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On May 25th the NK ClearNav received IGC approval for use as a secure GPS flight recorder for all flights types (badges, records, etc.) at all levels (National, World) for both gliders and motorgliders. ClearNav owners will need to send their units back to NK for hardware and software upgrades. In the future, all software upgrades can be done using a downloaded file and USB Flash Drive.
Online Contest
Hopefully the Online Contest team will make time soon to add the ClearNav to
their list of approved flight recorders. Their feedback so far has
been that is will be done in the fall of 2009.
NK has announced a few new mounting kits for the ClearNav. The available mounting options now include: On Panel, Through Panel, Behind Panel, Tunnel Mount (recessed about 1.75 inches behind the panel) and RAM Arm Mount. The Tunnel Mount option looks the best, uses the least amount of real-estate and will be very popular. The RAM Arm mount option is popular when there is no room for even the Tunnel Mount. See photos and ordering detail below.
The June edition of the Soaring Society of America's "Soaring" magazine features a very positive review of the ClearNav by "Soaring Tech" Editor Bill Collum.
I have been working hard to complete the ClearNav manual. It is not yet complete, but is very useful as it is. It is available for download at http://www.nkhome.com/support/pdfs.html#Soaring. I will finish it very soon.
First Impressions
I am extremely impressed with the hardware and software. The
display has a large and extremely bright screen without the overall
dimensions being too large. I didn't think I was going to like the
lack of a touch-screen, but I find the remote to be easy to use and the
software very intuitive. The 3 software features that impress me the
most are the way area tasks are supported, the
"Glide Amoeba" glide range rings and
the way it
calculates estimated speed for the remainder of the task. You can
see some of those features in action in the screen captures below.
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Mounting Options Click on the small images below to view larger ones. |
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| On Panel (included) |
Through Panel | Behind Panel | Tunnel
Mount (recessed) popular |
RAM Mount |
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Clear Navigator
Software |
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Screen Captures from the PC Simulator
Click on the images below to view
full resolution versions.



The Team
The team of people working on the product is very impressive. It includes:
ClearNav Overview
I have sold PDA systems for use in gliders for many years. I'm a fan of
graphical moving map displays because they present key information to the
glider pilot in a clear way so that one can glance at the display and get a
quick overview of how you are doing. You know instantly which airports are
within gliding range. That is powerful information and dramatically enhances
safety. The problem is that currently available PDAs have small screens that
are quite difficult to read in sunlight - they just are not bright enough.
NK has designed what I consider to be a fantastic solution. It is a large
display that really is easy to read in sunlight.
Key Features
Interesting Details
I was very intrigued when I learned that the ClearNav will have a built-in
GPS and IGC Approved flight recorder. That eliminates the need to connect it
to an external GPS - which makes installation much easier. I imagine it will
take several months to a year to get the IGC approval (just a guess).
Area Task Support -
Brilliant!
When I first started playing with my ClearNav demo I was extremely impressed
with the brilliant new way the ClearNav handles area tasks.
Competitive software requires that you move the turn point within the turn
area. That can be cumbersome and even dangerous to do in flight.
The ClearNav is much simpler and more intuitive. There is no need to
move or manipulate the turn location in any way. A blue arc is shown
inside the turn area. It is a locus of points within the turn area
that lie along an ellipse such that making your turn at any point on the
line will give you the same distance around the course. The software
places the blue arc automatically based on your estimated speed around the
course and the task time. Task course lines are drawn in fine black
lines from the start point, to a point on the blue line and then on to the
center of the next turn area. If you are flying fast then blue arc
moves to a point on the far edge of the turn area. If you are flying
slowly the blue arc moves to a point on the near side of the turn area.
When the blue arc reaches the far or near side of the area then the
turnpoint in the next turn area moves away from the center of that area to
compensate. For example, if you are flying slowly then the blue arc
will move to the near side of the turn area you are headed for and the turn
point in the following turn area will move closer to the near edge of that
area. I think this way of handling turn areas is revolutionary and
brilliant! Congratulations Chip Garner, Rick Sheppe and the NK
team on this innovation!
