Strike Finder / AltiTrak/EDM 700 ?

[74657]

Guys,

Im started to get situated with the new instruments in my Mooney.  I took the books for the EDM-700, Alti-Trak, and StrikeFinder home last night. 

The strikefinder seems a bit outdated given the XM WX I have on the 496.  I know that the refresh rate of the XM WX is a bit delayed and the SF might help "assist"....?

The AltiTrak has a bunch of functions that I probably wont use until I start Instrument flying.  Right now it seems like "one more thing" to have to manage.....

The JPI EDM-700 engine data gauge manual is a PITA to read.  It makes me feel like I am trying to learn how to fly the space shuttle.  WAY too many things going on in that gauge for 2 buttons to control.  If someone could give me the quick/dirty rundown of how to operate that thing it would be great.  I really miss my Electronics International 4 bank CHT/EGT/OAT gauge right now....

 

[Jeff_S]

The JPI 700 is a bit of a chore to learn, and this is coming from someone in the software biz who makes a living learning how to use and sell software. But once you get used to the basics it's not that bad, and the info is so nice to have that it makes learning worthwhile.

The simplest thing is to remember that if you don't touch it, it will go into scan mode. If you have the fuel option, the first thing you'll need to do on startup is tell it whether or not you put any gas in. By default it assumes not, but if you filled it up, just push the right button once and then the left button. (This assumes you have it programmed where the second option is Fill to your full gallons.) If you did a partial fill, well, that gets a little more challenging so just read your manual and practice it a few times.

I never mess with Percentage vs. Normalize view. I just leave it in Percentage all the time. It was in Normalize when I first got the plane and the bars moved around so much is scared the hell out of me until I figured out what was going on. Others' views may differ on that.

In cruise, I just leave it in scan unless I want to lean. If your engine allows it, learn how to lean LOP because you'll save quite a bit of gas. Press the right (LeanFinder) button once, then press both buttons down and hold until LOP appears, then let up. Then begin leaning per the manual. It's pretty easy. You'll find through experience about what GPH and CHT/EGT settings generally get you the setting that you want, so that eventually you don't even need to use LeanFinder but can just lean out until you see those on the graph.

That's pretty much it, unless you want to get fancy and start programming alarms and things like that. I haven't delved into that area much.

[Hank]

I have an older Strike Finder. It's useful for weather avoidance, and does not carry a monthly fee like XM. It is also pretty much real time. It works by measuring the difference in [electrical] potential, and as such will show most significant atmospheric disturbances, with or without precipitation. Just make sure to twist the knob to the range you want to see--mine has Off, 50 nm, 100 nm and 200 nm. The unit is panel-mounted, the wires and antennas are all permanent and hidden from view. If the weather is changing rapidly, press "Clear" from time to time.

XM weather provides recent satellite weather, but the refresh rate and data lag also relegate it to weather avoidance. It shows precipitation and lightning strikes over the moving map. Monthly fees are continuing to rise, the XM antenna needs to be put somewhere with a wire, and the unit itself needs to be put somewhere visible and secure. Since it's only available on handheld GPS units, and I have a 430W, it's an investment I have not yet made. Others can comment on its full functionality separate from the included GPS.

Having the weather on the map itself would be nice if trying to find shelter from something accidentally blundered into, but the whole point of either system is to see what's around so that you don't blunder into it unknowingly. If you knowingly go where you shouldn't, there's not much an instrument is going to be able to do.

[jlunseth]

I have Sat WX through a GDL 69A displayed on my moving map.  I had an EDM 700 and now have the 930.  I am not familiar with the AltiTrak, but if it is the unit I think it is (target altitudes, altitude alerts) it would be modestly useful.  I have the Icarus SAM which is roll steering and has target altitudes and altitude alerts.

I like the altitude alerts.  When flying IFR there can be alot going on in the cockpit and it is nice to have a "copilot" reminding you that you are reaching your target alt. so you don't blow through it.  On the other hand, you can get an altimeter ring from Sporty's that inserts in the bezel of the altimeter and is a visual reminder, that works also and is alot cheaper.  My main reason for getting the aural alerter was for the "Gear! Gear!" alert on descent and landing, the rest is just fun to have but not that essential that I would pay for it in a stand alone unit.

As far as the sat wx is concerned, the information is so good that I actually feel more comfortable once I am in the air and looking at the Nexrad display than on the ground going through the various weather reports.  I have found the sat wx to be extremely accurate, and the delay has not been an issue.  It may be partly because I am turbocharged, and tend to fly above the overcast layer, whatever that is, so the larger storms that need to be avoided not only show up on the sat wx, but I can usually see them with the Mark I eyeball.  Sat wx gives me an idea of the direction of movement, how big the cell is, and what is behind it that is not displayed on the Mark I, so gives me a better idea of what is needed to avoid the bad stuff.  I highly recommend it, monthly subscription and all.

Same with the EDM 700.  Yes, it is a pain to use.  But I recently took the GAMI course, and part of the course is using and understanding engine monitors.  If you take the time to learn what it is telling you, you get a much better picture of the health of the engine.  It can telegraph the types of failures that will bring you down, such as a failed magneto, or stuck exhaust valve.  Very much worth having and spending the time learning.

[Cruiser]

Unless you are going on 4hr + flights and need updates enroute, I really don't see what benefit the sat wx can offer over a good stormscope, you can always call Flight Watch from the air. You do a thorough flight plan on the ground and you check the weather radar before departure, if the weather is changing so fast that I can't predict what will be in my path in the next hour, I won't be flying anyway. If I am already in the weather, the stormscope will show the storm clusters on the scope better than the xm wx will. If it is really bad, I can avoid those areas on the scope as I am finding a place to land.

The ONLY thing you get from xm wx that you can't get in the plane is cloud tops and upper level winds if you want to change altitudes, but again all that is available before you launch and as I said before unless you are flying really long trips it is not going to change while you are in the air to the extent a stormscope will do as good or better job in the air.