On Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:21:42 -0700, ryanglover1969 wrote:

I have a few suggestions for the way my vario, an LX1600 should work,
ideally.

I would like it to switch between "STF mode" and "Climbing mode" when I
hit lift or sink. Ideally it should switch to climbing mode when I hit
lift that equals or exceeds my MC setting. Of course there would still
be a manual override switch when you are low and/or scratching.

Do other vario manufactures set up their varios to work the way I
describe? If so, which ones?

Currently it switches between modes using three methods all of which I
think are inferior. It will switch to Climbing mode when I start
turning, when the speed drops below a set value, or when I manually
switch modes.

How do other manufactures do it?

I have an SDI C4 that offers three modes:

- a manual switch - I've not fitted it so can't comment on how well
it works for me.

- by GPS. I tried this and didn't like it. The idea is that the C4
switches to climb mode after a 90 or 270 degree turn and back
to cruise when you straighten out. One thing that I didn't like
is that it stays in cruise mode when running a cloud street.
This means that it makes faster/slower noises rather than climb rate
noises even when the lift is weak and you're flying slowly. Also,
I like the vario to be in climb mode when I start to turn.

- on IAS. There are separate speed settings for climb-cruise and
cruise- climb. Typically the first of these is the faster setting.
It takes a bit of trial and error to get the switching speeds
set for your glider and flying style, but when its set correctly the
vario is automatically in the appropriate mode more than 90% of the
time.

IME speed switching is by far the best choice. The only improvement
I can suggest is that an override switch would be nice if it had three
positions:

climb
auto (use speed switching)
cruise

The older C3 had this facility but it was omitted from the C4 for some
reason.


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martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
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