It is brilliant because you never need to move the turn point manually, you
just glance at the screen and fly to a point on the blue arc. That
makes flying safer because you will keep your eyes out of the cockpit and it
also makes you faster because you can focus your efforts on flying fast -
not fiddling with the software.

Glide Amoebas
The glide amoebas show your gliding range graphically on the map.
They take into account the wind, glider polar, altitude and surrounding
terrain. Over flat terrain they look like circular rings. Over
mountainous terrain they look like, well... amoebas. A ridge shows up as a
flat "impassable" line while long extended "fingers" show where it is
possible to glide through mountain passes or down into valleys. In flat land
soaring the footprint will be much more circular or ellipse shaped. This is
a very powerful feature. Past generations of soaring software
highlighted reachable airports on the map - which is also nice, but in
ClearNavigator you can see at a glance not just what airports are reachable
(any airport inside the glide amoeba) but you also know how far you can
glide over the ground - or down into a valley. To me the most powerful
feature of any soaring software is the ability to glance at the screen and
know instantly whether or not you can make it to a nearby landing site. The
Glide Amoebas makes that very clear and intuitive and easy to use in flight
- Fantastic!
Calculation of Estimated Speed for the Remainder of the Task - New -
Powerful
The ClearNav has a very innovative and powerful algorithm for calculating
the estimated speed for the remainder of the task - so that you can finish
at the desired time. The estimated speed is used to estimate how long
it will take you to finish the task - and the total time on task. In
contest tasks top pilot do their best to arrive home as close to, but just
after the minimum task time. The reason for that is that the final
glide will be a larger percentage of your total task time. Since final
glides are fast (no thermalling), your achieved speed is faster for the
entire task when the final glide is as high a percentage as possible of the
total task. Since it is considered important to finish just at or just
after the minimum task time, it is important for your soaring software to
accurately calculate the estimated time on course. All brands of
soaring software do calculations for the approximate time on course.
In Glide Navigator II the pilot is required to enter his/her best estimate
of the speed that will be achieved for the remainder of the task. That
is tough to do accurately because you have to take into account the
remaining cross-country speed while thermalling and the speed on final
glide. Great contest pilots like Chip Garner have the experience to do
that pretty accurately, but most contest pilots (myself included) have a
hard time knowing what number to enter into Glide Navigator II for the
estimated speed for the remainder of the task. Other soaring software
(SeeYou Mobile, WinPilot, etc.) have several options available for the
calculation of the estimated speed for the remainder of the task. Most
pilots select the option to use the MacCready setting to calculate the
estimated speed for the remainder of the task (taking into account
thermalling and final glide phases). They do a pretty good job but
they are assuming that you don't find lift while gliding and don't work
great when ridge running. Chip Garner has designed a powerful new
algorithm for the ClearNav that is better than all previous methods.
Before the start, it uses the MacCready setting. Once on course the speed is
computed based on your climbing and gliding performance so far, predicted
out and including the final glide. It includes the wind and a final glide at
the current MacCready setting and altitude. If you exceed final glide height
it switches to the MacCready glide speed corresponding to that height.
It is not very sensitive to the MacCready setting because it using actual
calculated climb and glide data. The glide netto and average climb used in
the calculation are shown on both the performance and task dialogs. The
prediction works extremely well if conditions do not change appreciably, in
which case you can adjust the speed. Chip Garner says he has been able to
consistently finish within about 30 seconds of the minimum task time on area
tasks using the ClearNav. This is a very powerful and innovative tool
for accurately arriving home at the desired time.
Pitot and Static Inputs
I recommend using a Cambridge 302 Variometer/GPS Flight Recorder with the
ClearNav because the ClearNav can receive airspeed and wind data from the
302.

Remote Control
A small remote control is used to control the software. It includes
Arrow Keys (Left, Right, Up, Down), Enter, Zoom In, Zoom Out, Focus (yellow), and
Menu buttons. The operation of the buttons is quite
intuitive. The yellow Focus button changes the focus of the software between
the user selectable data shown on the bottom of the screen and a black
rectangle in on the moving map. The rectangle can be used to pan
the map to view regions outside the current view, or to select items inside
the rectangle. For example, you can use the Arrow Keys to move the
rectangle over airports or airspace on the map. Then press the enter key and
you can view airport or airspace data or make an airport in the rectangle
the active waypoint so you can fly directly to it. The Ribbon key is
used to display and hide the pop-up menu icons. They are shown and
described below. They appear near the top of the screen.
