kco@rabbit.UUCP (07/27/83)
In shopping around, I have found, not surprisingly, that there are plenty of choices for pocket or hand-held IFR approach timers. The electronic versions I've scene all have digital displays (LCD or LED). They are also bigger than the old time mechanicals- that's high tech progress.The mechanicals are analog, with one exception- the Heuer Model 542.240 "Airline Pocket Timer" includes a jumping disc to display minutes. I guess because its "airline" they can charge $183 (Aircraft Components Inc. catalog). The Heuer model 8047 is a $39 stopwatch, but it has 3 buttons to fiddle with- you have to push a different button to start, stop and reset it. The Heuer model 430 is a $62 electronic timer with LED display- the LEDs look kinda small. On the other hand, it does offer errorfree readings to 1/100 sec- wow! Van Dusen has the Aero Timers digital with 3/8" LCDs at $36- they told me it selling like hotcakes. Maybe that's because it's the only timer they sell. They also have a used Racine "dual timer" (I don't know either) for $125. Does anyone have any experiences/preferences with regard to timers? Is analog or digital (LED or LCD) better? Do real men use any old stop watch that's only accurate to a fifth of a second? What about FAR 91.33?