I'm sorry if I have offended anybody by suggesting that the cost of the power supply is an important factor. I certainly didn't mean to imply that the Charge2 is overpriced. I know from speaking to other aviation electronics suppliers the requirements and cost to get certification are significant. Indeed one British manufacturer told me that they could supply their product for a third of the price if it didn't need certifying.
However I still maintain that if the cost of the power supply doubles the overall cost it will severely limit take-up, particularly at the light end of aviation. The heavy end will have mode S anyway. Whilst it is admirable that the Charge2 is designed and assembled in Britain please be aware that most high-tech consumer electronics is made in Asia and it does not deter many. Ask any Apple user if s/he cares about the country of manufacture or feels it would be of better quality if made in the West.
However it would appear that there are some very clever British chaps working on this project and I am sure that by the start of next year's flying season a relatively cheap solution will have been found. Perhaps Charge2 could offer a certified/uncertified version of their product? Only a suggestion so please don't take offence.
No offence taken at all. There is no physical difference between the two versions, just one will come with the minor mod approval (at a higher price), it was designed to pass the tests from the outset. It seemed the 'right' thing to do given the operating environment.
I am not associated with PilotAware just pointed toward it by customers, I'm sure there are other solutions out there too. I registered here just to say hello and answer questions anyone may have over the units.
Assembly in the far east requires large volumes to make sense and unless you watch them like a hawk the quality is variable too. The capital costs of setting up even a small production run are quite large, it is only by covering the cost over 1000's of units does it become viable.
Charge2 (and the 4 port version, Charge4) was designed to solve a problem in a friends aircraft and spawned from there. I looked at a number of solutions out there, some were frankly shocking (literally!). One memorable moment; I put a short on the USB port of one (to simulate possible USB cable fault), it whined for a few seconds then catastrophically failed. Stank the office out, the other half wasn't impressed...
As I said I could look at a discounted bundle to support PilotAware, with a Charge2 and a PilotAware kit? I could then pass on any discounts for buying bits in higher quantities. It's a great project.