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Ribbon Icons (from left to right)

Chip Garner (ClearNavigator software designer)
playing with his ClearNav prototype at the Region 4 Soaring Contest in 2007
Waypoint and Airspace File Compatibility
The ClearNav comes loaded with maps and elevation data for the entire
world. It supports waypoint files in either the Cambridge (Glide
Navigator II) ".dat" format or the SeeYou ".cup" format. It supports
airspace files in the Tim Newport-Peace ".sua" format. Soaring site
data is readily available on the internet at the
Worldwide Soaring Turnpoint Exchange.
I often use SeeYou or StrePla to import the
latest FAA database of public and
private airports and then export a subset of local airports to a Cambridge
or SeeYou waypoint file.
What Vario to Use with It?
In the long run NK has plans to manufacture a complete line of soaring
instruments, but I don't expect any other new products until 2009 at the
earliest. Many potential customers have asked me what vario would be the
best option for use with the ClearNav. That is tough to say at this point as
it is unclear what functions will be supported by the ClearNav in the long
run. At the very least most pilots will want a good speed-to-fly variometer.
The best option is a Cambridge 302 because the ClearNav can accept airspeed
data from the 302 - eliminating the need for the optional Airspeed Sensor
option. Many will probably use a Cambridge 302 because it offers many features in a
small box. The IGC Approved flight recorder in the 302 will be redundant in
the long run, but who knows how long it will take NK to get IGC Approval for
the ClearNav - it could take a year. If so, then a 302 is a great companion
product. Once the ClearNav has IGC approval then the 302 would be a great
back-up logger. Other units worth considering include the LX1600 and Borgelt
B500. If you don't need a speed-to-fly vario then a Tasman V1000, Borgelt
B400 or LX16 would work fine. My guess is that most customers will use
Cambridge 302 units with the ClearNav. The ClearNav now also supports
communication with Cambridge L-NAV (or S-NAV) and GPS-NAV combinations.
Price
The price is $2950. Details on the included items are included in the
price list below. I think it is a great value at that price. There are many glider
pilots that are dying to replace their iPAQs with a larger and easier to
read (brighter) display. Keep in mind that this product is much more
than a bright and large PDA replacement. It also has a built-in GPS
and IGC Approved Flight Recorder.
My Impressions
As stated above, I am very impressed with the product. I am a big fan of
Dave Ellis and Chip Garner's "keep it simple - keep it safe" philosophy and
the unit seems to keep to that principle well. I love the Glide Amoebas and
the Area Task support. I like that the screen is not overly cluttered
and it is easy to hide the terrain data if you want to see only airports,
airspace and "culture" data such as rivers, lakes, cities and roads.
The fonts are large and easy to read.
I must admit that 2 design items surprised me at first. I was surprised that
the unit is not a touch-screen because I have long been a fan of the
simplicity possible with touch-screens. However, I have been told that this
compromise was necessary to ensure maximum screen brightness. Touch-screens
consist of plastic layers placed between the LCD screen and the operator and
they reduce the amount of light that gets to the pilot's eyes. Another
reason to do without the touch-screen is that touch-screens are not ideal
for use in a glider cockpit - while bumping along in ridge lift. A handheld
or stick mounted keypad is a much better option for use in a glider. I am
confident that the keypad solution will be an easy-to-use and intuitive
alternative to a touch-screen. A nice side-benefit to the use of a keypad
rather than a touch-screen is that there is no need to mount the screen in a
location where it is reachable. Often PDAs are mounted on gooseneck or RAM
arms to get them closer to the pilot - within reach. That is not necessary
with the ClearNav - just mount the keypad within reach.
The new VGA (480 x 640 pixel) display on the ClearNav is very nice.
The text and maps look very crisp.
