instruments and MGL guages

[Dirtydog]

Has anyone used these types of gauges that you might give me some info as to how you liked them or not!
1. Can you see the display in the bright sun light?
2. If the gauges get a little wet on the faces what happens?

MGL: Infinity series
ALT and the ASI
Engine mont.
RPM

[PW_Plack]

Chris, two issues...

The actual displays have nowhere near the contrast of the pictures on their website. I sought them out at Oshkosh, and the displays were much tougher to read that I had expected. (And this was inside a building, in the shade.)

The other issue is the utility of analog displays vs. digital. Airspeed or altitude displayed as numerals can only be read if you look directly at it, while your brain can accurately read an analog display out of the corner of your eye. The new glass panels being put in expensive aircraft display both parameters as both numerals and as a "tape," to preserve this ability.

This may be hard to do, but I'd suggest actually sitting in an aircraft equipped with these instruments, in a variety of angles and lighting conditions, before you buy. It doesn't have to be a gyro...your local EAA chapter is bound to have someone who's built a fixed-wing plane with MGL instruments.

[Dirtydog]

PW_Plack :
Well that is what I was afraid of, I have the gyro so I will be outside and for me no see the things when I am flying is not going to be good. The company give you 30 days to look them over as long as you don't install them you can send them back for a full refund. How are you to look them over if you cant look them up to see if you are going to like them. :confused:

[ckurz7000]

I have the electronic compass and fuel flow computer of the MGL Infinity series in my gyro. With neither have I had any problems reading the gauges in sunlight or otherwise. Backlighting is always on and the contrast is adjusted to give me best readability.

The other comment on how analog gauges are easier to read, I second. I wouldn't want only a digital display of my primary flight instruments (alt, as as well as rpm and rrpm). But for compass and fuel flow the digital gauges work just fine.

-- Chris.

[PW_Plack]

PW_Plack :
The company give you 30 days to look them over as long as you don't install them you can send them back for a full refund. How are you to look them over if you cant look them up to see if you are going to like them. :confused:

The MGL instruments use an ordinary 9-pin computer "D" connector, can run on as little as 8 volts, and draw fairly low current. I'd get the plug from Radio Shack, lash up a 9-volt battery, plug it in, and carry it outdoors to see how it looks. You should be able to position it in a bunch of different lighting and get a pretty good idea.

They also have programmable alarm outputs on many of their instruments, so you could always use some really obvious bulb or buzzer to let you know when anything was out of spec.

[PW_Plack]

...With neither have I had any problems reading the gauges in sunlight or otherwise...

Chris, I also know of others who like these gauges, and would consider using them myself, but would you agree the contrast is not as good as the pics make it out to be?

[HobbyCAD]

Nothing beats analog needle arcs for a quick glance "answer", or a color MFD display. This single color black number display is difficult to read at a glance. It is readable, but you have to focus on it, to remember what it means. A number makes no sense, you have to think what this number relates to, ie is the 500 you see a near limit of a 600 degree temp display, or is it 500, the start of a 6000 RPM display. You have to look at the number, as well as the corresponding bargraph, to make quick sense of it. So rather just have color bargraphs, yellow and red means trouble, green means OK.

As you can gather, I'm not too fond of these "digit" displays. Just get an MFD, it's a lot better Human-Machine interface, with colors and bars.

..my personal view on it.....

[Dirtydog]

Well I did the 9V hook up and I got the real word
:suspicious:"I can't see them that good"!:suspicious:

[PW_Plack]

Chris, I felt the same way looking at the display at a distributor, indoors, where I felt it was likely the instruments were being displayed under best circumstances.

That said, I would certainly use them in certain applications, especially those in which the ability to program an alarm might replace the need to include them in my visual scan.

[Alan_Cheatham]

A friend installed the Flight 2 and E1 Infinity instruments on his open cockpit ship and has no trouble seeing them, and in comparing them to my older E1 they are much easier to read as they have a polarized lens over the display rather than the grainy plastic shield of the older instruments. As for analog verses digital, I love digital watches so I am happy with numbers only.

[Ron E]

Go to post # 5 at the link below to see these instruments in-flight on a sunny day. They are quite readable.

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21075

I have a set of these digital gages but haven't powered them up yet. I bought Adam H's gyro project with these in the instrument pod.

[PW_Plack]

Ron, that picture demonstrates my observation in post #2 of this thread. Compare the photo of the instruments installed and operating, gray numerals against a slightly lighter gray background, to the sharp black on very light gray catalog representation.

They certainly meet the minimum definition of readable, but I'd hate to rely on them flying west in late afternoon. I'd at least want the alarms hooked up to something that would really get my attention.

[Ron E]

Ron, that picture demonstrates my observation in post #2 of this thread. Compare the photo of the instruments installed and operating, gray numerals against a slightly lighter gray background, to the sharp black on very light gray catalog representation.

Paul,
The contrast is not as sharp as the promotional pictures show for sure. Maybe Nicolas or Giorgios will comment on them since they are using these in that yellow beauty of a gyro.

[disco1]

I use the old grainy E1 with my 582 open frame machine and I think it's fantasitc. I never have any trouble reading it and it show Engine RPM, Coolant temp and 2x EGT.

I like digital and it is easy to read in all conditions I've come accross in about 80 hours of it being installed.

[Dirtydog]

PW_Plack : Also the gauges I am using are 2-1/4 and the ones shown are 3-?? also a different model

Picture 1 is what I have "Note the green back ground on it not light gray"

Picture 2 is a bigger gauge and it "does have gray back ground"

Picture 3 is a picture of what I thought the gauge would look like when I bought it! Right

[Aviomania]

Paul,
The contrast is not as sharp as the promotional pictures show for sure. Maybe Nicolas or Giorgios will comment on them since they are using these in that yellow beauty of a gyro.

Thanks Ron :).

The above picture was taken when the gyro was flying with the sun at the worst position.... above and behind. The picture is not as clear as in real life.

Yes... the advertising picture is better than the real display.. but there was not a single time that i needed to glance on the instrument a second time to read it. They are very readable. You can also adjust the contrast so it will suit your preference.

I have no difficulty reading numbers, graphs or analog gages.... i thing it depends on what each person is used on reading.... a bit of time to get used to it and it should be easily readable from anyone.

[scandtours]

Paul,
I find the digital instruments much better, in direct sunshine or under shadow. I was skeptical too from the beginning like you, until I saw them in reality myself.
It is really easy to read in all conditions as Disco 1 mentioned above.
You cannot judge from this photo.

Nicolas, nice your throat is better and your voice is coming back.

Giorgos.

[Dirtydog]

Going back........ I tried changing the contract no luck! still can see.......