PPRuNe Forums - Zaon MRX Portable Collision Avoidance System

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- - Zaon MRX Portable Collision Avoidance System (https://www.pprune.org/private-flying/404485-zaon-mrx-portable-collision-avoidance-system.html)

IME many military jets don't transpond or don't use the same type of transponder or something. I was flying along the Solent and there was a red/white harrier (I presume from ETPS at Boscombe) flying race track patterns above me and it never showed up on my Zaon.

I often see helicopters out of Yeovilton on the Zaon though...

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I had the closest shave I've experienced whilst using the Zaon XRX - 200ft separation with a pair of F16's (according to the air-force jock in the lead ship); fortunately, he took evasive action which saved all our bacon but there was no indication of closing traffic on my equipment that particular day. I've also encountered spurious alerts triggered by my own Txpdr however it is generally a good bit of kit when used in support of a comprehensive lookout.

[QUOTE]IME many military jets don't transpond or don't use the same type of transponder or something. I was flying along the Solent and there was a red/white harrier (I presume from ETPS at Boscombe) flying race track patterns above me and it never showed up on my Zaon.

I often see helicopters out of Yeovilton on the Zaon though...
[QUOTE]

I suppose you both see the way you are destroying your argument.

Both posts show the weakness of technology just as much as you have been critising Mk1 eyeball.

You cannot rely that squawking will keep you safe. Neither can you assume that because you have a TCAS/PCAS, you will avoid all threat.

Our posters may be skygods who are aware of the limitations of the technology, but even if all aerial vehicles carry Mode S, the inherent failure rate will mean you cannot assume the negative - there is no non-tx equipped aircraft about to hit you.

Unfortunately,as we know, there are some unthinking pilots who do think they are protected by squawking or by TCAS.

Do carry whatever makes you feel happy, and what you can afford, but it is only part of the package, not THE solution

The MRX is $440 over here, and the XRX $1350. (GBP287 & GBP864 respectively)

I can always put in an order and ship one to you in the UK if you want to save little.

PM me. :ok:

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I suppose you both see the way you are destroying your argument.

Who's arguing? People are free to do what they want, and I choose to augment my lookout with technology.

The XRX is a brilliant bit of kit for the money and has shown me lots of traffic I haven't seen. It is not infallible, true, but nor is the mk 1 eyeball as we've seen many times over the past few years. If by using a zaon I can see MORE traffic than I would have done with eyeball alone, then I'll continue to use it. With the introduction of TMZ's, which i support, then it will become even more useful.

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Originally Posted by Mungo5 (Post 5504533)

The MRX is $440 over here, and the XRX $1350. (GBP287 & GBP864 respectively)

I can always put in an order and ship one to you in the UK if you want to save little.

PM me. :ok:

is the new version with headset wire etc?

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Originally Posted by englishal (Post 5504579)

With the introduction of TMZ's, which i support, then it will become even more useful.

Does the XRX have a built-in transponder then ?

“Does the XRX have a built-in transponder then ?”

No it detects transponders, so if transponders were mandatory in a TMZ then you would have a “known traffic environment” as far as a PCAS device was concerned. Transponders are not mandatory in a TMZ so in practice this would not happen.

Rod1

How many 'threats' does the XRX unit pass to a connected GPS? It displays the top 3 on it's own display, does it also only pass the top 3 to the gps?

How much will they charge for shipping etc., and how much will the IR ask for when the package arrives in the UK?

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Originally Posted by Rod1 (Post 5505200)

My apologies, I thought that TMZ stood for Transponder MANDATORY Zone.

Well they are mandatory unless you don't have one!

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Originally Posted by cats_five (Post 5505597)

How much will they charge for shipping etc., and how much will the IR ask for when the package arrives in the UK?

im sure it wont be £132 delivery..

“My apologies, I thought that TMZ stood for Transponder MANDATORY Zone.”

It does, but you do not have to have one to fly in them. :ugh:

Rod1

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is the new version with headset wire etc?

Yup, it'll give audible and visual alerts in the cabin - on the MRX there is a small headphone jack on the left hand side that you can 'patch' into.

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How much will they charge for shipping etc., and how much will the IR ask for when the package arrives in the UK?

Not sure if US site's will ship to the UK - hence my offer to buy it for you and ship it. IR shouldn't be a problem.

Seriously. if anyone wants one, PM and I'll put in an order here in the US and ship them over.

I have been getting an update from the Power Flarm people and the news is all good! The device has full Mode a/c support, using a reasonable method of altitude comparison (some use GPS V Mode C which is not so good). The product will be available in April.

Rod1

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Originally Posted by Rod1 (Post 5506302)

any ideas of cost?

“any ideas of cost?”

I did ask, but no response yet…

Rod1

Thanks, let us know if you get a reply please.

On a side note do you know if the two Zaon models detect Mode A as well as C and S?

Power Flarm looks good, I may replace my Zaon MRX if it works as well as promised.

Any stats on what percentage of the glider fleet has FLARM? Particularly for gliders on cross country flights?