Second Seat Installation
The same mounting options and components are used when installing the
ClearNav in the second seat in a 2 -seat glider. Two ClearNav systems
installed in one glider will operate completely independently as they each
contain a GPS and full functionality. If one ClearNav is connected to a
Cambridge 302 for airspeed data, a CANbus extension cable may be used to
connect the two Nexus Boards to enable sharing of the airspeed data.
Additional data and function sharing may be available in the future.
Conclusions
This is going to be an extremely popular flight computer system.
- Manuals and installation documents are available here:
http://www.nkhome.com/support/pdfs.html#Soaring
Screen Comparison With Competitive
Products

The photo above includes (from left to right):
NK ClearNav, iPAQ 310, iPAQ 210, iPAQ hx4700 (backlight getting dimmer as it
is 3 years old). The 3 units on the right are all running SeeYou
Mobile software. Click on the image to see a much larger version.
Note that this photo was taken indoors. Screen brightness may be quite
different outside in direct sunlight, or with the sun behind the units. The
ClearNav is by far the brightest. The iPAQ 310 uses a different screen
technology than the iPAQ 210 and iPAQ hx4700 - which may make it better in
sunlight. To make the screen brightness comparison as fair as
possible, all 4 devices are showing the same location on the map - Minden,
NV.
ClearNav Flight Log
Validation Program
The utility program below may be used to validate the security of flight
logs generated by NK ClearNav units. Download it to your PC and run
it. To download it, right-click on it and select "Save Target As...".
IGCVerify-NKClearNav.exe
How to Order
To order a product, click on the
button next to the product.
When you are ready to complete your order, click on the
button.
Click on the small images to view larger versions.
| Part # | Description |
Photo Click on image to view larger version |
Price |
Lead-time |
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| NK-0600 | ClearNav Core System Kit
- Panel Mount - 1/4 VGA (240 x 320 pixel) Display Note: Most customers will want the VGA (480 x 640 pixel) display version below. The ClearNav is a large, bright, color, navigation display that runs ClearNavigator soaring flight software. The system kit includes everything required for operation and mounting on the front (pilot side) of the instrument panel. Included
This assembly is the one most customers will order. Even if you are planning to use the RAM mounting option, you will want to buy this kit. |
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$2800 | 1 Week |
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| NK-0602 | ClearNav Core System Kit
- Panel Mount - VGA (480 x 640 pixel) Display The ClearNav is a large, bright, color, navigation display that runs ClearNavigator soaring flight software. The system kit includes everything required for operation and mounting on the front (pilot side) of the instrument panel. Included
This assembly is the one most customers will order. Even if you are planning to use the RAM mounting option, you will want to buy this kit. |
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$2950 | In Stock |
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| NK-0612 | ClearNav Stick Mounted Remote Control These are extremely elegant stick-mounted remote control units for use with the ClearNav. They are made of precision carved mahogany, or cherry, or American walnut, or European walnut. The finish is a natural hard wax which feels good in the hand, and is easy to refinish after “lots of sweating”. The 10-button remote control panel is mounted in top of handle for comfortable, ergonomic control of the ClearNav with the flying hand. It includes all the same buttons in the same locations as on the standard handheld remote. It includes a PTT (push-to-talk) button and wiring. The hole for the stick is customized to the stick diameter. Please specify the stick diameter when ordering. Rather than assuming that the stick diameters below are correct - I highly recommend using a calipers to measure the exact diameter of the control stick in your sailplane. NK Stocks a variety
of wood types and hole diameters. Please call for available units.
Hole Sizes
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$495 | 1
to 6 weeks Call for |
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| NK-0615 | ClearNav Remote Control
- Stick Module (stick not included) This module is designed for use by customers that want to build their own stick mounted remote. The control stick is not included. It includes leads for the push-to-talk button and the CANbus cable for connection to the ClearNav Nexus Board. 10-button remote control panel designed for comfortable, ergonomic control of ClearNav with flying hand. It includes all the same buttons in the same locations as on the standard handheld remote. It includes a PTT (push-to-talk) button and wiring.
