Bob:
Excellent points, thanks.
I wish we could do much more in-depth coverage in stories like this, but it's difficult without a lot of actual flight experience with the units. In fact, the very best way to test engine monitors would be to have them all in the same airplane at the same time, and compare features and functions in real time. That's not really feasible, so the next best thing would be having them installed in the same airplane serially, also a daunting task and one that could take so much time as to be irrelevant by the time the matrix is completed because the technology marches on.
The remaining options, as I see them, are:
1. Knock off the reviews one by one, including some long-term stories such as the one Dan did on his Dynon D10. (And that's great from a longevity standpoint, but getting close to irrelevant in terms of features, as his is a straight 10, and the D10A that I now have as a backup does a lot more.) I have, for example, 180 hours with a Dynon D100/D120 combo so I could easly evaluate in detail. I'm looking forward to getting more time with the new AFS units as well.
2. Ask for outside reviews of particular units. This is workable, but the writing skills and critical acumen of builders is all over the map. How do we know if we're getting an honest and representative evaluation? (I knew we'd get one from Dan because he's a reasonable, thoughtful guy.)
3. Conduct a user survey. Find out from owners who have certain units what they like and dislike about them. I think I prefer this tactic because it tends to average out responses that are highly critical or overly fawning. I think I like this angle the best.
I agree that not listing the probe prices hurt the utility of the table, but I tried it with all the permutations and had to make it in 4-point type. I suppose we could have included a magnifying glass in that issue...
Online access is an interesting issue. I've been lobbying to get subscribers access for free or a greatly reduced price for some time. I think I'm making headway...
Hope this helps.
--Marc