LXNAV V80+ 80 mm Variometer for LX80xx/LX90xx

LXNAV V80+ – a new generation of digital variometer

A proven variometer concept. A new design and redesigned display.

The LXNAV V80+ is a new-generation digital variometer for LX80xx and LX90xx flight computer systems. It introduces a fully circular display layout, a redesigned user interface and an updated thermal assistant, while retaining the standard 80 mm instrument cut-out.

Its 3.5-inch colour display, rated at 1,200 nits, presents variometer information, airspeed-related data, MacCready settings and other flight parameters in configurable layouts.

Important: This product is offered exclusively as an upgrade of an existing variometer unit. The V80+ cannot be purchased separately under this offer without exchanging the original variometer. It also requires a compatible LX80xx or LX90xx flight computer system.

Who is the V80+ upgrade designed for?

Owners of LX80xx and LX90xx systems
If you already use an LXNAV flight computer and want to modernise its variometer unit, the V80+ introduces a redesigned display and additional customisation options.

Pilots who prefer a larger display
The 3.5-inch screen provides additional space for variometer indications and selected flight parameters. Installation requires a standard 80 mm panel cut-out.

Cross-country and competition pilots
Variometer information, a graphical thermal assistant and optional HAWK technology provide additional information for interpreting lift conditions while thermalling and cruising.

New circular display and configurable flight data

The V80+ features a fully circular digital variometer display with a redesigned interface. Pilots can customise the main page layout to suit their preferences.

Alongside the digital variometer pointer, the display can show between one and four configurable navboxes. Approximately 40 different data types are available, together with layout presets and pilot profiles.

Available display features include:

• Digital variometer pointer and scale.
• One to four configurable navboxes.
• Airspeed scale.
• Flap position indication with a compatible sensor.
• Light and dark display themes.
• Layout presets and individual pilot profiles.
• Graphical thermal assistant.

The display can therefore be configured for a clean, variometer-focused presentation or for a more detailed overview of selected flight parameters.

Pressure sensing and variometer compensation

The V80+ incorporates three pressure sensors for total pressure (Ptot), static pressure (Pstatic) and total energy pressure (TE). Depending on the installation, the variometer can use either conventional TE compensation or electronic compensation.

Digitally temperature-compensated pressure sensors provide the pressure measurements required for altitude, airspeed and variometer calculations.

The instrument also includes an inertial platform with a ±8 g accelerometer and three gyroscopes. These measurements contribute to variometer processing and wind calculations.

Correct pneumatic connections and compensation settings are particularly important during changes in airspeed. Existing pressure lines and settings should therefore be checked when upgrading the variometer.

Thermal assistant – additional information while circling

The V80+ introduces an updated graphical thermal assistant. It uses evaluated flight measurements to represent the distribution of lift during thermalling.

In practice, this information can help the pilot follow variations in climb rate and decide whether adjusting the circling position may be worthwhile, particularly in uneven or changing thermal conditions.

The thermal assistant does not directly measure thermals ahead of the glider and cannot replace the pilot's own interpretation of the conditions.

Optional AHRS and HAWK functionality

The V80+ includes an inertial platform, but the graphical AHRS page and HAWK functionality require the appropriate software licence and a compatible flight computer system.

AHRS – artificial horizon
With the appropriate licence activated, the system can display the aircraft's attitude using inertial measurements. This is supplementary flight information and is not a replacement for required certified flight instruments.

HAWK – air-mass motion estimation
HAWK uses an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to estimate three-dimensional air-mass movement. These estimates provide information about wind and vertical air-mass motion, from which additional variometer indications can be derived.

For the pilot, this helps distinguish changes related to the glider's own motion from those caused by movement of the surrounding air mass. Wind estimation is also possible without waiting for a complete circle.

Which licence should you choose?
The HAWK licence includes AHRS functionality. If you want HAWK, there is no need to purchase both options. A separate AHRS licence is intended for pilots who want an attitude display without HAWK.

Before ordering a licence, the compatibility of the flight computer, its firmware and existing software activations must be checked. Software options are linked to the serial number of the relevant device.

FLARM warnings and flap indication

The V80+ supports traffic warnings from a compatible FLARM system. Its new Head-On Alert screen highlights the relative position and distance of a detected threat.

With a correctly connected and configured audio system, these alerts can be accompanied by audible and spoken warnings.

The V80+ does not contain a built-in FLARM receiver. Traffic information requires compatible external or integrated FLARM/PowerFLARM equipment connected through the navigation system.

When used with a compatible flap position sensor, the variometer can also display current and required flap settings according to the system configuration.

The availability of these features depends on the equipment installed in the LX80xx/LX90xx system and its connected accessories.

LXNAV V80+ technical specifications

V80+ or V8+?

Both instruments belong to the new LXNAV digital variometer generation for LX80xx/LX90xx flight computers. Their principal differences are display size and the required instrument panel cut-out.

The V80+ provides a larger display area, while the V8+ fits a smaller 57 mm panel cut-out. For an upgrade, both panel space and system compatibility must be considered.

How to order your V80+ upgrade

We offer the V80+ exclusively as an upgrade of an existing variometer unit. This is not a standalone purchase for a new installation without exchanging the original variometer.

The upgrade is intended for compatible LX80xx/LX90xx systems. Before ordering, the compatibility of your installation and the applicable exchange conditions must be confirmed.

Please provide the following information:

• Model and generation of your LX80xx/LX90xx flight computer.
• Type of existing variometer unit, such as V9, V8 or V80.
• Instrument serial number and firmware version.
• Current panel cut-out size and available clearance behind the panel.

With this information, we can check compatibility, the scope of the replacement, any additional installation requirements and the applicable exchange conditions.

Need help choosing your configuration?

Tell us which LXNAV system and variometer you currently use. We can help verify V80+ upgrade compatibility and the conditions for exchanging your original unit.

Frequently asked questions

Essential information about upgrading to the LXNAV V80+.