Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 01:57:24 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-1300055@logan.com>
From: "Tom Gourley" <tom.gourley@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: VistaNav
Reply-to: "Tom Gourley" <tom.gourley@verizon.net>
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"> I would hardly call that reasonable.  And 32F is the "standard
> atmosphere" at about 7,500 feet.  105F is essentially 40C.  It is way too 
> low for real life use.  Temperatures in excess of 80C behind the panel are 
> well documented.  On a "normal" warm day of 35C, you can see temperatures 
> well in excess to 45C in locations where you would normally install a box. 
> Places like Phoenix routinely get over 45C in the shade during the 
> summer."

Hamid,

I was wondering if the VistaNav might be a possible alternative to something 
like a Garmin 396.  Yes, it's operating temperature range isn't that great, 
but it might be ok for some folks depending on their usage model.  If I had 
one I wouldn't mount it behind the panel.  I would put it somewhere in the 
cabin where it would experience pretty much the same conditions as I would 
and it would be extrememly rare for me to fly with the cabin temperature as 
cold as 32F or as hot as 105F.  Maybe at startup but not after getting 
underway.  Given those constraints the temperature range could be workable. 
The altitude limitation is not.

">> Does this mean the tablet, or Mobile Computing
>> Platform as it's called, will stop working above 10,000 feet.  I doubt 
>> it.
> Wrong answer."

Maybe you didn't read all of my post.  After "I doubt it" I said, "Would I 
bet my life on it?  Heck no!"  I think that's a good answer.  Most computing 
products will run somewhat outside the manufacture's spec (although based on 
Matt's feedback this one doesn't seem to), but you're taking a big risk if 
you do it.  Not acceptable in an airplane.  I'm also very familiar with the 
workings of hard disk drives, I just wasn't thinking about a hard disk drive 
in the tablet (duh).  Back (way back) when high end computer room drives 
used multiple 14" removable platters, for a grand total of 300MB, and each 
head was replaceable I repaired a lot of drives that had had head crashes. 
I even know of one instance where some rocket scientists, and I mean real 
honest to God rocket scientists, moved a mini-computer system into an 
altitude chamber to collect some data and didn't understand why the disk 
drive crashed -- twice.

"> Of course, you can ignore all of that and boldly press on -- many do.
> Maybe you will get lucky and things will work for you, maybe not."

Nope.  I have no intention of ignoring facts and pressing on.  I didn't 
think I implied that and I certainly don't recommend that anyone do it. 
Trusting luck is not a good strategy.  I saw something potentially 
interesting in the VistaNav, but I know better than to accept Marketing 
claims at face value.  That's why I was simply asking if anyone had any real 
world experience with this product.  I got some good user feedback and now I 
know that, in its present state, this product is not suitable for my use.

Tom Gourley
(Lucky is not my middle name)