Jim Weir of RST Engineering has done most of the leg work, and has found, what he thinks, are the best new products at the convention.
Further information can be seen at http://www.rstengineering.com/osh07
He found five products he considers to be the best. The first one even has the best price. Free!
DUATS Golden Eagle software has been updated. Leon Thomas, the author presented a quick introduction. It now has automatic updates and real time TFR’s. Moving the mouse over visible items gives a brief description. The software allows personally configurable chart preferences. Route planning allows rubber-band stretching.
There is a terrain avoidance window for your route. Reports can make a Triptik style printout. One option will make a flight plan form and a 50 mile wide flight strip. The program also will overlay weather on a route map.
The next winner was from Scion Systems. They showed their portable collision avoidance systems. The MRS sells for $549 plus a $50 show discount. The XRX goes for $1,795 plus a $100 show discount.
Both devices pick up mode C and S transponders. The device then gives the range and how far above or below your position. It does not give direction to the target. It does not actively interrogate transponders, but uses passive listening. It can send it’s information to Gramin, Blue Mountain and several other systems.
Bill Waterman won from Clarity Aloft. Their passive lightweight headset can be quieter than active noise canceling headsets. David Clark is still the standard for passive headsets, but they are best for reducing high frequencies. Bose introduced the world to active cancellation, but they work best at 100-500Hz. You still need a heavy cup to cancel high frequencies.
The Clarity Aloft product uses special foam inserts. The foam is better than custom molded plugs since it adjusts to your ear canal. A hearing aid style speaker provides clear sound.
The Air Force tested this product and found that radio volume could be 7db lower than with other headsets. Their show special is for $500 for the standard version and $665 for the TSO version.
Davinci software won for their Airplane PDQ software for airplane design. It’s currently being used at KidVenture where they compete to design the best plane possible.
MuttMuffs won for their earmuffs for dogs. They run $50, and are available in several different sizes. Unlike regular headsets, these are curved to match a dog’s head. Dogs will often take them off in the plane, but once they hear the difference, they usually allow them to be put back on. They will be left on afterward.