Argus 5000/CE, 7000/CE
How do you make a decade-old product even better? Especially one that the manufacturer has continued to improve throughout its lifespan? The way Eventide did it with the new Argus 5000/CE and 7000/CE moving maps was to add color. Moving maps weren't even fashionable in the cockpit 10 years ago, yet that's when this innovative company came up with the Argus 3000 that mounted in a standard instrument hole and displayed navaids, airports, and special-use airspace in relationship to aircraft location. Since then, two newer models have been added: the Argus 5000, an IFR version, and the 7000, which requires more panel space.
All Argus models take position information from any loran, GPS, or other long-range navigation system and use microprocessor technology to display your position in relationship to a host of user-selected options. Reasonably priced software updates over the years have provided owners with flight planning functions, the addition of Stormscope data on the same screen, airways, ADF compass and needle depiction, and other features. But all of this has been depicted in monochrome green only.
Now, with the introduction of the Argus 5000/CE and 7000/CE models, the graphics are presented in three user-selectable colors: green, red, and yellow. As a user of the Argus product since its inception, I can say that the addition of color only adds to the safety this device brings to the pilot, particularly to those of us who fly single-pilot IFR. On a precision approach, I often set up the map to display bearing and distance to the outer marker, giving me otherwise unavailable DME information for altitude and speed adjustments. The ability to use the Argus to determine when you've just crossed the final approach fix, together with the ADF needle swing and the marker beacon annunciation, gives a pilot triple redundancy. Positional awareness is critical, and recent air transport accidents in Cali, Colombia, and Dubrovnik, Croatia, attest to a pilot's need to know the airplane's exact location. Flying with the Argus 5000/CE, my choice was to make all special-use airspace red, VORs and airports yellow, and intersections and NDBs green. In this manner, if red was depicted ahead on the display, some action might be necessary.
Most impressive is that this company was one of the first to understand the information world we now live in, and allows database update subscriptions through the Internet at substantially lower prices. For present monochrome Argus moving map owners this capability will be offered as an upgrade.
The new color display units boast a unique flight recorder mode. The unit remembers where you have been and allows playback of up to 10 hours of your flight location and altitude data.
The Argus 5000/CE and 7000/CE are priced at $6,995 and $8,995, respectively, are TSO'd and STC'd, and are available with domestic or international databases. The company will continue to produce and provide updates for the monochrome equivalent models, the 5000 and 7000 and the lower-priced, TSO'd-only Argus 3000. For more information, contact Eventide, Inc., One Alsan Way, Little Ferry, New Jersey 07643; telephone 201/641-1200; or visit the firm's Web site (http://tide1.eventide.com/homepage.htm). — Phil Boyer
JPI EDM-700
J.P. Instruments has added a fuel flow option to its EDM-700 engine monitor. Not only will the unit simultaneously monitor exhaust gas temperature and cylinder head temperature for all cylinders, it will also depict fuel flow.
For fuel computing, a GPS or loran interface will provide the necessary information for the EDM-700 to compute fuel required to the next fix, miles per gallon, and hours and minutes of fuel remaining. The total fuel on board must be entered by the pilot prior to engine start for these functions to be accurate. From that point on, the transducer keeps track of how much fuel has been burned.
After installation of the EDM-700 with fuel flow, you must fine tune the K-factor, or the number of pulses generated by the transducer per gallon of fuel flow. This can be determined in a few flights by comparing the amount of fuel used, according to the indicator, to the actual fuel added when topping the tanks. The fuel flow option also allows the user to customize low fuel alarms and set the unit to read in pounds, gallons, liters, or kilograms.
The EDM-700 still contains all of its engine monitoring capabilities such as EGT, CHT, TIT, oil temperature, volts, and other parameters. The unit requires a little more learning than other engine monitors, but, in turn, provides more information. The EDM-700 with fuel computing functions also makes a good unit for airplanes that don't have enough panel space for a fuel flow gauge, a fuel computer, and an engine monitor. List price for a four-cylinder EDM-700 is $1,840; a six-cylinder system costs $1,995. The fuel flow option is $695, plus another $395 for the transducer if the airplane is not already equipped. Contact J.P. Instruments, Post Office Box 7033, Huntington Beach, California 92646; telephone 800/345-4574. — Peter A. Bedell
Wings: London Blitz to Pearl Harbor
The elements that have made the Discovery Channel's Wings so popular are all retained in the new CD-ROM from the Discovery Channel. Most fascinating is the explanation of fighter tactics used against Japanese aircraft in World War II. For most users, however, the favorite portion of the well-executed program will be the simulator section. You can fly as a German aviator against Allied targets and shoot down harassing English Spitfire fighters. You'll have guns and bombs to destroy the target. The sound effects could use improvement, but they do not detract from the game.
