"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.

I tired using the cricket M12 and was less than satisfied. It did
provide an very nice tone for "up", but there was not tone for "down".
I did not know how much sink I was in, so I was still stuck looking at
the mechanical vario. I ended up installing a Ball 501 audio vario.
I have since upgraded to a Tasman vario. I would sell the Ball for
$290. They are listed on Bob Wander's Soaring Books and Supplies site
new for $449.