Return-Path: Received: from pop3.olsusa.com ([63.150.212.2] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 3.5.8) with ESMTP id 1156228 for rob@logan.com; Fri, 05 Apr 2002 21:20:27 -0500 Received: from mail.indian-creek.net ([209.176.40.9]) by pop3.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.5.3 release 223 ID# 0-71866U8000L800S0V35) with ESMTP id com for ; Fri, 5 Apr 2002 20:44:24 -0500 Received: from VAIO ([209.176.40.56]) by mail.indian-creek.net with SMTP (IOA-IPAD 2.90a1/96) id 9683100; Fri, 05 Apr 2002 19:47:59 -0600 Message-ID: <001901c1dd0d$1466a870$3828b0d1@VAIO> From: "Jim Cameron" To: "Bob Nuckolls" , "Lancair Mail List" Subject: Ritchie Electronic Compass Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2002 19:47:54 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> For what it's worth, I've just replaced my Ritchie electronic compass with an R.C. Allen electric DG. The Ritchie compass looked very attractive when I was designing my panel -- new technology, no precession, light weight, and quite inexpensive (about $260, as I recall). After some flight hours with it, however, I elected to replace it with the old-tech RC Allen model. The Ritchie compass was sluggish, hard to read (I got the 2" job, although they do make a larger one), and didn't like extreme bank angles. It also did the E.I. fuel gauge trick: when you key the mic to transmit on your COM, the Ritchie compass goes nuts (along with the E.I. fuel gauge). Seems that neither of these instruments like stray RF. I went through the compensating procedure for the Ritchie compass, and it seemed to go about 10 degrees further off each time! Too bad -- with all the nifty solid-state compass-type gizmos on the market, there should be a better mousetrap out there at an affordable price. To be fair, Ritchie don't sell this model for aircraft use, and would probably have a small fit if they knew that's what I bought if for. I now have the Aerolectrics all-electric panel on a more seriously stressed budget than before. The R.C. Allen model is sure bargain, compared to the vacuum model. For about a grand more, you get no heading bug and no autopilot pick-off. Just yer basic DG. Jim Cameron Lancair Super ES, N143ES >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LML website: http://members.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair Please remember that purchases from the Builders' Bookstore assist with the management of the LML. Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>