LXNAV S20 and S200 Variometers with GPS Flight Recorder
A Giant Leap in Every Direction.

Note: No tariff charge.

The S20 and S200 are very powerful and full-featured speed-to-fly variometers with navigation, IGC Approved GPS flight recorder with Engine Noise Level sensor, built-in back-up battery, built-in Bluetooth (flight data output), built-in Wi-Fi (firmware updates, sending flight logs, loading waypoint files, etc.). HAWK and AHRS are optional software enables. The S20 fits into a standard small 57mm instrument hole. The S200 fits into a standard 80 mm instrument hole. Other than the size of the display, the S20 and S200 are functionally identical - the screens even have the same number or pixels. They can display waypoints and airspace and terrain maps and can be used to navigate to waypoints and around tasks. They can display final glide information and shows turn areas on the moving map. 

Introductory Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBh2_Kd5cpw

Training Videos

New - FREE - Detailed Overview Video of LXNAV S20 & S200 Variometers
https://www.patreon.com/cumulussoaring/posts/lxnav-s20-s200-173475156

More S20 & S200 training videos coming in the next day or 2.

Paul Remde's Quick Review
The S20 and S200 (S20x) are the highest performance and best looking variometers ever made.  The high-resolution screen allows the display of incredible looking shadded terrain maps.  The user-interface is intuitive.  The fact that the screen fills the instrument hole allows the display of information to be maximized - making it easier to read.  The built-in Wi-Fi makes flight log transfers and firmware updates easy and fast.  I remember when it took 10 minutes to download flight logs out of a variometer using a serial cable.  Now you just make sure the vario is connected to your phone's Wi-Fi hotspot and select the flight log on the logbook screen and hit send and it's emailed to your email and to the soaring contest scorer. The optional HAWK vario/winds/AHRS/AoA functionality takes the vario to another level.  You see the blue HAWK needle go up as soon as you feel the lift in the seat of your pants, and when flying between thermals the blue pointed makes it easy to know whether the bump you just felt was just a horizontal gust - or actual usable lift.  Also, the built-in ground elevation database allows the unit to display your altitude AGL at all times - eliminating the need to do "head math" to subtract the estimated ground elevation from the altimeter ready.  This is especially nice when flying on a ridge or near a mountain - where it can be difficult to estimate your height above the ground. I also love that the vario scale automatically extends beyond the maximum in strong lift - showing 14, 16, 18, 20, etc. with the pointer and dial numbers.  I am especially impressed with the way the vario 20 second average (red diamond), MacCready (blue triangle) and Thermal Average (green "T") are displayed on the vario scale - making it easy to compare the MacCready setting to the thermal average, 20 second vario average, and instantaneous vario reading (red pointer).   

Comparison with S10 and S100
The S20 and S200 are LXNAV's latest and highest performing variometers.  They have all the features found in the S10 and S100, but with a larger screen that is fully circular - so the screen is as large as possible.  The S10 and S100 has 3 buttons on the right side of the screen, leading to a smaller screen size.  The S20 and S200 have much more powerful processors, allowing them to provide additional functionality, like terrain maps, a ground elevation database allowing the unit to display your altitude above the ground.

New Features in the S20 and S200 that aren't in the S10 and S100:

• Larger, completely round display - uses much more of the space in a standard instrument hole, to make it easier to read and to display more information at a glance.
• Next Generation Thermal Assistant - The S20 takes thermal centering to the next level. Its new Thermal Assistant combines 7 different analysis methods to help you understand the thermal and find its strongest part faster. It clearly shows where the best lift was found in your current circle. Very intuitive!
• Dial goes beyond 12 knots - Since the vario dial is a full circle, in extreme lift, when the vario pointer goes beyond the maximum, the dial automatically extends to allow the pointer to keep going - and the scale extends too - so you can see 14, 16, 18, 20 (etc.) knots.  It's super cool and intuitive.
• Terrain maps in high resolution and full color - They look fantastic!
• World ground elevation database - Allows the display of your altitude AGL (above ground level) - enhancing safety
• Much higher resolution screen (S10x: 320 x 240 pixels, S20x: 480 x 480 pixels)
• Much faster processor (4x +)
• Much more powerful Inertial unit - Better temperature stability, better zero G offset, lower acceleration noise, lower gyro noise
• Much more powerful GPU (graphics processing unit) - faster video processing, faster 3D rendering
• Much more memory (10x) - for terrain maps, waypoints, flight logs, etc.
• Built-in Wi-Fi - For firmware updates, sending flight logs, loading waypoint files, etc. - Updates and file transfers don't require the use of a memory card.
• Automatic firmware updates - When connected to the internet over Wi-Fi, the vario will notify you when firmware updates are available.  Great for updating the unit quickly and easily before flight.
• Connection to LXNAV Connect (connect.lxnav.com) - similar to features for LX80x0 and LX90x0
• USB C port on the back of the vario - Usually not used (use Wi-Fi instead), but can be used to load files and transfer flight logs, etc.
• Orientation of Vario - The vario can be installed with the control knob on the right (default - like the S10x), or on the bottom, or on the left.
• Simplified User-Interface - Move through the modes using the top-right knob.  In the S10x varios, the Waypoint and Task modes had sub-modes (AHRS, Info, Map, wind) that were easy to overlook.  In the S20x varios there are no sub-modes.  The AHRS (optional) and Thermal assistant are included in the single row of modes. 
• Head-on Alerts - When connected to a FLARM device, head-on traffic is clearly and intuitively shown graphically - similar to the LXNAV TrafficView display.
• AHRS Display improved - Includes speed tape and altimeter tape on the sides (AHRS is optional - HAWK is optional and includes AHRS)

Optional - HAWK Vario, Winds, AHRS, and AoA (angle of attack)

Features:

• HAWK’s blue vario pointer is fast and closely matches the lift you feel in the seat of your pants.  
• Better than any other vario - ever!
• Ignore fake thermals caused by gusts
• How many times has this happened to you:
• You’re cruising. 
• You feel a bump.
• The red Total Energy vario pointer goes up.
• You stop to circle and find no usable lift. 
• It’s not a thermal.  It’s a gust.
•  With HAWK:
• The blue HAWK vario pointer remains flat.  HAWK knows it’s a gust!
• Never again waste time stopping to try a “thermal” that is really a bump from a gust.
• Greatly increase your cross-country speed (worth every penny of price)
• Know exactly what the wind is doing in real-time
• HAWK software uses accelerometers and GPS for:
• Fast vario which ignores horizontal gusts
• Fast wind data for optimizing flight in convergence and wave
• AHRS
• AoA (Angle of Attack) indicator without external AoA probe

The HAWK and AHRS sensors are built-into all V9, V8, V80, S10, S100, S20, S200, and SxHAWK varios. To use the HAWK Wind and AHRS functionality it is necessary to purchase this software enable key. The artificial horizon and airspeed and altitude items can be setup to display on any page on the LX80X0 or LX90X0 display using the LXStyler program - or using the controls on the flight computer. The artificial horizon also displays on the V8 and V80 vario's display and on the S10, S100 and SxHAWK vario's display.

Details are available in the LX80x0 or LX90x0 or S10, S100, or SxHAWK manual which is available here.

"Are you dreaming about having a real time wind indication in your glider? Do you feel sometimes in the mountainous regions or areas of convergence that the wind suddenly changes?”

Get real-time wind with HAWK
Real-time wind indication – 3D wind. HAWK option enables instantaneous wind readings on all 3 axes.

Measurement
HAWK uses sensor fusion and advanced digital signal processing to estimate the air mass movement.

3-dimensional wind triangle
HAWK applies an “extended Kalman filter” (EKF) algorithm that jointly estimates all three dimensions of the air mass movement.

Instant results
EKF estimates the wind direction and velocity instantaneously (horizontal and vertical). No more waiting!

No compensation, no compromise
No compensation needed, since it uses no law of energy conservation. More accurate netto vario readings independent of glider speed.
No false thermals due to wind gusts = No more “stick” lift.

