LX8000
(Including the LX8080
and LX8000D, LX8080D Rear-Seat Device)
Variometer and GPS-Navigation System
Version 2.6
LXNAV d.o.o. • Kidričeva 24a, 3000 Celje, Slovenia • tel +386 592 33 400 fax +386 599 33 522
info@lxnav.com • www.lxnav.com
LX8000 (LX8080) Version 2.6 September 2011
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1 Important Notices 7
1.1 Limited Warranty 7
2 Packing Lists 8
2.1 LX8000 with Flarm Option 8
2.2 LX8000 without Flarm Option 8
2.3 LX8000D 8
3 Basics 9
3.1 The LX8000 at a Glance 9
3.1.1 Display Unit Features 9
3.1.2 Vario Unit Features 10
3.1.3 Interfaces 10
3.1.4 Options 11
3.1.4.1 Internal Options 11
3.1.4.2 External Options 11
3.1.4.3 Simulator 11
3.1.5 Technical Data 12
3.1.6 Weight 12
4 System Description 13
4.1 Rotary Switches and Buttons 13
4.1.1 Buttons 14
4.1.1.1 Power Button 14
4.1.2 Rotary Switches (Knobs) 14
4.2 Switching on the Unit 14
4.3 User Input 15
4.3.1 Text Edit Control 15
4.3.2 Masked Text Edit Control 15
4.3.3 Spin Control 16
4.3.4 Selection Control 16
4.3.5 Checkbox and Checkbox List 16
4.3.6 Colour Selector 16
4.3.7 Font Selector 17
4.4 Switching off 18
5 Operating Modes 19
5.1 Setup Mode 20
5.1.1 QNH and RES 20
5.1.1.1 QNH* 20
5.1.1.2 Safety Altitude 20
5.1.1.3 Magnetic Variation 20
5.1.1.4 ETA/ETE Calculation 20
5.1.1.5 Soaring Start* 21
5.1.2 Flight Recorder 21
5.1.3 Vario Parameters* 22
5.1.4 Display 23
5.1.5 Files and Transfers 23
5.1.5.1 Uploading User Airspace and Way Points 23
5.1.5.2 Uploading Airspace and Airports Database 24
5.1.5.3 Managing Airspace 24
5.1.5.4 Managing Way Points 25
5.1.5.5 Managing Airports 26
5.1.5.6 Managing Airports Using the LXe Program 26
5.1.5.7 Managing Flights 27
5.1.5.8 Flight Declaration 27
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5.1.5.9 Formatting a SD Card 28
5.1.6 Graphics 28
5.1.6.1 Terrain and Map 28
5.1.6.2 Airspace 29
5.1.6.3 Way Points and Airports 30
5.1.6.4 Glider and Track 30
5.1.6.5 Optimization 31
5.1.6.6 Task 32
5.1.6.7 Flarm 32
5.1.7 Sounds* 33
5.1.7.1 Audio Settings* 34
5.1.7.2 Voice* 35
5.1.7.3 Alarms* 35
5.1.8 Observation Zones 35
5.1.9 Optimization 37
5.1.10 Warnings 37
5.1.10.1 Airspace Warnings 37
5.1.10.2 Altitude Warning 38
5.1.10.3 Flarm Warnings 39
5.1.11 Units 39
5.1.12 Hardware* 40
5.1.12.1 Vario Settings* 40
5.1.12.2 Vario Indicator Setup* 42
5.1.12.3 Flarm* 45
5.1.12.4 Compass* 46
5.1.12.5 Rear Seat or Front Seat 46
5.1.12.6 NMEA Output* 47
5.1.12.7 Engine Noise* 48
5.1.13 Polar and Glider* 48
5.1.14 Profiles and Pilots 49
5.1.15 Language 51
5.1.16 Passwords 51
5.2 Information Mode 52
5.2.1 GPS Status Page 52
5.2.2 Position Report 52
5.2.3 Satellite Sky View 53
5.3 Near Mode 53
5.4 Statistics Mode 54
5.4.1 Logbook 54
5.4.2 Statistics during Flight 54
5.5 Airport Mode 55
5.5.1 Initial Navigation Page 55
5.5.1.1 Final Glide Symbol 56
5.5.1.2 Thermal Assistant 56
5.5.2 Second Navigation Page 57
5.5.3 Third Navigation Page 57
5.5.4 Fourth Navigation Page 57
5.5.5 Button Actions 58
5.5.5.1 Select an Airport 59
5.5.5.2 MacCready, Ballast and Bugs Settings 60
5.5.5.3 Map Settings 61
5.5.5.4 Wind 62
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5.5.5.5 Airspace 63
5.5.5.6 Mark 63
5.5.5.7 Flarm 63
5.5.5.8 Rotate FAI Area 64
5.6 Way Point Mode 65
5.6.1 Editing Way Points 66
5.6.2 New Way Point 67
5.7 Task Mode 68
5.7.1 Task Edit 70
5.7.2 Task Creation 70
5.7.3 Modifying Zones 71
5.7.4 Task Options 72
5.7.4.1 Gate Time 73
5.7.4.2 Below Altitude Start Procedure 73
5.7.4.3 Maximum Start Speed and/or Maximum Start Altitude 73
5.7.5 Saving a Task 74
5.7.6 Loading a Task 74
5.7.7 Moving a Task Point 75
6 Variometer and Altimeter 76
6.1 Smart Vario Description 76
6.2 Altimeter 77
6.2.1 IGC Barograph Recalibration Procedure 77
6.3 Speed Command 77
7 Flying with the LX8000 78
7.1 On the Ground 78
7.1.1 Power on Procedure 78
7.1.2 Profile Selection 78
7.1.3 Set Elevation and QNH 79
7.1.4 Pre-flight Check 79
7.1.5 Preparing a Task 80
7.1.5.1 Assigned Area Tasks (AAT) 80
7.2 Flying a Task 82
7.2.1 Starting a Task 82
7.2.2 Restarting Task 83
7.2.3 Over Turn Point 83
7.2.4 Entering Assigned Area 84
7.2.5 Moving Point Inside Assigned Area 84
7.2.6 Task Finish 85
7.3 Procedure after Landing 85
8 Installation 86
8.1 Installing the LX8000 87
8.2 Installation of Options 88
8.3 Ports and Wiring 90
9 Firmware Update 93
10 Options 95
10.1 Flarm 95
10.1.1 Flarm External LED Display 95
10.1.1.1 Obstacles 96
10.1.1.2 Settings for the LX Flarm LED Display 96
10.1.2 Installation 97
10.1.2.1 Functional Check After Installation 97
10.1.3 Flarm Update Procedure 98
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10.1.4 Uploading Obstacles 98
10.1.5 Uploading FlarmNet Files 98
10.2 ADSB-Receiver (TRX-1090) 99
10.2.1 Installation 99
10.3 Rear Seat Device (LX8000D) 101
10.3.1 Data Exchange 101
10.3.2 Cable Wiring 102
10.4 Compass Module 103
10.4.1 Installation of the Compass Module 105
10.4.2 First Test After Installation 105
10.4.3 Adjusting the Compass Module 106
10.4.4 Final Check 107
10.4.5 Input of Local Magnetic Variation 107
10.5 Remote Control 107
10.6 Secondary Vario Indicators 108
11 Revision History 109
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1 Important Notices
The LX8000 (LX8080) system is designed for VFR use only as an aid to prudent navigation.
All information is presented for reference only. Terrain, airports and airspace data are
provided only as an aid to situation awareness.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. LXNAV reserves the right
to change or improve their products and to make changes in the content of this material
without obligation to notify any person or organisation of such changes or improvements.
A Yellow triangle is shown for parts of the manual which should be read very
carefully and are important for operating the LX8000 (LX8080) system.
Notes with a red triangle describe procedures which are critical and may result in
loss of data or any other critical situation.
A bulb icon is shown when a useful hint is provided to the reader.
1.1 Limited Warranty
This LX8000 (LX8080) product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or
workmanship for two years from the date of purchase. Within this period, LXNAV will, at its
sole option, repair or replace any components that fail in normal use. Such repairs or
replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts and labour, provided that
the customer shall be responsible for any transportation cost. This warranty does not cover
failures due to abuse, misuse, accident, or unauthorised alterations or repairs.
THE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED HEREIN ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY
LIABILITY ARISING UNDER ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU
SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL LXNAV BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE, MISUSE, OR
INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT. Some states do
not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may
not apply to you. LXNAV retains the exclusive right to repair or replace the unit or software,
or to offer a full refund of the purchase price, at its sole discretion. SUCH REMEDY SHALL
BE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY.
To obtain warranty service, contact your local LXNAV dealer or contact LXNAV directly.
September 2011 © 2011 LXNAV. All rights reserved.
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2 Packing Lists
2.1 LX8000 (LX8080) with Flarm Option
• LX8000 (LX8080) digital unit
• LXNAV V5 vario unit
• Main power cable for digital unit
• Cable for vario unit
• SD card
• Barogram calibration chart
• IGC cable (only with LX8000)
• GPS antenna
• Flarm Antenna
• Hex key “Inbus”
2.2 LX8000 (LX8080) without Flarm Option
• LX8000 (LX8080) digital unit
• LXNAV V5 vario unit
• Main power cable for digital unit
• Cable for vario unit
• SD card
• Barograph calibration chart
• IGC cable (only with LX8000)
• GPS antenna
• Hex key “Inbus”
2.3 LX8000D (LX8080D)
• LX8000D (LX8080D)
• Main power cable
• RS485 cable – 4 meter
• RS485 splitting unit
• V5 Vario indicator with cable
• SD card
• Hex key “Inbus”
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3 Basics
3.1 The LX8000 orLX8080 at a Glance
The instrument consists of two units; the LX8000 digital unit (LX8080 digital unit) and the
LXNAV V5 vario unit. Within the LX8000 (LX8080) digital unit an integral 16-channel GPS
receiver and a high brightness colour display with 320 x 240 pixels are fitted. An integrated
SD card or USB interface is used for user friendly data exchange. The LX8000 is equipped
with a built-in flight recorder according to the most recent IGC specification for all flights.
Optionally the FLARM collision avoidance system can be integrated into the LX8000 digital
unit.
The 57 mm diameter (2¼") LXNAV V5 vario unit is a modern designed variometer with its
own processor. It features an mechanical needle with colour display for additional data.
The unit communicates with the LX8000 digital unit over the RS485 system bus. Optionally
additional Vario indicators and a wide range of interface devices can be daisy-chained using
the RS485 bus.
3.1.1 LX8000 Display Unit Features
• Extremely bright 3.5" (8.9 cm) colour display readable in all sunlight conditions with
backlight automatically adapted using an ambient light sensor (ALS).
• Using Linux operating system (not CE Windows) ensures fast and stable operation of the
firmware.
• 6 push buttons and 4 rotary switches (knobs) are used for input, which comprise the
well-known LX user interface. Optionally a remote stick is available for more comfort.
• Pre-loaded with worldwide terrain maps, airspace and airport databases.
• Unlimited number of way points.
• Unlimited number of tasks (with assigned area support).
• Comprehensive flight and task statistics.
• Display of nearest airports and out-landing fields.
• Unlimited number of pilots/profiles.
• Integrated flight recorder according to high-level IGC specification.
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• Real-time flight optimisation according to FAI and OLC rules.
• Flights stored in IGC format are downloadable using the integrated SD Card.
• Flight recorder functions include an integral pressure transducer based on 1013 mbar
level for altitude recording, engine noise level sensor, memory to store more than 1000
hours of flights and digital and mechanically security devices to ensure high level of
security.
• Integrated FLARM collision avoidance system with graphic, sound and voice (optional)
presentation.
3.1.2 LX8080 Display Unit Features
Compared to LX8000, LX8080 is having all the features of LX8000 except the screen size is
smaller. It features extremely bright 2.8" (7.1 cm) colour display readable in all sunlight
conditions with backlight automatically adapted using an ambient light sensor (ALS).
Because of similarity in operation and design of LX8000 and LX8080 we will refer
only to LX8000 in manual.
3.1.3 Vario Unit Features
• Mechanical needle driven by stepper motor indicating various data such as netto vertical
speed, relative (super netto) and vertical speed.
• 240x320 pixels colour screen for additional information such as average, thermal vario,
time, speed etc…
• Integrated voice module
• Many custom audio settings
• 100Hz sampling rate for very fast response.
• Speed to fly indication.
• TE compensation can be selected to be either pneumatic TE probe or electronic TE.
3.1.4 Interfaces
• The RS232 interface has NMEA output for external devices.
• An SD Card interface.
• A USB slot for data transfer using USB memory stick.
• An IGC interface to connect and power Colibri or LX20 devices. The connector pin-out
corresponds to the IGC standard. (only on LX8000)
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3.1.5 Options
3.1.5.1 Internal Options
Integrated Flarm electronics can be built into the LX8000 digital unit. All necessary
connectors are available on the rear side of the unit (Flarm external indicator, Flarm
antenna), which guaranties the same comfort as with the original Flarm devices. It is very
important to point out that the whole system uses only one GPS receiver and therefore
offers a low power solution. One bicolour LED Flarm External display is included in the
delivery; extension to a second seat is possible.
3.1.5.2 External Options
By using a RS485 bus system a wide range of optional interfaces can be easily connected to
the basic configuration with minimal installation work. The LX8000 bus system can be
extended easily by use of RS485 splitting units, which allow plug and play connection of
optional devices. The following units can be connected to the LX8000 bus system:
• Second Seat Device (LX9000D, LX8000D or LX8080D): The unit installed in the
rear seat of the glider is powered and receives all necessary data from the main unit.
The communication between both units is exclusively via the RS485 bus system.
• Remote Control: An extremely ergonomic leather-coated handle which includes 8
push buttons to operate the LX8000 and also two additional buttons with open wires.
These two buttons can be used for instance as PTT for radio and SC/Vario changeover
command.
• Electrical Compass Device
• Secondary Vario Indicators
AHRS module can also be used as an external option. However it is connected to USB
interface.
3.1.5.3 Simulator
There are two options to stay in condition and familiar with your LX8000.
LXSim is free of charge program, which you can download from www.lxnav.com.
Or data from the Condor PC flight simulator (www.condorsoaring.com) can be received via
the RS232 port after entering suitable passwords (see Chapter 5.1.15).
These features are extremely useful for pilots who want to learn about the LX8000 and also
wish to refresh their knowledge after a winter break. Please note that altitude data will be
sent from the simulator which means that real final glide training will be possible.
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3.1.6 Technical Data
3.1.6.1 LX8000
• Power input 10-16 V DC
• Consumption at 12 V:
o 290 mA - minimum brightness without audio and options.
o 300 mA - minimum brightness without audio and with Flarm.
o 380 mA - maximum brightness without audio and options.
o 390 mA - maximum brightness without audio and with Flarm.
o 160 mA – additional for V5 vario unit
• Cut-out dimensions of the LX8000 digital unit are 93.5 x 81.5 mm; outline dimensions:
98 x 88 x 115 mm exclusive connector.
• 57 mm (2¼") standard aircraft cut-out for the V5 vario unit; length 92 mm (exclusive
connector).
3.1.6.2 LX8080
• Power input 10-16 V DC
• Consumption at 12 V:
o 160mA at 50% LCD brightness (600nits still readable under sunlight)
o 260mA with integrated Flarm at 100% LCD brightness (1200nits)
o 160 mA – additional for V5 vario unit
• Cut-out dimension of the LX8080 digital unit is 80 mm (3") standard aircraft cut-out;
outline dimensions are 81mm x 81mm x 65mm exclusive connector.
• 57 mm (2¼") standard aircraft cut-out for the V5 vario unit; length 92 mm (exclusive
connector).
3.1.7 Weight
• LX8000 digital unit: 580 g
• LX8080 digital unit: 400 g
• V5 vario unit: 300 g
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4 System Description
4.1 Rotary Switches and Buttons
The following controls are mounted on the front face of the LX8000 digital unit:
• Four rotary selector knobs
• Six push-buttons
• SD card reader
The V5 vario unit is an indicator only and has no controls. Information displayed
is controlled by the LX8000 (LX8080) digital unit.
VOLUME selector
MODE selector
POWER
button
ZOOM selector
PAGE selector
SD Card reader
Ambient light
sensor
VOLUME selector
MODE selector
POWER button
ZOOM selector PAGE selector
SD Card reader
Ambient light
sensor
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4.1.1 Buttons
All buttons have a dynamic function; the first time one presses each button, it displays its
function without executing any action. Not all buttons have a function on every page. In
some cases buttons have a long press function.
