Doug Riley
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2004
- Messages
- 7,194
Hiya, Brian:
In general, I agree with Scott Essex about analog readouts. You can take in the data faster during your scan -- much like reading a clock with hands but no numerals. (Note to millennials: a "clock" was a Renaissance-era mechanical device that managed to provide crude data about the time of day, using little sticks that pivoted around a circular dial.)
HOWEVER, I liked the EIS that came on my Dominator. You don't need second-to-second updates on parameters like head temp., so numerals are OK for such data. You DO need up-to-the second info about airspeed, especially. I've always preferred to carry a Hall windmeter along, sometimes as backup to a more "sophisticated" pitot-static mechanical ASI.
Altimeters are heavy and expensive. That's especially true for the sensitive varieties -- and, given the low latitudes that gyros we often use, a non-sensitive one is no better that guaging altitude by the size of the cows. Still, I really like to have one.
If chasing Part 103 compliance, you can "save" the weight of a panel-mounted alt. by wearing a skydiver's wrist altimeter.
The Tiny Tach lawnmower tach is an inexpensive little wonder if you're going minimal.
In any event, do NOT leave the ground without an ASI known to be working properly. You may eventually develop a "calibrated face" that can feel airspeeds, but don't bet the farm on this at the outset.
In general, I agree with Scott Essex about analog readouts. You can take in the data faster during your scan -- much like reading a clock with hands but no numerals. (Note to millennials: a "clock" was a Renaissance-era mechanical device that managed to provide crude data about the time of day, using little sticks that pivoted around a circular dial.)
HOWEVER, I liked the EIS that came on my Dominator. You don't need second-to-second updates on parameters like head temp., so numerals are OK for such data. You DO need up-to-the second info about airspeed, especially. I've always preferred to carry a Hall windmeter along, sometimes as backup to a more "sophisticated" pitot-static mechanical ASI.
Altimeters are heavy and expensive. That's especially true for the sensitive varieties -- and, given the low latitudes that gyros we often use, a non-sensitive one is no better that guaging altitude by the size of the cows. Still, I really like to have one.
If chasing Part 103 compliance, you can "save" the weight of a panel-mounted alt. by wearing a skydiver's wrist altimeter.
The Tiny Tach lawnmower tach is an inexpensive little wonder if you're going minimal.
In any event, do NOT leave the ground without an ASI known to be working properly. You may eventually develop a "calibrated face" that can feel airspeeds, but don't bet the farm on this at the outset.
![[RotaryForum.com] - Instrument Options for small gyro](https://data3.rotaryforum.com/attachments/131/131806-25b6b970c213945372667f070f275916.jpg?hash=4ECHwvAFgh "[RotaryForum.com] - Instrument Options for small gyro")
![[RotaryForum.com] - Instrument Options for small gyro](https://data3.rotaryforum.com/attachments/131/131874-f19daf90bd692e7343984866931b7594.jpg?hash=Fs7OdpHiWQ "[RotaryForum.com] - Instrument Options for small gyro")
![[RotaryForum.com] - Instrument Options for small gyro](https://data3.rotaryforum.com/attachments/131/131875-4ab5fa08d28283ecda14910c1fa01343.jpg?hash=XMeEu6gJ69 "[RotaryForum.com] - Instrument Options for small gyro")
