XCSoar opinion

I'm getting into XC flying and I would like to get opinions on the use
of XCSoar for navigation. Is it useful, reliable, is it worth using
etc? Thanks in advance.

On Sep 16, 9:24*am, Andres wrote:
I'm getting into XC flying and I would like to get opinions on the use
of XCSoar for navigation. Is it useful, reliable, is it worth using
etc? *Thanks in advance.

Hi Andres,

I have been flying with XC Soar going on 2 seasons now. I really like
it. I do not fly competition, so I am not familiar with all of the
task tools etc...............but as a tool for avid Cross Country
flying I think it's great.

I don't know anything about the other flight software programs out
there so I can't make any comparisons, except for the price. The
developers are constantly improving the software and it is easy to
use.

Brad

I have used several flight programs and XCSoar is about as good as it
gets and will do anything I need for reliable planning, showing
accurate information on a task or just free flying OLC style
(following the weather and adding turnpoints on the fly). It has more
features than you will probably use, while the information available
can be adjusted depending on what you find useful, while being very
user friendly. It takes about an evening to understand the layouts.

The bottom line is that XCSoar is a premium soaring navigation
program, developed by group of dedicated cross country soaring pilots,
that happen to be talented software designers.

XCSoar is free. Donations are accepted, but never asked for.


Mike


On Sep 16, 10:24*am, Andres wrote:
I'm getting into XC flying and I would like to get opinions on the use
of XCSoar for navigation. Is it useful, reliable, is it worth using
etc? *Thanks in advance.

"Andres" wrote in message ...
I'm getting into XC flying and I would like to get opinions on the use
of XCSoar for navigation. Is it useful, reliable, is it worth using
etc? Thanks in advance.

This is my first year trying XCSoar. I had previously been using Glide Navigator II, which I liked due to its' simplicity, in conjunction with a Garmin GPS and Compaq 1550. However, Glide Navigator does not support tmy recently purchased B-50 vario system.

Initial installation of XCSoar was a bit cumbersome. It provides so many setup options. This allows the user to customize the feature and display to what they consider important to the way they fly. One thing that became apparent is that XCSoar's display is best suited for a color PDA. However, it is usable on the Compaq 1550 if the contrast is adjusted properly.

Due the the memory and processor limitation of the 1550, I have not attempted to use the map options. However, it should be pointed out that Glide Navigator II doesn't even have a map option.

Worth using? It has all the XC flying function I used when running Glider Navigator II and you can't beat the price.

On Sep 16, 9:24*am, Andres wrote:
I'm getting into XC flying and I would like to get opinions on the use
of XCSoar for navigation. Is it useful, reliable, is it worth using
etc? *Thanks in advance.

It's free. It's well supported. It has more features than I'll ever
use.
Pick up a used PDA on ebay (under $50.00) and a GPS source, and you're
ready for the OLC. If you're going to do any badge flying, bite the
bullet and buy a Certified Flight Recorder (CFR). There are lots of
good units out there, but they're not cheap. Expect to pay $700 -
$950.
Best Regards,
Jim

On Sep 16, 11:23*am, Uncle Fuzzy wrote:
On Sep 16, 9:24*am, Andres wrote:

I'm getting into XC flying and I would like to get opinions on the use
of XCSoar for navigation. Is it useful, reliable, is it worth using
etc? *Thanks in advance.

It's free. *It's well supported. It has more features than I'll ever
use.
Pick up a used PDA on ebay (under $50.00) and a GPS source, and you're
ready for the OLC. *If you're going to do any badge flying, bite the
bullet and buy a Certified Flight Recorder (CFR). *There are lots of
good units out there, but they're not cheap. *Expect to pay $700 -
$950.
Best Regards,
Jim

I've used SoarPilot for some time and really was able to get all the
information I wanted, but the Palm devices that natively support the
code are becoming scarce and I really don't want another layer of code
(TapStyle, Palm OS emulator) on a Pocket PC to deal with.

For this reason I have reviewed SeeYou Mobile (very nice, and you pay
for it) and XCSoar on several PNA devices and found that the XCS team
is really making a marvelous effort to keep XCSoar a top-of-the-line
program.

I've decided to stay with it for the moment as I can't see paying for
the SYM when XCSoar provides me with all the features I need for the
cost of a donation, or even nothing if I feel that way.

Mike

XC Soar Rocks!

On Sep 16, 10:02*pm, Bryce wrote:
XC Soar Rocks!

amen brother...

The latest version, lk8000, does away with all the cumbersome configuring
of boxes and works on a PNA. I picked one up for £35 on e-bay and am very
happy with the result.
Best wishes

JohnR-K

On Sep 17, 4:45*am, John Roche-Kelly
wrote:
The latest version, lk8000, does away with all the cumbersome configuring
of boxes and works on a PNA. I picked one up for £35 on e-bay and am very
happy with the result.
Best wishes

JohnR-K

I looked for a version of lk8000 for the PNA's and was unable to find
one available for download.

Tom