Dimensions: |
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$135 | In Stock |
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| NK-0630 | ClearNav Through-Panel Mounting
Kit Note: This Option is Probably Going To Fade Away in Favor of the Behind Panel Mounting Kit below. Aluminum bezel, standoffs, support bracket and template for mounting ClearNav display recessed into the panel. The ClearNav does not sit flush with the front of the panel - it stands out about 9 mm (0.35 in). This is the most clean and elegant way to install the ClearNav. One subtle advantage to this mounting technique is that the unit will be underneath the instrument panel cover overhang – which will reduce glare and make the unit even easier to read in sunlight than it already is by design. In the photos at right I used the yellow template as a stand-in for the instrument panel - to clarify which parts are on each side of the panel. Note: The SD card reader slot is mounted on the side of the ClearNav Display and is not accessible from the pilot side of the panel when the ClearNav In-Panel Mounting Kit is used. That should not be a problem because a USB Flash Drive can be used for transferring files through the panel mounted CAN/USB Extension cable. Dimensions |
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$60 | 1 week |
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| NK-0632 | ClearNav RAM Mount
Kit In some gliders it is preferable to mount the display on a mounting arm that is attached to the instrument panel. This is the case when there is not enough room in the panel to mount the unit on the panel. When mounted on a mounting arm, the unit takes-up less panel real estate. It is sometimes acceptable to partially block some instruments. However, I think most customers will find that mounting the ClearNav directly on the instrument panel makes for a cleaner and classier installation than the RAM arm option, but those that prefer the RAM arm option will find that it is a rugged and reliable option. A nice feature of the RAM Mount Kit is that the panel adapter is designed to fit the screw hole pattern for a standard small 57 mm (2 1/4 inch) instrument hole. That makes it easy to attach through existing holes in a small panel hole, or to a hole reducer in a large 80 mm (3 1/8 in) hole. The kit includes:
The standard 1.75“ (44 mm) long arm plus the bases on both ends gives a total length of about 4 inches (102 mm) from base to base. If the standard short RAM arm is not long enough, you may want to add the optional 3 inch (76 mm) RAM-B-201 or 5.25 inch (133 mm) RAM-B-201-C arm. Required Option
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$120 | In Stock |
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| NK-0633 | ClearNav Behind Panel
Mounting Kit This kit is designed to allow you to mount the ClearNav to the back of the instrument panel - while making the smallest hole in the panel possible. The hole in the panel is the same size as the LCD screen. That is much smaller than the hole that would be needed for the entire body of the ClearNav. The body of the ClearNav is concealed behind the panel. |
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$45 | In Stock |
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| NK-0634 | ClearNav Tunnel Mount Kit This is an interesting and popular mounting option for the ClearNav. A Powder-coated aluminum "tunnel" attaches to the rear of the panel to set the ClearNav unit 1.75" back from the panel surface. The cutout for this mount follows the perimeter of the ClearNav display window, and the recess allows installation of other instruments next to the panel cutout. The additional shading provided by the recess also allows the use of a lower brightness setting, reducing power consumption. Includes standoffs, support bracket and template. |
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$135 | In Stock |
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| NK-0645 | Cable, ClearNav DB15 Extension, Length: 2 feet The ClearNav DB15 Extension cable is designed to connect a ClearNav display on a RAM mount to the Nexus Wiring Board that is installed behind the panel. The cable is a custom 14-conductor 2' cable with low-profile DB15f female connector. The cable is extremely flexible and has an abrasion resistant jacket. The cable is run through a rubber grommet which fits into a 7/16” (11 mm) hole in the panel. One end is connected to the DB-15 connector on the back of the ClearNav display and the other end connects to screw-terminals on the Nexus Board. The conductors are pre-stripped and tinned. A rubber grommet is included on the cable for use in the panel hole. A wiring diagram is included. |
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$95 | In Stock |
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| NK-0646 | Cable, Cambridge 302 to
Nexus Board DB9/RJ22 CAN bus cable to connect a Cambridge 302 to a ClearNav Nexus Board to provide airspeed data for maximum wind accuracy. |
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$30 | In Stock |
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| CAI-Pnl-0.5-ClearNav-1 | Cable, CAI 302 to NK
ClearNav Nexus Board and Panel Connector for PC or PDA This cable makes it easy to send Cambridge 302 data to either the NK ClearNav or a panel mounted connector for a PC or PDA. It is used for downloading flight logs from the 302 or uploading waypoint files to the 302. Includes 1 m cable from Cambridge 302 to NK ClearNav Nexus Board, and 0.5 m cable from 302 to DB-9f panel mounted connector for PDA or PC. DB-9m connector at 302 end and RJ22 connector at NK ClearNav end, The 302 data out line is always connected to both the NK ClearNav and the panel mounted PC/PDA connector. Includes panel mounted "PDA / ClearNav" switch for selecting whether the 302's data input line is connected to the panel connector (for PDA or PC) or the NK ClearNav. 5 v power from the 302 is made available at the panel connector at all times. Made by Goddard |
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$95.00 | In Stock |
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| NK-0647 | Cable, FLARM to Nexus
Board RJ22 serial cable to connect a FLARM unit to a ClearNav Nexus Board to provide FLARM data for alarms and location of alerts. |
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$30 | In Stock |
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| NK-0649 | Cable, Front Seat Nexus
Board to 2nd Seat Nexus Board RJ22 CANbus cable to link two ClearNav systems and permit sharing of airspeed data from a CAI 302, and FLARM data.
