Cambridge 302 & PDA -- Value of adding Cambridge 303?

I'm planning a panel for a new Ventus, planning to get a Cambridge 302
and a PDA. My question is to what extent also getting a Cambridge 303
(nav display) is worth the panel space and cost.

I recognize that a PDA can provide almost everything the 303 can do
and more, except for maybe better headwind/tailwind. So it seems 303
would be mostly for 1) backup in case PDA fails, 2) ability to show
navigation to two TP's at once (one via PDA, one via 303).

I've heard that many competition pilots who fly with a 302 and a PDA
also have a 303. I'm interested in feedback from anyone who flies with
this configuration -- what are your main reasons for having the 303,
and do you use the 303 regularly in cross country/competition
flights?

Thanks,
- Frank

"V1" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm planning a panel for a new Ventus, planning to get a Cambridge 302
and a PDA. My question is to what extent also getting a Cambridge 303
(nav display) is worth the panel space and cost.

I recognize that a PDA can provide almost everything the 303 can do
and more, except for maybe better headwind/tailwind. So it seems 303
would be mostly for 1) backup in case PDA fails, 2) ability to show
navigation to two TP's at once (one via PDA, one via 303).

I've heard that many competition pilots who fly with a 302 and a PDA
also have a 303. I'm interested in feedback from anyone who flies with
this configuration -- what are your main reasons for having the 303,
and do you use the 303 regularly in cross country/competition
flights?

Thanks,
- Frank


LX http://www.wingsandwheels.com/page18.htm

On Jul 28, 5:46 am, V1 wrote:
I'm planning a panel for a new Ventus, planning to get a Cambridge 302
and a PDA. My question is to what extent also getting a Cambridge 303
(nav display) is worth the panel space and cost.

Thanks,
- Frank

Cost, very little.
Value, enormous.
It's always a good idea to have a direct link to the 302 built into
the panel by installing a 303 (or LX7000CAI?)
Biggest downside to the 303 is that the turn points are organized
numerically so you need to declare a task like:
1, 636, 641, 1, which involves a lot of scrolling. You DO know the
task is in the 302 when you declare it, though. And a 303 is far less
likely to crash or need the software reloading and unlocking.
Jim

Nice to have a second display for what ifs. I find it very useful. Also good
as a back up nav aid and thermal marking. (I have a second GPS running the
computer.)


"V1" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm planning a panel for a new Ventus, planning to get a Cambridge 302
and a PDA. My question is to what extent also getting a Cambridge 303
(nav display) is worth the panel space and cost.

I recognize that a PDA can provide almost everything the 303 can do
and more, except for maybe better headwind/tailwind. So it seems 303
would be mostly for 1) backup in case PDA fails, 2) ability to show
navigation to two TP's at once (one via PDA, one via 303).

I've heard that many competition pilots who fly with a 302 and a PDA
also have a 303. I'm interested in feedback from anyone who flies with
this configuration -- what are your main reasons for having the 303,
and do you use the 303 regularly in cross country/competition
flights?

Thanks,
- Frank

I have this same setup, I highly reccomend the 303 option.

Joe




On Jul 28, 8:46 am, V1 wrote:
I'm planning a panel for a new Ventus, planning to get a Cambridge 302
and a PDA. My question is to what extent also getting a Cambridge 303
(nav display) is worth the panel space and cost.

I recognize that a PDA can provide almost everything the 303 can do
and more, except for maybe better headwind/tailwind. So it seems 303
would be mostly for 1) backup in case PDA fails, 2) ability to show
navigation to two TP's at once (one via PDA, one via 303).

I've heard that many competition pilots who fly with a 302 and a PDA
also have a 303. I'm interested in feedback from anyone who flies with
this configuration -- what are your main reasons for having the 303,
and do you use the 303 regularly in cross country/competition
flights?

Thanks,
- Frank

Biggest downside to the 303 is that the turn points are organized
numerically so you need to declare a task like:
1, 636, 641, 1, which involves a lot of scrolling. You DO know the
task is in the 302 when you declare it, though. And a 303 is far less
likely to crash or need the software reloading and unlocking.
Jim

The 303 is, as others have said, a great way to have to navigational
systems so that
you can work options during a contest. "Should I go to turnpoint A or
B next?"

I wouldn't use the 303 to create the turnpoint list for a task. Many
(most? all?) of the
PDA based systems will download turnpoints from it's database into the
302. Case in point
is Glide Navigator II (GNII). Easier to do this on the PDA ahead of
time in your easy chair
rather than in the glider. After transfer from the PDA to the 302,
you can always review the
task in the 303.

As to crashing, etc, It has NEVER happened to me with a HP IPAQ 2215
and GNII.