New MGL XTreme EFIS is shipping !

[Rainier Lamers]

Originally Posted by Alan Carroll

Just curious, why VFR and not IFR? (my understanding is you can hook the Xtreme up to the same AHRS options as its larger cousins)

The XTreme can use its fancy GPS as sole source to guess your attitude. It's an "educated" guess. It's not really attitude even though it looks rather convincing (as reported). It's flightpath. It's kind of similar but different.

Nothing to do with IFR. IFR is good. It's IMC that we should be concerned about.

The XTreme can be connected to an external AHRS, no problem, even our high grade SP-5 with the British Aerospace designed gyros, but it can do without.

Use, don't use ? What gives ?
My personal opinion on this after having flown plenty hours behind it during the development is that is is very good and very useful. I would like this to complement a traditional AHRS. It has a very good advantage: It never drifts, you can't exceed rates, it does not care about sustained accelerated flight or any of the other things that can affect a traditional AHRS.
That means it is a worthy reference to check up on your AHRS. It's far better to have one of these and one AHRS than to have two AHRS (which one do you believe ?). Having one of each is great as each has its own strengths and they complement each other.

This is not really surprising - many of the top-notch AHRS systems use advanced GPS based estimation algorithms to assist in aiding the gyros.
We just perfected it a bit and dropped the gyros...

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics

[Finley Atherton]

Anyone care to contribute their user review for the Xtreme? I have ordered the Xtreme but I still find myself thinking about the Dynon D10A as a VFR, EFIS alternative.

Rainier, I have a couple of thoughts for future updates for the Xtreme.

I would like to see TAS calculated by compensating IAS with both height and temperature data (this is how Dynon does it) rather than just height. In the manual it explains that TAS calculation is inaccurate due to errors caused by airflow around the aircraft so there is little point trying to be too precise. I take the contrary view that if TAS calculation is so inaccurate then all steps should be taken (including temp data) to make it as accurate as possible. I presume any inaccuracy in the calculation of TAS will also affect the wind speed/direction calculation.

The Xtreme measures Glide Ratio as the ratio of vertical sink to airspeed. I would like an option where glide ratio can be displayed as the ratio of vertical sink to ground speed. This would allow the pilot to find the best IAS to maximise the glide after an engine failure when there is a significant headwind/tailwind.

Fin
9A

[777drvr]

Hi Guys,

I finally got mine and will start installing it in my 4 very soon . I've been playing with it on the bench and it's quite nice . The screen is very readable and bright . the menu system and data input works quite well . It will be quite easy to use in flight Im sure .


Question...

My splash screen shows Firmware 1.05 . I can only find documentation up to the 1.02 revision . Where can I find the differences ?

Also, the link supplied for actual firmware revisions doesn't work.

Marc

[Rainier Lamers]

Originally Posted by 777drvr

Hi Guys,

I finally got mine and will start installing it in my 4 very soon . I've been playing with it on the bench and it's quite nice . The screen is very readable and bright . the menu system and data input works quite well . It will be quite easy to use in flight Im sure .


Question...

My splash screen shows Firmware 1.05 . I can only find documentation up to the 1.02 revision . Where can I find the differences ?

Also, the link supplied for actual firmware revisions doesn't work.

Marc

Differences are minor at this stage and contain mainly bug fixes and small changes to displayed items.
There is a major new release in the worx at the moment that should be available soon. This includes the GPS navigation (with waypoints, routes and all the usual stuff).
The manual will be updated at that point.

Rainier

[Rainier Lamers]

Originally Posted by Finley Atherton

Anyone care to contribute their user review for the Xtreme? I have ordered the Xtreme but I still find myself thinking about the Dynon D10A as a VFR, EFIS alternative.

Rainier, I have a couple of thoughts for future updates for the Xtreme.

I would like to see TAS calculated by compensating IAS with both height and temperature data (this is how Dynon does it) rather than just height. In the manual it explains that TAS calculation is inaccurate due to errors caused by airflow around the aircraft so there is little point trying to be too precise. I take the contrary view that if TAS calculation is so inaccurate then all steps should be taken (including temp data) to make it as accurate as possible. I presume any inaccuracy in the calculation of TAS will also affect the wind speed/direction calculation.

The Xtreme measures Glide Ratio as the ratio of vertical sink to airspeed. I would like an option where glide ratio can be displayed as the ratio of vertical sink to ground speed. This would allow the pilot to find the best IAS to maximise the glide after an engine failure when there is a significant headwind/tailwind.

Fin
9A

We decided long ago with our EFIS systems to base TAS largely on the standard atmosphere model. If you want to be accurate you need to take both temperature and humidity into consideration. For the purpose of TAS (and considering other measurement error sources) we found that the results obtained where quite adequate for typical use with the added advantage that they worked even without additional sensors fitted.
Of course, our opinion may change, it often does...