Wind indication
Wind screen enables you to view the instantaneous wind on the blue arrow and the wind average on the white arrow .

2 needle vario
A red and blue vario needles at the same time. Red shows the value of computations of the TEK while light blue shows the value of the EKF.

AHRS
The results of the attitude estimate of the EKF can also be displayed as an artificial horizon.

HAWK Article

https://gliding.lxnav.com/wp-content/uploads/press/SegelfliegenMagazin_ENG.pdf

Availability and Supported Hardware
HAWK is a software option, which was released in spring 2021 for the LXNAV S10 and S100 varios.  It will be available in late autumn 2021 for LX80/90xx series soaring flight computer systems
HAWK has been developed by Heinrich Meyr and Peng Huang and is licensed to LXNAV

HAWK Trial Version - Try it FREE for 31 Days
Fill the form (link below) in order to receive the HAWK demo option activation file for your (S10, S100) vario. After submitting the form, you will receive an email containing the demo activation file. The processing of your request is done automatically and can take a few minutes. The demo is valid for 31 days.
https://gliding.lxnav.com/news/hawk-wind-calculation/ (scroll down to the bottom of the page)

New S20D and S200D 2nd-Seat Repeater
The S20D and S200D are 2nd-seat repeaters for use with the S20 and S200.  They are less expensive because they don't have built-in sensors.  They are displays that get sensor data from the connected S20 or S200. They have the same user-interface as the S20 and S200.

Easy and Fast Flight Log Transfers

It is easy to transfer flights to a connected USB C Flash Drive, but most customers will email flight logs to themselves or the contest scorer over a Wi-Fi connection to the LXNAV Connect website.  You use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot for connection to the internet.  Firmware upgrades are also done over Wi-Fi.  You never need to bring a memory card or USB flash drive to the gliderport. Waypoint, airspace and FlarmNet files are also loaded over Wi-Fi.  Waypoint files can be stored on your Google Drive or Dropbox account, or using the SeeYou Cloud website.

AHRS

The LXNAV-AHRS-Enable (artificial horizon) is an extra cost software option (see pricing at right). It is enabled by purchasing an enable code for your particular S20 or S200. The AHRS sensor hardware is installed in every S20 and S200. The upgrade can be purchased from Cumulus Soaring, Inc. at the time you purchase the vario or anytime afterward. The enable code is tied to the unit's serial number.  

Modes
Note: It is easy to rotate through the modes using the top-right knob (similar to an LX80x0 or LX90x0).  The vario dial around the outside of the screen is visible in most of the modes.  It can be displayed as a wide, full-featured dial, or a narrow, simple dial.

• Setup Menu - Setup parameters best used on the ground.
• Near - Easily select a nearby airport for navigation in the waypoint mode. The list can be sorted by name, distance, or arrival altitude (my favorite).
• FLARM - Displays nearby FLARM and ADS-B traffic - when connected to an external FLARM device.
• Waypoint Data - Vario dial, "tape" (speed-to-fly, airspeed, or other parameters) and up to 4 user-customizable numeric information boxes
• Waypoint Map  - This screen displays waypoints and airspace and terrain maps.  It is used to navigate to a waypoint. FLARM and other traffic is also displayed on this screen. 
• AHRS - Artificial Horizon with altimeter and airspeed tapes - Optional - Included with HAWK - Can be purchased separately
• Thermal - Vario dial, Thermal Assistant, up to 4 numeric information boxes
• Task Data - Vario dial, "tape" (speed-to-fly, airspeed, or other parameters) and up to 4 user-customizable numeric information boxes
• Task Navigation Mode - This screen displays waypoints and airspace and terrain maps. It is be used to navigate around a task. FLARM and other traffic is also displayed on this screen. 

