Return-Path: Received: from mail2.registeredsite.com ([209.35.159.13]) by ns1.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.5.3 release 223 ID# 0-64832U3500L350S0V35) with ESMTP id com for ; Tue, 10 Oct 2000 15:23:24 -0400 Received: from mail.dparsons.com (mail.dparsons.com [209.35.156.88]) by mail2.registeredsite.com (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id PAA02479; Tue, 10 Oct 2000 15:27:09 -0400 Received: from [63.82.148.82] [63.82.148.82] by mail.dparsons.com (SMTPD32-6.00) id AE58FA6A0120; Tue, 10 Oct 2000 15:30:32 -0400 Received: from DAP-VAIO by [63.82.148.82] via smtpd (for mail.dparsons.com [209.35.156.88]) with SMTP; 10 Oct 2000 19:27:53 UT Reply-To: Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com From: "Don Parsons" To: , Subject: RE: In-flight data collection Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 14:31:58 -0500 Message-ID: Importance: Normal In-Reply-To: <39E2917D.B06B8429@nii.net> X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com Mime-Version: 1.0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> I don't have a engine management system... yet, so I don't have first hand experience with any of the available units including the two you name. I do intend to do the same type of thing, therefore I have been doing a lot of research including reading the manuals for the products which are available on most of the manufacturer websites. I have also exchanged e-mail with some of the manufacturers' tech support staff. So, I will share what I can. The RMI MicroEncoder does have serial output that could be used to capture data with a PC. However, it appears that it is real-time capture only. I have not found any indication that it stores the data internally in some form of non-volatile memory to be downloaded post-flight. It also appears that the data comes in a more compact binary form, not clear text. So, it appears custom software would be needed to do post-flight analysis of the data. It doesn't appear that you could just port the data directly into Excel or Crystal Reports. I did not find anything on their website regarding software they offer to help you analyze or convert the data. They do make the technical information available that you would need to write your own code to capture the information and do whatever you wanted. That documentation is available in PDF documents they offer for free download on their website. The solution they have is really a potentially powerful solution, but the technical entry-point is a lot more advanced than many of the competitive solutions. The Vision Microsystems website is not quite as informative on the technical details, so I submitted a question to their tech support about this. The response I got back was that the VM1000 reports on the display current data, and displays min & max for many of the values, but it does not store additional detail data to be downloaded after the flight. I also appears that you cannot connect to it electronically via a serial or wireless IR connection to capture real-time in-flight data as you can with some of the other product on the market. The MicroEncoder provides data that the JPI and Insight solutions do not provide. Combining the MicroEncoder with an engine monitor system that allows you to download engine in-flight data would tell a more complete story. From the data capturing standpoint, the VM1000 is not one of the strongest solutions. It is easier to read the VM1000 in-flight than just about any of the other solutions though. Hope this helps... Don >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>