Second Seat Installation |
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$10 | In Stock |
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| NK-0652 | ClearNav Portable Power
Adapter The Portable Power Adapter makes it easy to play with your ClearNav at home. Just bring the ClearNav main display unit home along with the Handheld Remote and the Portable Power Adapter can be used to connect and power them. It includes a wall charger which accepts 100 to 240VAC (50 or 60 Hz) and outputs 12VDC/1.25A. It also includes an RJ cable that plugs into the ClearNav handheld remote and a DB-15 connector that plugs into the back of the ClearNav. (ClearNav and Handheld Remote not included.) |
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$65 | In Stock |
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| System Components - Individual Components that are included in Complete ClearNav Systems | |||||
| NK-0600-UNIT | ClearNav Display Unit
Only, with 1/4 VGA (240 x 320 pixel) Display Note: Most customers will want the VGA (480 x 640 pixel) display version below. Display Unit with box and instructions. No remote, antenna, Nexus Wring Board, or panel extension included. To be used as part of an "a la carte" system. Included
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$2300 | 1 Week |
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| NK-0602-UNIT | ClearNav Display Unit
Only, VGA (480 x 640 pixel) Display Display Unit with box and instructions. No remote, antenna, Nexus Wring Board, or panel extension included. To be used as part of an "a la carte" system. Included
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$2450 | 1 Week |
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| NK-0610 | Handheld Remote Control Handheld 9-button wired remote control with RJ-22 connector. Slim, contoured and comfortable for use in non-flying hand. Recommended for backup and out-of-cockpit use even if installing stick remote. This item is included in the standard ClearNav system kit. |
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$125 | In Stock |
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| NK-0640 | GPS Antenna The ClearNav has a built-in GPS engine but an external antenna is required. It is included in the standard ClearNav kit. It consists of an amplified external GPS antenna and Dual-Lock mounting strips. The connector attaches directly to the back of the ClearNav. This item is included in the standard ClearNav system kit. |
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$45 | In Stock |
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| NK-0641 | ClearNav Nexus Junction
Box Compact junction box with speaker, CAN bus connectors, RJ22 connector, screw-terminal strip and power cable. Mount directly to DB15 on rear of ClearNav, or install anywhere behind panel and connect to ClearNav using NK-0645 DB15 Extension cable. This item is included in the standard ClearNav system kit. |
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$225 | In Stock |
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| NK-0651 | Panel Mounted CAN/USB
Extension The Panel Mounted CAN/USB Extension brings USB and RJ-22 connectors out to a convenient panel mounted connector. It fits into a 1" (25 mm) round hole in the panel. The USB connector is used as a receptacle for a USB Flash Drive for transferring flight logs from the ClearNav and uploading waypoint and airspace files and software updates to the ClearNav. The RJ-22 connector is used by the Handheld Remote Control. A template is included for making the required holes in the panel. This item is included in the standard ClearNav system kit. |
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$105 | In Stock |
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