Electronic Compensated Vario - opinion

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I want to purchase a Electronic Compensated Vario for a glider without the plumbing for a TE tube. I do not want to add the plumbing :)

I don't need fancy - nor navigation or way-points....... just a good audio Vario :)

Any experience out there????

WH

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If you don't have a really accurate pitot and static system (i.e. realistically a pitot/static double probe) then you will be unlikely to get decent electronic total energy.

[kirk.stant]

On Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 2:42:31 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> If you don't have a really accurate pitot and static system (i.e. realistically a pitot/static double probe) then you will be unlikely to get decent electronic total energy.

I currently use a Westerboer VW1020 set to electronic TE in my LS6. Love it, I think it's better than my SN10 hooked up to an Ilec TE probe - itself not a bad system.

Factory statics.

On sale at W & W ... (no affiliation).

Kirk

[John Cochrane[_3_]]

Clear nav vario works great with pitot/static connections.

[Tim Taylor]

On Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 12:29:48 PM UTC-6, wrote:
> I want to purchase a Electronic Compensated Vario for a glider without the plumbing for a TE tube. I do not want to add the plumbing :)
>
> I don't need fancy - nor navigation or way-points....... just a good audio Vario :)
>
> Any experience out there????
>
> WH

The 302 is good on electronic compensation.

[[email protected]]

A TE probe approximates the pitot pressure but subtracted rather than added to the static pressure. No reason not to use separate pitot and static pressures and combine them electronically. The TE probe was the solution back when vane type mechanical varios were the only option.

The best audio vario I've ever had, in terms of sound, was an old electronic "RICO VACS" from Redwood Instruments. It had electronic TE. The "ticks" it made, with both increasing frequency and pitch as lift got stronger, where easy to hear with low volume. Very weak lift sounded like an occasional tick. It was so easy to hear that I tried it in a powered plane and could hear it over the engine noise. Alas the 1970's electronics failed some time in the 2000's. I wish some current designs adopted its sound scheme, instead of annoying beeps.

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 10:25:06 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> A TE probe approximates the pitot pressure but subtracted rather than added to the static pressure. No reason not to use separate pitot and static pressures and combine them electronically. The TE probe was the solution back when vane type mechanical varios were the only option.
>
> The best audio vario I've ever had, in terms of sound, was an old electronic "RICO VACS" from Redwood Instruments. It had electronic TE. The "ticks" it made, with both increasing frequency and pitch as lift got stronger, where easy to hear with low volume. Very weak lift sounded like an occasional tick. It was so easy to hear that I tried it in a powered plane and could hear it over the engine noise. Alas the 1970's electronics failed some time in the 2000's. I wish some current designs adopted its sound scheme, instead of annoying beeps.

I agree with your comments about the RICO audio. I had one back in the day and the ticks were easy to hear and not annoying like the modern beeps and warbles. The vario itself wasn't very good, though...

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

That brings back memories, those ticks were easy to hear, to understand and didn't take up so much ambient noise, a short tick has more information than a longish beep or other tones.

On Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 10:25:06 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> A TE probe approximates the pitot pressure but subtracted rather than added to the static pressure. No reason not to use separate pitot and static pressures and combine them electronically. The TE probe was the solution back when vane type mechanical varios were the only option.
>
> The best audio vario I've ever had, in terms of sound, was an old electronic "RICO VACS" from Redwood Instruments. It had electronic TE. The "ticks" it made, with both increasing frequency and pitch as lift got stronger, where easy to hear with low volume. Very weak lift sounded like an occasional tick. It was so easy to hear that I tried it in a powered plane and could hear it over the engine noise. Alas the 1970's electronics failed some time in the 2000's. I wish some current designs adopted its sound scheme, instead of annoying beeps.

[Waveguru]

I would opt for light applause in light lift turning into raucous clapping, stomping and cheering I'm strong lift. In sink it would start with low moaning and progress to loud puking sounds. I suggested this to. Adler but he wasn't impressed with the idea...

Boggs

[John Carlyle]

Interesting! A club glider had a Rico - I found the sound so irritating that I only flew the glider once.

On Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 3:13:26 PM UTC-4, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
> That brings back memories, those ticks were easy to hear, to understand and didn't take up so much ambient noise, a short tick has more information than a longish beep or other tones.
>
> On Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 10:25:06 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> > A TE probe approximates the pitot pressure but subtracted rather than added to the static pressure. No reason not to use separate pitot and static pressures and combine them electronically. The TE probe was the solution back when vane type mechanical varios were the only option.
> >
> > The best audio vario I've ever had, in terms of sound, was an old electronic "RICO VACS" from Redwood Instruments. It had electronic TE. The "ticks" it made, with both increasing frequency and pitch as lift got stronger, where easy to hear with low volume. Very weak lift sounded like an occasional tick. It was so easy to hear that I tried it in a powered plane and could hear it over the engine noise. Alas the 1970's electronics failed some time in the 2000's. I wish some current designs adopted its sound scheme, instead of annoying beeps.

[[email protected]]

People do differ in taste. Since the modern varios are computer controlled, they could offer a variety of sound schemes to choose from, and even allow customization. When I hear somebody talking on the radio, and the beeping of their vario is as loud in the transmission as their voice, I shudder at the thought of being subject to that in the cockpit for the whole flight. Of course, the vario volume control does offer a modicum of "customization".

[[email protected]]

This is the perfect vario sound for those students who insist on circling in sink.

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 3:27:25 PM UTC-4, Waveguru wrote:
> I would opt for light applause in light lift turning into raucous clapping, stomping and cheering I'm strong lift. In sink it would start with low moaning and progress to loud puking sounds. I suggested this to. Adler but he wasn't impressed with the idea...
>
> Boggs

I've always pined for Ride of the Valkyries synchronized to the vario. Wagner scares the hell out of the sink...

[Dave Nadler]

On Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 3:27:25 PM UTC-4, Waveguru wrote:
> I would opt for light applause in light lift turning into raucous clapping,
> stomping and cheering I'm strong lift. In sink it would start with low
> moaning and progress to loud puking sounds.
> I suggested this to. Adler but he wasn't impressed with the idea...

If you're referring to me, IIRC your suggestion was rather more risque...

[[email protected]]

Our club 1-34 has my old Rico VACS installed in it and I enjoy thermalling it. The SN10B I use in the Ventus has several different tones to choose from but the standard "warble" works well for me definitely enjoy the 10+ konts up sound 😎

[[email protected]]

I have available for sale a LX100 electfonic vario, complete with flask, removed in perfect condition, pls email for pictures and manual.

cheers,
Andy
Glasflugel Mosquito ZK-GKK