Renschler CoMo AV User manual

CoMo AV Instruction Manual
Your CoMo is one of the most versatile, well featured and easy
to operate flight instrument systems.
To provide you with the most straightforward access, the manual
is divided into 8 chapters.
For rapid access the first chapter gives the important instructions:
keys, functions, settings, displays and menus.
A more detailed description of the individual instructions and
functions is given from chapter 2 on. Chapter 3 outlines the
software status.
The table of contents is found on page 9.

1
Explanation of
symbols:
1 CoMo AV Rapid Access
1.1 The CoMo AV Keyboard
Adjustment Group
Adjustments can be
performed by the keys
in this section. They will
be mainly used before
take-off or after
landing.
Rotary-Button
Push the Button to shift into next Flight
profile (if active). Rotation turns pages
forward or backward.
A long push on the button opens the menu
of the instrument. Rotation selects a
function, which is confirmed by a brief
push. Within the menu any adjustment can
be executed. The page-display will provide
additional information.
For easy operation the Keys (Push-
Buttons) are arranged in two groups:
The Function Group is on the right hand
side of the instrument and the
Adjustment Group is along the bottom.
The on|off-Button
in contrast to most other flight instruments
the CoMo is equipped with a real on|off-
Button. A short push will turn the CoMo on. A
long push will turn it off again.
In adjustment mode this button assumes the
"exit" function. False inputs may be reset by a
short push. Push repeatedly to leave the menu.
turn
brief push
long push

2
Logger-Function-Button
This button allows flight data to be recorded. A long push
will start/stop the recording.
In the standard version your personal logbook is activated
(date, max/min values), and in the OLC version the "OLC-
Logger" is activated. (A change of more than 15 m in altitude
will automatically start the recording).
Functional Group
The keys in this section offer direct
access in flight.
All Function buttons are located next to
the corresponding display, making
incorrect operation most unlikely.
Altitude-Function-Button
A brief push shifts to the next value
(e.g. from "alt 1" to "alt 2").
Make a long push to enter the
adjustment menu.
Page-Function-Button
Switches between all page
displays.
A long push opens the
corresponding menu.
Speed-Function-Button
Switches between different speed-
indications, according to connected sensors.
Track-Function-Button
(no function yet)
Acoustic-Function-Button
Acoustic can be set to "off", "soft" or
"loud".
A long push opens the acoustic menu for
further adjustment.
CLR-Button
In adjustment mode the Acoustic-Function-
Button converts into a Clear-Button, by
which a value can be set to "0" directly (e.g.
altitude of landing ground).

3
Bat. full Bat. empty
Analog-Vario-Display
(direct-vario)
The position of the needle is quickly
and precisely discernible. Shows
immediate climb- or descend-rate up
to 10 m/sec (current value shown on
display: 1,7 m/sec climb-rate)
GPS-State-Indication
This indication flashes
when the instrument is
seeking satellites. When
ever a satellite is found,
one more dot will light
up. All dots on means
that the GPS receives 6-
12 satellites.
Battery-State-Indication
The number of dots indicates the
remaining battery life (more
details on battery-life are found
on the Page-Indication "page 2")
Audio-Indication
Shows if the acoustic
function is set to "soft",
"loud" or "off".
OLC-Logger-Indication
shows if the instrument
is recording flight data
(only with built-in OLC
logger) Page-Display
in adjustment mode:
hints for operation
Profile-State-Indication
Shows which profile is activated
(one dot = profile 1).
1.2 The CoMo AV Displays
Piezo Beeper
for audio variometer.

4
Track-Display
Gives information about
the track (only in com-
bination with a GPS,
otherwise temperature
is displayed).
Altitude-Display
3 individually adjustable
altitude-indications are
available.
Speed-Display
In combination with a GPS the SOG
(Speed Over Ground) can be shown
– enhancing your safety.
Page-Display
Displays further information
like time, date, battery-state
(up to nine pages according to
software).
In adjustment-mode the page-
indication turns into a built-in
instruction-manual.
Digital-Vario-Display
(integrated-vario)
This gives the averaged rate of
climb (the timespan for the average
can be adjusted in the menu).
flight direction
Track north
Track and the north-pointer
are only shown when the
instrument moves faster
than 1,5 km/h (the GPS is
unable to identify a track
without movement!).
Menu-Level
directional / functional hints