4.1.1.1 Power Button
The power button is the top-left button with the ON/OFF symbol on left side. It has multiple
functions. Primarily it is used to switch the LX8000 system on and off.
4.1.2 Rotary Switches (Knobs)
The LX8000 has four rotary knobs. Each has a single function with the exception of the
zoom knob which has, in some cases, a function other than zoom. With the upper-left rotary
knob the volume can be adjusted. The upper-right rotary switch is the mode selector (it
changes the mode of the operation). At the lower-right is the up/down rotary switch which
is used for selecting sub-pages, sub-menus and editing menus. At the lower-left is the zoom
knob which is multifunctional. While its main function is to change the zoom level within
graphic mode, it can also be used if an error is made during editing; it is possible to move
the cursor back by rotating this knob. However this can only be done if 'editing' is active
which is shown by the cursor blinking.
4.2 Switching on the Unit
After a short press of the power-on button the LX8000 and vario unit will turn on. A few
seconds later the LX8000 digital unit welcome screen will appear. The first screen shows the
version of the boot loader followed by the version of the Linux kernel screen and then the
file system screen.
The boot procedure normally takes 15 seconds but in the case of a firmware update or
system check it can take more time. The final boot screen displays information about the
LX8000 firmware and the IGC serial number.
When the boot procedure is completed the profile selection dialogue is shown. Please refer
to Chapter 7.1 for more details about starting up the LX8000.
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4.3 User Input
The LX8000 user interface consists of many dialogues which have different input controls.
They are designed to make input of names, parameters, etc., as easy as possible. Input
controls can be summarised as:
• Text editor
• Masked text editor
• Spin controls
• Selection control
• Checkboxes
• Colour selector
• Line width selector
To move the function from one control to another, rotate the lower-right knob (page
selector) as follows:
• Clockwise rotation will select the next control.
• Anticlockwise rotation will select the previous control. Press the SELECT button (usually
lower-right) to enter control input.
4.3.1 Text Edit Control
The Text Editor is used to input an alphanumeric string of arbitrary length; the picture below
shows typical options when editing text. Use the bottom-right knob to change the value at
the current cursor position.
Press the CHAR>> button to advance the cursor to the next position. The cursor can also
be moved to next position using the bottom-left knob. Rotate it clockwise to move forward.
The Abc button is a toggle button and will change the letter case. Press it to toggle modes.
• Abc mode will start every new word with a capital letter; subsequent letters will be
lower case.
• ABC mode will enter only upper case letters.
• abc mode will enter only lower case letters.
Pressing the DELETE button will delete the character at current cursor position. Continually
press the DELETE button to delete all characters after the current cursor position.
Press OK to confirm changes and leave control. Press CANCEL to abandon changes and
revert back to the values before entering this screen.
4.3.2 Masked Text Edit Control
The masked editor is a similar control to the text editor but only limited characters can be
entered at any particular position. It is designed to enter latitude, longitude and passwords.
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4.3.3 Spin Control
Spin controls are designed for numeric parameters. Rotate the bottom-right knob (page
selector) to increase/decrease the selected value. The bottom-left (zoom) knob will
increase/decrease the value with a different step compared to the page selector.
4.3.4 Selection Control
Selection boxes, also known as combo boxes on Windows operating system, are used to
select a value from list of predefined values. Use the page selector to scroll through the list.
4.3.5 Checkbox and Checkbox List
A checkbox enables or disables a particular parameter. Press SELECT to toggle the value.
If an option is enabled a check mark will be shown, otherwise an empty rectangle will be
displayed.
Use page selector to scroll through the checkbox list. Press the ALL to enable all options.
4.3.6 Colour Selector
Colours and fills are set via the colour selector control. Rotate the page selector to change a
colour.
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Rotating the zoom selector changes colour transparency. Transparency is very important for
fill colours which are used for airspace zones, observation zones and FAI area. If a fill colour
is not transparent (0%), all other map items will not be seen through it. If a fill colour is
100% only the solid border will be drawn.
4.3.7 Font Selector
Using the font selector it is possible to define a font colour and style for a selected item.
Turn the lower-right knob (page-selector) to change the font style. Text is also rendered in
the selected font style. Turn the lower-left knob (zoom-selector) to change the font colour.
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4.4 Switching off
Please use one of the following recommended methods for shutting down the LX8000:
Method 1
Press the button with the OFF label which is displayed in navigational modes. See Chapter
5.5 for more details. A message to confirm shutdown will be shown.
Method 2
Press the button with the OFF symbol for approximately 4 seconds. The OFF message will
be displayed and the instrument will shut down. When the message appears you must
release the power button.
Method 3
When the button with the OFF symbol is pressed for more than 8 seconds the LX80000 will
perform an unconditional shutdown. This method is recommended only in case that the
LX8000 program hangs and it is not possible to shutdown with methods 1 or 2.
If you are using method 2 to switch off the LX8000 it is necessary to release the
button when you see the shutting down message. If you continue to press the off
button the LX8000 may shut down by method 3.
If the request for OFF is made during flight the instrument will ask for confirmation so that
the LX8000 cannot be switched off by mistake.
It is important that the LX8000 is switched off via software. Never power down
the LX8000 using the main power switch. The LX8000 is running the Linux
operating system and sudden power loss may corrupt the file system.
If main power is lost for a few seconds during flight the flight recorder will not
produce two flights. The most important flight parameter (altitude) will remain
which means that the final glide calculations are not affected.
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5 Operating Modes
The LX8000 has seven modes or main menus. All of them are selectable by rotating the
upper-right knob which is also called MODE selector. The diagram below shows the mode
structure of the LX8000.
• Airport Mode, navigation and selection airports.
• Way Point Mode, navigation, selection and editing way points.
• Task Mode, Navigation, selection and editing task.
• Statistics Mode shows statistical data for flight in progress or logbook.
• Setup mode is used to configure the LX8000.
• Information Mode displays GPS status, altitude, flight level and height, sunrise and
sunset or position report to selectable point or satellite sky view.
• Near Mode displays a list of all landable way points and airports.
The Navigation modes and statistics mode have additional pages which are accessible by
rotating the bottom-right knob also called the PAGE selector.
Three main navigational modes airport, waypoint and task mode are selected by rotating
the upper-right knob. All three options are similar and have similar basic navigation data
screens accessed by rotating the bottom-right knob.
It is possible to fully customise all three main navigational pages using the
program LXStyler. This program can be downloaded from our webpage
www.lxnav.com. Refer to Chapter 5.1.14 for more details.
In airport navigation mode the user can navigate only to airports stored in LXNAV's Airports
database. This database cannot be edited and is available at no charge on our web pages.
See Chapter 5.1.5.2 for more details how to obtain the latest databases.
In way point navigation mode the user is navigating to way points that were previously
loaded and selected in the Files and Transfer menu (see Chapter 5.1.5.4).
Task navigation mode is used for task creation and manipulation. Navigation in this page is
exclusively to task points.
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5.1 Setup Mode
In the setup menu users can configure the LX8000. Turn the bottom-right knob or press the
UP/DOWN arrow on the remote stick to select the appropriate setup item. Press the
SELECT button or CHECK button on the remote stick to enter a menu. A dialogue or submenu will open.
The setup menu is slightly different on the rear seat device as not all options are applicable.
Items which are marked with an asterisk (*) are available only in the front seat setup menu.
5.1.1 QNH and RES
Turn the bottom-right knob to select the required entry field. Press the EDIT button and
start editing the value.
5.1.1.1 QNH*
Using this feature it is possible to offset the altitude datum which could have changed due to
pressure changes during the flight. Since changing the QNH influences the indicated
altitude, care should be taken when changing the value as an incorrect setting can upset the
final glide calculation.
5.1.1.2 Safety Altitude
This setting is the altitude reserve or safety altitude and is the height that the instrument
adds to the final glide altitude required so that the glider arrives over the final glide
destination at the selected safety altitude. Once the safety altitude has been specified, the
pilot has to keep the final glide indicator on 0 to arrive at the safety altitude.
5.1.1.3 Magnetic Variation
The LX8000 has a built-in Earth magnetic field model. If Auto variation is checked the
magnetic variation is derived from this model, otherwise the user can enter a custom value.
5.1.1.4 ETA/ETE Calculation
In changing this value you may choose from four different methods to calculate the
estimated time of arrival to the navigational point. Calculation is always divided into straight
flight and climb time calculations.
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• MacCready uses the Polar data and MacCready setting to calculate speed to fly and
climb rate.
• Vario uses the last four thermals average to compute climb rate and uses this value to
calculate speed to fly.
• Avg.Speed & Vario uses the average ground speed over the last 5 minutes for
distance and Vario statistics for climb rate.
• Avg.Speed & MC uses the average ground speed over the last 5 minutes for distance
and MacCready.
All four methods of calculating ETA and ETE (Estimate Time of Arrival & Estimate Time
Elapsed) take into account glider altitude, wind and safety (arrival) altitude thus ensuring
that the calculation made is the best possible.
Suggested methods for competition pilots are Avg.Speed & Vario or
Avg.Speed & Mc.
5.1.1.5 Soaring Start*
Soaring start is the time when the glider starts soaring (released from tow, engine switched
off). A soaring start time is needed to start the flight optimization.
5.1.2 Flight Recorder
The LX8000 digital unit has a built-in flight recorder fully approved by the IGC (a subcommittee of the FAI) and will produce secure flight records that are acceptable for all FAI
requirements including world records.
Select the recording interval and enter the pilot name. Pilot weight is important if ballast is
specified in kilograms of water (see Chapter 5.1.11). If the LX8000 is used in two-seat
aircraft the name of the copilot may also be entered.
There is no setup for glider type. Glider type is defined in the Polar and Glider
setup (see Chapter 5.1.13).
Compared to previous LX instruments (LX20, LX5000 and LX7007) there are less
settings for the flight recorder. This is because the LX8000 will record all
additional data such as wind, speed and vertical speed by default.
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If a new pilot is entered, upon exiting the dialogue the message
“Do you want to create new
profile with this pilot?”
will be asked. Answer YES if you want to quickly add a new profile.
For more information about profiles see Chapter 5.1.12.
5.1.3 Vario Parameters*
This option is used to set the following parameters:
On this page the following parameters are set:
Vario needle filter sets a time constant of the vario needle. The value can be adjusted
between 0.1 and 5 s with step 1.0 s or 0.1 s. Default value is 1.5 s.
Vario sound filter sets a time constant of vario sound. The value can be adjusted between
0.1 and 5 s with step 1.0 s or 0.1 s. Default value is 1.5 s.
Vario range sets full scale range of the vario (2.5 m/s, 5 m/s or 10 m/s). Default value is
5 m/s (10 kts).
SC tab defines the width of the audio dead band in speed to fly mode. Default value is
±1 m/s.
Integrator time defines the integration period for the average vario in seconds. The
default is 20 seconds.
Auto SC defines the conditions when the instrument is switched automatically between
vario and speed command.
• OFF: Switching is exclusively by an external switch connected to the V5 vario unit.
• GPS: When the GPS detects that the glider is circling an automatic change over to vario
will happen after approximately 10 seconds. Detection of straight flight will cause a
changeover to speed command.
• TAS: When the TAS exceeds a pre-set value. The TAS at which switching occurs can be
selected in 5 km/h steps from 100 up to 160 km/h (or the equivalent in knots or mph).
Using Smart vario filter, vertical speed can be further filtered. Behaviour of filter is
different for types of attached variometer:
On V5 variometer smart vario filter defines how much filter is different for increasing vertical
speed versus decreasing vertical speed. (E.g.: If vario filter is set to 1s and Smart vario filter
is set to 4, then filter for increasing vario be 1s and for decreasing vario it will be 2s). This
will produce an effect like on Sage variometer.
On older models of variometer smart filter value gives us four levels of dynamic damping of
the vario.
Auto reset integrator resets the integrator to zero when the V5 vario unit switches from
SC to VARIO mode. If this item is not checked the integrator will not be reset to zero.
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The external switch wired to the vario unit has absolute priority and will override
all other switching methods.
5.1.4 Display
The display menu controls screen brightness. The LX8000 has an ambient light sensor which
detects ambient light and automatically increases or reduces the brightness of the screen.
If the Automatic brightness checkbox is selected, the instrument will automatically adjust
brightness according to current light conditions. Minimum and Maximum brightness
items control value limits. Use time values to setup how fast adaptation to brighter
conditions or darker conditions will occur. Default values are tuned to human eyes and do
not require change.
Night mode brightness defines maximum brightness when instrument is operating in
night mode. In night mode, brightness is reduced to very low value to reduce difference
between ambient light and device backlit.
If you want to set the brightness manually uncheck the Automatic brightness control and
set the brightness manually.
It is recommended that the automatic brightness control is always enabled.
Reducing brightness will also reduce power consumption. See technical data for
more details (Chapter 3.1.6).
5.1.5 Files and Transfers
The Files and transfer menu is used to manage the way point, airspace and airport
databases.
5.1.5.1 Uploading User Airspace and Way Points
Databases can be loaded from a SD card or USB stick. Select the type of database you wish
to upload and press the LOAD button.
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In next step the data source must be selected. A dialogue with a list of all available files will
be opened. Press the COPY button to copy the selected file to the LX8000. The LX8000 will
accept the following file formats:
• Waypoints file: SeeYou CUP files, DA4 files and Cambridge/Winpilot DAT files. When
selecting DA4 or DAT files, way points will be converted to CUP format which is the
format used for internal storage of points. There is no limitation for the number of way
points in a file and/or name length.
• Airspace file: All types of CUB files are accepted.
5.1.5.2 Uploading Airspace and Airports Database
LXNAV distributes free of charge airport and airspace database for the whole world. The
airport and airspace database is regularly maintained by LXNAV. The latest version of the
database can be found on our webpage www.lxnav.com.
The database is distributed as single file with .asapt extension. Copy this file to a SD Card
or USB stick. Plug the SD card or USB stick into the LX8000 and select the Update
database menu item. If multiple ASAPT files are found on a SD card a dialogue to select
the appropriate one will be shown.
Databases are updated automatically and progress of the update will be shown on the
screen.
5.1.5.3 Managing Airspace
Select the Airspace menu item and press the SELECT button. A list of all available airspace
databases/files will be shown on screen. The distributed airspace databases are shown first
followed by user airspace files.
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Select the required airspace and press SELECT. If a check mark is shown in front of an
airspace item, this airspace file will be shown in the graphics and used for proximity
calculation, when enabled.
To delete airspace file select the airspace item and press the DELETE button. Delete action
must be confirmed. Only user airspace files can be removed.
It is also possible to edit an airspace file. Select an airspace item and press the EDIT
button. A list of all airspace zones in this database/file will be shown. Use the page selector
to scroll through the items one by one or the zoom selector to move up or down for a whole
page.
Pressing the VIEW button will toggle different views of the zone list.
Using the STATUS button the selected zone can be disabled for proximity warnings.
Repeated presses will toggle the following options:
• OFF always: proximity warning is switched off for all the time.
• OFF today: proximity warning is switched off for today only.
• OFF hh:mm: proximity warning is switched off for 10 minutes.
• If no label is shown airspace is enabled for proximity warnings.
Press EDIT to edit data for the selected zone. Airspace type, class and altitude borders can
be modified in this dialogue.
5.1.5.4 Managing Way Points
Select the Waypoints menu item and press the SELECT button. A list of all available way
point files will be shown on the screen.
Multiple files can be selected. All checked files will be shown on the graphics page and used
in the near mode calculation, if the way point is of the proper type (airport or outlanding
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place). However, only one file can be the active file. The active file is used for task
creation.
Press the ACTIVE button to mark the selected file as active.
Press the DELETE button to remove the selected file from the LX8000.
Press the SAVE button to save way points to the SD Card or USB stick. The save dialogue
will be opened.
Change the filename if required. Press TO USB for saving to the USB stick or press TO SD
for saving to the SD card. When the compatibility mode flag is checked the file will be saved
in DA4 format, which can be used with older LX devices (LX20, Colibri, LX5000, and LX7000).
CUP and DA4 also stores tasks. Tasks will also be uploaded to the LX8000. This
feature is very useful, if you wish to prepare tasks on a computer using SeeYou or
a similar program. You can subsequently easily select a task via the
Task->Edit->Load option. See Chapter 5.7.6 for more details.
