COMPU-NAV Pilot Computer - Circa 1988 - HELP!

[Icarus2001]

I have an old COMPU-NAV pilot "computer" from the late 1980's. Those that are familiar with it will know that it was based on a Casio scientific calculator with a "hard wired" program running on it.
The problem, surprise surprise I have left it in a draw for over ten years and the all the batteries have gone flat which means it has lost its programming. So I am left with a perfectly good scientific calculator, which I can use but...I would really like to be able to restore the original program.
Can anyone help with suggestions? Code? A back up tape of the code?
Cheers.

[Mr.Buzzy]

That makes 2 of us so far.
I tried calling the number on the manual about 4 or 5 years ago without success.

[Capt Fathom]

20 years ago! Pushing the friendship now!

Is the person involved in it's design still around?

I had one around the same time (FP780), which I programmed myself in Basic.

When the Casio finally wore out, I bought a second hand one (sans programmes) from the CompuNav people.

The Uni at Armidale seems to ring a bell, or some kind of education facility up that way. (Lismore?)

They advertised heavily in aviation mags. Someone will no doubt have an Ozzie Flying Mag from that era which may help!

Like mine, most have probably succumbed to the battery dying.

PS .. It gets a mention (and a photo) on this website, about half way down the page.

http://www.users.bigpond.com/archerw/aviation.htm
:ok:

[ITCZ]

Don't know why you are wasting your time with a Casio -- if it were a HP-41, -42 or -67 well then they still sell good, now that is a programmable calculator!

I've brought back a few 1980's era devices to life, often you just need to be persistent

Start here...
http://www.rskey.org/casio.asp

Things to try...
Identify which Casio programmable calculator you have. You want the model number eg FX-780P. Maybe you have to peel off the COMPUNAV badge. Maybe turn the calculator over and look at its data plate or look in the battery compartment.

Do that and come back here, see what we can get for you.

Before you get too excited, check that the batteries did not leak after they went flat.

Any green corrosion on the battery terminals (easy to spot) or elsewhere (not so easy) and you may have a dead duck.

[Peter Fanelli]

ITCZ
He's not trying to sell it he wants to restore the Compunav programming on it.

If anyone has an answer I'd also like to know.

[Icarus2001]

How about a Casio FX 795P. Battery terminals are good and said unit functions as a calculator...it has simply lost its program.

[triadic]

If I recall correctly the guy that did that software was a pilot with Eastern in SYD - remember meeting him at a MNG Airshow. Don't recall his name or even if he is still there. Might be worth a call to their CP or someone that has been there for a while - might help?? I have one in the draw with the same problem! It was a very useful tool in the navbag.

[Icarus2001]

Back to the top. ITCZ over to you.

[ITCZ]

ITCZ
He's not trying to sell it he wants to restore the Compunav programming on it.
:ugh: Some folk just can't help themselves.

[Icarus2001]

ITCZ I can do persistent. So I have established the type of calculator what next?

[Aero Associates]

Compu Nav is still supported Aero Associates phone 02 6452 2000

[gaunty]

Thanks for reminding me just how old we are getting. :{ Mine went in to the bin along with the Commodore 64 so long ago I'd almost forgotten about them. They were beaut in their day and we issued our pilots with em.:ok:

[aussie027]

I got mine back in 87 from my records I see. Damn 20 yrs ago.
I have dug it out as I will no doubt need it back in Aust IF I find a suitable flying job.
Aero Associates does indeed still support them. I was in touch a few yrs ago.
I cx and replace my batts every 3-4 yrs or so but they will last approx 8-10 if unit is stored and not used. Easy to cx batt level with contrast wheel.

[megle2]

One of the best bits of tech I have ever had.
I think I threw it away when the screen power failed not that long ago.

Time for a spring clean. Maybe its still there.

[askehan]

The Guys name was Ian Boyd, for what its worth the company details were:
Southdell Pty. Ltd. PO. Box 91., Mascot (02) 5259898. I think its now defunct. I have a copy on tape but when I tried to re-load it for the grand kids I encountered a problem with it that I was unable to resolve. I also have the interface for it.

[Tidbinbilla]

Ian Boyd now owns a model shop in Miranda, NSW. Think it's in Miranda Fair.

[Green gorilla]

Still have mine and its still working good in its day without GPS.

