Approach Timer Frustration

Over the years I have been using various digital timers, but so far I
have not been satisfied with any of them. The LCD displays make them
difficult to read when viewing at different angles. The right seat
pilot (or CFII) cannot see the digits. Lack of illumination in most
units is another big problem for night use. Size is another issue.
Most of the timers appear to be way too bulky for their function. For
example, the ASA timer is larger than any instrument in the cockpit.
If you install it on your yoke clip, it would cover up half of the
approach chart. For some reason, the manufacturers seem to be obsessed
with presenting large digit displays. That may be good for home or
outdoor use, but there is really no need for the digits to be 10
times larger than the font size on the approach charts.


For a long time I have been looking for a very small timer (1" x 1")
with an LED display (not LCD) that could be glued to the yoke clip.
With LED displays, battery life could be a problem, but one could
easily solve that by having an on/off switch (most timers seem to run
continuously regardless of use). Any ideas where I may find such a
device?

In article , Andrew
Sarangan wrote:

For a long time I have been looking for a very small timer (1" x 1")
with an LED display (not LCD) that could be glued to the yoke clip.

Wait until you get older, then tell me you don't need big numbers.

It seems to me that West Bend Co. makes most of the timers I've seen. Maybe
they have something smaller.
--
Jim Burns III

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"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message
om...
Over the years I have been using various digital timers, but so far I
have not been satisfied with any of them. The LCD displays make them
difficult to read when viewing at different angles. The right seat
pilot (or CFII) cannot see the digits. Lack of illumination in most
units is another big problem for night use. Size is another issue.
Most of the timers appear to be way too bulky for their function. For
example, the ASA timer is larger than any instrument in the cockpit.
If you install it on your yoke clip, it would cover up half of the
approach chart. For some reason, the manufacturers seem to be obsessed
with presenting large digit displays. That may be good for home or
outdoor use, but there is really no need for the digits to be 10
times larger than the font size on the approach charts.


For a long time I have been looking for a very small timer (1" x 1")
with an LED display (not LCD) that could be glued to the yoke clip.
With LED displays, battery life could be a problem, but one could
easily solve that by having an on/off switch (most timers seem to run
continuously regardless of use). Any ideas where I may find such a
device?

"Jim" wrote in message ...
It seems to me that West Bend Co. makes most of the timers I've seen. Maybe
they have something smaller.

Of course, they also make some of the most inaccurate timers as well. Some
here have noticed that they can run almost 100% off when the batteries start
to go.

I used a West Bend kitchen timer for the tank timer on Voyager. I bought Dick's
unit and my unit at the same time in 1984. Mine has never been turned off and
is still on the panel of the 182, ticking away.

Jim


"Jim"
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

-It seems to me that West Bend Co. makes most of the timers I've seen. Maybe
-they have something smaller.

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

Got the Radio Shack count up/down timer which can be set easily. It is big
though (2" or so on a side). I connected an external AAA battery and put in
a red LED across the speaker. I can now see when the timer expires with the
flashing LED since I doubt I could hear the speaker go off.

Here's the link for the timer.
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...gory%5Fname=CT
LG%5F010%5F002%5F002%5F000&product%5Fid=63%2D878

"Jim" wrote in message
...
It seems to me that West Bend Co. makes most of the timers I've seen.
Maybe
they have something smaller.
--
Jim Burns III

Remove "nospam" to reply

"S Narayan" wrote in message
...
Got the Radio Shack count up/down timer which can be set easily. It is big
though (2" or so on a side). I connected an external AAA battery and put
in
a red LED across the speaker. I can now see when the timer expires with
the
flashing LED since I doubt I could hear the speaker go off.


Can you provide a schematic? Please.

For a long time I have been looking for a very small timer (1" x 1")
with an LED display (not LCD) that could be glued to the yoke clip.
With LED displays, battery life

I have a 3 function clock made by Westbend. It is fastened by velcro to the
left hand panel in front of the door. C172.
I time my XC legs and my approaches.
Hank N1441P

On 15 Jan 2004 09:44:35 -0800, (Andrew
Sarangan) wrote:

Over the years I have been using various digital timers, but so far I
have not been satisfied with any of them. The LCD displays make them
difficult to read when viewing at different angles. The right seat
pilot (or CFII) cannot see the digits. Lack of illumination in most

Get two they are cheap!
Or use the clock that is required int he airplane and get a timer for
the copilot. I have a digital timer, but find the clock about as easy
to use.

units is another big problem for night use. Size is another issue.
Most of the timers appear to be way too bulky for their function. For

Just right, but don't forget to take off the magnet.

example, the ASA timer is larger than any instrument in the cockpit.
If you install it on your yoke clip, it would cover up half of the
approach chart. For some reason, the manufacturers seem to be obsessed
with presenting large digit displays. That may be good for home or

Wait 20 years and those won't be big enough.

outdoor use, but there is really no need for the digits to be 10
times larger than the font size on the approach charts.

Ohhhh yes there is.



For a long time I have been looking for a very small timer (1" x 1")
with an LED display (not LCD) that could be glued to the yoke clip.
With LED displays, battery life could be a problem, but one could
easily solve that by having an on/off switch (most timers seem to run
continuously regardless of use). Any ideas where I may find such a
device?

Check with the regular aviation outlets that advertize in the
magazines. I've seen several All had digits too small to read and
controls too small to use when bouncing around. Maybe were I 20, or
40 years younger I'd not think the same.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

"Roger Halstead" wrote in message
...
On 15 Jan 2004 09:44:35 -0800, (Andrew
Sarangan) wrote:

Over the years I have been using various digital timers, but so far I
have not been satisfied with any of them. The LCD displays make them
difficult to read when viewing at different angles. The right seat
pilot (or CFII) cannot see the digits. Lack of illumination in most

Get two they are cheap!
Or use the clock that is required int he airplane and get a timer for
the copilot. I have a digital timer, but find the clock about as easy
to use.

As a renter from a fleet, I can never remember which planes have an easy to
use digital timer installed, and which have an analog clock with a barely
visible second hand that suffers even worse from the "lack of illumunation"
problem.

I once flew with a guy who had a timer with a big button that launched a
60-second count-down and beeped at the end. I haven't seen the same model
anywhere since. Sources, opinions? I guess you need the minute countdown a
more during training (holds, "standard" procedure turns) but not so much
during real life IFR.

-- David Brooks