The LX Colibri IGC approved Data Logger

9 April 2004

 

I own a Schweizer 1-35C and decided this year to treat myself to an IGC approved Data Logger for the new soaring season.  I have been flying with a PDA (Dell AXIM X5) and Glide Navigator II (GNII) software, coupled with a Compact Flash (CF) plug-in Teletype GPS for the AXIM.  I have enjoyed the help this technology brings into the cockpit, and it does provide suitable IGC files for analysis on SeeYou.  But PDA GPS based IGC files aren’t official for badges or records since the IGC requires barometric pressure based altitude and better data security.  This wasn’t available with just the PDA setup I had.  

For badge and record flights I have been using cameras and barographs, and am glad I went through that step for experience reasons.  But with this new logger, I can more easily document my cross country flights, and have this documentation “IGC” endorsed. 

 

This winter, I looked at various Data Logger options to purchase (Cambridge 302A, Volkslogger, and the LX Colibri).  Not a lot is written about these so it was a bit hard collecting facts.  The 302A was recently approved but is large, not very portable, and is a basic logger with no built-in user interface.  The Volkslogger is popular and reliable but not so easy to use due to the poor human factors of the user interface.  Also, the Volkslogger has a built-in GPS antenna, limiting the options of where you must mount it. 

 

The Colibri, though slightly more expensive, had some very attractive features:

 

 

As a bonus, the Colibri comes with a nice carrying pouch and excellent software stability.  The first time I tried to download an IGC file from the Colibri it worked flawlessly.  Others have commented that the Colibri seems to interface well with many systems with few problems. The Colibri 3.0 firmware has been bug-free for over 3 years.  

 

The standard Colibri (as sold by W&W) does not come with a GPS antenna, so this is extra (~$55) but does allow you to use one you may have already, or it allows you to pick from various types that are available.  I chose a very small one (1-inch square) that I got from Wings&Wheels that Tim Mara recommended. I mounted it with velcro to the top of one of the other "high in the panel" instruments. My instrument panel shroud is fiberglass which allows this to work. A metal or carbon-fiber shroud will likely require the GPS antenna to be mounted above it or elsewhere in the glider.

 

Below are various views of the Colibri Components and photos of how I installed it in my Glider.  It took only 2 hours to install. The pics show a few dangling wires that have since been properly cable-tied and are out of harms way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will post more information once I fly with the Colibri a few times.  Here are a few things I have found out in the short trials I have done:

 

  1. The Colibri begins recording once you are moving swiftly for a continuous 20 seconds or so (ie: on tow) – no start button to push!
  2. The Colibri stops recording once you are not moving after about 2 minutes.  In order for the IGC file to be saved properly, do not shut off the Colibri until it has stopped recording (wait over 2 minutes once you have landed and have been stationary).  You can easily check the status screen to assure that recording has stopped.
  3. The Colibri beeps continuously when connected and communicating with the PC – this indicates that the connection is good.  The tone changes as data is exchanged, such as when the flight data is downloaded from the Colibri, or tasks are uploaded to the Colibri.
  4. The Colibri allows the user to specify the units to be used, including MPH for ground speed (or either kilometers/hr or knots)
  5. The Colibri does not support statute miles for distance – only kilometers or nautical miles. (not a big deal)
  6. The Colibri does not support feet-per-second for climb rates - only meters/sec or knots. (not a big deal)

Recent ground test comparing Colibri pressure altitude to Colibri GPS altitude. This was done in a car on a 10 mile drive. Note the difference and the variation of the 2 readings. GPS is the top line and less stable! The last 3 segments shows the readings while I was parked and waiting for the Colibri to stop recording (2-minute pause). Note that the pressure altitude was flat as you would expect, but the GPS altitude was dancing around by up to 5 meters.

 

 

Other information:

LX Site:  http://www.lxnavigation.si/colibri.htm

Colibri Manual:  http://http://www.lxnavigation.si/manuals.php

Buy here (USA):  http://www.wingsandwheels.com/page11.htm or http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/lx.htm

Buy small external GPS Antenna here: (GPSM04):  http://wingsandwheels.com/page14.htm

Filser:  http://www.filser.de/index/?language=e&dat=e_ger_colibri&kat=e_variometer

 

My collection of COLIBRI XC igc files (2004 are the Colibri based ones); Minnesota based flights:  http://www.goldengate.net/~tmrent/soar/igc03/xc03.htm

Comments - email me at tmrent@goldengate.net

If you appreciate this information and care to make a donation to support this site, I can accept this through Paypal. Just go to the Paypal site and use my email address.

Last updated:  1 August 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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