5.1.5.5 Managing Airports
Select the Airports menu item and press the SELECT button. A list of all available airport
databases will be shown. Only distributed airport databases are shown in this menu; the
user cannot modify contents of a database within the LX8000. If an error is suspected in our
database please notify us.
If you wish to add additional airports to the LX8000 an ordinary way point file should be
created and uploaded as a way point file or use the LXe program to modify the airport
database.
5.1.5.6 Managing Airports Using the LXe Program
With LXe program version 3.4 or higher it is possible to edit airport data. A new feature,
which applies only to the LX8000, is that each airport entry has a field called “description” in
which comments or notes of up to 250 characters can be added.
Modified airport data can readily be exported to the LX8000 as a (asapt) file and imported to
the LX8000 using the standard procedure for database updates (see Chapter 5.1.5.2). User
modified databases will be assigned as “user modified” with a version of the database and
date of export (modification) executed using LXe.
The picture below shows airports that have not been modified (as distributed in initial
delivery):
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The next picture shows that the European airports database has been modified by the user:
The original database can be restored only via the update database procedure using the
original database file. All databases are published on www.lxnav.com .
5.1.5.7 Managing Flights
Select the Flights menu item and press the SELECT button. A list of all stored flights will
be shown. The LX8000 is capable of storing more than 1000 hours of flight logs.
If a SD card or USB stick is inserted into the LX8000, flights can be copied to it when the
corresponded button is pressed. Flights can be removed from the LX8000 using the
DELETE button.
5.1.5.8 Flight Declaration
The Flight Declaration is composed from pilot data and declared task. Use this option if you
wish to load or save a flight declaration from a file. The flight declaration is saved to the LX
Navigation HDR file.
On the screen pilot, glider and task information are shown. Press the SAVE button to save
the declaration onto a SD card or USB stick. Press the LOAD button for loading.
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Please note that not all data from the HDR file will be loaded. Glider type and
class must be changed via the Polar and Glider menu (Chapter 5.1.13) as also
final glide calculations are linked to this setting.
HDR files do not include information about observation zone and turn point
elevation. Observation zones will be set to default values (Chapter 5.1.8) and the
elevation will be defined by the digital elevation model built into the instrument.
5.1.5.9 Formatting a SD Card
Use this option if the LX8000 cannot read your card. The LX8000 uses the same card format
as used by the MS-Windows operating system (FAT). However sometimes Windows does
not format the SD card properly or a new card may not be formatted properly.
It is recommended to format new SD cards before using with the LX8000; the LX8000 can
do this for you.
Formatting a SD Card will erase the entire contents of the SD card.
5.1.6 Graphics
This dialogue allows the user to define the appearance of the map in navigational mode.
Select the Graphics menu item and press the SELECT button. A submenu will open.
5.1.6.1 Terrain and Map
The LX8000 is pre-loaded with terrain for the entire world. The database includes: elevation
contour lines, water bodies, roads, highways, railways, big cities and a digital elevation
model. The database is derived from the VMAP0 free database and some data may be
obsolete. The database cannot be modified by the user.
Check the Show map item to enable map displays in the navigational pages. If this item is
unchecked no map will be displayed. Check Shadows, if you terrain to be shaded. The
Label zoom value defines up to which scale of zoom city names are visible. 100km means
the whole width of the screen represents 100 km. The user can also modify size, font style
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and colour via the Font style and colour item. Use the lower-left knob to modify the
colour and the lower-right knob to modify the style.
Terrain can be rendered in three different levels. A higher level means more details. The
LX8000 is optimised to work with high terrain quality. If the value off is selected no terrain
will be shown; only water bodies, roads, railways and cities.
The background colour is defined by the Background item. The default background is
black.
Colours of terrain can be changed using different terrain colour schemes. The following
colour schemes are available:
• Mountain is default setting with colours from green to white at 2000 m.
• Flatland is setting where colours are changing up to 1000 m.
• Low contrast: same as Mountain but colours are not so intensive.
• High contrast: same as Mountain but colours are more intensive and from 0-100 m,
white colour is used.
• Zebra alternating colours are used.
• Zebra 2, less intensive alternating colours are used.
• ICAO colouring is similar to ICAO maps.
• Cliffs colours emphasis slopes and is similar to Google maps display
• Atlas colour scheme is approximation of Imhof colouring widely used in map books.
• Grayscale.
In the Elements group land features are setup separately. Zoom defines up to which zoom
level a selected land feature is visible. Also line width and colour can be setup.
Press the DEFAULT button to reset these settings back to default.
5.1.6.2 Airspace
In this dialogue you can define the airspace map presentation. Check the Show airspace
item to enable airspace displays in navigational pages. If this item is unchecked no airspace
will be displayed.
In the Type panel you can specify how each airspace type is displayed. You should define
each type of airspace zone separately. First choose an airspace type from the list. Zoom
value defines to which zoom level this type is going to be visible. The Colour item specifies
airspace zone colour. You can also modify transparency of the selected type. Turn the
lower-left knob to change the transparency value. 100% means completely transparent and
only the airspace zone outline will be shown. 0% means completely solid (not
recommended). If the Show inactive zones option is checked then airspace zones with
proximity warning switched off will be shown. Use Show only airspace below to
eliminate airspace which is going to be too high for the day. For example, if the forecasted
cloud base is to be 1500 m, set this value to 1600 m and your screen will be much more
readable.
Press the DEFAULT button to reset these settings back to default.
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5.1.6.3 Way Points and Airports
The way point and airport look and feel is defined in this dialogue. Check the show
waypoints item to enable way points and airports display in navigational pages. If this item
is unchecked no way points will be displayed.
The Max.visible item defines how long way point labels and detailed symbols are shown. If
the maximum number of way points on the current screen is more than the defined value
only small blue dots will be shown for way points and no labels will be drawn.
Font style, colour and size can be defined using the Font style and colour item and the
Font size item. When editing style, turning the lower-left knob will change the font colour.
Way point labels can be setup to give even more detail. Label details can be defined for
each individual way point type.
A label consists of two selectable values: upper label and lower label. If you prefer to have
labels in single line, the single label checkbox should be checked. A label can also be
coloured. Check the Colorize label item. Coloured labels are drawn with a green
background when the way point is within range with the current MacCready settings and
with a yellow background when way point is within reach with MacCready setting zero. No
background is shown if the way point is not reachable.
The label is selected from following options:
• Name: way point name is shown. The name length item controls how the name is
displayed.
• Code: will display the ICAO code or short name.
• Elevation: shows way point elevation.
• Arrival altitude shows arrival altitude taking into account current MacCready setting,
safety altitude and current wind. Due to complexity of the calculation it will not take the
wind profile into account.
• Required altitude shows how much height is needed to reach the point. Required
altitude takes into account current MacCready setting, safety altitude and current wind.
Due to complexity of the calculation it will not take the wind profile into account.
• Required Mc gives an estimate of the maximum MacCready value which we can use to
reach the point.
• Required L/D shows the required glide ratio to the point taking into account the safety
altitude.
• Frequency will display the point frequency, if available.
Press the DEFAULT button to reset these settings back to default.
5.1.6.4 Glider and Track
The LX8000 can show the coloured path flown, current track vector and target vector with
terrain collision warning.
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Check the Show path item if you want to see the flown path. Path length defines how
much of the flown path will be shown. The maximum recommended length is 60 minutes.
The path can be coloured using:
• Vario path style, where red colour indicates positive vertical speed and blue colour
negative vario values.
• Mc path style, which is based on current MacCready settings. Red colour indicates
segments of the flight where we have vertical speed higher than the current MacCready
setting. Orange colour shows vertical movements similar to the current MacCready
setting and blue for vario values below the MacCready setting. Grey depicts sink areas.
• Fixed path style. Path colour is fixed and defined by path colour item.
Check the Show current track item if you would like to see your current ground track
vector. Track colour and width defines the colour and width of the current track vector.
Selected target and current position are connected with a magenta line. Check Show
target if you would like to see this line. In the target colour and target width you can select
the Colour and Width of this line. You can also choose to show or hide the terrain collision
point and the target line itself. The terrain collision marker is a red square which is only
displayed when there is terrain between the navigational point and the current position and
therefore not enough altitude to reach the target with the current glider settings. Press the
DEFAULT button to reset these settings back to default.
5.1.6.5 Optimization
The LX8000 calculates the optimised flown distance according to OLC or FAI rules in realtime during flight (see Chapter 5.1.9). It calculates the available FAI triangle area, which is
also called the FAI triangle assistant. If you enter this area and return to the start point your
flight forms a triangle according to FAI rules. The Optimisation dialogue is used to define
the look and feel.
Check the Show optimization item to enable display of the optimised track.
Optimization colour and width defines the colour and width for these lines.
If Show optimized triangle is checked also lines for the largest optimised triangle are
shown. Please note this might not be a triangle according to FAI rules.
The FAI Area group defines how the FAI area is drawn. Select the Color item to change the
colour of the FAI area. Use the lower-left knob to change transparency of the area. 100%
means completely transparent and only the outline will be drawn. 0% means completely
solid (not recommended).
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Check the Show km lines item to see lines which indicate what will be the size of the
completed triangle.
These lines will always be plotted in kilometres scale regardless of the Units value.
5.1.6.6 Task
Use this dialogue to define how a task is drawn in task mode.
Task colour defines the colour of task lines. Obs.zone colour defines colours for
observation zones. Use the lower-left knob to change transparency of area. 100% means
completely transparent and only the outline will be drawn. 0% means completely solid (not
recommended). When Show flown task is checked also the flown task will be drawn. This
might be useful when flying assigned area tasks.
The Show selected zone only item controls whether all task observation zones are to be
displayed or, if there is only one, then that alone will be shown.
5.1.6.7 Flarm
LX8000 devices can be equipped with the FLARM module. If your instrument is equipped
with FLARM this menu will let you to modify presentation of the Flarm radar display.
Flarm radar is not available if competition or privacy modes are active. Refer to
Chapter 5.1.12.3.
Checking Show Flarm object will enable display of aircraft detected by FLARM.
Colours are designed to present three values. The colour for aircraft more than 100 meters
above your current altitude is defined by the Above Colour item. The colour for aircraft
more than 100 meters below your current altitude is defined by the Below Colour item.
The colour for aircraft that are less than 100 meters below or above your current altitude is
defined by the Near Colour item.
When a signal from a particular aircraft is lost the aircraft remains blinking on the screen for
the duration defined in the Lost device after item (default 120 seconds). After that time
the aircraft symbol will not be displayed.
If the show labels item is checked aircraft altitude and vertical speed are displayed next to
the aircraft symbol. The user can modify size, font style and colour. Select the Font style
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and colour item. Use the lower-left knob to modify colour and the lower-right knob to
modify style.
It is possible to display the flown path of tracked aircraft. Path colour and Path width
define width and colour of paths. To enable paths check the Show paths item.
5.1.7 Sounds*
In the Sounds setup page audio settings for the vario unit, voice settings for the LX voice
module and alarms settings for the vario unit can be modified.
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5.1.7.1 Audio Settings*
Basically here we can set up two types of audio; audio sound for climb mode and another for
cruise mode (SC).
Vario audio mode has the following options:
• Linear positive: sound is interrupted with silence every few milliseconds when the
needle is positive; on negative side sound is linear (not interrupted).
• Linear negative: inverse function to Linear positive.
• Linear: sound is linear and non-interrupted in full scale range.
• Digital positive: similar to Linear positive, except frequency is not changing linearly
but with larger steps.
• Digital negative: inverse function to Digital positive.
• Linear positive only: sound is present only at positive values, for negative values there
is silence.
• Digital positive only: similar function to Linear positive only, except the sound is
similar to the digital tone.
Press the DEMO button to hear the selected option.
SC audio mode has four modes:
• SC positive: sound is interrupted with silence every few milliseconds when the needle is
positive; on negative side sound is linear (not interrupted).
• SC negative: inverse function to SC positive.
• SC: sound is linear and non-interrupted in full scale range.
• SC Mixed: for positive relative values the sound represents relative; for negative
relative values the sound represents SC (for that setting it is recommended to set SC
needle to relative).
Freq at 0% defines the tone frequency at 0 m/s.
Freq at +100% defines the tone frequency at full + deflection.
Freq at -100% defines the tone frequency at full – deflection.
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5.1.7.2 Voice*
Voice module is part of V5 variometer. In past the LX Voice Module used to ba an LX system
bus participant and receives data and power via the bus.
The voice module is 100% controlled through the LX8000 via the settings described in this
menu.
In the Voice settings menu volume level (loudness) of the voice module and mixing level
between voice and vario sound can be adjusted. In the Messages window each item can be
set separately. Only checked items will be posted to the voice module.
If voice module is integral part of V5 variometer, volume level (loudness) can be
also set with volume rotary knob, when messages are being played
5.1.7.3 Alarms*
The vario unit produces an audio alarm on reaching certain confirmation points. This screen
allows the parameters of the audio to be configured. If a particular message item is checked
the LX8000 will generate an alarm at the time of event.
5.1.8 Observation Zones
This menu defines the default observation zone geometry. The following items can be
chosen: start zone, turn point zone, finish zone and templates.
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Each type of observation zone is defined with two angles, two radii and mean bearing
(Angle12). These parameters enable the creation of any known zone geometry separately
for start, turn point and finish.
All tasks stored in the LX8000 will match this “global” setting except those where the zone
was modified in the task edit menu (see Chapter 5.7.1).
Using parameters in the zone dialogue it is possible to describe all types of observation
zones. Angle12 defines the orientation of the observation zone. Available values for
Direction are:
• Symmetric: This is the most common selection for turn point.
• Fixed: This is mostly used for assigned areas.
• Next: will orient the observation zone in direction of the outgoing leg. This is usually
used for start.
• Prev: will orient the zone in direction of the incoming leg and is usually used for the
finish.
• Start: orientates the sector always towards the start.
If the Line checkbox is checked the sector will become a line type of observation zone. The
Radius 1 parameter describes half of width of line length. Use the lower-right knob to
increase the radius by 0.1 of the selected distance units and the lower-left knob to increase
the radius by 5.
If Line is not checked the Angle1 parameter will define the basic shape of the observation
zone. A value of 180° means that the zone is a cylinder and 45° is the classical FAI sector.
Rotate the lower-right knob to increase the angle by 0.5° or use the lower-left knob to
choose values 22.5°, 45°, 90° or 180°.
Angle2 and Radius2 are used for more complex observation zone setups.
When changing observation zone parameters the screen is automatically updated to display
the new zone.
Check the AAT checkbox, if you want to make the selected zone an assigned area. The AAT
checkbox will be automatically checked when Radius1 is greater than 10 km.
By default navigation to task points will be automatically advanced; uncheck Auto next if
you do not want to change over to next point when reaching selected point. This option will
be automatically unchecked when Radius1 is greater than 10 km.
Use Template if you wish to modify start, point and finish zones at same time.
Available templates are:
• 500 m cylinders are used for start, points and finish.
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• FAI sectors, 90° and 3 km long sector is use in start, turn point and finish.
• 500m and start line. The 500 m cylinder is used for turn points. A 1 km long line is
used for start and finish.
• FAI and start line. 90° and 3 km long sector is used for turn points. A 1 km long line is
used for start and finish.
5.1.9 Optimization
During flight the LX8000 optimises the flown path according to OLC or FAI rules. Use this
dialogue to change the way instrument performs this optimisation.
Number of points defines the type of optimisation. Use five for OLC optimisation. It will also
take into account reduced distances for the last two legs. Use the value three for FAI free
flight optimisation.
Optimisation will not take into account the 10 km distance between turn points
which is required by FAI rules.
The FAI triangle group defines the rules for FAI triangles and these rules can bend a little if
you do not want to fly marginal triangles.
5.1.10 Warnings
There are three types of warnings available. Airspace warnings are shown when
approaching a particular airspace zone. Altitude warnings are shown when approaching to a
defined altitude and Flarm warnings are triggered when conflicting traffic is in the vicinity.
Use this dialogue to setup the behaviour of warnings.
5.1.10.1 Airspace Warnings
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Airspace warnings are the most complex ones. An airspace warning is activated by two
triggers; First warning (orange) will be given when a projected position of flight for period,
which is defined in the Time item, is computed to cross an airspace zone.