System Bus left
Add-On modules can be
connected here
External Connector
(see detail below)
"Screw Driver"
The washer is intended to unscrew
and remove the mountingplate
for battery change.
5
USB
ground
beep 2
beep 1
ground
speed
ground
RS232 TX
RS232 RX
Pin Assignment
Connection for Lanyard
to secure the CoMo
1.3 The Connectors of the CoMo AV

System Bus right
Add-On modules can be
connected here
6
Pressure port
for dynamic
pressure
Pressure port
for static pressure
USB connector
mini usb connector (5 poles)
RS 232
connector
Speed sensor
impeller-sensor connection
external beeper
connection (especially for
motor pilots)
Battery case
silicon cover
M4 threaded sleeve
for any kind of mounting. Make sure
that the threaded sleeve is screwed in
to the correct depth (max. 8 mm).

7
1.4 on|off Switching, Operation Schema
The operation of the CoMo is very simple.
Generally there are 3 actions:
The following schema, explains all operation and setting
modes.
We differentiate between "fast" and "main menu” settings.
This is explained in more detail in section 2.1.1. for altitude
adjustment.
Switch on: Push the red on/off-Button
Note: if a GPS Module is connected, there are two options:
- a brief Push on the Rotary-Button will switch the GPS on
- a brief Push on the CLR-Button will leave the GPS off
- a brief Push on a Function-Button will choose the next
function of the corresponding display, e.g. from "alt 1" to "alt 2".
- a brief Push on the Rotary-Button will shift flightprofiles.
- Rotating the Rotary-Button will turn the page display
forward or backward.
- a long Push on any Button will switch to the adjustment
mode of a displayed function.
(Fast Setting)
- a long Push on the Rotary-Button will switch to the
adjustment menu.
(Main menu Setting)
Within the Main Menu:
- turning the Rotary-Button chooses a function or
adjusts values (selection is also possible by briefly pushing
the Page Button).
- a brief Push on the Rotary- or Page-Button will confirm
the selection of the value (display ‘OK’ confirms storage)
(Main Menu Setting).
-a brief Push on the related Function-Button confirms the value
(display ‘OK’), and the menu is departed (Fast Setting).
- a brief Push on the Exit-Button shifts one level back within
the menu. Changed values will not be retained.
Push the Exit-Button repeatedly to leave the main menu.
Switch off: A long Push on the red on/off-Button
Auto-Power-Off Function: If there is less than 15 m change in
altitude within 15 min and SOG (only with activ GPS) is less than
4.4 km/h, your CoMo will turn off automatically.
long pushbrief push turn
auto

1.5 Main Menu general view
a long push on the Rotary-Button opens the adjustment-menu.
Rotation selects the desired function, a brief push confirms your
choice.
8
Menu-level 0 Menu-level 1 Menu-level 2
settings altimeter – alt 1 manual adjustment
– alt 2 manual adjustment
– (zero) alt 3 manual adjustment
audio – descent threshold
(point of response)
– damping (response-sensitivity)
– volume loud
– volume quiet
– beep interval
– audio simulator
time – hours, – minutes
date – day, – month, – year
digital-vario – integrationtime in seconds
(1-32 seconds)
logger – recording rate
– clear
flight profile profile 2 on | off (according to current state)
device info battery time meter (can be reset)
logbook Flight 1 – date, take off and landing time,
flight duration
Flight 1 – maximum values
Flight 1 – minimum values
Flight 2 ...
...
Flight 63
corresponds to software 1.27

