At 02:05 11 December 2012, AGL wrote:
I'm still using XCSoar 5.2.4, because it has
everything I NEED, and runs
=
with Stone-Axe reliability on my iPAQ 3950, which is
STILL the best
display=
in sunlight I've seen yet.

I'm stil using SoarPilot, usually with a Palm
Tungsten "T" or sometimes
wit=
h a Windows 5 device with a Palm emulator. It does
everything I need.
Th=
ere is an active YahooGroup of users, that is
becoming quieter all the
time=
because no one seems to be able to come up with
more improvement
requests.=
Frank Paynter used this at one time, and I'm not
sure what he uses now
or=
what prompted a change. a list of what SoarPilot
doesen't do would make
f=
or interesting reading.

The hardware is getting old, but is still very
readable in sunlight.
Never=
theless, I have installed XCSOAR and LK8000 on a
PDA to play with in the
ca=
r this winter. Here's the problem with that: It's
going to take me a
long=
time to become as throughly familiar with those,
and even longer to trust
=
them. I fear errors of use more than software
errors. =20

Fortunately we seem to have passed the point
where we think that free
means=
inferior, but we still think that pretty means better.

So, until somthing substantial happens with screens,
I'm sticking with
what=
I've got.


Having swapped my HP314 for a Vertica V1 a few
months ago, I reckon something substantial has
happened with screens. I can now manage LK8000
(data sourced from Flarm) comfortably in bright
sunlight wearing sunglasses for the first time. If you
can get a look at someone's Vertica, Glider Guider or
Oudie 2, you'll see what I mean.

Rather than put it in the car, I'd strongly recommend
playing with LK8000 at home either in sim mode or on
Condor if you have it before using it anywhere where
you need to give attention to something else. And
being ruthless about what features to disable.