Features

• Built-in GPS Flight Recorder with Engine Noise Level Sensor and IGC approval
• Optional External MOP (motor operation) sensor for use with jet and electric sailplanes
• Built-in back-up battery - more than 1.5 hours (my tests showed 3+ hours)
• Terrain maps in high resolution and full color - They look fantastic!
• World ground elevation database - Allows the display of your altitude AGL (above ground level) - enhancing safety
• Built-in Bluetooth radio - for sending flight data to a connected iPhone or Android phone or Oudie N running soaring flight software like SeeYou Navigator.
• Inertial platform 3 axis digital +/-8g accelerometer, 3 gyroscopes (for inertial vario, AHRS and wind calculation)
• Built-in Wi-Fi - For firmware updates, sending flight logs, loading waypoint files, etc. - Updates and file transfers don't require the use of a memory card.
• Connection to LXNAV Connect (connect.lxnav.com) - similar to features for LX80x0 and LX90x0
• USB C port on the back of the vario - Usually not used (use Wi-Fi instead), but can be used to load files and transfer flight logs, etc.
• Simplified User-Interface - Move through the modes using the top-right knob.  In the S10x varios, the Waypoint and Task modes had sub-modes (AHRS, Info, Map, wind) that were easy to overlook.  In the S20x varios there are no sub-modes.  The AHRS (optional) and Thermal assistant are included in the single row of modes. 
• Head-on Alerts - When connected to a FLARM device, head-on traffic is clearly and intuitively shown graphically - similar to the LXNAV TrafficView display.
• Audible Thermal Assistant
• S20 Display: 2.5" sunlight readable screen (480 x 480 pixels) with 1200 nits of brightness
• S200 Display: 3.5" sunlight readable screen (480 x 480 pixels) with 1200 nits of brightness
• Audio equalizer
• Voice module provides voice alerts - such as: "Warning, traffic, 2'o clock, 3 kilometers, 200 meters below"
• G-meter with minimum and maximum display and reset feature - Navboxes are used to display the current, max, and min. G readings.
• HAWK - Optional extra costs option - HAWK vario, wind, AHRS, and AoA (angle of attack) - AHRS is included with HAWK.
• AHRS - Optional extra cost option - A software enable key can be purchased to enable the AHRS display.
• The S20 fits into a standard small 57 mm instrument hole. The S200 fits into a standard 80 mm instrument hole.
• Fast wind updates with optional HAWK software functionality
• Digital temperature compensated pressure sensors for altitude and airspeed
• 6 digital inputs
• 2 rotary control knobs with push-button functionality - The vario can be setup for installation with the 2 knobs on the right side, or the bottom, or the left side.  Most customers will probably have them on the right side - as with the S10x varios.
• Ambient light sensor (ALS)
• RS485 Bus
• CANbus - For connecting external devices like the STICK controller, S20D or S200D repeater, MOP (motor operation) sensor, Flap Sensor, etc.
• Built-in voice module
• Processor: ARM Cortex-A53 (64-bit) + Cortex-M7 coprocessor
• GC7000Lite High Performance 2D/3D GPU
• 1 Gb RAM
• 32 GB FLASH
• Operating System: Linux
• Heat Sink - advanced design - designed for operation without a fan
• Same DB-15 connector and pin connections as other S-Varios (S7, S8, S80, S10, S100)
• Power input 8 to 32 VDC
• Consumption: 1.6 W (3h) to 2.3 W (2.5h)
• S20 Dimensions (behind the panel): 62 x 62 x 98 mm (not including the connectors and knobs)
• S200 Dimensions (behind the panel): 81 x 81 x 87 mm (not including the connectors and knobs)
• S20 Weight: 460 g (vario unit only), 826 g (with speaker, wiring harness, GPS antenna, and Wi-Fi antenna)
• S200 Weight: 588 g (vario unit only), 954 g (with speaker, wiring harness, GPS antenna, and Wi-Fi antenna)

Sensors

• Total Pressure (Ptot)
• Static Pressure (Pstat)
• TE pressure (Total Energy Probe)
• 3-axis gyroscope
• 3-axis accellerometer
• 10Hz UBlox GPS receiver
• OAT - Outside Air Temperature probe