Second warning (red) will be raised when a projected position of flight is computed to cross
airspace zone and the glider is already in the buffer zone in the vertical or horizontal
directions. Buffer zones are defined in the Horz.buffer and Vert.buffer items. Default
values are 1 km for horizontal buffer and 100 m for vertical buffer.
The first warning (orange) will also be given when you enter an airspace zone buffer but the
projected flight is computed to cross it.
An Airspace warning will be raised in all modes and dialogues. A warning for an alarmed
zone can be dismissed for a whole day, some minutes or just quit. Quit means that the
message will disappear. Use Dismiss for spin to define dismiss time in minutes. This time
will be shown in the lower-middle button after which the warning will be raised again.
However an alarmed zone will still be filled with transparent red colour and outlined with a
thick line and also the distance to the nearest point of the airspace zone will be shown.
To prevent dismissing by mistake check the Confirm dismiss checkbox and you will be
always prompted to confirm dismiss for a particular airspace zone.
The RESET button will reset the status for all airspace zones.
5.1.10.2 Altitude Warning
Altitude warnings will be enabled if Show warning is checked. Altitude is given in MSL.
Projection is calculated based on the 20 second average vertical speed and time which is
defined in the Time item.
If the projected altitude is greater than the set altitude, an altitude warning will be raised.
Altitude warnings will be raised in all modes and dialogues just as for airspace warnings.
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Altitude warnings can be dismissed for 1 minute, 5 minutes or disabled.
5.1.10.3 Flarm Warnings
Flarm warnings will be raised only when a FLARM module is built into the LX8000. Using this
dialogue the user can define which data will be presented by the voice module.
There are three types of warnings:
• Traffic warnings will be raised once a new aircraft is detected by FLARM.
• Collisions will be shown every time a collision risk with an aircraft occurred.
• Obstacles warnings will be displayed when a collision with a ground obstacle is
predicted.
If the voice option is installed it is also possible to hear the horizontal and vertical situation
to the current object. Uncheck appropriate items if you want to disable this part of the
message.
You can also define the way direction to the Flarm object will be presented. There are three
options:
• Relative bearing: In this option direction will be given relative to the glider’s nose
direction (e.g.
Traffic 3’ o clock
, which means traffic, is on your right side).
• True bearing: Direction is give with absolute direction (e.g.
Traffic from 330°
)
• Relative/True bearing is a combination of both methods. Relative bearings will be
given when flying straight and true bearings will be given when thermaling.
• Graphical presentation. When this item is check, also a graphical presentation of
FLARM will be shown, when Flarm warning is displayed.
5.1.11 Units
Use this dialogue to specify units, UTC time offset and type of ballast input.
The lower-middle button will toggle all units between imperial and metric units.
Glider ballast can be entered as:
• overload factor, which is defined as:
weightgliderMinimum
ballastWaterweightPilotweightgliderEmpty
overload
..
....
+
+
=
• Load, which is entered in kg/m
2
or lb/ft2.
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• Weight of water ballast. If this option is used the weights of the glider and pilot
must be entered. Refer to Chapters 5.1.13 and 5.1.2 for more details of how to enter
glider and pilot weights.
5.1.12 Hardware*
Use this menu to define hardware properties such as total energy compensation, Vario
indicators layout, compass calibration, FLARM module settings, AHRS calibration, NMEA
output and data which will be exchanged between the rear and front digital units. Some
items may be greyed out when the selected option is not available.
5.1.12.1 Vario Settings*
All settings in this menu are related to the glider.
5.1.12.1.1 Electronic Total Energy Compensation
The LX8000 offers two methods of vario TE compensation:
• TE Pitot tube
• Electronic TE compensation
It is important to note that the method of TE compensation is set up when the
instrument is installed by virtue of the pneumatic connections made to the TE and
static ports. Changing the compensation type in the setup screen below WILL
NOT change the method of compensation - the pneumatic plumbing has to be
changed first (see Chapter 6).
If the TE pitot tube has been connected TE compensation should be set to 0%.
There is no further adjustment of TE compensation possible. Quality of the TE
tube is the one and only factor.
If the electronic TE option has been installed TE compensation should be set to
100%.
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The electronic TE compensation can be fine-tuned during flight using the following
procedure. It is essential that this is only done in smooth air; it is not possible to tune the
TE accurately in turbulent air.
Set TE compensation to 100% and TE filter to default. Accelerate up to approximately
160 km/h (75 kts) and keep the speed stable for a few seconds. Gently reduce the speed to
80 km/h (45 kts). Observe the vario indicator during the manoeuvre. At 160 km/h the vario
will indicate about –2 m/s (-4 kts). During the speed reduction the vario should move
towards zero and should never exceed zero (slightly positive indications are acceptable). If
the vario shows a climb the compensation is too low; increase the TE%; and vice versa. Try
another “zoom” to assess the change and make further adjustments if necessary.
The TE filter is the compensation delay and is not used on V5 variometer. Larger numbers
will increase the delay and vice versa. During the first test is recommended to use TE filter
4.
Electronic TE compensation is only effective when the pitot tube and static sources are colocated and the pneumatic lines to the instrument are approximately the same length. The
best sensor to use is the combined pitot/static Prandtl tube. If problems are experienced
with the electronic TE compensation the most likely cause is the glider's static source. The
static source can be checked by plumbing the pneumatic tubes for electronic compensation
and then setting the TE: to 0%. In still air accelerate to approximately 160 km/h and slowly
reduce the speed. Observe the vario indicator. If the static source is good the vario should
immediately start to move to show a climb. If the needle firstly shows increased sink and
then moves to a climb, the static source of the glider is unsuitable and there is no way to
provide successful TE compensation electronically. The use of a dedicated and accurate finmounted pitot/static source such as a Prandtl tube might help.
5.1.12.1.2 SC Switch
The LX8000 has an input for an external speed command switch which is wired to the vario
unit. Using the external switch it is possible to switch between SC and Vario manually.
Setting the SC switch to ON means that closing the switch will cause the instrument to
enter SC mode and setting SC switch to OFF means that closing the switch will select Vario
mode. There is a third option by setting SC INPUT to TASTER and connecting a push
button to the input; each key press will toggle between SC and Vario (mandatory setting for
LX Remote).
There is another input called VARIO PRIORITY. When this input is activated by
grounding the appropriate wire the unit will change over to Vario immediately.
This input wire is set open (not grounded) as a factory default on delivery.
5.1.12.1.3 Temperature Offset
The LX8000 is supplied with an external outside air temperature (OAT) sensor. With the
offset setting it will correct static errors of temperature measurement.
5.1.12.1.4 Altitude Source
The LX8000 has two pressure altitude sensors. One is built into the main digital unit and is
used for the IGC recorder and the second one is built into the vario unit and is connected to
the glider pitot-static system. Changing the altitude source defines which sensor is used for
pressure altitude used in program.
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5.1.12.2 Vario Indicator Setup*
The vario indicator is always part of the vario unit. However an unlimited number of
secondary vario indicators can be connected to the system using the RS485 system bus.
There are three different types of vario indicators; LCD vario indicator with
monochrome LCD, USB-D type of vario indicator or V5 vario indicator.
LCD vario indicator and USB-D type of indicator are setup through menus Indicator 1 –
Indicator 4, whereas V5 vario indicator is identified by its serial number and is setup through
menu Indicator Sn#XXXXX.
All new instruments are delivered with V5 vario indicator.
5.1.12.2.1 V5 Vario indicator
V5 Vario indicator is having mechanical needle and colour screen with 320x240 pixels
resolution on which user selectable data are displayed.
Each V5 vario indicator is identified by a serial number, which is also displayed on hardware
menu. Therefore literally unlimited number of vario indicators can be connected to RS485
bus and each of them can be setup separately.
Description of vario indicator is shown on next picture.
Mechanical needle displays vario, netto, relative or speed to fly value. It can be setup
separately for climb mode or cruising mode. Printed scale can be chosen in range from -5 to
5 or from -10 to 10. Within software range can be set to 2.5, 5, 10m/s or 5, 10, 20kts or
500, 1000, 2000fpm.
Upper number can be configured as average vario, time, flight time, task remaining time,
netto value, outside temperature or thermal average. It can be setup separately for climb
mode or cruising mode.
Lower number shows current altitude, distance to goal, arrival altitude, true airspeed, Last
60 minutes speed, altitude in feet or flight levels.
Mechanical needle
Average
Thermal average
GPS status
Range
Upper number
Climb/cruise symbol
Battery
Needle type
MacCready symbol
Speed to fly symbol
Lower number
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Speed to fly bar symbol is indicating which speed you have to fly according to current
MacCready setting, sink rate and speed. One arrow means 10units of speed faster or slower.
Up red arrows mean fly slower and down blue arrows mean fly faster.
Red diamond symbol shows average vertical speed.
Blue arrow symbol shows current MacCready value.
Green T symbol represents last thermal average value.
White bar, which is not shown on picture above, displays arc between minimum and
maximum vertical speed value in last 20 seconds.
Most inovative feature of V5 vario system is an upgrade. Firmware for sensorbox
and vario indicator can be easily upgraded by customer with SD card. See
Chapter 9 for more details.
5.1.12.2.2 USB-D Vario indicator
A vario indicator consists of:
• Mechanical needle, which can indicate vertical speed, speed to fly value, netto vertical
speed, or Relative vertical speed.
• Speed to fly ball will tell us if we have to fly faster or slower. If the ball moves up you
have to slow down and if ball moves down you have to speed up.
• Upper Numeric Display: The parameter displayed can be configured separately for
Vario mode and SC mode. Following parameters can be displayed; average vertical
speed, local time, flight time, task remaining time.
• Lower Numeric Display: The parameter displayed can be configured separately for
Vario mode and SC mode. Following parameters can be shown: Altitude (NN altitude),
Distance (distance to the navigation point), Glide diff. (final glide altitude difference),
Speed (TAS), Leg speed (speed on leg), QNH (ft) (NN altitude in ft), Flight levels.
• GPS indicator shows the current GPS status.
• Battery indicator shows the current battery level. It will turn re, when the battery
voltage is below 11 volts.
• Vario range number indicates current vario range.
The LX8000 provides 4 different sets of data that can be displayed on the vario indicators.
This means that up to 4 indicators can be set to display different information; any additional
connected indicators are simple repeaters. Each indicator is set up from the following menu.
Gps status
Vario range
Upper numeric
display
Lower
numeric
display
Battery
indicator
Mechanical
Speed to fly
indicator
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Each further indicator (available as option) has a DIP switch on the rear side that sets and
identifies the indicator and enables it to be programmed under that identification. The
positions of the switches are listed below.
SW 1 ON
Indicator set1
SW 2 ON
Indicator set2
SW 3 ON
Indicator set3
All OFF
Indicator set4
After identification the needle and the two numerical displays of each indicator can be
programmed to display the following parameters:
The vario indicator built into the USB-D is always Indicator 1.
5.1.12.2.3 LCD Vario indicator
This is type of the oldest vario indicator. An LCD vario indicator consists of:
• Needle
• Two numerical displays (upper and lower).
• Labels and indicators.
These following functions can be set (see next picture):
• Needle: vario needle (Vario, SC, Netto or Relative).
• SC Ring: Displays speed command at all times.
• Upper Numeric Display: Integrator, time, flight time, task remaining time. Upper line;
the parameter displayed can be configured in both Vario and SC modes.
• Vario Mode Indicator: Shows current flight mode (vario or speed command).
• Lower Numeric Display: Altitude (NN altitude), Distance (distance to the navigation
point), Glide diff. (final glide altitude difference), Speed (TAS), Leg speed (speed on leg),
QNH (ft) (NN altitude in ft), Flight levels. Lower line; the parameter displayed can be
configured in both Vario and SC modes.
The labels will automatically be displayed depending on the current function. The BAT
warning will be displayed when the supply voltage is below 11 volts.
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5.1.12.3 Flarm*
On the Flarm setup page, information about Flarm serial number, version, database and
Flarm status is shown.
Device ID shows the Flarm unique ID, which is transmitted to other FLARMs. The Flarm
status message is normally OK. In case of any errors or warning an error message will
appear. The user can change the operation mode of Flarm unit, frequency and
enable/disable competition mode.
Three operation modes are available:
• Power OFF - Flarm unit is switched off.
• Power ON - Flarm unit is switched on.
• Privacy ON - Flarm unit works in stealth mode. Other Flarm units will not receive
altitude and vario information concerning your glider. For collision warnings this mode
has no influence.
• Ext.(Colibri) (only on LX8000)– Use this mode, when you want to receive external
Flarm data through Colibri port on back side. (For example, if TRX1090 is connected to
LX8000. See chapter 10.2 for more details)
• Ext.(PC) – Use this mode, when you want to receive externally connected Flarm on PC
port.
Depending on which region/continent you are flying in, set the correct frequency band.
LOW
BATTERY
INDICATOR
GPS STATUS INDICATOR
OFF = NO GPS
BINKS = GPS BAD
LOWER NUMBER
DISPLAY
NEEDLE SHOWS
RELATIV
NEEDLE SHOWS
VARIO
NEEDLE SHOWS
NETTO
NEEDLE SHOWS
INDICATED AIR
SPEED (NOT
USED)
NEEDLE
SHOWS SPEED
COMMAND
NEEDLE
SPEED
COMMAND RING
SPEED COMMAND
VARIO MODE
LOWER NUMBER
SHOWS
TAS/60’ SPEED
UPPER NUMBER
UPPER NUMBER SHOWS
UPPER NUMBER
SHOWS INTEGRATOR
LOWER NUMBER
SHOWS
ALTITUDE /
DISTANCE /
FINAL GLIDE
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Competition mode is intended only for competitions. If this mode is enabled the pilot will
not be able to see any Flarm data on the LX8000 map. The competition mode status is
recorded in the IGC file and can be checked during scoring.
If you are flying in a competition it is sufficient to turn on Competition mode.
However if you do not want other aircraft to see you, you should switch mode to
Privacy ON.
Reduce warnings will significantly reduce Flarm warnings. Use this option if you are flying
in gaggles or areas with high density of other aircraft.
We recommend you sign in at FLARMNET.org. This is free of charge. Registering
with FLARMNET allows others to see you not only with Device ID but also with
your contest number and name. Refer to Chapter 5.5.5.7.
5.1.12.4 Compass*
When a compass is connected to the LX8000 calibration is crucial for correct operation.
Refer to Chapter 10.3 for details about installation of the compass and its calibration.
5.1.12.5 Rear Seat or Front Seat
In a two-seat configuration with the LX8000D it is possible to transfer selected data between
the front and rear seat devices. Use this menu to define which data will be automatically
received from the other device.
Data are divided into two groups; flight parameters and navigational data. If a specific value
is checked this value will be automatically received from the other device.
Check MacCready, Ballast or Bugs to receive current MacCready value, current ballast
setting or bugs from other device.
If the Waypoint checkbox is checked a new way point target will be automatically assigned
when the user changes the way point target on other device. The message
“Waypoint
target received”
will be displayed on the screen and you will be navigating to the same way
point as other device. Please note that it is not necessary to have this way point in your
databases as the complete way point information is transferred.
If the Waypoint checkbox is not checked it is still possible to send a target to the other
device using the SEND action in way point mode.
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The same applies to the Airport checkbox. The message
“Airport target received”
is
displayed.
If the Task checkbox is checked the task will be synchronised with the other device.
When flying an assigned area task it is worth not having the task checkbox
checked. This will allow one pilot to play with “what if” scenarios. Once a proper
direction is found you can send the task to the other device using the SEND
action in task mode.
5.1.12.6 AHRS
When AHRS device is connected to the system, this menu is used to calibrate AHRS for
installation error.
Place you glider in levelled position and press LEVEL button. You can also modify pitch only,
if you rotate PAGE UP/DOWN rotary knob.
5.1.12.7 NMEA Output*
The LX8000 is capable of outputting position data sentences in NMEA format for use by
other devices.
Data is divided into three groups:
• GPS data will output all GPS-related data such as time, longitude and altitude.
• LX8000 data will output all variometer-related data such as vario, MacCready and
ballast.
• Flarm data will output all Flarm-related data.
The NMEA baud rate will be always 19200 bps; any other settings are ignored.
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5.1.12.8 Engine Noise*
The current engine noise level is shown as a progress bar. Use this menu to display your
current engine noise.
