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Well, I'm sitting here fondling the box full of goodies received from
Lancair today.
I had ordered an ACK ELT p/n E-01 for $199 from their 1998 catalog. One of the
features which appealed to me was the use of Alkaline "D" cell batteries. What
I found in the box instead was an ARTEX ELT-200 for which I was billed $344.
And Oh by the way, this same item can be had from Aircraft Spruce for $297.50.
 Their response when questioned was:

Angier,
Vern gave me your e mail concerning the ELT.  We no longer carry the Ack
ELT
(p/n E-01) due to poor quality.  Instead we offer the ELT 200 which we feel
is made much better.  The price reflects that I suppose.  If you do not
want the ELT 200 you can return it for a full credit (to my attention
please).
Let me know what you would like to do and  I will handle the paperwork.
Thank You,
Debi Baer
Avionics Assistant

OK, OK, is this the old bait and switch routine??? If I did this to one of my
customers (without checking with them in advance), I'd have one less option
for any future prostate cancer cure!

Are any of you flying with the ACK Technologies ELT and are there legitimate
quality concerns here?

The next item in this box was their cabin heat valve p/n CHV-A. The design of
this part is mysterious to say the least. With the short flange end mounted to
the firewall, it seems clear which way to position the valve in order to
redirect hot air from entering the cockpit. Presumably, you would want to dump
this hot air overboard instead exhausting it into the engine compartment,
right? What I don't understand is this. With the valve positioned to direct
hot air into the cockpit, the other opening (dump opening for short) always
remains OPEN. Is there a reason for this? What am I missing here?

The last items received were two adjustable panel mount eyeball vents together
with two plenum caps. I guess I was not expecting the openings for air into
these plenum caps to be so small...5/6id, 3/4od. Are you really only supposed
to connect these caps to the naca scoops via 3/4id hose?

OK, this is enough rambling from me for the next several months. Do I keep the
ARTEX ELT or not?

Angier Ames