Best performing Vario?

On Friday, February 8, 2013 4:24:00 PM UTC+2, kirk.stant wrote:
On Friday, February 8, 2013 2:21:45 PM UTC+1, rk wrote:

After reading this thread one can conclude that quality of variometer signal is of secondary importance to most glider pilots. There doesn't seem to be many posters who really can comment on variometer quality. Colour displays, flashing lights and dozens of useless features rule... It's a shame really.



So, what is your definition of a quality variometer? A pellet vario will give you raw data, is that what you want? Come on, fess up, what gets you up best?



Kirk

66

Ilec SN10B, Westerboer VW910, Themi. Mechanicals are just so 20th century....

I've flown Cambridge S-&L-NAV, WV910/920/921, VP-3,4 and 6, Zander SR-940&ZS-1, SDI C3, LX5000, LX7000, LX8000, LX160 (dozens-hundreds hours each) plus probably dozen other variometers for short flights.

So far the best electrical variometer has been good old Zander SR940 (yes better than ZS1), which I've used in 3 different gliders for over 500 hrs. Every other system is a league below SR, including all the new LX varios (both facctories), which is worrying since I believe they have majority of new computer market these days.

On Friday, February 8, 2013 1:59:25 PM UTC-5, rk wrote:
On Friday, February 8, 2013 4:24:00 PM UTC+2, kirk.stant wrote:

On Friday, February 8, 2013 2:21:45 PM UTC+1, rk wrote:



After reading this thread one can conclude that quality of variometer signal is of secondary importance to most glider pilots. There doesn't seem to be many posters who really can comment on variometer quality. Colour displays, flashing lights and dozens of useless features rule... It's a shame really.







So, what is your definition of a quality variometer? A pellet vario will give you raw data, is that what you want? Come on, fess up, what gets you up best?







Kirk



66



Ilec SN10B, Westerboer VW910, Themi. Mechanicals are just so 20th century...



I've flown Cambridge S-&L-NAV, WV910/920/921, VP-3,4 and 6, Zander SR-940&ZS-1, SDI C3, LX5000, LX7000, LX8000, LX160 (dozens-hundreds hours each) plus probably dozen other variometers for short flights.



So far the best electrical variometer has been good old Zander SR940 (yes better than ZS1), which I've used in 3 different gliders for over 500 hrs. Every other system is a league below SR, including all the new LX varios (both facctories), which is worrying since I believe they have majority of new computer market these days.

Hi
That's an opinion not a fact.
What makes the SR 940 the best?
S6

So far I have enjoyed the best results with a Zander ZS1 and Peschges VP4. I would not recommend LX5000 and LX7000 from my experience. LX8000 is better than its predecessors but earns its merits more from the fancy stuff than the vario.

The quality of the vario depends mainly on the quality of your TE probe, static port and tubing. Most people like and get the best results from a vario they are used to. On this basis its hard to find a best performing vario.

On Sunday, February 10, 2013 12:45:37 AM UTC+2, Alexander Swagemakers wrote:
So far I have enjoyed the best results with a Zander ZS1 and Peschges VP4.. I would not recommend LX5000 and LX7000 from my experience. LX8000 is better than its predecessors but earns its merits more from the fancy stuff than the vario.



The quality of the vario depends mainly on the quality of your TE probe, static port and tubing. Most people like and get the best results from a vario they are used to. On this basis its hard to find a best performing vario.


That's true, especially for older gliders with sometimes shabby TE compensation systems. Modern generation, say gliders less than 20 years old, have quite good static systems that deliver consistent performance. I flew Zander SR in LS8, Discus-2, Ventus-2 and DuoDiscus, all of them with excellent results. VP4 in LS8 was ok but nothing special, IMHO.

The advice given by a UK former multiple world champion was to have a
simple vario with well sorted TE. Then to spend the balance on Aerotows.

Speed to fly is simple, for an unballasted Discus either fly at 80kts or
55kts.

PF

At 15:49 10 February 2013, rk wrote:
On Sunday, February 10, 2013 12:45:37 AM UTC+2, Alexander Swagemakers
wrote=
:
So far I have enjoyed the best results with a Zander ZS1 and Peschges
VP4=
.. I would not recommend LX5000 and LX7000 from my experience. LX8000 is
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ter than its predecessors but earns its merits more from the fancy stuff
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an the vario.
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The quality of the vario depends mainly on the quality of your TE
probe,
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static port and tubing. Most people like and get the best results from a
va=
rio they are used to. On this basis its hard to find a best performing
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o.


That's true, especially for older gliders with sometimes shabby TE
compensa=
tion systems. Modern generation, say gliders less than 20 years old, have
q=
uite good static systems that deliver consistent performance. I flew
Zander=
SR in LS8, Discus-2, Ventus-2 and DuoDiscus, all of them with excellent
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sults. VP4 in LS8 was ok but nothing special, IMHO.

A pilot with the skills to be a world champion does not need much help from a vario. Some of us do,sadly! Having said that, I appreciate that what matters is that the vario produces good basic info rather than having more bells and whistles. At the moment from this thread there does not seem to be agreement about whether or not the latest devices which have the best bells and whistles also give the best basic info.

I think the problem is simply that these characteristics of the varios can not (or at least are not) measured that easily and all you will hear from the pilots are subjective views. In theory an inertially compensated vario like from Butterfly should be best, but I guess it really depends on the pilot and his familiarity with the vario. Just like when you fly a new glider you will also need a bit of time to get used to a new vario.