On Tue, 18 May 2004 13:08:14 -0400, "Waduino"
wrote:

A few of us low time club renters are considering buying audio variometers
to help keep our eyes outside the cockpit and our planes in lift.

One unit we're looking at is from Blue Sky Avionics, the M12 Cricket
http://www.blueskyavionics.com/M12_Cricket_HG.htm

There's also a fancier M19.

Does anyone have experience with these? Do they make sense to use?
Thanks.
Wad.



Portable stuff isn't going to have total energy. This will result in
differences beween what you are seeing and hearing. Depending on the
performance of the ship and whether you want the audio mainly for
thermalling this may or may not matter.

Best solution is an installed vario with audio connected to a good TE
probe.

If the owner of the glider is actually trying to make money out of
renting having good basic soaring instruments will make the ships more
attractive to the customers and result in better utilisation and less
frustration. The capital cost is small compared to the cost of the
glider.

Mike Borgelt

Borgelt Instruments