5.1.13 Polar and Glider*
Use this dialogue to enter glider polar and other glider properties. As default polar a
standard class glider is selected.
Polars for most modern gliders are already prepared. Press the LIST button and a dialogue
with a list of all available gliders will be shown.
Select the required glider using the lower-right knob and press the SELECT button. All
glider data will be copied from the chosen polar. You may quickly check the best glider ratio
and minimum sink rate to see if the polar data matches the glider performance. You can
modify the polar by changing coefficients a, b and c. A polar is defined as a quadratic
equation with the parameters a, b, and c. Use the LXe program (Tools->Polar) to calculate
coefficients a, b and c for a given glider’s polar. The program requires three sink points
entered at selected speeds (e.g.: 100 km/h, 130 km/h, and 150 km/h). The program will
calculate the values of a, b and c, which should be noted and entered into the LX8000.
Stall speed is used to generate stall warnings which are available only with the LX Voice
module.
Weights must be entered if user enters ballast in kilograms. There are three weights to
enter. Min.weight corresponds to the min.load value and represents the value at which the
polar was measured or recalculated. Max.weight is the maximum take-off weight allowed
for a glider. It is not used in the calculation; it is just a reminder to the pilot of the
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maximum take-off weight. Empty weight is weight of the glider without pilot and ballast.
The overload factor is calculated as:
weightgliderMinimum
ballastWaterweightPilotweightgliderEmpty
overload
..
....
+
+
=
Pilot weight is set in the Flight recorder menu (see Chapter 5.1.2).
5.1.14 Profiles and Pilots
All LX8000 settings and navigational page look and feel are stored in a profile. Profiles can
be used in different ways:
• For club operation or multiple pilots sharing the same glider. Each pilot can have his
personal profile.
• When the user is flying a glider which can have a different wing spans. In this situation
the pilot has two profiles, one for each configuration.
• When a pilot is flying in several different locations. A separate profile for each location
can be created (examples: France, Spain, Namibia, WGC2008).
An active profile is selected when LX8000 is powered on (see Chapter 7.1.2).
Use this dialogue to add a new profile, delete a profile, load/save a profile, change name for
an existing profile and to activate a profile. The active profile is the profile which is currently
being used.
Press TO USB or TO SD for the profile will be stored to a USB stick or SD card. A profile is
stored to a file with the .lxprofile extension.
Press the LOAD button to load a profile from a SD card or USB stick. A profile will be copied
to the LX8000.
Press the EDIT button to edit the profile name.
A profile can also be locked. This option is very useful for club operation where one does
not want a global club profile to be changed. When a profile is locked all settings will be
read-only.
A profile file can be opened and manipulated with the LXStyler program. LXStyler is a
special program designed to customise the look and feel of navigational pages. It can be
downloaded free of charge from our web pages www.lxnav.com.
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For more information about LXStyler please refer to the LXStyler manual.
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5.1.15 Language
The LX8000 can run in different languages.
Select the desired language. The LX8000 will reload and restart in the new language. If
your language is not listed and you feel able to become a translator for the LX8000 please
do not hesitate to contact us.
5.1.16 Passwords
There are several passwords which run specific procedures as listed below:
• 00111 displays information about the LX8000 and its sensors.
• 01049 will perform “Auto zero”; will set vario and speed to zero.
• 30000 browses through installed files (use with caution).
• 41000 first or forced update of Flarm.
• 42000 update of Flarm through PC port (default).
• 43000 update of Flarm through Colibri port.
• 44441 shows debug information.
• 46000 enables/disables the co-pilot remote stick. This option is used if you want to
drive a single LX8000 via two remote sticks in a side-by-side aircraft (e.g. Stemme S10).
• 55556 will enable Condor simulator input via the PC port.
• 55557 will enable Condor simulator input via the IGC port.
• 89891 is used to initiate the LX8000 firmware update procedure.
• 99999 will erase all flights stored on the LX8000.
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5.2 Information Mode
Information mode consists of three pages; GPS status page, position report page and
satellite sky view page. Use the lower-right knob or the up/down arrow to toggle pages.
5.2.1 GPS Status Page
GPS status, altitude, flight level and height are shown on this page. Sunrise and sunset are
calculated for the current position. In the upper-right corner the current FLARM status is
shown. TX means FLARM is transmitting data to others and the number indicates how many
other FLARM devices are within range.
If you press the MARK button a new way point will be created with the current latitude,
longitude and elevation based on the terrain database. The way point name is generated
from the current date and time separated by the minus character and preceded by an
underscore.
Way point data can be modified. Refer to Chapter 5.6.1 for more details. Press the OK
button to save a marked way point or press CANCEL to exit without saving. Press GOTO
button to navigate immediately to selected point.
5.2.2 Position Report
This page shows your position report relative to an arbitrary selectable point. Use this page
when you are talking to ATC.
Press the REPORT button to select a report point. Radials will always be magnetic and
distance will always be in nautical miles. If you press the MARK button a new way point will
be created.
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5.2.3 Satellite Sky View
Information about tracked satellites is given on this page. If no satellite information is
available a message
“No satellite info”
is displayed.
Green satellites are satellites currently being used for position determination. Three
concentric circles represent satellite elevation (0, 30, 60 degrees above horizon). If a
satellite is in the centre of the circles it is directly overhead.
When you are experiencing bad satellite reception, check this page. If the satellites are
always red in a particular place, you should consider moving the GPS antenna to another
position. If you press the MARK button a new way point will be created.
5.3 Near Mode
A list of all landable way points and airports is shown in this mode. The default sorting order
of the items is by arrival altitude. Press the SORT button to toggle the sort method. The
selected sort method is indicated by the grey background in the header.
Select the preferred landable place via the lower-right knob and press the GOTO button. It
will automatically change to airport mode and navigation will commence to selected point.
Duplicates are automatically removed. If a target with nearly the same latitude and
longitude is found within both the distributed airports database and user way point file then
only the target from the user way point file will be displayed.
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5.4 Statistics Mode
The Statistics mode operates in two different ways. During flight statistical data for the
current flight is shown whilst on the ground the logbook for all stored flights is displayed.
5.4.1 Logbook
If a SD card or USB stick is inserted into the LX8000 the user can copy a selected flight to it.
Select the desired flight using the lower-right knob and then press the appropriate button.
A flight is automatically copied to the SD card and/or USB stick if it has been
inserted into the LX8000 when the message
“Calculating security”
is displayed.
This message appears when landing conditions are met.
You can also delete a flight using the Files and Transfer menu (see Chapter 5.1.5.7).
5.4.2 Statistics during Flight
Using the lower-right knob the user can change the statistics page. There are three pages
available:
• Flight statistics displays data for whole flight. Dis.flown is the optimised distance.
XC speed is average speed corrected for altitude difference. Average vario is used in
this calculation.
• Task statistics displays data for the started task. Distance flown is the distance that
has already been flown on the task.
• The last 60 minutes statistics displays data for the last 60 minutes of flight. If the task
was started then Dis.flown is the distance flown on the task for the last hour otherwise
it is the optimised distance. If the task distance is used a remark (On Task) is displayed
in the header.
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5.5 Airport Mode
Using the lower-right knob you can scroll through the pages. There are four navigational
pages available.
Navigational pages can be customised using LXStyler. The description below
applies to the default navigational pages.
5.5.1 Initial Navigation Page
In the top row the GPS status is shown. Green colour represents GPS 3D, yellow colour
means GPS 2D and red colour is GPS bad. The number of coloured bars indicates the
number of visible satellites. Each bar represents two satellites.
Local time shows the local time. You can set a different time zone in the Units dialogue
(see Chapter 5.1.11).
The battery symbol indicates status of the battery. When the battery is very low the symbol
will turn red and also the Low battery warning will be displayed.
North direction is pointing to true north. This is important if map orientation is not north up
at the top.
The airplane symbol in the middle of the screen is showing current position. The grey line
indicates our current ground track and the magenta line is connecting the airplane position
with selected goal. When we are below the glide-path to current goal a green and a yellow
rectangle will be displayed on the magenta line. The green rectangle represents the position
from where you will achieve the final glide with current altitude and current MacCready
setting. The yellow rectangle represents the position from where you will achieve the final
glide with current altitude and MacCready zero.
The relative bearing (near the top) gives advice on which direction and how much to turn in
order to fly towards the selected target. In the above example we should turn right 35°.
GPS status
Mode and
target name
Local time
Battery
status
Relative
bearing
Final glide
symbol with
arrival
altitude and
MacCready
North
direction
Wind and
Thermal
assistant
Zoom scale
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In the lower left corner of screen a wind symbol is displayed. The arrow indicates the wind
direction relative to the map orientation. Wind direction and wind speed are numerically
presented below the arrow.
In the bottom row several items are displayed. Thermal shows the last thermal average,
Brg is the bearing to the selected target, Dis is the distance to the target and Alt is the
current MSL altitude.
The last two numbers (reqE and E) show the required glide ratio to the target. In the
above example the required glide ratio is 7 and current glide ratio is 58. The current glide
ratio is calculated over the last two minutes of flight.
5.5.1.1 Final Glide Symbol
The final glide symbol is a complex symbol. The bottom number (+1202 in the above
example) shows your predicted arrival altitude. Negative numbers indicate that you are
below the glide path and positive numbers indicates you are above the glide path. In the
above example the glider is above the glide path. Chevrons show the position relative to the
required glide path in percents. One arrow means 5% above or below final glide. In the
example 25% above glide path is shown.
The middle number is the current MacCready setting. In task mode it is prefixed with the
letter T, A, B, G, S or AG. See Chapter 7.2.1 for detailed explanation of this mode.
Sometimes there will be another number above MacCready which is used for arrival over
terrain. If we are on final glide to a selected target but between it and the current position
there is terrain which cannot be crossed without more height, then this number will give us
an estimate as to how much we have to climb to pass over the terrain. A red rectangle will
also be shown on the magenta line indicating the point of potential collision.
5.5.1.2 Thermal Assistant
During thermaling the wind symbol will also shows the thermal assistant. The thermal
assistant continuously analyses the thermal whilst circling. The sizes of the dots indicate the
strength of the thermal. Big dots mean stronger lift at that point. On the left or right side of
the circle a small airplane symbol is shown. This airplane indicates your position. A black
dot indicates the thermal maximum. The pilot should extend the circle when the black dot is
about 60° away from glider. This value varies and depends on turn rate of the glider and
type of thermal. All other dots are coloured based on the MacCready setting. Red colour
means values above MacCready, blue values below MacCready and yellow dots represents
lift about the same strength as the MacCready setting.
This colour scheme gives us hints about a thermal at glance. If most of dots are red we
should consider increasing the MacCready value; if most of dots are blue we should consider
decreasing the MacCready setting.
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5.5.2 Second Navigation Page
The second page is similar to the first page with additional data shown in the bottom line.
The additional items are the current net vertical speed, current track, ground speed, height
above ground and optimised distance.
5.5.3 Third Navigation Page
The third page has no graphics. In addition to data shown on the previous pages the
internal pressure sensor altitude is shown as AltIGC. AltInv shows the altitude in opposite
units to those defined in the Units setup. OAT is the outside temperature, Pot.Temp is the
potential temperature and Battery displays the current voltage.
5.5.4 Fourth Navigation Page
The fourth navigational page has also no graphics. The estimated time of arrival and
estimated time established are displayed in the top row. Information for the selected airport
is shown on this page. This information includes airport frequency, runway info and
sunrise/sunset times for the selected target.
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5.5.5 Button Actions
When any of the six buttons are pressed, the functions for the buttons are shown. If a
selected button is pressed once more the selected action will take place.
Press the MORE>> button to see more options. If the remote stick is available the
behaviour is slightly different. When the check button is pressed on the remote stick a menu
will appear instead of the button functions.
By using the UP/DOWN key the pilot may select between options.
Button functions or the remote menu will disappear automatically after 10 seconds
if no further action is taken.
In airport mode the following selections are available:
• Select option is used to select an airport as the new navigational target.
• Mc/Bal will set MacCready, ballast and bugs (see Chapter 5.5.5.2 for more details).
• Map item is used to quickly modify map parameters.
• Wind will open a dialogue where wind changes with altitude are shown, wind can be set
and methods for wind calculation are shown.
• Airspace shows a list of airspace zones in the vicinity of the current position.
• Mark is used to mark the current position and create a way point.
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• Flarm will display a list with all visible Flarm objects. You can select one and use it for
navigational purposes.
• Rot.FAI will rotate the FAI area if it is enabled. This option is not shown if it is not
enabled.
• Event is used to log an event. The recording rate will be increased to 1 second for one
minute. A message
“Event marked”
will be displayed on the screen.
• Send is available only when we have a two-seat configuration with a LX8000D. Press
this button to send the current navigational point to the rear seat device. This action will
force a change of navigational target for the selected navigation mode on the rear seat
device.
• Night will reduce backlight to level acceptable for flying in very dark conditions.
• Off will switch off the instrument. The message
“LX8000 is shutting down. Please wait.”
will be displayed.
The LX8000 can also be powered off by pressing the upper-left button until the
message “switching off” appears.
5.5.5.1 Select an Airport
There are two methods of selecting: filter mode and list mode. You can toggle between
these two modes by pressing the LIST or FILTER buttons. Selecting an airport in filter
mode is straightforward. Enter the first letter of the airport name using the lower-right
knob. The helper will show the first airport matching this letter and the next few airports will
be displayed in lower part of screen.
Press the CHAR>> button and cursor will move to the second letter. Use the lower-right
knob to select the second letter. If you wish to return to the first letter turn the lower-left
knob anticlockwise.
You will note that part of the airport name is written in a darker colour. Once it becomes
white it means this is the only selection. Pressing GOTO will navigate directly to it. If there
are more than one airports starting with the filtered letters and you press the GOTO button
the cursor will jump to the beginning of the airport name. The lower-right knob will select
among the airports. Press GOTO once more and you will navigate to it.
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If you do not know the exact name of an airport just select the first letter and
press the GOTO button. Now scroll to the desired airport using the lower-right
knob. Press the GOTO button once more and you will navigate to the selected
airport.
Press the LIST button to enter list mode. In list mode airports are listed as in near airport
mode.
Press the SORT button to change the sort order of the airports. Select an airport using the
lower-right knob. Press GOTO and you will navigate to it.
By default the LX8000 will search airports through all countries. It is possible to create a
search only from selected countries. Press the COUNTRY button and a dialogue with a list
of all available countries will be shown.
Select the desired countries and press CLOSE.
5.5.5.2 MacCready, Ballast and Bugs Settings
These are probably the settings pilots use most often during flight. Press the MC/BAL
button. The dialogue for MacCready, ballast and bugs will appear.
Use the lower-right knob to modify the MacCready setting. In the middle button there is a
suggestion for the MacCready setting which is based on the last four thermals. Additionally
to the selected MacCready value an overload factor is also shown together with the
calculated glide ratio with corresponding speed.
You will notice that the MacCready value displayed on the final glide symbol is
coloured yellow or red. The coloured value indicates that your MacCready value
is too low corresponding to the current wind and selected target. Increase the
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MacCready value.
Pressing the CLOSE button will close the dialogue and return to the navigation page.
Changes will be saved. The dialogue will automatically be closed after 10 seconds if no
action is taken.
Pressing the BAL button will toggle the menu from MacCready setting to Ballast setting.
Ballast is entered in values which are defined in the Units menu (see Chapter 5.1.11). You
can set the load for an empty glider by pressing the Empty button.
Pressing the BUGS button will toggle the menu again from Ballast setting to Bugs setting. A
bug setting is used to set polar degradation due to a dirty wing. The input is in percentage
degradation of glide ratio (5% means glide ratio degradation is 5%). Pressing CLEAN will
set bugs instantly to zero. MC will return to the MacCready screen.
5.5.5.3 Map Settings
Map can be quickly configured using this dialogue. Select map orientation in the orientation
setup.
A map can have north, east, west or south orientation. These orientations are fixed and
are not changed with glider position. Additionally to this orientation there are several more
which will rotate the map as the glider position changes:
• Track up will always have the glider ground track in the up direction.
• Heading up will always have glider heading in the up direction. If the compass module
is available the heading will be taken from the compass otherwise the heading is
calculated from the wind and the ground speed vectors.
• Goal up will have target point in upper part of screen.
• Hdg/north up is a combination of heading up and north up orientation. During
circling orientation will be north up otherwise Heading up.
