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Posted for "Carl Cadwell" <CarlC@Cadwell.com>:
1. Don't know if it is still locked at 800 x 600. I have not
tried. It works great on my Toshiba Pen Tablet.
2. Wire mess: It is OK. I have the XM receiver mounted on the
copilot panel. There are 3 12 volt cigarette plugs immediately below.
The XM antenna is on top of my glare shield. (You can see the wire
running up to the left of the circuit breakers) I plugged in a 12 volt
to 110 volt inverter. The power and XM radio cable travel along the
lower part of the panel held with zip ties. The cables then travel down
the center console behind the carpeted panel to the floor, under the
floor mats to between the seats. The computer sits between the seats or
on the copilot's seat/lap. . The GPS receiver (buy theirs for $100) is
under my glareshield held with Velcro. It runs behind the panel and
joins the other 2 cables along the center console.
3. Bad weather is what this is all about. It is so comforting to
have this on board. You can navigate around the cumulous buildups and
know that you are not being trapped. You request deviations 50 miles
ahead. The GPS feed is essential as it keeps the map centered and
points out where you are going to be in 15 minutes. I have had several
trips now that would have been a no go before, but were easily, smoothly
and safely performed knowing where to fly to avoid the buildups. If there is suspected icing, I will avoid the areas showing the
most precipitation. I fly in the light green whenever possible. (Light
green is the color scale showing the least precipitation.
I have a strike finder on board also. I find that there is good
correlation between the strikes on the strike finder and the forecast
ones on the WxWorx.
4. I use the radar all the time. I check the direction and speed
of the cells once or twice. I check the weather and forecasts
regularly. I look at the tops occasionally once or twice. I turn on
the other features to play.
5. Nothing that I would want.
Other comments: I had 2 XM antenna failures when new. They took care
of them and were very helpful. I also had a previous laptop that would
not give up the USB port shared with the Palm.
Make certain you label the 2 USB ports on your computer. You can't
arbitrarily plug in the GPS and XM radio into one or the other. Mine
are now labeled and hookup up the same way each time.
I am able to read my Toshiba in full sun if it is plugged into the 110
volt.
I believe that this will also keep you legal with a ramp check as you
have the weather and TAFs.
I also have electronic plates on the pen tablet.
Carl Cadwell
N25CL 485 hours of IVP fun and safety.
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