[ramble on]

How about some photos of the old tech gear?

[Peter Fanelli]

I've always been a bit of a sucker for high tech cockpit gadgetry.
Here's my collection.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s295/bigt57/PC130249-1.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s295/bigt57/PC130250-1.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s295/bigt57/PC130251-1.jpg

[Led Zep]

I gots me those. :}

[Brian Abraham]

Sheeeeeesh Pete. Brand new, unused by the looks - I got me anteeeeks. :p
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m56/babraham227/100_0564.jpg

[Capt Claret]

Icarus2001 et al,

Mrs C's finally shamed me into cleaning out my boxes of rubbish.

You'll never guess what I've just found??

The original cassettes with the Compunav software and manuals.

Sing out if still interested.

Clarrie

[Minskie]

G'day Clarrie,

I also have an old Compu-Nav with dead batteries.

Wouldn't mind a copy of the software. Happy to pay for it.

How would one go about loading it though ?

Cheers,

Minskie

[flyingfox]

I've found one in my bottom drawer too! Anyone have the instructions or software still?

[flyingfox]

Still looking for Compu-Nav instructions. Can anyone help?

[hoss]

Ian Boyd would be the guy as tidinbilla said. Try google for 'h store caringbah'.

[aussie027]

Mine still works, been sitting in a cupboard for past 20 odd yrs.

I just change the Batts every 8 yrs or so to keep the memory and prog from erasing itself. Still basically brand new, hardly ever used.
I have the Casio FX-785P/790 Owners Manual and the original Compunav manual..
Anyone want to make me an offer?? LOL.

Ian Boyd sold the company I think nearly 15 -20 yrs ago .

The Last contact I had with the company who took over the Compunav business was about 6yrs ago & was at this address and number which is current, they are still in business, they sell runway cones, warning balls to go on power lines, windsocks etc. I just Googled them now. they don't mention them on their site anymore--

The Guy I spoke to about 6 yrs ago was
John Walton.

Aero Associates
39 Crisp Street
PO Box 239 Cooma NSW 2630
Tel 02-6452 2000
1 800 022 277
[email protected]
www.aeroasso.com.au (http://www.aeroasso.com.au)

I hope that helps a few of you.:ok:

[flyingfox]

aussie027 and Hoss. Thanks for your replies. Should be able to track Ian down.

[Arm out the window]

Peter Fanelli, good to see the safety height template hand-drawn on the protractor there, always a handy addition!

[aussie027]

I just reread some past posts on this thread and Aero Assoc actually gave their tel number and said they still support the Compunav so call them, contact details as I posted above.
They helped me out about 6 yrs ago.

Flyingfox. thanks but I will hang on to mine a little longer in case I ever get airborne again and need it. :ok:

[JoeMiles]

Clarrie,

do do you still have the compound nav software & manuals?
A collector of vintage computers is looking fit them.

regards Jie

[askehan]

Clarrie,

do do you still have the compound nav software & manuals?
A collector of vintage computers is looking fit them.

regards Jie
I found my Compu-Nav complete with the software tape and interface; to my surprise, I was able to reinstall the programme and get it working.
If you still need help let me know.

[askehan]

I found my old Compu Nav. (Tandy PC-6, same as the Casio version) recently, with flat batteries as expected. I also found the data tape and interface tools, to my surprise it all worked and the Compu Nav is fully functional again. Not sure why seeing that I renewed my CIR in Dec 1998 and walked away from the game. Nevertheless, if anyone needs some help let me know.

[flyingfox]

I've still got mine but all the data has gone.

[Jeff_Birt]

Hi all, I from the USA but recently got a hold of a COMPU NAV thanks to a nice chap down under. After some searching around this thread has been the only mention of it, I have found on the web. I emailed Aero Associates who were mentioned above. They informed me that they no longer support the product and no longer have any copies of the software tape available. I joined the forum just now, even though I am not a pilot, in hopes that someone how might still have the software would be kind enough to help me obtain a copy of it. Since I'm new to the forum I can't send PMs to other members yet.

My interest is in collecting pocket computers from this era and in particular these special purpose units, documenting and archiving the information. For example, last year I came across a TRS-80 PC-1 which was sold by a company in Nevada for use in crop dusting. It suffered the same fate as the Compu Nav, software lost when batteries died. I've not had any luck finding any information about it yet. I have a Canadian friend who is a retired airline pilot who carried various HP programmable calculators in his flight bag. The HPs seem to have been a popular choice for pilots.