If Zoom to target is checked the zoom will be automatically adjusted so that the target
point is always visible. Maximum zoom is 200 km and minimum zoom is 1 km. The check
boxes will turn on or off the following items:
• Map – complete map is turned on/off.
• Terrain – only terrain is turned on/off.
• Airspace – toggle airspace display on/off.
• Wpts – way points drawing is turned on/off.
• Flarm – Flarm radar display is turned on/off.
• Path – flown path is switched on/off.
• Cur.trk – current track vector.
• Opt.dis. – optimised distance.
• Opt.tri. – optimised triangle.
• FAI area – FAI triangle assistant is turned on/off.
A Flarm object may also be hidden because competition mode is on or privacy
mode is on. Please check these settings, when FLARM objects are not visible,
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even if the item is checked.
It is possible to store map settings for future use. There are two memory locations MEM 1
and MEM 2 for two different memory settings.
Press button MEM 1 for a long time. A message
“Options stored to memory (1)”
will be
displayed and the settings are stored. Change the settings a little bit. Press button MEM 2
for long time. A message
“Options stored to memory (2)”
will be displayed and the settings
are stored to memory location 2. Now short pressing of MEM 1 will invoke the saved
settings from memory 1.
5.5.5.4 Wind
The LX8000 constantly calculates winds using four different methods. Speed difference
method is used during circling and is taking into account ground speed difference in a single
circle. Position drift is calculating wind based on position drift during circling. A minimum
of three circles must be completed to obtain the first wind measurements. The third method
is combination, which takes into account also airspeed received from the vario unit.
If the compass module is available wind is also estimated using the wind triangle. Calculated
wind is stored in layers. Layer height is 300 m or 1000 ft and cannot be modified by the
user.
The wind profile is shown on the left side of the dialogue. Yellow coloured altitude indicates
our current MSL altitude. Using the lower-left knob you can scroll up and down through the
wind layers.
Use the EDIT button to manually enter wind data. If a new wind direction is entered all
wind directions in range from start altitude to end altitude will be modified. The same
procedure is used for wind speed.
The user can also disable or enable a particular wind method. It is recommended to have all
methods enabled.
Once the wind is modified to suit your needs press the OK button to accept the wind values.
The dialogue will exit automatically.
If the CANCEL button is pressed the wind dialogue will be closed without applying the
changed values.
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5.5.5.5 Airspace
The Airspace dialogue shows a list of airspace zones in the vicinity of your position. Vertical
and horizontal distances are calculated to all airspace zones in the list.
The VIEW button toggles the list views. When the STATUS button is pressed the status of
the selected airspace zone will toggle between OFF always, OFF today, OFF hh:mm and
enabled.
If the EDIT button is pressed a new dialogue will open where you can modify properties for
the selected zone. Refer to Chapter 5.1.5.3 for more details.
When a zone is alarmed the distance will be coloured orange.
5.5.5.6 Mark
If you press the MARK button a new way point will be created with the current latitude and
longitude and elevation based on the terrain database. The way point name is generated
from the current date and time separated by the minus character and preceded by an
underscore.
Way point data can be modified. Refer to Chapter 5.6.1 for more details. Press the OK
button to save a marked way point or press CANCEL to exit without saving. Press GOTO
button to navigate immediately to selected point.
5.5.5.7 Flarm
Press the Flarm button to view the list of other aircraft received by Flarm. A list with all
received aircraft since the last switch on is shown.
The list is sorted by distance. Select the desired Flarm target and press the GOTO button.
You will start navigating to this Flarm position. Instead of Flarm device ID you can also
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show the competition number for a particular glider. Press EDIT to enter the edit dialogue
for the selected Flarm object.
Enter data about the Flarm glider and pilot. The LX8000 is pre-loaded with the FlarmNet
database to identify known FLARM Device IDs with plane and pilot data. You can upload the
latest FlarmNet database after downloading it from http://www.flarmnet.org. The
update procedure is similar to the update procedure for airport databases.
See Chapter 5.1.5.2 for more details about updates.
We encourage all users to upload their data to the FlarmNet web site. It is very
easy. All you need is to determine your Flarm device ID which you will find in the
Hardware->Flarm dialogue (see 10.1.5) and then register at FlarmNet.
5.5.5.8 Rotate FAI Area
This option is used to rotate the FAI triangle assistant to match your suitable position. If FAI
area is not enabled this option will not be shown.
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5.6 Way Point Mode
Way point mode is very similar to airport mode. In this mode the user can navigate to way
points from selected files. In addition to the options in airport mode there are three
additional options: Edit way point, new way point and delete way point.
Navigational pages can be customised using LXStyler. The description below
applies to the default navigational pages.
.
• Select is used to select a way point as the new navigational target.
• Mc/Bal will set MacCready, ballast and bugs. See Chapter 5.5.5.2 for more details.
• Map item is used quickly to change and modify map parameters.
• Wind will open a dialogue where wind changes with altitude are shown, wind can be set
and methods for wind calculation are shown.
• Airspace shows a list of airspace zones in the vicinity of the current position.
• Mark option is used to mark the current position and create a way point.
• Flarm button will display a list with all visible Flarm objects. You can select one and use
it for navigational purposes.
• Edit button will edit data for the selected point.
• New button will add new point. A new point can also be copied from the airports
database.
• Delete button deletes the selected point.
• Rot.FAI will rotate the FAI area if it is enabled. This option is not shown if it is not
enabled.
• Event is used to log an event. The recording rate will be increased to 1 second for one
minute.
• Send is available only with two-seat configurations with the LX8000D. Press this button
to send the current navigational point to the rear seat device. This action will force a
change of navigational target for the selected navigation mode on the rear seat device.
• Night will reduce backlight to level acceptable for flying in very dark conditions.
• Off will switch off the instrument. The message
LX8000 switching off
will be displayed.
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5.6.1 Editing Way Points
Press the EDIT button. The Edit dialogue will be open with details of the selected way
point.
There are two possibilities to enter a position. You can modify latitude and longitude to
define a position of the point or press the DIS/BRG button to enter the position as distance
and bearing to a selectable point.
Press the LON/LAT button to toggle back to input of latitude and longitude. Modify other
attributes at your discretion. When finished press the OK button to confirm changes or
press CANCEL to dismiss changes. The modified way point will be updated in the
appropriate file automatically.
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5.6.2 New Way Point
Select this option if you want to add new a way point to the active way points file. If no way
points file is selected a new way point file will be created with name default.cup. A
message
“Do you want to copy from airport?”
is displayed first. Press YES if you would like
to copy it from the Airports database. An airport select dialogue will be opened. Select the
airport you wish to copy. If none is selected a blank edit dialogue is opened.
The minimum data that must be entered are name, latitude and longitude. Press the OK
button to confirm changes and create the new way point. The new way point is added to
active way point file. Press the CANCEL button to abandon creation of new point.
Elevation will be assigned automatically once the position is entered. Elevation is
taken from digital elevation model which is stored in the LX8000 for the entire
world.
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5.7 Task Mode
Task navigation mode is used for task manipulation. Navigation in this page is exclusively to
the selected turn point of the declared task.
A task can be created only from way points stored in the active way point file. A
task can be loaded from tasks stored in the active way point file. A task can also
be saved to an active way point file (see Chapter 5.1.5.4 for details how to set an
active way point file). A task used for navigation will also be declared in the IGC
file.
Task mode has four pages. Use the lower-right knob to switch between pages. These
pages are designed to suit needs for racing tasks as well as for assigned area tasks with
minimum task time.
The first page is identical to first pages of the airport and way point modes. It shows
navigational data to the current turn point. However the final glide indicator always shows
the required altitude to complete the task.
On the second page additional data is shown:
• current netto vertical speed
• current track and groundspeed
• tDis shows the remaining total task distance.
• tskE shows the required glide ratio to task finish.
The third page is designed for tasks with time limits which are in most cases going to be
assigned area tasks. Three new symbols are added:
• Tsk.Sp: which is task speed achieved up to this moment.
• tReq.Sp: this is the required speed to task completion and is calculated as the
remaining task distance divided by the remaining time.
• TRemain: indicates the remaining task time.
The fourth page has no map and shows time values for the task being flown and the
elevation of the finish point. In addition outside temperature, potential temperature and
battery voltage are shown.
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When any of the six buttons are pressed functions for the buttons are shown. If the
selected button is pressed once more the selected action will take place. Press the
MORE>> button to see more options. If the remote stick is available the behaviour is
slightly different. When the check button is pressed on the remote stick menu will appear
instead of the button functions.
• Edit action is used to edit the task. This is the one and only task that will be declared
and will be available for navigation.
• Mc/Bal action will set MacCready, ballast and bugs – see Chapter 5.5.5.2 for more
details.
• Move action is used in assigned area tasks to move the navigation point inside the
selected assigned area.
• Restart is used to restart a task. This action is available only when flying.
• Start or Next option is used to start a task or to advance to the next turn point.
• Mark is used to mark the current position and create a way point.
• Flarm button will display a list with all visible Flarm objects. You can select one and use
it for navigational purposes.
• Map is used to change quickly and modify map parameters – see Chapter 5.5.5.3 for
more details.
• Wind will open a dialogue where wind changes with altitude are shown, wind can be set
and methods for wind calculation are shown. See Chapter 5.5.5.4 for more details.
• Airspace shows a list of airspace zones in the vicinity of the current position. See
Chapter 5.5.5.5 for more details.
• Rot.FAI will rotate the FAI area if it is enabled. This option is not shown if it is not
enabled.
• Event is used to log an event. The recording rate will be increased to 1 second for one
minute. A message
“Event marked”
will be shown on the screen.
• Send is available only with two-seat configurations with the LX8000D. Press this button
to send the task to the rear seat device. This action will force a change of task on the
rear seat device.
• Night will reduce backlight to level acceptable for flying in very dark conditions.
• Off will switch off the instrument. The Message
“LX8000 switching off”
will be
displayed.
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5.7.1 Task Edit
Press the EDIT button and the task edit dialogue will open. A task is created and
manipulated within this dialogue. A list of task points is shown. In the upper-left corner the
type and total distance is displayed. In the upper-right corner the task time is shown. Use
the lower-right knob to select task points or task time control.
There are numerous actions available within the task edit dialogue to make creation of tasks
as easy as possible.
Press the MORE>> button to see more options. Available actions are:
• Press the EDIT button to enter a new task point, edit an existing one or to enter task
time.
• OK action will confirm changes to the task and return to the navigational page.
• CANCEL action will cancel all modifications of the task and return to the navigational
page.
• Use the ZONE button to modify the observation zone for selected point. The default
zone style is defined in the Observation Zones menu in setup mode (see Chapter 5.1.8).
• OPTIONS action will open a new dialogue where additional properties for the task can
be defined. The task name is set in this dialogue.
• Press LOAD to load the task from the active way point file.
• Press SAVE button to store the task to the active way point file. This task can later be
loaded from the active way point file.
• INVERT action will invert the complete task.
• INS PNT will insert a new point above the current cursor position.
• DEL PNT will delete a point at the current position.
• CLEAR will completely erase the task.
• MOVE UP is used to move selected point upwards within the task.
• MOVE DN is used to move selected point downwards within task.
5.7.2 Task Creation
Make sure that at least one way point file is loaded into the LX8000 and that it is checked
and marked as an active way point file. Refer to Chapter 5.1.5.1 for details on how to
upload way point files to the LX8000.
Select task time and press the EDIT button. Enter the task time if required. Rotate the
lower-right knob to increase time in 15 minute steps and the lower-left knob to increase task
time in 1 minute steps. Close the task time edit and rotate the lower-right knob to select the
first empty point.
Press the EDIT button and enter a turn point name. Entering a point name is very straightforward. Enter the first letter of the task point name using the lower-right knob. The
“Helper” will show the first way point that matches this letter.
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Press the CHAR>> button and the cursor will move to the second letter. Use the lowerright knob to select the second letter. If you want to return to the first letter turn the lowerleft knob anticlockwise.
Repeat this procedure until your desired point is selected. Press the SELECT button to
complete this selection. If you do not know exact name of a point just select the first letter
and press the SELECT button. Now scroll to the desired point using the lower-right knob.
Press the SELECT button once more to complete this selection.
The task edit dialogue should now look like the screen below. The letter “S” indicates you
entered the start point.
Move the cursor down to the next empty point and repeat the above procedure until the
entire task is entered.
5.7.3 Modifying Zones
Now it is time to modify the observation zones. Select a point and press the ZONE button.
A new dialogue with the observation zone for the selected point will open.
Using parameters in the zone dialogue it is possible to describe all types of observation
zones. Angle12 defines the orientation of the observation zone. Available parameters for
Direction are:
• Symmetric: the most common selection for a turn point.
• Fixed: mostly used for assigned areas.
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• Next: orients the observation zone in direction of the outgoing leg. This is usually used
for start.
• Prev: orients the zone in direction of the incoming leg and is usually used for the finish.
• Start: orients the sector always towards the start.
If the Line box is checked the sector will become a line type of observation zone. The
Radius1 parameter defines half the width of the line length. Use the lower-right knob to
increase the radius by 0.1 of the selected distance units and the lower-left knob to increase
the radius by 5 units.
If Line is not checked the Angle1 parameter will define the basic shape of the observation
zone. A value of 180° means that the zone is a cylinder and 45° is the classic FAI sector.
Rotate the lower-right knob to increase the angle by 0.5° or use the lower-left knob to
choose values 22.5°, 45°, 90° or 180°.
Angle2 and Radius2 are used for more complex observation zone setups.
When changing observation zone parameters the screen is automatically updated to display
the new zone.
Check the AAT checkbox, if you want to make the selected zone an assigned area. The AAT
checkbox will be automatically checked when Radius1 is greater than 10 km.
By default navigation to task points will be automatically advanced; uncheck Auto next if
you do not want to change over to next point when reaching selected point. This option will
be automatically unchecked when Radius1 is greater than 10 km.
Press the NEXT>> button when you are happy with the changes and to continue with the
next observation zone setup.
If the zone is for an assigned area turn point it will be marked with symbol ‘#’ in
front of the point name.
5.7.4 Task Options
Press the OPTIONS button. The options dialogue will be opened.
Enter the task description. This is very useful during competitions where you are given more
than one task per day. Some hints for names are DAY1-B, Triangle1000km etc.
Check Finish is 1000m below start when you are making a badge or record flight. If this
option is checked the LX8000 will not navigate you to the finish point elevation, but to the
altitude which is going to be 1000m below the start altitude.
Check Navigate to nearest point and the LX8000 will navigate you to the nearest point on
the start zone or start line and finish zone.
The Navigate to nearest point option is very useful and actually a must if a
finish cylinder is used with a significantly large radius. Enabling this option will
calculate the final glide to the edge of the cylinder rather than to the centre of the
cylinder.
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There are also several options in this menu which will help competition pilots to have a less
stressful start.
5.7.4.1 Gate Time
Gate time is the time when the start gate is going to open. If this value is entered the
instrument will not give you any message about starting a task before the gate time is
reached. A notification will be given when the gate is opened.
5.7.4.2 Below Altitude Start Procedure
On some competitions there is a rule that a pilot must be below a defined altitude for a
certain amount of time. Enter Below alt. and Below time to use this option. An indication
will be given on the final glide symbol. Character “B” will be displayed before the MacCready
value which indicates that the final glide is in below altitude mode.
The lower number shows the difference to the set altitude. Negative values mean altitudes
below set altitude. The upper yellow number indicates the number of seconds left to be
below the set altitude. Chevrons indicate meters below or above required altitude. Each line
represents 10 m. A message
“You were XX seconds below YYYYm!”
is displayed once you
fulfil the conditions.
5.7.4.3 Maximum Start Speed and/or Maximum Start Altitude
A lot of competitions are limiting the start altitude and/or start ground speed. The LX8000
helps pilots to cross the start line at the correct altitude with correct ground speed. Enter
Start alt. and/or Start gsp. to use this option. An indication will be shown on the final
glide symbol. Character “A” will be displayed before the MacCready value if a start altitude
was entered and/or character “G” will be displayed if a start speed was specified.
The lower number indicates at what altitude you will reach start altitude. A negative value
indicates you are going to be there below the required start altitude.
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The arrival altitude to start is not based on MacCready, the glider nor the wind
settings. It is calculated based on energy difference during flying straight. This
will give you a very precise estimate at what altitude you will arrive at the start.
