SureCheck Collision Avoidance System

[Murdoughnut]

I fly up and down the Tampa Bay area coastline all the time (along with hundreds of other pilots) so I recently purchased a Surecheck TS Micro Collision Avoidance system (http://www.pocketpcreviews.net/reviews/012005/surecheckmicro.htm)

I used it the other day for the first time on a flight up to Crystal River. On my way out to the coast all the lights lit up (indicating traffic less than a mile away). I looked to my 7-o'clock and spotted another Cessna that I hadn't seen (moved in from behind me). About 5-minutes later, however, I spotted another Cessna about 1.5 miles level and there weren't any lights. This happened once more - no indication, but traffic less than two-miles.

Does anyone have any experience with this equipment? I understand if the other aircraft doesn't have a transponder, it won't work, but I was in Mode C zone. The manufacturer says that it's fail safe as long as the other traffic has a transponder (mode C, S, etc.)

 

[wrxpilot]

I think those are just passive, so if you are outside of the approach area (where the other a/c are being interrogated) they won't show up - regardless of whether the other a/c has a transponder.

 

[FlightTraker]

How long were you flying? I have found that when the thing heats up it doesn't work very well. I used to get weird indications on the one I used to fly with. I used to have traffic reported .5 mile from me off and on during long x-country flights. Nothing beats TCAS



FlightTraker

 

[Murdoughnut]

How long were you flying? I have found that when the thing heats up it doesn't work very well. I used to get weird indications on the one I used to fly with. I used to have traffic reported .5 mile from me off and on during long x-country flights. Nothing beats TCAS



FlightTraker

I was only in the air about 15-minutes when it failed to indicate the aircraft that was about 1.5 away from me. I got those indications too - really scared the hell out of me - I kept looking around trying to find the traffic, but couldn't spot it. Could have been above or below, but I dunno.