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  #1  
Old 05-27-2010, 01:42 AM
Rainier Lamers Rainier Lamers is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Somerset West
Posts: 1,033
Default New MGL XTreme EFIS is shipping !

It is with great pleasure that I can today announce that we have completed final environment and flight testing of our new, low cost baby EFIS and that the first shipment on these units will be leaving our factory today.


http://www.MGLAvionics.co.za/Docs/XTreme.pdf
http://www.MGLAvionics.co.za/Docs/XTreme Dimensions.pdf

As with our other EFIS systems, firmware is updatable via SD card from free downloads.
The first firmware release includes the following features:
Full primary flight panel (alt, asi, vsi, AHRS, winds aloft etc)
Full engine monitoring panel including peak leaning (user configurable)
Many support functions like flight logs, timers etc.

Some of the functions may need additional hardware like the SP-2 compass, SP-4 AHRS and one of the RDAC engine monitoring systems.

Functions to be added in the next firmware releases:
GPS based pseudo AHRS (intended for VFR or as additional AHRS reference to a gyro based system).
Navigation using the built in GPS (goto, routes/flight plans etc). Compatible with MGL navidata format which includes ability to manage your own data or sourced from free or subscription products including Navaid, FAA/NACO, Jeppesen, PocketFMS.
Autopilot system (based on the system used in our larger EFIS units).

The XTreme is an ideal choice as a primary EFIS for smaller panels or a backup EFIS to a larger system. The EFIS is easy to install, fitting into a standard 3.1/8" instrument hole with a very shallow depth requirement. Its very low weight does not require the use of brackets or other structural elements. Attachement of pitot and static ports is via standard 1/8" NPT fittings.

Please contact your local MGL distributor for pricing and availability.

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics
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  #2  
Old 06-01-2010, 06:25 PM
rvator51's Avatar
rvator51 rvator51 is offline
 
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Location: Peoria, AZ
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Default

Hello Rainier,

The docs say there is a CAN comm port built in. What is it going to be used for? Will you be able to swap screens across two Xtremes in the future?
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  #3  
Old 06-02-2010, 01:19 AM
Rainier Lamers Rainier Lamers is offline
 
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Location: Somerset West
Posts: 1,033
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvator51 View Post
Hello Rainier,

The docs say there is a CAN comm port built in. What is it going to be used for? Will you be able to swap screens across two Xtremes in the future?
The CAN interface will be used for our new range of RDAC (engine monitoring systems) and AHRS/Compass systems that are currently in development as well as interface to MGL Servos for the autopilot.
As yet there is no plan (or need) to swap screens between units. The XTreme is not intended to compete or replace our larger systems and never will, it simply does not have enough computational resources to do fancy moving maps, synthetic vision etc.
Firmware updates that are planned for the very near future for the XTreme are:

Most urgent:
GPS based navigation using the built in GPS (direct to, routes) with Navidata compatibility (i.e. compatible with the navigation database used for our larger EFIS systems).

Less urgent:
Basic moving map functionality.
Integration of the MGL autopilot from our larger EFIS systems (support for MGL servos only).
Support for Rotor craft.

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics
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  #4  
Old 06-02-2010, 08:40 AM
gpiney gpiney is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The Beautiful NJ Shore
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Default Firmware Timeframe

Rainier,

What is the timeframe for the firmware upgrade with navigation?
A couple of us were discussing the XTreme at our monthly EAA meeting last night. We were somewhat disappointed in the US pricing as we expected it to be sub-$1000 (like around $900).
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  #5  
Old 06-02-2010, 10:50 AM
Rainier Lamers Rainier Lamers is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Somerset West
Posts: 1,033
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gpiney View Post
Rainier,

What is the timeframe for the firmware upgrade with navigation?
A couple of us were discussing the XTreme at our monthly EAA meeting last night. We were somewhat disappointed in the US pricing as we expected it to be sub-$1000 (like around $900).
I will certainly pass your comments on the pricing on to Matt at MGL Avionics U.S.A - just had a look at their website, the base price is $1150.00.
I recon there is a good chance for a sub $1000 price soon, our biggest problem at the moment is a low U.S. dollar vs. the South African Rand which is currently a very strong currency (so our exports tend to be more expensive than they should be). If I hazzard a guess (and don't bank on it), I think the South African Rand will slide towards R10.00 to the USD after the Soccer World Cup is over and done with (it ranges between about R7.50 and R7.80 currently). That will ease pressure on Matt...

OK, so now for the time frame:

There is no time frame.

Jokes asside, I don't give time frames for software as it is very difficult to predict with any kind of certainty. However, I can tell that a lot of effort is going into this now and I will want to see full GPS navigation and Navidata compatibility before we go live with Jeppesen - and that is not that far off...

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics
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  #6  
Old 06-02-2010, 10:31 PM
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mandm1516 mandm1516 is offline
 
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Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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Default

Can the software handle and if so is it anywhere on the drawing board to have it work with the vertical power VP-X?
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  #7  
Old 06-03-2010, 01:11 AM
Rainier Lamers Rainier Lamers is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Somerset West
Posts: 1,033
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gpiney View Post
Rainier,

What is the timeframe for the firmware upgrade with navigation?
A couple of us were discussing the XTreme at our monthly EAA meeting last night. We were somewhat disappointed in the US pricing as we expected it to be sub-$1000 (like around $900).
Well, I asked Matt if he can do something about the price and the result is that the XTreme is now available at an introductory price of $1000. This compares quite reasonable with our local ex-factory price and, considering all of the costs of getting the thing to the U.S. and supporting it (more than you think) it's not bad at all. What happens to this price for the future is going to be very dependent on the exchange rate of the USD to the South African Rand.

As an aside, the XTreme has the same screen size as the Garmin Aera and Av8or so they make nice companions.

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics
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  #8  
Old 06-03-2010, 01:13 AM
Rainier Lamers Rainier Lamers is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Somerset West
Posts: 1,033
Default

Easy answer to this one:

No.
VP-X is supported only by our G2 EFIS systems.

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics

Quote:
Originally Posted by mandm1516 View Post
Can the software handle and if so is it anywhere on the drawing board to have it work with the vertical power VP-X?
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  #9  
Old 06-03-2010, 09:24 AM
777drvr 777drvr is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Dundas , Ontario , Canada
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I'm starting to consider this unit for an upgrade to my 4 .

With the present firmware , is there any attitude information available or is that in the future ?

I'm wondering how how usable the MFD would be with a small screen size . I would consider keeping a steam ASI and altimeter and ditch all the engine instruments .

Marc
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  #10  
Old 06-03-2010, 09:31 AM
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rvator51 rvator51 is offline
 
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Location: Peoria, AZ
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My understanding is that attitude information is currently available if you also buy one of the MGL AHRSs to supply it with attitude data.

A future update is to add the GPS based psuedo AHRS capiblity for VFR flight.

Probably would work great as an engine monitor/EFIS in a RV-4. I have the Dynon D-10a EFIS and EMS-D10 smaller engine monitor screen in my RV-4 and they work great. (Do have to use my reading glasses though for my aging eyes cause the panel is so close)
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