Speeding up will result in greater energy loss and the arrival altitude will decrease;
slowing down to best glider ratio will decrease energy loss and the arrival altitude
will increase.
The upper yellow number shows the current ground speed and the chevrons indicate if you
have to slow down or you may speed up.
In the picture above we are 43 meters above the glide to start altitude. Our speed is
121 km/h and the chevrons show that we can speed up.
Start speed and start altitude mode is available only if the Navigate to nearest
point is checked.
5.7.5 Saving a Task
Once a task is completed it could be saved to the active way point file. Press SAVE and the
message
“Task saved”
will appear on screen.
If the task already exists in the active way point file the message
“Task is already saved!”
is
shown.
5.7.6 Loading a Task
It is possible to load a task from the stored tasks within the active way point file. Select the
LOAD action within task mode. A dialogue with a list of all stored tasks will be shown.
Total task distance, task description and task points are shown for each task stored. Select
the desired task by rotating the lower-right knob and press LOAD. The task will be loaded
into the active task and the task edit dialogue will be opened.
It is also possible to delete tasks from the active way point file. Press the DELETE button to
delete the selected task.
Tasks can be sorted by start point, task distance and task description. Press the SORT
button to toggle the sort method.
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5.7.7 Moving a Task Point
If at least one observation zone is defined as an assigned area, it is possible to move a point
within this area. Moving a point will increase or decrease the total task length. Select the
MOVE action within task mode. A dialogue with the current assigned area will be shown.
In the upper-right corner the remaining task distance, required task speed, remaining task
time, delta time and estimated time of arrival are shown.
Delta time is the difference between the remaining time and time of arrival. If it is
negative you will arrive back home too soon and if it is positive you will arrive too late.
Keep in mind that the time of arrival can be calculated using different methods which are
found in the QNH and RES setup (see Chapter 5.1.1).
A point is moved using the lower two knobs.
Press the DIS/BRG or LON/LAT button to toggle between the two methods of moving the
point.
When the DIS/BRG button is shown the point is moved in the x, y directions. Use the
lower-right knob to move the point in the north/south direction or rotate the lower-left knob
to move point in east/west direction.
If the LON/LAT button is shown the point is moved in the radial and azimuth directions.
Rotate the lower-right knob (page selector) to move the point in the radial direction from the
area centre.
Use the lower-left knob (zoom) to move the point in the axial direction.
If more than one assigned area is set for a task the NEXT>> button is shown in the lower
line. Press this button if you wish to move the point into another assigned area.
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6 Variometer and Altimeter
All signals from the pneumatic sensors (altitude, speed) are derived from high quality
pressure sensors which mean that no flask is necessary. The vario signal is derived from the
altitude signal. All signals are temperature and altitude compensated. Mechanical needle
and colour display are displaying the vario information as well as many other parameters.
The display is user configurable. The variometer can be configured to show:
• Range 5, 10 and 2.5 m/s or 10, 20 and 5 kts.
• time constants 0.1 s to 5 s, in addition there are 4 settings for electronic processing
for the vario signal.
• netto shows the air mass lift and sink.
• relative shows the lift or sink that would be achieved if the glider was circling at the
thermaling speed.
There are two ways by which the vario indications can be corrected for total energy;
electronic TE compensation based on speed changes with time and pneumatic compensation
with a TE probe. The quality of the TE compensation depends entirely on the location, size
and dimension of the TE tube. The installation must be leak-proof.
If an electronic TE compensation is selected the TE (Pst) port should be connected
to a good static pressure source. If pneumatic compensation is selected the TE
(Pst) port should be connected to the TE probe.
6.1 Smart Vario Description
The LX system incorporates two configurable electronic filters in the circuitry. The first filter
adjusts the time constant and is adjustable between 0.5 and 5 seconds. The 0.5 second
setting is the fastest while the 5 second setting provides maximum damping.
The second filter, called the Smart Vario, is a dynamic filter and controls the rate at which
the vario indicator moves. It behaviour differs depend on variometer type.
6.1.1 Smart vario on V5 vario system
On V5 variometer smart vario filter defines how much filter is different for increasing vertical
speed versus decreasing vertical speed. (E.g.: If vario filter is set to 1s and Smart vario filter
is set to 4, then filter for increasing vario be 1s and for decreasing vario it will be 2s). This
will produce an effect like on Sage variometer.
6.1.2 Smart vario on other vario systems
On older models of variometer smart filter value gives us four levels of dynamic damping of
the vario. When set to OFF there is no restriction on the rate of movement of the vario
indicator other than the setting of the time constant filter. When set to 1 the vario indicator
will not move faster than 1 m/s (2 kts) per second, whilst when set to 4 the vario indicator
TE (Pst)
LX8000
Electronic TE compenstaion
Compensation with TEprobe
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will not move faster than 4 m/s (8 kts) per second. It should be noted that when set to 4
the vario indicator will move four times faster than when set to 1.
Summary:
The Smart Vario should not be used in isolation but in conjunction with the setting of the
time constant filter. When the Smart Vario is activated the time constant filter may need
further adjustment to provide optimum indications.
6.2 Altimeter
The altimeter of the LX8000 is temperature compensated from -20ºC up to + 60ºC. The
altimeter is calibrated from 0 to 9000 m, but indication goes up to 16000 m.
6.2.1 IGC Barograph Recalibration Procedure
The LX8000 has an additional pressure sensor for altitude recording. To comply with IGC
procedures this sensor has no external pneumatic connection. To carry out the barograph
calibration procedure it is necessary to remove the instrument from the glider and place it in
a vacuum chamber. The procedure is as follows:
• Switch the instrument ON and wait some minutes (straight line on the barogram
beginning).
• Set the recording interval to 1 second (see Chapter 5.1.2).
• Place it in the chamber and carry out a short climb to about 100 m (to start the flight
recorder).
• Bring the chamber pressure to exactly 1013.2 hPa.
• Decrease the pressure by 1000 m and hold for about 30 seconds.
• Continue the procedure to 6000 m.
• Increase the pressure in 1000 m steps back to 1013.2 hPa.
• After reaching ground wait about 3 minutes and then switch the instrument off.
• Leave the instrument off for at least 5 minutes.
• Download the last flight and print the barogram using the LXe PC program.
• Restore the flight recorder settings.
The barogram will be the last flight in the logbook.
6.3 Speed Command
Speed command flying based on the MacCready theory is a very useful tool to optimise
cross-country speed. There are many visual indicators (see Chapter 5.1.12.2). When the
instrument changes to speed command mode the audio will change and become a director
informing the pilot whether he is flying too fast or too slow. In order to reduce confusion
between vario and speed command audio some special features were developed:
• Continuous audio signal in + possible (other kinds of signals can be chosen, see
setup).
• No audio at correct speed (dead band).
FILTER
0.5 to 5
Smart Vario
FILTER
1 to 8 or OFF
RAW
VARIO
FILTERED
VARIO
VARIO
INDICATOR
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7 Flying with the LX8000
To get the best out of the LX8000 it is important that some preparation is done prior to takeoff. Trying to configure the instrument or set a task while flying is very hazardous especially
in a competition. At the least, it could spoil your whole day! Pre-flight preparation will
ensure that the flight will be both safe and enjoyable.
7.1 On the Ground
7.1.1 Power on Procedure
Press the power-on button. The V5 vario unit will turn on and few seconds later the LX8000
digital unit welcome screen will appear. The first screen shows the version of the boot
loader followed by the version of the Linux kernel operating system, then the version of the
file system. The boot procedure normally takes 30 seconds. When completed the profile
selection dialogue is shown.
It is recommended to switch the unit ON some minutes prior to take-off to give
the GPS receiver time enough to acquire satellites. The flight recorder will also
make a take-off baseline. Longer running on the ground will not reduce flight
recorder capacity.
7.1.2 Profile Selection
Turn the lower-right knob to select the desired profile if more than one profile is available.
For the selected profile the pilot name, glider type, loaded way point files, loaded airports
databases and loaded airspace databases are shown.
To learn more about profiles refer to Chapter 5.1.14. Press the SELECT button to confirm
selection of the profile. The set elevation dialogue will be shown next.
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7.1.3 Set Elevation and QNH
This setting is crucial for final glide calculation: therefore pay careful attention to it.
The instrument will offer elevation from the terrain database based on current latitude and
longitude. Elevation will mostly be within few meters from the current elevation. Use the
lower-right knob to fine-tune the elevation.
If the elevation is unknown and the QNH pressure is known you should NOT press button
QNH. Just keep turning the lower-right knob (PAGE selector) and observe the QNH value to
adjust it to proper value.
The QNH button should be pressed only when airfield elevation and QNH pressure are
given. This might happened on some competitions.
In all other cases elevation should always match QNH pressure.
The profile selection and Elevation dialogues are not shown if the LX8000 is
switched off and on during flying.
7.1.4 Pre-flight Check
After elevation setup the LX8000 will switch to airport mode. It will take about 30 seconds
to draw the map screen for the first time. All way point files and databases are loaded at
that time and therefore instrument might react somewhat slowly.
It is recommended to check the MacCready, ballast and bugs settings to match the current
glider configuration. Press the MC/BAL button. The dialogue for MacCready, Ballast and
bugs will appear.
Use the lower-right knob to modify the MacCready setting. Refer to Chapter 5.5.5.2 for
more details.
It is also highly recommended to check the safety altitude setting. Refer to Chapter 5.1.1 to
find out how to define the safety altitude.
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7.1.5 Preparing a Task
While it is advisable to prepare the task properly before taking off and thus avoid mistakes
made in a haste, all the following actions, preparing, editing, loading and saving, can be
done while in the air. But then, the task cannot be declared in the air.
Compared to the LX7007 there is no option to declare a task. There is only one
task. This task will be automatically declared in the IGC file on take-off. The task
can also be modified during flight but any changes will not be written to the IGC
file.
There are currently three methods to create a task. Further methods will be available in
future releases.
• Read way point and task file from SD card and load a saved task.
• Load a similar task and modify it.
• Enter task manually.
It is very important to check the task prior to take-off. Check the turning points
sequence, distance between points, bearings and total task distance. Visually
check the task and observation zone geometry in the map view.
7.1.5.1 Assigned Area Tasks (AAT)
In fact an assigned area task is a speed task where the task distance is not exactly defined.
The pilot has limited influence on the task geometry due to larger observation zones
(assigned areas). The pilot decides how far he will fly into each individual area to reach best
average task speed and not finishing the task earlier than the designated task time.
An assigned area task has the same structure as other tasks and all known methods to enter
are the same as described. The only differences are larger observation zones having a
specific geometry. Use the ZONE button (see Chapter 5.7.3) to modify the individual
observation zone.
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Usually a task sheet with observation zone definitions matching the LX8000 observation zone
definition will be given. An example of a task sheet is shown on the previous page.
However when an assigned area is defined only with two radials and two radii some
calculation must be accomplished.
Let us assume an assigned area defined as:
Radial1=30°, Radial2=70°, Min.radius=50 km and Max.radius=200 km
To convert this description the following calculation must be performed:
• Direction set to FIXED.
• Angle12= (Radial2-Radial1)/2+180°=230°. Attention should be paid with northerly
directions.
• Angle1= (Radial2- Radial1)/2=20°.
• Radius1=Max.radius=200 km.
• Radius2=Min.radius=50 km.
7.2 Flying a Task
After take-off the unit will switch to flying mode. The pilot will notice this because the
statistics page will change from logbook view to flight statistics.
7.2.1 Starting a Task
Before starting a task (in task mode) a character “S” will be displayed on the final glide
symbol. This indicates that the task has not yet been started. The lower number tells you
at what altitude you will start. For more advanced start options such as maximum start
speed, maximum altitude and before start altitude see Chapter 5.7.4. Once you decide to
start the task and glider enters start observation zone, the message
“Inside start zone”
will
be displayed.
You may now leave the start observation zone and fly towards the first turn point.
When leaving the start observation zone the message
“Task started”
will be shown.
Ground speed and pressure altitude are also shown in the message. At the bottom two
buttons are displayed. Use the CLOSE button if this was not a valid start and you want to
remove the message from screen. If message is removed it will appear again next time you
leave the start zone. If you press the START button navigation will be advanced to the first
turning point.
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There is no need to press START inside the start observation zone. You may
press it any time after leaving the start observation zone or crossing the start line.
The LX8000 will always take the correct time as start time.
If for some reason you miss the start message you may always start the task by pressing the
START button. Go to task mode and press any button. In the top row the START button is
shown. Press this button and navigation will be advanced to the next turn point.
In case you change the task in the air and you are already flying towards first turn point you
will still be able to start a task. Press the START button and a message dialogue to confirm
task start will be opened.
7.2.2 Restarting Task
If for some reason you decide to abandon the task and you would like to restart the task go
to task mode and press any button. In top row the RESTART button is shown. Press it.
You have to confirm restarting of the task. Once the task is restarted navigation will be
changed back to start point.
7.2.3 Over Turn Point
When a turn point observation zone is reached the message
“Inside zone”
will be displayed
and the task will auto advance to the next turn point if the Auto next option was selected
(see Chapter 5.7.3).
When the Auto next option was not selected the message NEXT will be displayed. Press
the associated button to advance to the next turn point. If for some reason you missed this
message you can always advance the task to the next turn point by pressing the NEXT
button. Go to task mode. In the upper row the NEXT button is shown. Press this button
and navigation will be advanced to next turn point.
In case you did not reach turn point and you wish to continue navigation towards the next
point anyway press the NEXT button.
A message will appear. If you confirm this with YES the task will be advanced to the next
turn point and it will recalculate the task taking the optimal fix as the task point.
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7.2.4 Entering Assigned Area
Most probably when entering an assigned area auto advance is going to be turned off. The
message
“Inside zone”
will be shown and buttons CLOSE and NEXT will appear in the lower
row. Pressing the CLOSE button will dismiss the inside zone message. The task will be
auto advanced to the next point when leaving the assigned area. If you want to auto
advance to the next turn point earlier you may always press the NEXT button in task mode
(see 7.2.3).
If NEXT is pressed the task is advanced to the next turn point.
When flying in an assigned area it is NOT important when you will advance to next
turn point. The LX8000 is always taking into account the most optimal fix inside
the assigned area for the total distance calculation.
7.2.5 Moving Point Inside Assigned Area
If at least one observation zone is defined as an assigned area, it is possible to move the
point within this area. Moving the point will increase or decrease the total task length.
Select the MOVE action within task mode. A dialogue with the current assigned area will be
shown.
In the upper-right corner the remaining task distance is shown as well as the required task
speed, remaining task time, delta time and estimated time of arrival.
Delta time is the difference between the remaining time and time of arrival. If it is
negative you will arrive back too soon and if it is positive you will arrive too late.
Keep in mind that the time of arrival can be calculated using different methods which are
found in the QNH and RES setup (see Chapter 5.1.1).
A point is moved using the lower two knobs.
Press the DIS/BRG or LON/LAT button to toggle between the two methods of moving the
point.
When the DIS/BRG button is shown the point is moved in the x, y directions. Use the
lower-right knob to move the point in north/south direction or rotate the lower-left knob to
move the point in east/west direction.
If the LON/LAT button is shown the point is moved in radial and azimuth direction. Rotate
the lower-right knob (page selector) to move the point in the radial direction from the area
centre.
Use the lower-left knob (zoom) to move point in the axial direction.
If more than one assigned area is set for a task the NEXT>> button is shown in the lower
line. Press this button if you would like to move point into another assigned area.
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7.2.6 Task Finish
On entering the finish zone the task stops automatically and a message will be displayed.
If you want to fly a new task without landing, load the new task and press the RESTART
button.
The Navigate to nearest point option is very useful and actually a must if a
finish cylinder is used with significantly large radius. Enabling this option will
calculate the final glide to the edge of the cylinder rather than to the centre of the
cylinder.
7.3 Procedure after Landing
IGC Regulations require a straight line (base line) in the barogram at the beginning and end
of the flight. For this reason that it is essential not to switch the unit OFF immediately
after landing, but to wait a few minutes. First the message
“Flight will finish in 10 seconds”
will appear and then the message
“Calculating security!”
.
The flight is finished when the message Calculating security disappears. At that moment the
statistics page will be changed back to logbook view. Now it is safe to switch off the
instrument.
If a SD card or USB stick is currently inserted into the LX8000 the flight will automatically be
copied to it.