9
Table of Contents
1 CoMo AV Rapid Access
1.1 The CoMo AV Keyboard
1.2 The CoMo AV Displays
1.3 The Connectors of the CoMo AV
1.4 on/off Switching, Operation Schema
1.5 Main Menu general view
2 Description of the Functions
2.1 Altimeter
2.1.1 Altitude adjustment
"Fast Setting"
"Main Menu Setting"
2.2 Variometer
2.2.1 Analog Variometer (direct vario)
2.2.2 Digital Variometer (averaged variometer)
2.3 Audio
2.3.1 Volume Levels
2.3.2 Descent-Tone Threshold
2.3.3 Time Interval (interval between 2 climbing beeps)
2.3.4 Response-Sensitivity
2.3.5 Audio Simulator
2.4 Flight Profile
2.5 Time, Date and Stopwatch
2.6 Logbook
2.6.1 Logbook Autostart
2.6.2 Logbook Manual Start
2.7 Battery Condition
2.7.1 Battery Replacement
2.8 GPS * ***
2.8.1 Cold-Start
2.8.2 Warm-Start
2.8.3 Satellite-State-Indication
2.8.4 Indication of Position and Altitude
2.8.5 Track and Northpointer
2.8.6 SOG (Speed over Ground) and Windanalysis
2.8.7 Glide Ratio over Ground (l/d ratio)

10
3 OLC-logger (OnLine Contest-Logger) ** ***
3.1 Basic Information for operating the OLC-logger
3.2 Start and Stop of a Tracklog
3.3 OLC-Logger Page and Indication
3.4 OLC-Logbook
3.5 Logger Settings
3.5.1 Logger Sampling Rate
3.5.2 Erasing the OLC-Logger Memory
3.6 Tracklog Data Transfer to the PC
4 Softwareupdate via Internet
5 CoMo Maintenance
5.1 Overheating
5.2 Water Landing
5.3 Cleaning
5.4 Storage
6 Warranty Information
6.1 Disclaimer
6.2 Warranty
7 Technical Data
8 Release
* only with Add-On "…GPS" ** only with Add-On "…GPS" and Add-On "OLC-Logger" *** Add-Ons have to be bought seperatly

2. Description of the Functions
2.1 Altimeter
Briefly push Altitude-Function-Button to shift between three
different altitude-indications.
"alt 1" and "alt 2" can be individually adjusted. The third altitude
"zero" sets the indication to 0, whenever this function is activated.
"alt 2" is linked to QNH (air pressure). If you are within the alt
2 adjustment menu, the speed indication shows the QNH value
corresponding to altitude. You may now adjust the altitude value
to the current QNH.
"zero"-function can be useful if you are flying in weak thermal
conditions over a longer period of time and want to be informed
about altitude gain or loss at one glance! (From software 1.32 on)
2.1.1 Altitude Adjustment
Altitude values may be changed in either "Fast Setting" (3 steps)
or "Main Menu Setting" (7 steps, but more options are available).
"Fast Setting"
- Push and hold the Altitude-Function-Button while the indication
shows the altitude value you wish to adjust. The instrument
automatically opens the adjustment menu.
- Adjust to desired altitude value by turning the Rotary-Button,
or set to zero by brief push on the CLR-Button.
- Confirm value by brief push on the Altitude-Function-Button.
The new value is confirmed by indication "o.k." and adjustment
menu is closed.
11
1.
2a.
2b.
3.
Display Altitude alt 2
set to zero
set to desired value
leave menu without
storing changed values
(push repeatedly if
necessary).
confirm
(back to standard
indication)
open adjustment-menu
Menu indication on alt 2
QNH in mbar
"Fast Setting" of "alt 2"
(Display shown after step 1.)

5b.
Display Altitude alt 2
set to zero
Menu indication on alt 2
QNH in mbar
"Main Menu Setting" of "alt 2"
(Display shown after step 5.)
leave menu without
storing changed values
(push repeatedly if
necessary).
12
- Push the EXIT-Button repeatedly to leave the adjustment menu
without changes.
Hint: In case you want to change more altitude values, confirm
input by pushing the Rotary-Button instead of the Altitude-
Function-Button. This way you keep the adjustment menu active
for further adjustments.
"Main Menu Setting"
Altitude values may also be adjusted within the main menu:
Push and hold the Rotary-Button to enter the main menu. The
display reads "settings". Push Rotary-Button to select "altitude".
Push again to enter the altitude adjustment menu. Any available
adjustment functions display by turning the Rotary-Button. Press
the Rotary-Button to confirm the value you like to change. Set
altitude to desired value by rotating the Rotary-Button and
confirm with a brief push. The display will read "o.k.".
Push the Exit-Button repeatedly to leave the adjustment menu
(Before confirming values you may leave the menu without
storing any changed values by pushing the Exit-Button repeatedly).
1.
4. select desired function "alt 2"
open Main-Menu
2. select "settings"
3. select "altimeter"
adjust
confirm
5a.
6. leave menu by pushing the Exit-Button (3 times)7.

