Warning to users of Zaon PCAS MRX

I have debated for a few months if I really should post this or not
but think I should share my experience. First, I LOVE the concept of
the PCAS MRX and I have received nothing short of exceptional customer
service from Zaon. I also would strongly recommend to every pilot to
purchase one of these fairly inexpensive units. That said, I would
give them the following warning:

I have now had my unit fail twice without any indication of failure.
It still seemed to be working fine until I saw a jet whiz by real
close and realized that I hadn't had any alerts for a flight or two.
Again, the unit turned on and seemed to be acting fine. I sent it
back to Zaon and they were great and replaced the board to fix it the
first time.

A year or so passed and all of a sudden the same thing. A plane flies
close by and I haven't had a alert for 5-6 flights. I was closely
paying attention this time because of my last experience. I sent the
unit back and, again, Zaon surpassed my expectations by replacing a
faulty filter this time, sending it back and not charging anything -
not even return shipping. It was well out of warranty. Wow! Great
customer service Zaon.

I called and spoke with Zaon after this second fix. When this
particular part fails on the Zaon PCAS there is no way for the unit to
tell that there is anything wrong. It just doesn't pick up any
signals. Therefore, it can't warn you if it is broken. I would be
very surprised if there are not at least a few other units out there
that have this faulty part but the owner still thinks that everything
is ok.

Suggestions:
1. See and avoid. Don't ever rely on any instrument or other person
to watch out for other aircraft instead of doing it yourself -no
brainer.
2. If your PCAS unit has not picked up an aircraft that it should
have you might want to consider it may have this problem.
3. Fly far, land out every once in a while because you are pushing,
have fun and be safe.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with their MRX having
problems?

Bruno - B4

On Feb 19, 9:53*am, Bruno wrote:
I have debated for a few months if I really should post this or not
but think I should share my experience. *First, I LOVE the concept of
the PCAS MRX and I have received nothing short of exceptional customer
service from Zaon. *I also would strongly recommend to every pilot to
purchase one of these fairly inexpensive units. *That said, I would
give them the following warning:

I have now had my unit fail twice without any indication of failure.
It still seemed to be working fine until I saw a jet whiz by real
close and realized that I hadn't had any alerts for a flight or two.
Again, the unit turned on and seemed to be acting fine. *I sent it
back to Zaon and they were great and replaced the board to fix it the
first time.

A year or so passed and all of a sudden the same thing. *A plane flies
close by and I haven't had a alert for 5-6 flights. *I was closely
paying attention this time because of my last experience. *I sent the
unit back and, again, Zaon surpassed my expectations by replacing a
faulty filter this time, sending it back and not charging anything -
not even return shipping. *It was well out of warranty. *Wow! *Great
customer service Zaon.

I called and spoke with Zaon after this second fix. *When this
particular part fails on the Zaon PCAS there is no way for the unit to
tell that there is anything wrong. *It just doesn't pick up any
signals. *Therefore, it can't warn you if it is broken. *I would be
very surprised if there are not at least a few other units out there
that have this faulty part but the owner still thinks that everything
is ok.

Suggestions:
1. *See and avoid. *Don't ever rely on any instrument or other person
to watch out for other aircraft instead of doing it yourself -no
brainer.
2. *If your PCAS unit has not picked up an aircraft that it should
have you might want to consider it may have this problem.
3. *Fly far, land out every once in a while because you are pushing,
have fun and be safe.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with their MRX having
problems?

Bruno - B4

Thanks for posting this Bruno. I don't have one (yet) so I hope this
isn't too dumb a question. If your tow plane has a transponder, and
it gets 'pinged' would the unit alert you? Where I fly, the towplane
is being queried a lot, so I should have a good 'functional checkout'
at the beginning of each flight (I think).

On Feb 19, 11:10*am, Grider Pirate wrote:
On Feb 19, 9:53*am, Bruno wrote:



I have debated for a few months if I really should post this or not
but think I should share my experience. *First, I LOVE the concept of
the PCAS MRX and I have received nothing short of exceptional customer
service from Zaon. *I also would strongly recommend to every pilot to
purchase one of these fairly inexpensive units. *That said, I would
give them the following warning:

I have now had my unit fail twice without any indication of failure.
It still seemed to be working fine until I saw a jet whiz by real
close and realized that I hadn't had any alerts for a flight or two.
Again, the unit turned on and seemed to be acting fine. *I sent it
back to Zaon and they were great and replaced the board to fix it the
first time.

A year or so passed and all of a sudden the same thing. *A plane flies
close by and I haven't had a alert for 5-6 flights. *I was closely
paying attention this time because of my last experience. *I sent the
unit back and, again, Zaon surpassed my expectations by replacing a
faulty filter this time, sending it back and not charging anything -
not even return shipping. *It was well out of warranty. *Wow! *Great
customer service Zaon.

I called and spoke with Zaon after this second fix. *When this
particular part fails on the Zaon PCAS there is no way for the unit to
tell that there is anything wrong. *It just doesn't pick up any
signals. *Therefore, it can't warn you if it is broken. *I would be
very surprised if there are not at least a few other units out there
that have this faulty part but the owner still thinks that everything
is ok.

Suggestions:
1. *See and avoid. *Don't ever rely on any instrument or other person
to watch out for other aircraft instead of doing it yourself -no
brainer.
2. *If your PCAS unit has not picked up an aircraft that it should
have you might want to consider it may have this problem.
3. *Fly far, land out every once in a while because you are pushing,
have fun and be safe.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with their MRX having
problems?

