From: "Marvin Kaye" <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] wxworx
To: lml
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 10:08:24 -0500
Message-ID: <web-3043327@logan.com>
In-Reply-To: <MMEELOPNFCJLIMPNNKMOIELECPAA.hapgoodm94@alum.darden.edu>
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Posted for "Matt Hapgood" <hapgoodm94@alum.darden.edu>:

I bought WxWorx two weeks ago (it has V1.15).
Used on a flight to FL last week.
I am using it on a Toshiba M200 tablet computer.
Overall I was quite impressed.  It helped both going and returning to avoid
large expanses of more severe buildups.  It also indicated that there was no
convective activity, which put me a bit at ease.

The cost is very compelling (less than $900 if you already have the
computer).  It is easy to set up and intuitive to use.

The downsides are
1. No temperature aloft - this would have been nice to help me understand
where the icing issues were.
2. No interface to Garmin 430 / 530
3. The Toshiba was easy to read and operate in the clouds and at night.  It
was okay in indirect sun, and virtually impossible in direct sunlight.

To answer the direct questions:
1. The screen detail was perfectly fine.  I'm not sure of the exact
resolution, but again, it was fine.
2. Wires were NO issue.  I have the receiver mounted under the dust cover,
and it is hard wired.  The antenna is placed on top of the radio stack (also
under the dust cover).  I have only one wire from the receiver to the
notebook, and it comes out of the armrest and is USB.  I am using a PC Card
GPS that plugs directly into the notebook - I don't even need to have it's
auxilliary antenna plugged in.  I had planned to plug the notebook into the
lighter socket, but for some reason my converter wasn't working.  It ran
fine on battery power alone for 3 hours.  So, in summary, there is only ONE
wire in the cockpit for shorter flights, two if I want a power supply for
the notebook.
3. Works fine in bad weather.  I leave the radar screen on and then I don't
need to touch or manipulate it.  It updates every five or so minutes
automatically.
4. Radar returns.  Terminal forecasts.
5. Temps aloft.  Icing forecasts (the information changed during my last
flight dramatically - from "okay before 1700Z to moderate starting at
1600Z - that's not too good when on final at 1630Z).  Pireps.

The $50 / month is a bit steep, but balance it with the CHEAP acquisition
cost (just a few Airventure Cup entry fees!).

Matt