Ball M19e opinions ?

Do any of you here have any experience or opinions regarding the Ball M19e Vario? I'm not really interested in the more sophisticated,feature rich, and expensive models at this point. I'm more interested in a basic, solid performer that will serve me reliably until my skills merit something more sophisticated. I would also appreciate any suggestions of alternatives any of you might have. Thanks for any input. Safe Blue Skies, Anthony.

I've had an M19 (pre M19e) for six years. Even though I bought a Graphics Comp in '96, I still fly with the M19. I've had no problems with it. I cracked the LCD a few years ago, and I find I just don't use the graphic display enough to want to bother with getting it fixed. The A1 and A2 altitude displays were unaffected.

The audio is quick and responsive, so instead of strapping my M19 on my leg (PG only - not useful for HG!), I mount it on the strap of my radio harness. That way, I can turn down the volume a notch and still hear it fine. And I won't risk breaking the rest of the LCD.

Battery life is long enough that I never remember when I changed it last. I guess I use maybe one 9v battery per year. But I always carry a spare.

My M19 has survived an amazing amount of hard knocks, and despite cracking the LCD, everything works perfectly. I don't know of anyone else in my flying group still using a 6 year old vario.

I think you'll like it. It is a solid unit that masters all the basic functions.

I also downsized from a fancier model to a m19e for it's simplicity yet well chosen features. I especially like the e's automatic starting timer which detects when you've launched (by a change in altitude). I used to have a manual timer where I would lose the cycle while fumbling to (re)set it.

Downside of using a timer for all your flights is you find out just how fictional or misjudged many folks flight times are. You fly the same time as someone, yet they claim twice the airtime then. Sometimes such things count for ratings or permission to fly sites.

I've flown with mine for about 5 years now, whacked it pretty hard several times (uh, am I supposed to admit that in a public forum?), and have had great luck with it. If you look at a now very old comparison I did between 'entry level varios' you can see how it compares with other manufacturers' models:
http://www.web-search.com/variotbl.html

Wow, I hadn't searched for this for a long time... it even has my name on it! Yow!

Anyway, the result of comparing all those varios was that the M-19e was my favorite for three reasons:

1. Great light-lift sensitivity and stability (I live in the east) 2. 21 flight memories with autostarting timers, max altitude and lift. 3. Excellent service from manufacturer, usually next day turnaround.

In all the years of using it, the only thing I would change about it would be to add the sound of a Robert's Breadpan, my first vario. That little warbling tone still gets me excited!

Brent Harsh Cary, NC