2.2 Variometer
The variometer calculates climb or descent rate by measuring air
pressure differences.
This value is almost instantaneously indicated on the Analog-
Vario-Display, while the averaged rate of climb or descent (within
a selected timespan) is shown in the Digital-Vario-Display.
2.2.1 Analog Variometer (direct vario)
Currently the analog variometer is limited to a range
of +/-10 m/sec.
13
800 ft/min
climb 150 ft/min descent
averaged climb rate of
120 ft/min
2.2.2 Digital Variometer (averaged variometer)
The period of time for the average climb/descend rate calculation
can be selected from 1 to 32 seconds.
Example: To determine the average climb/descent rate within a
complete 360°turn, you choose a value of approx. 10 to 15 sec..
This feature is very useful if you find yourself circling alternately
in ascending and descending air.

14
quiet
off
loud
2.3 Audio
The volume can be quickly adjusted in flight by the Acoustic-
Function-Button. A brief push shifts from "loud" to "quiet"
and further on to "off".
The present state of the acoustic is shown in the corresponding
display.
2.3.1 Volume levels
"loud" and "quiet" volume each have 6 programmable volume
levels: Adjust "quiet" volume (respectively "loud" volume) in
the main menu to your personal taste on a scale from
"1" to "6".
Hint: Hold Acoustic-Function-Button pushed to enter the "Fast
Setting" mode.
2.3.2 Descent-Tone Threshold
The threshold of the descent-tone can be adjusted within the
adjustment menu from "0" to "9.9" m/s, according to personal
taste. E.g.: If adjusted to 1,5 m/s the sound sets in beyond a
descent-rate of 1,5 m/s while it remains quiet between 0 and
1,5 m/s. Most pilots prefer a set-up between 3 and 4 m/s, more
than the average descent-rate in turns.
2.3.3 Time Interval (interval between 2 climbing beeps)
Some pilots prefer in weak thermal conditions really wide
intervals between the beeps, while others prefer a perpetual
acoustic indication.
Hint: Set profile 1 and 2 to identical acoustic modes, but the
first profile with wide (1) the other with short (9) intervals.
Change profiles in flight to find out your personal preference.
2.3.4 Response-Sensitivity
This is the most important audio adjustment option. Usually
you do not want your variometer to react too sensitively to
brief, narrow bands of lift.
A practical value will be about 1 sec delay. This means that if you
are flying at 36 km/h the thermal must have a diameter of at
least 10 m in order to activate the lift audio!
2.3.5 Audio Simulator
The audio simulator gives an expression of your variometer
acoustic during flight (acoustic on). Turn the Rotary-Button and
listen in on the beeptone corresponding to the climbrate (up to
10 m/s).

2.4 Flight Profile
The new feature of freely adjustable profiles is very useful for
varying flying tasks. For any demand (thermalling, cross-country,
acro) there is a configuration you can pre-adjust and recall when
needed.
Hint: In delivery-state only profile 1 is active!
To use further profiles, they have to be activated in the menu.
By a brief push on the Rotary-Button you can shift between different
profiles. The page-indication briefly shows which profile is active
– for about one second.
The profile-state-indication permanently displays the active
profile. The number of visible dots corresponds to profile-number
All adjustments in the menu can be stored within the actual
profile.
Example for practical use:
Set profile 1 for normal thermal conditions to descend-tone-
threshold 3 m/s and response-sensitivity to 1,0 sec.
When struggling in weak thermals set profile 2 so that the sink-
tone-threshold is 1.5 m/s and the response-sensitivity is 1.2 seconds.
15
profile-state-indication
profile 2 active
appears for 1 sec. after profile has been changed
temporary info

