Best performing Vario?

On Saturday, September 22, 2012 7:58:22 PM UTC-4, (unknown) wrote:
On Saturday, September 22, 2012 11:58:15 AM UTC-4, Craig R. wrote: In your opinion, what was the best performing vario you have ever used? Specifically, the one that got you centered in and to the top of the thermal in the least amount of time. Let's ignore products because they have the latest "bells and whistles" add ons, latest technology, sexy appearances, or best computer processor. Basic performance is the only criteria. I've heard some say the legacy Cambridge units and some say the Sage mechanical. Which unit did it for you?

I loved the LNav and think it hard to beat when tuned right. I have the new ClearNav vario and it is even better. UH

ClearNav vario works better than 302 and much better than the V7. It's an excellent product -- I hope they are working hard to finish it.

On Saturday, September 22, 2012 9:10:55 PM UTC-4, Steve Koerner wrote:
ClearNav vario works better than 302 and much better than the V7. It's an excellent product -- I hope they are working hard to finish it.

My favorite until recently was the Westerboer VW900. Great for digging out
from low. My new favorite is the CNv. Eagerly awaiting the updates for it.

-- Matt

I love my Zander. How about time constants? The Zander goes
from .5 sec to 5 Seconds, I set mine to 2 seconds. The filter is for
the audio which i set to to 2, in the middle. I wish i could program
the audio to my own sounds though. Don Rickels in sink, Yes, Yes,
Yes in climb...

I love my Zander. How about time constants? The Zander goes
from .5 sec to 5 Seconds, I set mine to 2 seconds. The filter is for
the audio which i set to to 2, in the middle. I wish i could program
the audio to my own sounds though. Don Rickels in sink, Yes, Yes,
Yes in climb...

On Saturday, September 22, 2012 9:39:44 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Saturday, September 22, 2012 9:10:55 PM UTC-4, Steve Koerner wrote:
My favorite until recently was the Westerboer VW900. Great for digging out
from low. My new favorite is the CNv. Eagerly awaiting the updates for it.

-- Matt

Me too. Did exactly the same thing and think the VW910 was almost as good as my CNv (for vario/netto function). My old stuff is now on sale on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/130775771120

-Jim

Can anyone tell me how CN switches from Cruise to Climb with the
software available (assuming no switch installed)?

On Sunday, September 30, 2012 9:16:24 PM UTC-4, Andrzej Kobus wrote:
Can anyone tell me how CN switches from Cruise to Climb with the

software available (assuming no switch installed)?

In the case of my vario, it showed up with a switch already wired in. A
software update came along about the same time that enabled automatic
switching at 65kts. Unfortunately you can only do one or the other right
now; I couldn't find a config screen in the vario to change that. The change has to be done using their profile generator program on a PC.

The switch was easy to install in the panel, but
it's a pain to have to fiddle with it whenever you want to start working
a thermal. 65kts is just too fast in my plane for searching for lift
down low (it's about MC 1.5kts for me).

This does seem to be a work in progress however. I'm hoping for a circling
detector at some point.

-- Matt

On Saturday, September 22, 2012 4:58:15 PM UTC+1, Craig R. wrote:
In your opinion, what was the best performing vario you have ever used? Specifically, the one that got you centered in and to the top of the thermal in the least amount of time.



Let's ignore products because they have the latest "bells and whistles" add ons, latest technology, sexy appearances, or best computer processor. Basic performance is the only criteria.



I've heard some say the legacy Cambridge units and some say the Sage mechanical.



Which unit did it for you?

So many of you say the Clearnav vario is fantastic. What is it about that vario that makes it better than any other? How do you recognise that it is better? Say, what is better about it than a V7? (I have an LX 7000, most high end gliders in the UK use the LX series, they are pretty good, and presumably the V7 will be the best yet). I fly a club glider with an LNav, and I love that too. Varios like the LX give you numerous settings, and I suspect that what makes a vario work well for me is the way it has been setup. Sadly I am not clever enough to know how to set it up for best results! When other people out-climb me (hopefully not too often) my first thought is never that it is the fault of the vario!

I only once took off with a non-functioning vario (the LNav, water in plumbing). I thought it was odd that nothing was working, and was about to land out when I realised that the problem was the vario not the conditions! Happily I then found a good enough thermal to climb without a vario, and was able to fly back to the airfield. I understand some people are clever enough to fly cross country without a vario. Not me.

The Butterfly sounds like genuine new tech - using accelerometers as well as pressure change. I can imagine that this must achieve a better result, but I cannot imagine how I would recognise that better result. How would I decide whether to spec my next glider with an LX 9000 or to save money and use a Butterfly plus Oudie?

Another vote for the Clearnav vario. In answer to the question below, the
longer you soar, and the more different gliders (and instruments) you fly
with, the easier it is to decide whether the instrument is agreeing with
what you know from feel the glider is doing in the air. When you are
climbing with other people real differences show up. Horizontal gusts can
make a simple TE vario think the rate of climb has increased, when the
glider isn't in fact climbing at that time. The Clearnav is also new tech
withmultiple pressure sensors, 3-axis accelerometers, and good software to
show you what the glider is doing in reality. In my biased opinion, it is
far better than anything else I have flown with.

The user interface is straighforward, and the advanced extra features
(including IGC recorder) are well on the way.

As John Cochran has pointed out, mechanical varios (however good) are
antiques now - good audio for eyes out of cockpit are vital.


So many of you say the Clearnav vario is fantastic. What is it about that
vario that makes it better than any other? How do
you recognise that it is better?



The Butterfly sounds like genuine new tech - using accelerometers as well
as pressure change. I can
imagine that this must achieve a better result,
but I cannot imagine how I would recognise that better
result. How would I decide whether to spec my next glider
with an LX 9000 or to save money and use a Butterfly plus
Oudie?