Input & Output

• GPS port input/output on RS232 level (standard IGC 6 pin connector RJ11)
  • Connections (from left to right): 1: +12V, 4: Receive (RS-232), 5: Transmit (RS-232), 6: Ground
• PDA port input/output on RS232 or TTL level for PDA/PNA devices with 5V power supply (8 pin RJ45, 5V output max 2A)
  • Connections (from left to right): 1 & 2: Ground, 3: Transmit (RS-232), 4: Receive (RS-232), 5: Transmit (TTL), 6: Receive (TTL), 7 & 8: +5V
• External Speaker (include), 8 ohm, 3 mm phono jack
• Bluetooth 5.2/BLE (2.4 GHz)
• Wi-Fi - dual band, 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz)
• CANbus - For connecting external devices like the STICK controller, S20D or S200D repeater, MOP (motor operation) sensor, Flap Sensor, etc.
• USB C high retention Port on back of vario - can be used for firmware upgrades and waypoint and airspace data transfers, but those functions will normally be done over Wi-Fi.

S20 and S200 GPS cables:

• LXNAV-S7-GPS-IGC, "Straight-through" 6-conductor RJ12 cable for use with "standard IGC" devices - such as the LX Navigation Colibri and Colibri II's LX-ColibriII-Pwr-Data adapter, or a FLARM with 6-pin RJ12 connector.
• LXNAV-S7-GPS-PF, S7, S8, S80, S10 or S100 GPS port to RJ45 connector with "standard IGC" connections, for use with PowerFLARM Portable, K6 Mux (output port only), Volkslogger (version with RJ45 connector)
• LXNAV-S7-GPS-PFCore, S7, S8, S80, S10, or S100 GPS port to DB-9m connector for connection to PowerFLARM Core, The S7, S8, S80, S10, or S100 powers the PowerFLARM Core with 12V.
• Cable-PFLARM-Pwr-DB9m-S7-0p5, Cable for connecting a S7, S8, S80, S10, or S100's GPS port to a PowerFLARM Core's DB-9 port. 12V power leads are also provided for powering the PowerFLARM Core with 12V. This cable does not pass 12V power from the S7, S8, S80, S10, or S100 to the PowerFLARM Core.

S20 and S200 PDA Cables:

• LXNAV-CC-NP-Oudie, SS7, S8, S80, S10, or S100 PDA port to Naviter Oudie or Oudie 2 or Oudie IGC. The S7, S8, S80, S10, or S100 powers the Oudie with 12V.
• LXNAV-CC-NP-Kobo, for connecting an S7, S8, S80, S10 or S100 vario's PDA port to a Kobo e-reader display. The vario provides power to the Kobo.
• LXNAV-CC-NP-232, S7, S8, S80, S10, or S100 PDA port to to DB-9f connector,
• LXNAV-CC-NP-IPAQ310, S7, S8, S80, S10, or S100 PDA port to HP iPAQ 310 or 314 Travel Companion
• LXNAV-CC-NP-38, S7, S8, S80, S10, or S100 PDA port to iPAQ h2200, h3800, h3900, h5500, hx4700, hx2000, etc.
• LXNAV-CC-NP-LX, S7, S8, S80, S10, or S100 PDA port to 6-conductor RJ12 connector, for use with LX Navigation MiniMap (RX/TX are crossed)
• Use an RJ-Coupler-RJ45-Rj45-Panel and Cumulus-Cable-RJ45-RJ45-0p5 to move the PDA connector out to a panel-mounted RJ45 connector. This is a perfect option for soaring clubs - allowing club members to easily connect their own PDA cables.

Included

• S20 or S200 variometer
• Printed manual (printed by Cumulus Soaring, Inc.)
• Logger altimeter calibration datasheet
• GPS Antenna
• Speaker, 8 ohm, 3 mm phono jack
• Wiring harness with 12V power connections, outside air temperature probe, digital inputs and RS-485 connector and CANbus Network Terminator
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Antenna

Optional

• HAWK Enable (includes AHRS)
• AHRS only (no HAWK)
• Stick-mounted Remote Control
• MOP (motor operation) Sensor
• Flap Sensor
• S20D or S200D 2nd-Seat Repeater - same display and user interface, but no built-in sensors.  Data is received from a connected S20 or S200.