2.5 Time, Date and Stopwatch
Time and Stopwatch
On page 1 time appears on the left and a stopwatch on the right.
The stopwatch can be started manually by a long push on the
Logger-Button, or starts automatically when the instrument
passes through a change in altitude beyond 15 m.
The date is shown on page 3.
Hint: A manually stopped time will generate an entry in the
logbook!
Important: On the OLC version, logging is started this way by
hand. So if you want to use only the stopwatch, ensure that the
GPS has been switched off (see 2.8).
Tip: Fast-adjustment
If the page display shows time, a long push on the page button
opens the time-adjustment-menu. Adjust time to the desired
values by turning the Rotary-Button and confirm with a brief
push.
Date
Date is displayed on page 3.
Tip: Fast-adjustment
If the page-display shows date, push and hold the page-button
to open the date-adjustment-menu. Adjust date to the desired
values by turning the Rotary-Button and confirm with a brief
push.
16
2.6 Logbook / OLC-Logbook**
The CoMoAV stores the minimum and maximum values of the
last 63 flights automatically in the logbook.
2.6.1 Logbook Autostart
The logbook will start automatically when a 15 m altitude change
is measured. If you have the OLC-Logger version and the GPS is
switched on then 3D logging will also be activated (in a separate
memory).
The displays changes after activation to the time-stopwatch
display page.
time
stopwatch (logbook)
time and stopwatch page
date page
** only with Add-On "…GPS" and Add-On "OLC-Logger"

2.6.2 Logbook Manual Start
The logbook can also be started manually by a long push on the
Logger-Button. The indication skips automatically to the
time/stopwatch-page and the stopwatch starts running.
Logbook Evaluation
The Logbook is accessible through the menu (long push on the
Rotary-Button, then turn until the display reads "Logbook"). A
brief push on the Rotary-Button will open "flight 1" (latest flight).
Three pages are shown for each flight.
The first page of the logbook gives basic information:
- Flightnumber, - Date
- Takeoff- and Landing-time, - Flight duration in hours and minutes
- Takeoff altitude (in Altitude-indication)
Turning the Rotary-Button clockwise leads to maximum values:
- max. climb rate (Analog-Vario), - max. averaged climbgrate
(Digital-Vario), - max. Altitude, - max. Temperature,
- max. SOG (only in combination with a GPS Module)
Another clockwise turn leads to minimum values:
17
- min. climb rate (Analog-Vario), - min. averaged climbrate
(Digital-Vario), - min. Altitude, - min. Temperature
The next clockwise turn leads to flight 2, page1, ... etc.
Stopwatch running,
flight will be recorded
time and flight duration

2.7 Battery Condition
The CoMo AV uses two AA-cells. The battery-state-indication and
battery-info-page keeps you informed about the battery condition.
The battery-info-page shows on the left the actual voltage. New
cells should provide at least 3.2 V. If voltage falls short of 2.2 V,
cells should be changed.
Next to it is a meter for operating-hours. The percentage-
indication converts the voltage into an easily understandable
percent-value.
Any kind of battery state indication will be affected in cold
conditions when battery cells and accumulators suffer a
considerable loss of capacity.
E.g. a pilot may take off at 20 °C with the instrument indicating
a capacity of 40 % only to find it soon afterwards reduced to 5
% at a temperature of -10 °C at 4000 m MSL...
Apart from competition flying, Alkali-Mg cells should work very
well. To ensure satisfactory operation in low temperature
environment (winter flying or high altitudes) 1,5 V Lithium cells
can be used as well (www.energizer-eu.com). Our Solar-Module
represents the ultimate solution (appearing summer 2008).
If voltage drops below 2.2 V, the GPS is turned off, but the audio-
vario-function is maintained. In this case it is high time to change
batteries.
18
battery time counter
Voltage remaining
power in %
Battery info Page

19
2.7.1 Battery Replacement
Remove the mounting-plate on the rear of the instrument.
Beneath, the cell compartment is covered by a silicon cap. Remove
the cap cautiously and put in new cells. Never mix different kinds
of cells and make sure you load the compartment properly (+/-
are marked inside).
You can estimate the remaining operation-time by watching the
battery-time-counter. A new set of batteries should be good for
about 700 h airtime without GPS (CoMo AV + easy GPS approx.
140 h airtime).
Important: Make sure you load the compartment properly.
+ Pole
Important:
Reset the battery time counter after replacing the batteries.
Hint: Use the washer on the safety cord as a screw driver to
remove the mounting plate.
Remove empty batteries one at a time,
plus pole first.
Remove silicon cap cautiously by the flap.
Put in new batteries one at a
time, plus pole first.