The simulator uses a joystick, a mouse, or a keyboard to control the aircraft, but in our evaluation the program responded poorly to joystick commands. The CD-ROM is expected to be available in April for $39.95 at most computer stores. It runs on both PCs equipped with 486SX or higher processors and on Macintosh Performa, Centris, and Quadra families running System 7 or higher. The CD-ROM requires a double-speed CD-ROM drive, 256-color VGA display, and 8 MB of RAM. PCs require Windows 3.1 or higher. — Alton K. Marsh
Briefly Noted
Garmin, a little late to the party but making a good entrance, has introduced two new panel-mount VFR GPS/moving maps, the GPS 150XL and the GNC 250XL. The GNC 250XL combines the GPS with a 760-channel communications transceiver. The units have a high-resolution LCD screen for excellent map graphics and large, easy-to-read digits and text. At night the display reverses itself from black on yellow to yellow on black. Garmin says that he receiver is very quick to acquire satellites and marks the first time a 12-channel parallel receiver has been used in a panel-mount box. The map depictions are customizable, and scales range from 0.5 to 300 miles. Like other Garmin panel mounts, following an electrical failure, the XLs can be powered by an optional battery for up to 2 hours. The GNC 250XL lists for $3,750, while the GPS 150 XL is $3,495. For more information, contact Garmin International, 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062; telephone 913/397-8200. — PAB
Unison Industries introduced its SlickStart magneto start booster at Sun 'n Fun in April. SlickStart boosts the output of a standard retard-breaker or impulse-coupled magneto by as much as 400 percent, aiding in engine starting, whether hot or cold. The system weighs less than a pound and can be connected to a 12- or 24-volt system. In a demonstration, Unison showed how an oil-fouled spark plug or one with an excessively large gap is no match for the healthy spark produced by SlickStart. The system lists for $350. For information, contact Slick Aircraft Products, 530 Blackhawk Park Avenue, Rockford, Illinois 61104; telephone 815/965-4700. — PAB
The Technon Group of Washington, D.C., has introduced FlightPad, an IBM-compatible computer sytem designed to be used in the cockpit. The two-piece system consists of a base unit housing a Pentium 150 processor and a kneeboard-style SVGA display panel measuring 11.3 inches diagonally. If loaded with a moving map program and connected to a GPS, FlightPad will plot your position over sectional and terminal procedures charts. FlightPad also can be used for checklists, flight planning, performance charts, and other aviation-related software products. List price of the FlightPad is $4,395. For more information, contact The Technon Group, 4000 Cathedral Avenue N.W., Suite 450-B, Washington, D.C. 20016; telephone 202/298-7340. — PAB
Globe Fiberglass of Lakeland, Florida, has expanded its line of FAA-approved fiberglass replacement parts. Globe now has wing tips for most later-model Cessna singles (172 through 206) and the Beech Duchess, and wing tips with built-in recognition lights for the Piper Navajo Chieftain. The company also received approval for various fairings for Cessna and Pipers. For a catalog or information, call 800/899-2707. — PAB
Only those regulations you need to know are offered in a 30-page booklet called IFR Review — Rules of the Road . Author Mike Myshtyn promises rusty IFR pilots that they can finish the booklet in 30 minutes and be regulation current once again. It is available for $7.95 from Sporty's Pilot Shop, 800/543-8633 or 513/735-9000. — AKM
Unless otherwise stated, products listed herein have not been evaluated by AOPA Pilot editors. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors. However, members unable to get satisfaction regarding products listed should advise AOPA. To submit products for evaluation, contact: New Products Editor, AOPA Pilot, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701; telephone 301/695-2350.
