Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 09:28:25 -0500
Message-ID: <redirect-3043284@logan.com>
From: "Tom Hall" <tomhall@starband.net>
References: <list-3042814@logan.com>
Subject: Re: [LML] wxworx
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> 1) is it still locked at 800x600?
        I have not found any way to change resolution. It does vary with
screen size, but on my Fujitsu, it will not entirely fill screen, but it is
not a problem in use.
> 2) are all the wires too much of a mess?
        As with any removal device, the wires are noticable, but you can
bundle together. A USB hub with longer wire can be used. This allows for one
wire if you use battery or two if you use aircraft power.
> 3) does it work in bad weather?
        It works GREAT! I have flown for many years with onboard wx radar,
and , for most GA uses, it is superior to it. It is far more reliable than
stormscope/strike finder. I know this statement will probably set off a
storm (pardon the pun) of controversy, but I feel that about the only time
that onboard radar might needed is pentrating a line of embedded, rapidly
developing  storms. I hope that most of us are NOT attempting that. The
radar feature updates like clock-work every 5 minutes. If an area of storms
is developing more rapidly than that, then you don't need to be there or
that close. It has the advantage of no attentuation and requires no skill or
input. I highly recommend the GPS option. This puts your aircraft on the
screen and shows its position and you can put range rings (of your choice)
around the plane. It also has a vector line to show where the aircraft will
be in 15 minutes. When this disappears, you know that you are in trouble!
(joke). Since you may scale up or down, it is quite easy to see the big
picture and plan accordingly. This is usually not an option with onboard. On
a recent trip to Denver, I was amazed at the reliabilty in showing even
bands of clouds and snow. Radar will "loop" and this is helpful to predict
movement. Cells are well depicted and if it shows precip, it will be there.
It is not so pixilated as the first products of Orbcom and downloads every
time.
> 4) what features do you use the most?
        Obviously, the radar is probably number one. The metar and TAF
features are really nice and have cut down on calls to flightwatch. Winds
aloft can help in planning on longer trips. I am still experimenting with
the cloud top feature, but it probably will be very helpful for high flyers
in CB season. I haven't used the lightning strike info much yet.
> 5) what's it missing?
        TFR info would be nice. I think that it will eventually be included.
If anyone would like to discuss, feel free to contact me off list.
thetomhall@starband.net