Newcastle South Leagues Club, Merewether.
GPS - Is it worth getting an in-built Barometer?
Fri, 10/09/2010 - 00:16 — Nigel Gilchrist
Does anyone have any opinions on whether it is worth getting a GPS model that has the in-built Barometric Sensor? There seems to be arguements for and against. With the advantage obviously being more accurate altitude readings than with just GPS and against being the additional cost, decreased battery life and apparent redundancy given we fly with a Vario anyway.
What do most people in our club have?
I was looking at the Garmin 76CSX but it is now discontinued and not readily available. The upgrade is the 78 series.
If anyone can provide some additional guidance that would be great.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Cheers,
Nigel
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If you want to know where you
If you want to know where you are, you don't need pressure sensors but for competition use, the pressure sensor has its advantages.
If you want the best retrieve GPS, the CSX is good.
If you want the best flying GPS the 76 is is better.
The very best flying GPS is the 76S.
the 76CSX sucks in comparison to the 76S. The S has a larger screen, far simpler menu system to drive when you are in the air (and during briefing).
The S designates the pressure sensor model. It gives glide angles for glide to goal and, with airspace issues, it gives reliable altitude information.
Here is a link to the Garmin
Here is a link to the Garmin GPS 60 https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=144&pID=6446 it has all of the features that we need for our flying. It is 3d, has stacks of memory can do most things except launch and land the glider. The innards of it are identical to the bigger units other pilots use, just this is in a smaller case but has the same screen size. It has usb port on the back is water resistant. I got mine new on ebay for less than $200. There are several of us using this at comps now. Note this is just a GPS not a combo vario-gps although it will give basic vario functions if needed. I have used it as a vario but do not recommend it for that purpose.
A man with imagination has wings: he can fly.