On Wednesday, October 22, 2014 2:03:48 AM UTC+11, jfitch wrote:
On Monday, October 20, 2014 4:24:46 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Friday, October 10, 2014 3:50:54 AM UTC+11, wrote:

Excellent questions and observations.



I am focused on the S80 and Butterfly primarily because they have an artificial horizon but also would like a unit that can filter out horizontal gusts that cause me/us to think we have entered a strong thermal. It also would seem that the instantaneous wind readings would be very helpful when flying convergence lines.



You have a built in filter that can eliminate false readings due to gusts. It's called your backside. If you can't feel the acceleration, it's not there.

Acceleration due to a a vertical or horizontal gust are not discernible by the human backside. Both result in an increase in lift: the former due to an increase in the angle of attack and the latter due to an increase in air speed. Both can be used to gain energy, but you will find circling in the latter a pointless exercise. Which is why every variometer manufacturer is trying to differentiate them.

A horizontal gust does NOT produce acceleration. That's why you can't feel it. If you cannot sense vertical acceleration it's not there, despite what your instruments are telling you.
To put it another way: if your vario is telling you that you are accelerating upwards at 5 knots (500 fpm or over 8 feet per second) and you cannot feel it, then you can ignore it as a gust. Why look for a complex technological solution to something so simple?
A vertical gust is a different matter. I presume by vertical gust you are referring to a vertical movement of air. What distinguishes a vertical gust from lift?