Traffic Alerting Systems
 

Okay, after another hair raising trip to Pilot Pete's and the busy Chicagoland air traffic, I have decided to invest in a traffic alerting system. I am considering a Zaon MRX as it will supplement the Dynon transponder (TIS and ADS-B)

Does anyone have a strong opinion about:

Zaon MRX

Zaon XRX

NavWorx ADS-B

TIS Systems in general (looks like there going to be short lived)

Dynon's Transponder (TIS and ADS-B)

For me, the XRX
 

For me, the added advantage of azimuth and ability to display on both 496 and GRT screens was a deal-maker. YMMV.

Tony,

I have the XRX and coupled with the Aera GPS, it makes a nice package.

It is not perfect and I doubt any of the affordable ones are.

They will not report traffic not squawking MODE C. or not being hit by radar or other interigations (nearly impossible these days in most places)

They only report the 3 most threatening targets.

Zaon says that when connected to a display like the Aera, they can report direction to 22.5° resolution but if you use the built in display 45°. Dynon stated somewhere that the Garmin TIS format limits the direction resolution to 45° so I do not know who to believe since I don't have a copy of the Garmin TIS standard.

Overall the XRX works well for what it is. It sometimes is in error on the direction especially when you or the targets are turning quickly. But it does get you looking in the right direction.

The distance info is also pretty good but can be in error as well if the other bird is a bird with a high power xponder or if the other bird has a weak xponder or really dirty antenna.

The altitude data seems to be pretty well spot on.

Bad news is that the XRX requires traditional mode C and will not detect ADS-B out of any kind. This means if others are ever allowed to drop the regular xponders, it will not detect them.

If you fly loose formation with your buddies often, you either have to get them to turn off their xponders or put up with constant warnings. They also consume the max of 3 targets it will track at one time and if they are close, it can cause you to miss targets that might be more of a threat.

Bottom line is that it works pretty good and will get you looking out the window in a general direction that helps you spot other targets. Perfect? Nope but what is?

I can say that you WILL see more traffic with one of these than you will see without one.

On my way back from Dayton TN. Saturday, I was lead of a three ship and I warned them that we had a target passing overhead, I had em on PCAS but never did see them. The trailing ship did as they passed right over us about +1000ft. Just what the XRX was telling me they were doing.

Perhaps both are correct...
 

If one is saying a target within a 45 degree sector, and the other is saying a direct bearing but with a +/- 22.5 degree accuracy...:)

Not quite sure this is true... Mode S TIS traffic data contains somewhat coarse resolution on target heading, but the resolution supported for target bearing is higher than what any passive traffic detector I can think of can output. But as a practical matter, the Zaon products don't output target heading data at all, so this doesn't really matter anyway.

cheers,
mcb

The FAA seems to say...
 

...that this is the maximum accuracy that can be obtained. It's also updated with a possible 6 or 12 second delay...

TIS, through the Mode S ground sensor, provides the following data on each intruder aircraft:

? Relative bearing information in 6-degree increments.

? Relative range information in 1/8-NM to 1‑NM increments (depending on range).

? Relative altitude in 100-foot increments (within 1,000 feet) or 500-foot increments (from 1,000-3,500 feet) if the intruder aircraft has operating altitude reporting capability.

? Estimated intruder ground track in 45-degree increments.

? Altitude trend data (level within 500 fpm or climbing/descending >500 fpm) if the intruder aircraft has operating altitude reporting capability.

? Intruder priority as either a "traffic advisory" or "proximate" intruder.

From here -

http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publi...tbarc/03-2.htm

So it's only the ground track of the "intruder" that is in 45 degree increments... and no display can be better than the transmitted data above...:)

XRX here
 

I have an XRX tied into a GRT in our RV7a and am very pleased with operation and info received.

Those of you that have the MRX unit, do you regret not getting the XRX.

TIS for me...
 

I installed a GX330 (TIS) transponder last year and have my 696 as the display. The DFW metroplex is a busy traffic area and after a few "that was a little to close for comfort" encounters I decided on the 330 over the Zaon.

I didn't want any more boxes sitting on my glareshield, no more panel room and no extra antennas to install. The 330 works seamlessly with the 696 and offers both aural and visual warnings. After flying with it for the last year or so all I can say is I don't know why I did without it for so long! It's kinda like weather, once you fly with it you wonder how you managed without.

Downside, most major airports support TIS but outside these areas you don't get any info. Will it go away eventuallty, sure, but I venture to say thats a ways off. For a relatively small premium over the standard GX327 and if you live in a major metroplex area it's a great setup :D

Tony,
Here's another perspective. I wanted a simple non-integrated solution that I could mount in the panel, wire into ship's power and attach to a permanent remote antenna.

I looked at the Zaon MRX and also at the Monroy ATD-300.

Although a little more expensive for the unit itself I found the Monroy a better option for panel mounting, wiring and antenna configuration.

The Zaon MRX accessory list offers a suction mount remote antenna (which was not to my liking) or a 15ft RevSMA-to-BNC cable (for $150!!!) whereas the Monroy is happy with some home-made BNC-BNC coax and a TED rod antenna. Permanent 12V power connection seemed easier with the Monroy as well - the Zaon documentation sort of assumes cigarette lighter power connection. The Monroy documentation explains connection to ship's power & audio and using standard coax/rod antenna

I am not flying yet but a mate has a Monroy in his RV-7 and it works well.

My research is a year or so old so things could have changed.

I did like the feature list of the Zaon XRX but was not willing to have a box that size on my glareshield.

Hope this is of use.