The guy that is responsible for the XTreme is not me (surprise !).
It's in fact my nephew Franz who is running a quite major part of MGL now. He has not only designed the XTreme from scratch but is also responsible for all Velocity and Infinity Singles which he developed out of our old smart and maxi singles (which where my doing). The XTreme replaces a whole bunch of instruments that you probably do not know about as they have not been marketed in most of the World. These are the "UL", "Flight", "EXtreme", "E2" and the venerable "Ultra" as well (even though the "Ultra" is still available and selling).
Franz is monitoring this list so I'm sure he'll take your suggestions into consideration. I know he has to be careful what he includes and what he does not as the XTreme has an untimate limitation in a fixed code space, it's easy to blow this with too much clutter. We still need to squeeze in navigation (nearly done), the autopilot, some form of moving map and it looks like we need to support the VPX as well.

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics

[gasman]

Originally Posted by gasman

My first flight with the basic unit..... meaning power, oat, pitot and static. I tested the ias with a digital manometer, it was right on throughout the entire scale.

During the test flight, (about 30 minutes before sun set) I set my flight path away from the setting sun so it would hit direct on the panel. I had no problem reading the XTreme.

The unit in it's basic form preformed well. The screen is a perfect size. And is easy to read. Flight with the GPS horizon indicator is amazing! And the standard rate turn indicator is right there also.

Out of the box, the horizon line was dead nuts in the center of the do-nut. And just flying along trying to fool this unit is a waste of time. It is right there with you! The slightest change from level and it shows on the horizon.

This is a great VFR tool.............. It is far better than nothing if outside went white.

As you can tell, I love my XTreme. For the money, there is nothing out there to compare this to. Plus, you can build it as you go, or your needs change.

One thing that I don't understand........ is why we didn't get GPS compass track in place of the compass option??? Maybe that will come in the first upgrade.

Great unit. Just what I was looking for. Easy to use without the manual. And the SD card really tops it off. It will record all flight and engine info every second for up to 5 hours.......... and then you just remove the SD card and take it home and stick it into your computer.. That's really neat....

So, when is the next upgrade?

Are there any other Xtreme users that can give us a report? This addition to my panel has sure been a rewarding one.

[jeffk]

Is there an update on the HSI work you've been doing for the Xtreme?

Also wondering if you're still planning on releasing a lower cost second screen Xtreme (without pitot/static and GPS). One could display primary flight display on the main and HSI / engine instruments on the second. This would also allow for a low cost mirrored display of the primary screen in the back seat.

Thanks for the great products! Really looking forward to the SP-6, SP-7 and new RF products.

[Rainier Lamers]

Yes, this has been completed.
It should be on our website now or very soon.

There have never been plans to make a "passive" panel. The price is so low there is little point - just get another one...

There is however an active development to turn this into an engine monitor - this of course does not need GPS and pressure sensors so that can be even cheaper.

SP-6 and SP-7 are being put together now (first batch for shipping) and second, larger batch is being shipped for manufacture within a week with another, even larger one following.

V6 VHF radio is a beaut. Really ! Should be shipping before Osh.

New project is a transponder and I'm pushing this one very hard. It's a big step for us (not so much technically but from a certification point of view). MGL is now working towards becomming a part 21 certified company with design and manufacturing approvals as this is required to produce a TSO'd product. It is my aim to be able to provide a panel mount class 1, level 2 transponder at well below $1000 in the same format as the V6 radio. I think we can do it. The preliminary design is effectively completed and we are casting actual prototyping hardware now.

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics

Originally Posted by jeffk

Is there an update on the HSI work you've been doing for the Xtreme?

Also wondering if you're still planning on releasing a lower cost second screen Xtreme (without pitot/static and GPS). One could display primary flight display on the main and HSI / engine instruments on the second. This would also allow for a low cost mirrored display of the primary screen in the back seat.

Thanks for the great products! Really looking forward to the SP-6, SP-7 and new RF products.

[jeffk]

That's great news about the HSI. Yes, the engine monitor (without GPS and pressure sensors) was the product I was referencing. Any idea what the time line will be? Will the engine monitor be able to communicate with a standard Xtreme?

Exciting that you have a new compass and AHRS module. Looking forward to your upcoming voting triple redundancy AHRS.

Wondering if you're planning on getting a TSO certification for the V6? Assuming your transponder will be able to be installed in certified aircraft as well?

Congratulations on your 10th anniversary!

[Rainier Lamers]

Originally Posted by jeffk

That's great news about the HSI. Yes, the engine monitor (without GPS and pressure sensors) was the product I was referencing. Any idea what the time line will be? Will the engine monitor be able to communicate with a standard Xtreme?

No time line yet that I can be sure about.
No need to communicate between an XTreme and the engine monitor - both connect to the engine monitoring system independent.

Exciting that you have a new compass and AHRS module. Looking forward to your upcoming voting triple redundancy AHRS.

Yes, it's getting to be fun...

Wondering if you're planning on getting a TSO certification for the V6? Assuming your transponder will be able to be installed in certified aircraft as well?

Any TSO'd device can be installed in a TC aircraft provided an STC or field approval for that aircraft type exists.
TSO on its own is not enough to install into a TC aircraft.

Yes we are working on TSO for a number of products.

Congratulations on your 10th anniversary!

Thanks !
It's been an interesting time for me (and for the rest of the gang) but I think it is safe to say that we have hardly started. We have not yet grown up. We have much to do...

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics