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Pro's and cons of analog instruments

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:30 am
by bergdwerg
I like the traditional horlosies infront of me, but open for opinion.Understand the EFIS/ANALOG can be cheaper.How good are they, userfrendly,prices,reliability etc.I am building up data, planing to build aircraft soon.
Thanx
Bergdwerg

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:45 am
by John Boucher
MGL products are really good and whats more - LOCAL!

I still feel that one should have at least in case of failure - even if it is an unobtrusive 2.5" dial - airspeed and maybe an altimeter. All certified aircraft have at least a basic analogue backup....

You can really put together an awesome panel today with whats on the offering....

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:04 am
by Cloud Warrior
Electronic doodahs very sexy and all except when a fuse works loose and suddenly your whole display goes dead in front of you and you are in the circuit on finals.

At least the incident taught me to fly by gut feel / wind in the face / knyping poephol method. :twisted:

If I had to put my panel together now I would go analogue. KISS!

Agreed

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:23 am
by John Young
Cloud Warrior wrote:If I had to put my panel together now I would go analogue. KISS!
Agreed on Keep It Simple Stupid.

My GT450 instrument layout shown below (still needs Hobbs etc. fitted) ....

All you need and IMHO more dependable than all that elecronic stuff.

Regards
John ex-CIB (GT450 Quik on the way)

Another example of KISS

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:35 am
by John Young
Another example of KISS :!:

Regards
John ex-CIB (GT450 Quik on the way)

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:00 am
by Wargames
Bergdwerg,

On this issue I would like to say that all you need to fly a trike, is your eyes. You do not need instuments. Ask any triker if he ever checks his ASI, and he will tell you no. The only analog I will suggest you get yourself is a nice compass. (I must get one too).

I have a gps will alt, ground speed, compass. Most guys fly with these anyway. So get yourself a nice digital panel from mgl, with gps as backup, or vice versa.

To compare prices. Analog altimeter will run you about R3500. MGL digital format about R1000.

This all for instruments that is not needed in any case.

Your decision. but remember that a trike is not flown like fixed wing aircraft. They do need a firm watch on their ASI for landing. But with the wind in your hair, just fly the plane.

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:13 am
by bergdwerg
Thanx you all, i agree, will have basic airspeed , alt and turn/slip, the rest Analog.Had many hours of fun in a trike, agree, it is seat of the pants flying, but i am a 3 axis dude now, needs are slightly different now, looking at a tin eerie now.

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:21 pm
by Mogas
Steam driven for me!

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:47 pm
by German
Previous aerie had all digital.Now all analogue.Much better.Your eye catches any instrument from witch the needle is not in the normal position after getting used to your ist panel without looking directly to the instruments.In digital you have to move your head and physically read each reading.

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:48 pm
by DieselFan
Analog look great and you don't need to "read" a value to take in whats happening
Digital
MUCH Lighter and takes more punch

Many schools use digital cause after their landings the analogs fail. Digital keeps going.

mix

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:45 pm
by vliegvark
I think one can mix the to some analog and digital and get the best of bothworlds...................but never and I mean never fly with out music

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:31 am
by Morph
I'm with Bad nav, you need to have at least one analogue, ASI, in case of electrical failure

However personal choice and my next aerie, analogue, they are so much sexier than a single glass panel

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:39 am
by Tailspin
I am with Morph & Bad Nav on this one.

If power dies my ASI is not affected. The rest are electronic or are reliant on Power.

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:34 am
by John Boucher
Go and check this out....

http://www.steinair.com/G900x.htm

Analogues work even if a fuse is blown :!: or electrics are dead or switched off for emergency purposes!

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:34 pm
by Morph
That set of instruments are as expensive as the rest of the aircraft :shock: