Jump to content

Newbie needing a recommendation for vario / computer?


Recommended Posts

I'm really close to getting my license in New Zealand and I need some recommendations on instruments to get. I'm very overwhelmed by the number of instruments out there and was hoping someone could point me to some good bang-for-the-buck ones.

- I have a Gin Pegasus 26 wing (beginner)

- I have a Kortel Kuik II harness

- XC is something that would be cool to do in the future

- I have no interest in competitions

- I will be doing paramotoring at some point (any paramotor-specific features I need to look for in instruments?)

- Speedflying and speedriding (ski + paraglide) are definitely a possibility

- I will be bringing my Samsung S5 smartphone + external battery + spare batteries on all flights... would this be able to replace the need for a vario entirely?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We tend not to be to worried about a Variometer when flying Paramotors to be honest.

But if your thinking about something with airspace restrictions and such. There is an app for non iPhone people called SkyDemon that I would suggest you download. :-)

Are you on the North or the South island? I have flying friends on the South Island (Wanaka and surrounding areas)

SW :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah, interesting. Any kinda of electronics then that are more PPG specific that I should start looking it?

I'm on the North Island, but I don't think I'll be doing PPG for a while, at least until I get more experienced with PG by itself first. I'm still looking for that lightweight travel kit. I'm only in NZ on a tourist visa from the US. Looking at possibly Blackhawk motors back in the US, with the Kestral frame and the 175cc motor since I see myself also doing some higher altitude flying (some states in the US *start* at 5,000ft AMSL for ground level) and I don't think an 80cc Miniplane will do the job and a Backbone Stronger 125 with ROS 125 engine has reliability problems? I'm 75kg.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, I'm doing unpowered flight first and then powered. I'm at the stage where I need to think about purchasing equipment, and I want to be a bit more forward-thinking in my purchases if I intend to also pursue PPG. I didn't want to purchase a vario for PG and then get into PPG and realize that I need to get *another* computer with PPG-related features.

But it sounds like there's no risk? I should just get a PG computer because there aren't any PPG-specific features I should be worried about?

Do most people just fly around with their smartphones acting as the computer? A few of them have pretty sensitive barometers built into them that seem to work just as well as the ones in actual varios.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Upcoming Events

    No upcoming events found
×
×
  • Create New...