We have developed a total energy compensated vario for XC Tracer Maxx II.
A total energy compensated (TEK) variometer does not show a change in climb or sink rate when the paraglider gains altitude due to a decrease in speed or loses altitude due to an increase in speed. This is important as it gives the pilot a clearer understanding of the true air movements around the paraglider, such as rising or sinking air, without being misled by altitude changes caused by speed adjustments.
This can be particularly advantageous when turning directly from full speed bar into a thermal. In this case, the TEK variometer filters out the conversion of speed into altitude and only shows the actual net climb rate. This makes it much easier for the pilot to center the thermal directly without being distracted by the apparent climb caused by speed changes.
As soon as one turns into the thermal, there is a seamless transition from the variometer: It switches from 100% TEK compensation, which considers speed changes, to a normal variometer, which displays the pure climb or sink rates without TEK compensation. This gradual adjustment from 100% TEK to 0% TEK and at the same time from 0% to 100% for the normal variometer over a period of 1-3 seconds allows the pilot to more intuitively grasp the transition to the real thermal conditions.
TEK compensation is useful outside of thermals to counteract false climb or sink rates caused by changes in speed. However, in thermals, where the actual climb rate is crucial, TEK compensation can be confusing as it also reacts to changes in flight speed. The normal variometer without TEK compensation provides a more direct and intuitive feedback on the actual climb rate in the thermal, as it does not react to speed changes of the paraglider.
The time span for the gradual adjustment can be set under Tone & Alarm / TEK=...