Bruno - B4

Thanks for posting this Bruno. *I don't have one (yet) so I hope this
isn't too dumb a question. *If your tow plane has a transponder, and
it gets 'pinged' would the unit alert you? Where I fly, the towplane
is being queried a lot, so I should have a good 'functional checkout'
at the beginning of each flight (I think).

The answer is yes. The MRX can detect it on tow but you need to
remember that this is a passive detection system so it requires a
radar station to be within line of sight. Out of Cedar Valley, UT
where I fly you don't get any coverage for the first 2,000+ ft agl
because there is a hill between the Cedar Valley airport and the SLC
radar. Above that you then get hits. Most tows are under 2,000 ft
(bragging about how great Cedar Valley is) so that is why I couldn't
just use the tow plane to verify on most flights. Out of Morgan, UT
the radar signal is strong so you can see the tow plane on the MRX on
tow and know the MRX is working.

Bruno - B4

Not too much help for those in the boondocks, but where I live and
fly, there are sufficient overflights by txp-equipped GA in touch with
ATC or TCAS to give alerts when my MRX is on the ground. So I can
check it at home or at the gliding site.

I suggest others check this way before flying with it, if the
situation is suitable.

Thanks to Bruno for the heads-up.

Chris N.

Posting this for Cliff - Thanks so much for the response and sharing -
Bruno:

Hi Bruno, I tried to post a response to your post but it won't go for
some reason. Feel free to post this in my stead if you feel it will
help:

I too have and love my MRX. I had the same problem with mine but the
issue was not the filter but the connection where the antenna attaches
to the board the solder joints failed. This is a weak spot, and mine
was out of warranty and they charged me $150 to repair it. That being
said, they also upgraded the software and latest updates when they did
it. The weak spot is in that the antenna tightens down too easily and
when you remove the antenna it is easy to put a lot of pressure on the
solder joints to get the antenna to loosen up and there is no way to
hold the fitting the antenna attaches to. Mine is mounted under my
glare shield and the antenna is sticking up through the glare shield.
when I removed it to work behind the panel I must have broken it. And
as you said it doesn't tell you it is broken it just doesn't pick up
any aircraft. I am VERY careful with it now and have not had any
further problems

Cliff Hilty (CH) Ventus B

Bruno wrote:
I have now had my unit fail twice without any indication of failure.
It still seemed to be working fine until I saw a jet whiz by real
close and realized that I hadn't had any alerts for a flight or two.
Again, the unit turned on and seemed to be acting fine. I sent it
back to Zaon and they were great and replaced the board to fix it the
first time.

Do you know if a failed unit like yours can still pick up the glider's
own transponder? If it cannot, that would give transponder equipped
gliders an easy way to test their MRX.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (netto to net to email me)

- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm http://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl

- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation Mar/2004" Much of what you need to know tinyurl.com/yfs7tnz

I have been using the MRX for a few years and it is a great tool
to have in the cockpit. I have had 2 filter failures and have returned
the MRX for a quick fix and return.
I live 4 miles off of the approach of the TUL airport, so it does not
take me very long to confirm if the MRX is working properly.

Randy

http://talihinasoaring.com/

On Feb 19, 8:07*pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Bruno wrote:
I have now had my unit fail twice without any indication of failure.
It still seemed to be working fine until I saw a jet whiz by real
close and realized that I hadn't had any alerts for a flight or two.
Again, the unit turned on and seemed to be acting fine. *I sent it
back to Zaon and they were great and replaced the board to fix it the
first time.

Do you know if a failed unit like yours can still pick up the glider's
own transponder? If it cannot, that would give transponder equipped
gliders an easy way to test their MRX.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (netto to net to email me)

- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarmhttp://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl

- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation Mar/2004" Much of what you need to know tinyurl.com/yfs7tnz

I have a transponder and no you don't pick up yourself. After reading
Randy's reply I think this problem might be a little more wide spread.
Glad to be getting the word out. Bruno - B4

Bruno wrote:
On Feb 19, 8:07 pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:

Bruno wrote:

I have now had my unit fail twice without any indication of failure.
It still seemed to be working fine until I saw a jet whiz by real
close and realized that I hadn't had any alerts for a flight or two.
Again, the unit turned on and seemed to be acting fine. I sent it
back to Zaon and they were great and replaced the board to fix it the
first time.

Do you know if a failed unit like yours can still pick up the glider's
own transponder? If it cannot, that would give transponder equipped
gliders an easy way to test their MRX.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (netto to net to email me)

- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarmhttp://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl

- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation Mar/2004" Much of what you need to know tinyurl.com/yfs7tnz


I have a transponder and no you don't pick up yourself. After reading
Randy's reply I think this problem might be a little more wide spread.
Glad to be getting the word out. Bruno - B4

OK, pilots with transponders can check their unit without needing
another plane around; of course, they still have be interrogated by
ground radar or a TCAS system within 10 miles or so (not sure what the
range is). If your MRX isn't picking up your transponder AND you can see
the transponder is replying, then the MRX is likely bad. Contact the
factory about it.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (netto to net to email me)

- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm http://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl

- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation Mar/2004" Much of what you need to know tinyurl.com/yfs7tnz

Hi Gang
This thread prompted me to think as to how the MXR unit ignores my
transponder in my glider which is being pinged regularly where I fly?
Explanation anyone or a pointer to where I could find an answer to my
question? Thanks.
Dave