Nobody 'needs' these things Mike but all the top comp pilots seem to fly
with them. An integrated solution mounted high in the panel is just neater,
safer and more secure.

A standardised OS allows the user to install their own personal preference
of software package or packages. Varios and loggers deliver NMEA ( a
particularly clunky interface ) that allows the user to build up a hardware
system to suit their requirements. If loggers were built without their
displays and keyboards they'd be a little cheaper and all programming and
setting could be done down the serial interface. Not to mention that they
could be mounted remotely, uncluttering the cockpit, reducing the
distractions to the pilot and increasing the OO's confidence in the
'security' of the installation. The same with varios, if they were built as
black boxes without any panel knobs and switches it could all be controlled
via a serial interface. One less hole in the panel and a much slicker
installation. Personally I think the LX1600 is the way to go. It wouldn't
change the market much, still room for the current crop of manufacturers but
the ship owner could mix and match his preferences. Club ships could be
fitted with a 'fancy' panel system with the club pilot simply plugging in
his logger, GPS or even vario unit of choice.

The permanent, one off licence for WindowsCE 3.0 is about UKP12 per
instance, not a huge overhead given the massive functionality that is
delivered.

If power is really a problem then simply put in a second battery or upgrade
to an 11 A/h pack. I'm surprised the manufacturers still impose 7.5 a/h
mounts on us with the increasing demands for current these days. As the
prevalence of palm nav systems and transponders increases surely more
battery capacity is required.

Ian