable Display. Many Configuration Features (like all new Gliding Computers). After some hours training i can say it's a nice System like LX9000 or somethink like that.

Norbert