Please use regular methods to power down the LX8000. See Chapter 4.4 for details.
It is important that the LX8000 is switched off via software. Never power down
the LX8000 using the main power switch. The LX8000 is running the Linux
operating system and sudden power loss may corrupt the file system.
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8 Installation
The LX8000 digital unit is installed in an aperture 93.5 mm wide and 81.5 mm high. The V5
vario unit and any additional vario indicators each require a standard 57 mm cut-out. Three
pressure connectors are fitted to the back of the V5 vario unit. A label shows their functions.
• P
static
means static pressure connector.
• P
total
means pitot or total pressure connector.
• TE means total energy TE connector.
If the unit is to be configured for electronic TE compensation the connections are as follows:
• P
static
Static
• P
total
Pitot or Total pressure
• TE/P
static
Static
If the unit is to be configured for pneumatic TE compensation using a TE tube, then the
connections are:
• TE/P
static
TE tube
• P
static
Static
• P
total
Pitot or Total pressure
If the P
total
and Static are connected the wrong way around there will be no
integrator reading (average climb) during the flight.
The LX8000 digital unit is connected to 12 Volt power via the 15-pin SUB-D connector. The
LX8000 digital unit, V5 vario unit and other vario indicators are connected via the RS485 bus
and the connectors are labelled with “RS485” at each end.
Please ensure that both units are connected correctly before the first power on. The power
wires (red and blue) should be connected to the main LX8000 digital unit.
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Even though there is an automatic fuse in the instrument it is VERY IMPORTANT
to use an external fuse (max. 3A). Power supply cables should use a minimum of
0.5 mm² wires. To prevent damage to the LX8000 digital unit after a short circuit
on the RS485 bus there is an automatic fuse.
If a short circuit occurs then the 57 mm unit will appear not to work anymore. The reason is
not the defect of 57 mm unit – it is due to the hot automatic fuse. Turn off the LX8000
system and wait for the automatic fuse to cool down.
8.1 Installing the LX8000
Prepare the cut-out in the instrument panel according to the drilling template. For best
viewing angle consider installing the LX8000 into position which will meet requirements
shown on picture below.
Position the LX8000 digital unit in the cut-out in the instrument panel. Tighten the LX8000
digital unit with attached 2.5 mm screws.
When installing the LX8000 it is not necessary to remove the rotary knobs.
The mounting template is shown in the picture below (not to scale!):
The V5 vario unit should be mounted in a standard 57 mm hole.
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8.2 Installing the LX8080
Prepare the cut-out in the instrument panel according to the drilling template. Remove the
press-in covers from the four main rotary switches on the LX8080. While holding the knobs,
slacken the screws with a screwdriver. Now the knobs can be removed (never use power to
remove the knobs, you can damage rotary switches). Remove the four M6 screws. Position
the LX8080 in the cut-out in the instrument panel. Tighten the LX8080. Tighten the knobs
and fix the covers
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8.3 Installation of Options
All options except AHRS (LX8000D, LX8080D, Remote Control, Compass Module & secondary
vario indicators) are prepared to be connected to the RS485 system bus by use of RS485
splitting units. Installation of any option is plug-and-play and therefore requires only
mechanical installation work. The LX8000 digital unit also powers all devices connected to
the bus. An automatic fuse built into the LX8000 digital unit prevents damage to the digital
unit should a short circuit in the wiring or in some attached device occurs.
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8.4 Ports and Wiring
8.4.1 LX8000 Digital unit
8.4.2 LX8080 Digital unit
GPS antenna
Network connector
DO NOT USE IT!
Flarm HF
antenna
Flarm external
indicators, splitters
USB memory stick
Connector to USB1 port
Colibri Flight
recorder
Main power supply
(LX8000DU wiring)
GPS antenna
Flarm HF
antenna
Flarm external
indicators, splitters
USB memory stick
Connector to USB1 port
Main power supply
(LX8080DU wiring)
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8.4.3 Main unit wiring (LX8000 and LX8080)
8.4.4 V5 vario unit wiring
1
6
2
7
3
8
4
9
5
SUBD15 Connector / female
LX8000 DIGITAL UNIT
+12V DC OUT
white
re d
shiel d
black
yellow
GND
+12V
B
A
RS485 - OUT
SUBD9 / female
GND
LABEL: +12V DC IN
VP
1
9
2
10
3
11
4
12
5
13
6
14
7
15
8
Data Out
Data In
B
A
1
2
3
4
5
BINDE R 5Pin Ma le
PC-RS23 2CWhite - D ata In
Black - Da ta O ut
Shie ld GND
1
3
5
30 cm
50cm
Red +12V 2
GND
GND
GND
shield
LABEL:PC-LX
LABEL:LX8000DS COMPASS LCDVARIO
1
6
7
4
9
5
SUBD15 Connector / female
SBOX
white
red
shield
black
yellow
GND
+12V
B
A
GND SHIELD
SC
1
9
2
10
3
11
4
12
5
13
6
14
7
15
8
B
A
SC switch
30 cm
30 cm
50 cm
V5 V1.0 Wiring
VP switch
VP
50 cm
(green)
(Brown)
OAT
1.5m
OAT
LABEL:OAT
LABEL: VARIO PRIORITY
LABEL:SC
LABEL:RS485
shield
Reserved for CAN BUS
SUBD9 / female
CAN H
CANH
CANL
INPUT2
INPUT1
INPUT3
INPUT4
12V IN
IN1
IN3
IN2
IN0
LABEL:IN-1
LABEL:IN-2
LABEL:IN-3
LABEL:IN-4
1
6
2
7
3
8
4
9
5
J3
CAN L
CAN GND
CAN GND
12V
LABEL: CAN BUS
50 cm
50 cm
50 cm
50 cm
1 2 3
GND
LM335Z
GND SHIELD
GND SHIELD
GND SHIELD
GND SHIELD
GND SHIELD
GND SHIELD
4 zilni tasker
RS485 - IN
SUBD9 / male
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8.4.5 USB-D or analog unit wiring
1
6
7
4
9
5
SUBD15 Connector / female
LX9000 VARIO UNIT
white
red
shield
black
yellow
GND
+12V
B
A
RS485 - IN
SPEAKER
SUBD9 / male
GND
+12V DC IN
SC
1
9
2
10
3
11
4
12
5
13
6
14
7
15
8
Data Out
Data In
B
A
RCA Jack Receptacle (CHINCH/Female)
SC switch
Speaker
30 cm
30 cm
50 cm
LABEL:AUDIO OUT
LX 9000 VARIO UNIT Wiring
VP switch
VP
50 cm
(green)
(Brown)
DS1820 OAT
1.5m
OAT
LABEL:OAT
LABEL: VARIO PRIORITY
LABEL:SC
LABEL:RS485
shield
shield
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9 Firmware Update
Firmware updates of the LX8000 can be easily carried out using the SD Card. Please visit
our webpage www.lxnav.com and send us a request for the firmware update.
You can also subscribe to a newsletter to receive news about the LX8000 automatically.
9.1 Updating LX8000 firmware
We will send you an update file and update code. The update code is a string six letters
long and the update file has the .lx8000 extension. To proceed with the firmware update
copy the update file to a SD card or USB stick and insert it into the LX8000.
Start the LX8000 and go to the Setup->Password menu option.
Enter password 89891 and press ENTER.
The LX8000 will automatically search for an update file. If more than one update file is
found a selection dialogue will appear.
After the update file is selected an update code must be entered.
Enter the update code which was sent to you.
Please note that the update file and update code are a matching pair only
applicable to a particular serial number.
Once the update file is verified the LX8000 will reboot and the new firmware is ready for use.
9.2 Updating V5 or Vario indicator
Start the LX8000 and go to the Setup->Password menu option.
Enter password 89891 and press ENTER.
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The LX8000 will automatically search for an update file. If more than one update file is
found a selection dialogue will appear.
Select appropriate update file and wait until update will finish.
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10 Options
10.1 Flarm
Before using Flarm it is highly recommended to read the Flarm user manual which
can be downloaded from www.flarm.com. Respect all limitations listed in this
document.
Flarm is a collision avoidance system developed by Flarm Technologies from Switzerland.
The Flarm module consists of following main parts: GPS receiver (common to both the
LX8000 and Flarm), microcontroller unit, radio transceiver pressure altimeter and an optional
external indicator. All electronic parts are integrated into the LX8000 cabinet. An exception
is the radio communication antenna and the Flarm External Display. Some input is possible
via the external display.
10.1.1 Flarm External LED Display
The Flarm external display is mainly used as a collision warning interface and status
indicator. To connect both units use the original cable (telephone type) delivered with the
unit. Use the connector on the back side of the LX8000 marked FLARM. The unit is
powered from the LX8000.
Radial positioned red/green LEDs define the direction to the near glider (top LED active
means frontal collision risk). Two additional red/green light emitting diodes marked above
and below inform about vertical position of the glider when close. The Mode button is
used to control the unit. Four red/green LEDs indicate the Flarm status. The external
display has two modes of operation:
• Warning mode will activate a red blinking LED if another glider equipped with Flarm is
close and a collision risk is predicted. An audio warning will also be heard. A higher
collision risk will increase the blinking frequency and similar with audio. The warnings
are classified into three levels (see the Flarm manual for details). The first level is
approximately 18 seconds before predicted collision, the second level approximately 13
seconds before predicted collision and third level approximately 8 seconds before
predicted collision.
• Nearest mode will show the direction to the nearest glider located within radio range.
One green LED will light permanently and there will be no audio. The unit will change
over to warning mode automatically if the warning criteria are satisfied and will revert
to nearest mode after the collision risk disappears.
The external displays produced by LX Navigation will change over to Demo mode
after MODE button is pressed briefly 10 times. The nearest mode and all possible
warnings will then be displayed. To return to normal operation switch the unit off
and back on again.
Pressing the MODE selector and holding down for approximately 4 seconds will deactivate
the Flarm external display for 5 minutes; no warnings and no near information will be
displayed during this period. This will be indicated by only the Power LED being on.
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To change the mode of operation, press the MODE button for approximately 2
seconds. If the radial LEDs run from top to bottom this means change over to
nearest mode and vice versa. After any power off followed by power on the
mode active before switching off will remain.
10.1.1.1 Obstacles
Flarm unit is capable of storing co-ordinates of obstacles which could cause a collision during
flight. This data is available on www.flarm.com (see Chapter 10.1.4). The unit is factory
pre-loaded with current obstacle database. An obstacle warning will be activated if an
obstacle is found in front of the glider and a collision risk is predicted. After a low level
warning has been activated two upper LEDs will be active (such a situation will never appear
with glider v glider collision risk). Medium and high risk will be indicated with more LEDs
active and higher frequency audio signal.
To change the audio warning volume, briefly press the mode selector; each press will
increase the audio volume (three levels and mute available).
To change the mode of operation, press the MODE button for approximately 2
seconds. If the radial LEDs run from top to bottom this means a change over to
nearest mode and vice versa. After each new power on the unit will start in
Nearest mode.
10.1.1.2 Settings for the LX Flarm LED Display
Using the MODE key it is possible to adjust some parameters of the external display.
Disconnect the unit, press the MODE selector and hold. Power on and hold the MODE
selector for about 4 seconds. The display parameters can be defined by pressing the MODE
selector for approximately 2 seconds and observing green LEDs. To move between
parameters briefly press MODE and observe the red LEDs.
Parameter
LED
Red LED
018˚
Red LED
054˚
Red LED
090˚
Red
LED126˚
Red
LED162
˚
Red LED
198˚
Twin cfg.
Tx
PIC PAX
Baud rate
Tx+Rx
4800 bps
9600 bps
19200 bps
-------
38400
bps
57600
bps
In conjunction with the LX 8000 use exclusively 19200 bps.
If two units work in parallel (two-seat aircraft) one unit must be designated PIC and the
other PAX.
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10.1.2 Installation
The position of the radio communication antenna is extremely important as a bad installation
will reduce the system range dramatically. It is highly recommended to install the antenna
on the top of the instrument panel with a suitable aluminium round plate having a diameter
of about 12 cm used as a back plane and an approximately 10 cm long rubber antenna used
as the radiator. The metal plate may be mounted outside or inside of the instrument panel.
If carbon is used, use only the top mounting variant.
The antenna position must be mounted as vertical as possible. Use only the
original antenna which is always delivered with the unit. Use the original cable to
connect the LX8000 to the antenna. Never use an antenna without the original
aluminium ground plane. If there is no space to install the metal back plane a
dipole variant of the antenna is available. The picture shows the connected
GROUND PLANE antenna. With the new LX8000F a DIPOLE antenna is included
which has an even better performance than a ground plane antenna.
The Flarm external display is a small unit and can be placed anywhere on the instrument
panel. To fix the device, use self-adhesive tape on the back of the device. For position on
the top of the instrument panel a suitable box is available.
10.1.2.1 Functional Check After Installation
After the LX8000 has been switched on the Flarm External Indicator will receive power and
will perform its initial routine which will take several seconds.
Description of the LED status:
1. Power red flashing: no data from Flarm.
2. Power green: Flarm data received.
3. GPS red: GPS BAD; GPS green: GPS OK/3D
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4. Tx green flashing: data sent.
5. Rx green: at least one glider in range.
6. Green circular: indication of near gliders.
7. Red circular flashing: collision warning.
8. Above/below LED is green means an aircraft is near.
9. Above/below LED is red when warning is raised.
10. 018°, 054°, 324° and 288° green and red flashing, obstacles in front.
11. Check functionality of mode key; each short press will activate audio for a short
time.
After installation you must verify the above functionality items 2, 3 and 11.
10.1.3 Flarm Update Procedure
The Flarm update procedure is very much simplified since LX8000 version 2.2. The Flarm is
updated via the SD card. From the Flarm web (www.flarm.com) Support / Updates page
download the appropriate file and copy to the SD card (e.g. flarm_407.fw). Enter password
89891 and select the Flarm update file. Wait until it is completed.
In case of a problem it is still possible to perform an update using FLARMtool and the serial
connection. Please refer to an older manual for the detailed procedure.
10.1.4 Uploading Obstacles
Also updating Flarm obstacles has been simplified in LX8000 version 2.2. Obstacles are
updated via the SD card. Go to the Flarm webpage, download the obstacle file (e.g.
alps20090727_.obs) and copy it to the SD card.
In the Files and Transfer menu select the Update Databases menu item. Select the
obstacle file and wait until the update completes.
10.1.5 Uploading FlarmNet Files
The FlarmNet information is also updated via the SD card. Go to the FlarmNet site
(www.flarmnet.org), select the Download latest FlarmNet File tab and download the file
for the LX8000 (e.g. 20091208.fln). Copy this file to the SD card.
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In the Files and Transfer menu select the Update Databases menu item. Select the
FlarmNet file and wait until the update completes.
10.2 ADSB-Receiver (TRX-1090)
From firmware version 2.3, it is possible to connect to LX8000F an ADSB-receiver TRX-1090
from Garrecht Avionics (www.garrecht.com).
TRX-1090 can only be connected to LX8000 with integrated Flarm option.
The TRX-1090 has been developed to include the very popular FLARM collision avoidance
system, which is installed in more than 13.000 aircraft worldwide. The unit will be
connected between FLARM and a FLARM compatible external display unit and will
simultaneously show FLARM targets and Mode-S transponder equipped aircraft with ADS-B
output capability. The presence of transponder equipped aircraft not broadcasting ADS-B
output will be detected and indicated on the connected display as a non-directed target. The
TRX-1090 comes with a high sensitivity low distortion receiver unit and a highly complex and
powerful signal processing unit with multi-level error correction algorithms to provide data
with a very high accuracy.
10.2.1 Installation
Disconnect cable from the Flarm external display and connect the free cable to Port4 on the
TRX-1090. Use the Colibri cable and connect it between PORT2 and Colibri port on LX8000.
On the LX8000 go to the setup menu and choose Hardware->Flarm menu item. Change
mode to Ext.(Colibri) for LX8000 or Ext.(PC) for LX8080.
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Using the TRX-Tool program you should configure also TRX-1090 to be used together with
the LX8000. Run the TRX-Tool program and connect the TRX-1090 to PC using a USB cable.
Select Port4 tab and change connected equipment to LX8000 (or FLARM without RX line
connected).
Select Port2 tab and change Baudrate to 19200bps.
The LX8000 and TRX-1090 are now ready for operation. On the info page you should see
the TX sign and number of received objects.
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