Tru Trak ADI

[RV_7A]

Anyone using the ADI as opposed to a Artificial Horizon and if so what do they think about it? I was considering getting one instead of an AH.

-Jeff

[akarmy]

I have one on order, but can't say how it works yet. From reports of others in our local group that have them, they say you will be very impressed with the ability to pin the altitude. So you are in a climb, push the nose over till the dot is on the horizon and you will be level. It uses VSI info as part of the equation so it perfectly levels you out with little if any overshoot etc.

They used it in all conditions in a 6A and reported it worked fine, handled upsets, etc.

I'll report more once mine is installed and working.

[scard]

I'm planning on installing one in the 2-1/4" format when it is available.

[bsacks05]

I have my Basic ADI (pictured in your post) installed but not wired or flying yet. It gets heading info from your GPS so you will need a cable for that. You can, but don't have to, hook up a pitot line and preset your stall speed so you get a flashing indication (heading display) when you fall below that speed. There is supposed to be an internal backup battery but it is not yet available. It will give you an additional 4 hours of operating time if you lose external power.
My -9 is sooooo close to being finished, but progress at this point seems so excruciatingly slow. I need to take a couple weeks off from work and family, set up a bed and fridge at the hanger and get it done.
Anyway, I am hopeful that the ADI, as well as everything else in the plane, functions as advertised.
Bruce
N659DB

[dofe]

I have about 5 hours on my ADI Pilot 1 in my RV4. The ADI works great and the AP sure helps on long flights.
Don

[mikehoover]

If you ultimately decide on the ADI, you might consider going with the ADI Pilot II autopilot control head instead of the plain ADI. As of my current panel plan - and you know all that can change - I am planning to install the ADI Pilot II in my panel. I sent an email to Trutrak asking if I can use the ADI Pilot II in lieu of the ADI and buy the servos whenever I can afford them. Their reply was that it will operate just the same as the ADI without the servos. The price without servos is $1995. Versus $1095 for the ADI, I think it is worth getting for the extra money instead of investing in the ADI and replacing it in the future. I plan to pre-wire so hopefully all I have to do is install the servos and "plug-n-play" whenever I can afford them.

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by RV_7A

Anyone using the ADI as opposed to a Artificial Horizon and if so what do they think about it? I was considering getting one instead of an AH.

-Jeff

Try this for a good report from some-one who has some hours up on the ADI
http://www.matronics.com/listbrowse/rv-list/0124.html

[Jim Percy]

From the writeup Bob referenced:

"Finally, if you fly level and slow down until you approach the stall the pitch indicator stays level and then starts to go down as the sink rate increases even though the nose is way up. The only indication on the screen is a flashing "AS" for airspeed."

That doesn't sound so good to me. Imagine an encounter with a strong downdraft- you've got the nose up trying to maintain altitude as the airspeed bleeds off, all the while the ADI is showing nose down? Hope you're in VFR!

Jim

[szicree]

Actually, I think it's hard to predict the indication in a situation like the one above. Since the instrument is reading static air and you're moving in a downward moving mass of air, perhaps there is no change in pressure for the device to sense. In any case, if you're VFR it's no issue, and if you're in IMC shouldn't you look at the ASI once in a while?

[Davepar]

Originally Posted by mikehoover

If you ultimately decide on the ADI, you might consider going with the ADI Pilot II autopilot control head instead of the plain ADI...

I think Trutrak still has the policy of letting you upgrade without penalty, as long as they still sell your current unit. That's another option of going ADI to ADI Pilot.