New MGL XTreme EFIS is shipping !

[Rainier Lamers]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Okay, now I understand. Unfortunately I don't really like that solution... If it *looks* like an EFIS, it should probably *act* like an EFIS, in my mind. So i'd be wanting the AHRS unit as well to make it a full system. I guess it's nice that I could start with the GPS-only system and add the AHRS later though.

Thanks for the info!

Understand - but let's get back to that once pilots are actually flying this thing so we can get some independent views.
As for usabilty - it's perhaps more comparable to a normal horizon (i.e. a vaccum or electrical system) that is limited to maximum bank/pitch angles anyway. It's not intended to show attutude during aerobatics (and it can't) - but using it as a reference to keep straight and level or do a controlled turn - that certainly works XTremely well...

Not trying to talk you out of buying an SP-4 of course

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics

[gasman]

I just placed my order.............

1. XTreme mini EFIS
1. RDAC X-D
4. EGT t/c
4. CHT t/c
20 ft t/c ext cable
16 splices

Total UPS shipping wt............. 1lb....................................


Oh, and remember the added feature of this unit.......... the RDAC mounts on the engine side of the firewall, and one wire passes through the firewall to the EFIS / EMS unit. ............

[Mouser]

Originally Posted by gasman

Oh, and remember the added feature of this unit.......... the RDAC mounts on the engine side of the firewall, and one wire passes through the firewall to the EFIS / EMS unit. ............

Technically your fuel level sender wires (and possibly your fuel flow sender wires, depending on where you place the FF sender) also have to pass through the firewall (going forward), but it's still a huge reduction in conductors passing through. The RDAC is a win in my book.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by gasman

I just placed my order.............

1. XTreme mini EFIS
1. RDAC X-D
4. EGT t/c
4. CHT t/c
20 ft t/c ext cable
16 splices

Total UPS shipping wt............. 1lb....................................


Oh, and remember the added feature of this unit.......... the RDAC mounts on the engine side of the firewall, and one wire passes through the firewall to the EFIS / EMS unit. ............

UPS just arrived with the box....... I will open it this evening......

[777drvr]

Hey gasman , what are your first impressions ?

Marc

[nomocom]

The Xtreme and the rdac was set up on the bench for a couple days. VERY NICE! Screen readability was good- even in direct sunlight. The small screen will be no issue in the 3, partly because the panel is so close, but the also because the screen has good definition. Menu system is intuitive and programming fairly easy, as opposed to say an EI engine or fuel flow computer that if you don't have the book handy- good luck on trying to remember the programing sequences. Only nit on programing is fingers get tired turning the adjustment knob from the default RPM of 6000 down to a Lycoming number. I recall it went by 10's, and if you try to turn faster, it actually can move the setpoint slower than turning the knob a bit slower. Hmm? This crops up on other alarms as well, EGT's for example. I might have missed a shortcut in the manual.... but either way, not a big deal since this is something done rarely. (I'm assuming software updates won't wipe out setpoints!)

GPS lock, signal quality, etc.. was excellent, even indoors.

On fuel setup, I can't seem to get what I want. I am trying to figure out a way to have 2 fuel level sensors used and summed for remaining fuel, but also have a virtual fuel tank that the flow sensor removes fuel from. For instance, topped tanks, 27 gallons in the virtual tank, any flow through the meter gets subtracted. This number then is available as is also the number from the fuel level sensors. Why both you ask? I suppose I've grown fond of having more info. A EI fuel totalizer plus the factory level indicators in the Cessna provides a check against the other. Rainier seems to have the Xtreme set up to do either very well, but maybe not both? I'd suggest a third virtual tank, that the fuel flow meter would use.
I do have the old Piper analog fuel level gauges that could be remain installed, then use the Xtreme in virtual tank mode. But, given the calibration opportunities with the Xtreme and the level sensors, the Xtreme would likely do a much nicer job with the tank levels, so I'd just as soon have the Xtreme do it all.

Rainier, I think you've got a real gem here at an excellent price point. I appreciate whatever convincing took place to get the price down a bit in the USA.

best

[Rainier Lamers]

If you use adjustments using the rotary control, notice the X1,X10,X100 that appears ? Just click the rotary control (push it) to select by how much to increase for every "click" turn.
The reason the control becomes slower as you increase the rate of turn is due to internal debouncing of the contacts.

Currently the total number of tanks that are supported are two (and one of them can be a virtual, calculated tank). Our other EFIS systems can go up to 4 physical tanks and 2 virtual tanks.
The XTreme's development roadmap has 1 virtual tank + 2 physical tanks as extention to the current system in the works as our basic RDACs support this.

Please be aware that you have the first released system in your hands. It is not the final system. There will not be a final system for a very long time. The XTreme's development has only now really started and user input like yours is now flowing in like a river. Our task is now to channel all of that where possible into the system without blowing it up.

One of the design briefs for the XTreme was "Keep it simple" as we have enough complex systems and we will try and keep the XTreme as simple to use and setup as is possible while still giving it a good set of features.
The XTreme (and it's future derivatives) is designed to fit in neatly between our smaller "singles" like the Infinity and Velocity series and the "big brother" EFIS systems. We had an obvious "hole" in our product line up and this is now plugged quite successfully.

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics

Originally Posted by nomocom

The Xtreme and the rdac was set up on the bench for a couple days. VERY NICE! Screen readability was good- even in direct sunlight. The small screen will be no issue in the 3, partly because the panel is so close, but the also because the screen has good definition. Menu system is intuitive and programming fairly easy, as opposed to say an EI engine or fuel flow computer that if you don't have the book handy- good luck on trying to remember the programing sequences. Only nit on programing is fingers get tired turning the adjustment knob from the default RPM of 6000 down to a Lycoming number. I recall it went by 10's, and if you try to turn faster, it actually can move the setpoint slower than turning the knob a bit slower. Hmm? This crops up on other alarms as well, EGT's for example. I might have missed a shortcut in the manual.... but either way, not a big deal since this is something done rarely. (I'm assuming software updates won't wipe out setpoints!)

GPS lock, signal quality, etc.. was excellent, even indoors.

On fuel setup, I can't seem to get what I want. I am trying to figure out a way to have 2 fuel level sensors used and summed for remaining fuel, but also have a virtual fuel tank that the flow sensor removes fuel from. For instance, topped tanks, 27 gallons in the virtual tank, any flow through the meter gets subtracted. This number then is available as is also the number from the fuel level sensors. Why both you ask? I suppose I've grown fond of having more info. A EI fuel totalizer plus the factory level indicators in the Cessna provides a check against the other. Rainier seems to have the Xtreme set up to do either very well, but maybe not both? I'd suggest a third virtual tank, that the fuel flow meter would use.
I do have the old Piper analog fuel level gauges that could be remain installed, then use the Xtreme in virtual tank mode. But, given the calibration opportunities with the Xtreme and the level sensors, the Xtreme would likely do a much nicer job with the tank levels, so I'd just as soon have the Xtreme do it all.

Rainier, I think you've got a real gem here at an excellent price point. I appreciate whatever convincing took place to get the price down a bit in the USA.

best

[nomocom]

Originally Posted by Rainier Lamers

If you use adjustments using the rotary control, notice the X1,X10,X100 that appears ? Just click the rotary control (push it) to select by how much to increase for every "click" turn.
Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics

ahhh...that makes sense.
I was making it go much slower than needed. I was distracted by the retractable cup holder on my computer workstation. One time I extended the cup holder and there was a shiny disc in there. I moved it before I put my cup back in place

[Rainier Lamers]

Originally Posted by nomocom

ahhh...that makes sense.
I was making it go much slower than needed. I was distracted by the retractable cup holder on my computer workstation. One time I extended the cup holder and there was a shiny disc in there. I moved it before I put my cup back in place

Same here but then my cup fell though and I spilled the coffee so I put the shiny thingy back in (it was there for a reason !)

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics

[638RS]

Rainier,

Rec my unit a couple of days ago and have some questions

On the Horizon set up page there is a feature labeled GPS flight path. Option is on or off. This feature is not mentioned anywhere in the manual

The GPS puck has a rather strong magnet built in. Do you think it would tolerate being on the engine side of the firewall under the cowl?

I'm impressed with the unit. Good visibility. Easy set up. Very intuitive SW.

Thanks

Richard