I have the Compu Nav, box and manual, so I'm really just in need of the software. The original cassette would be nice but even a wav file of it would work. I'm going to scan the manual, take some nice photos, and make it available online for others. Eventually I'll try to do a YouTube video about these early special purpose 'customized' pocket computers.

Thanks for any help.

[Ledudu Casio]

Nevertheless, if anyone needs some help let me know.Hello
could you please make a copy of the tape and send a wav ?

my email address is ledudu13 at yahoo for fr
I will post the program on my website.
Thanks a lot

[aroa]

I have a ProNav 100 from the early 80s , later bought out by Garmin as their 100.
Was an excellent command bar tracking device, which also answered all the in flight questions. Certainly ended the stick and pencil and prayer wheel era.
Is there a museum of gps or collectors of this technology, I really hate chucking this old magic stuff in the dump.

re the square protractor, I’ve never seen the height line idea before. Mine had a centre string to pull out along the map to get the track angle. Hi techo !
My first computer was WW2 box with a roller blind. Compare all that with Ozrunways and etc. Incredible.

[Jeff_Birt]

For anyone looking for the manual I have just uploaded a searchable PDF to Archive dot org. I can't post the link to the forum as I have too few posts (an anti-spam bot measure). If you go to 'archive dot org' and search for CompuNav you will find it. Perhaps someone who is able to post links can repost it to make it easier for other.

NOTE: I am still searching for the software cassette or a copy/wav file thereof. I'm interested in preserving things related to vintage pocket computers, especially ones sold for specific purposes. Thanks for any help.

[jimjim1]

1. I can't find it. I don't particularly want to find it but I was going to post the link. Why not post the link somewhat scrambled?

2. I found this book instead. You can apparently read it if you create a free account,

Astro navigation by pocket computer
by Harris, M. J

https://archive.org/details/astronavigationb0000harr/mode/1up

A sample somewhat scrambled link:
h ttps://youtu.be/0tOUQt5fem0
First Tuned Run of Terry Mayhugh's Quarter Scale V12 Merlin

[Jeff_Birt]

I tried multiple times yesterday but it rejected the posts. I will try to be cleverer is disguising the link this time. Thanks for trying to help. Hopefully this post will not get pinched.

archive dawt 0rg / details / compu-nav

[KRviator]

That worked. But for the less technically minded (ie 727 pilots! :}) you can click HERE (https://archive.org/details/compu-nav).

[Jeff_Birt]

Thanks for posting the link. I'm still not able to do so.

[Jeff_Birt]

I am keen to get a copy of the software tape. A friend sent me the computer/manuals but it did not include tape.

[jimjim1]

That worked. But for the less technically minded (ie 727 pilots! :}) you can click HERE (https://archive.org/details/compu-nav).

Thanks.

Since the search of archive.org doesn't seem to work (for me?), here are some relevant details that MAY allow someone to find it in the future. Well until the heat death of the universe which will probably kill PPRUNE.

https://archive.org/details/compu-nav/mode/1up

Compu Nav
by Southdell Pty., Limited

Publication date 1988
Topics Compu Nav, CompuNav, Casio, FX-790, Tandy, Tandy PC-6
Collection opensource
User manual for Compu-Nav, a flight computer program sold preloaded on a Casio FX-790/Tandy PC-6.
Addeddate 2023-11-07 19:11:32
Identifier compu-nav

[OZBUSDRIVER]

WOW...4404 BYTES available storage!!!

[Jeff_Birt]

WOW...4404 BYTES available storage!!!

Yes, the base computer only had 8K and a good deal of that was used by BASIC. The CompuNav I got has a Tandy branded 8K memory expansion module, but I don't know if those came standard or were an optional extra or perhaps added by the owner at a later date. Think of it a whopping 16K in your pocket!

The nice thing about this era of Casio pocket computers is that they had 10 separate program memories. You could have loaded CompuNav into Program 0, and created your own programs in 1-9. They also have a databank type feature. In school I kept my electronic formulas in the data bank and then loaded them into the 'solver' which would prompt for variables and solve equation. Very handy. ('Solver' is not correct name but as close as I could get from memory.)