CX-2 Pathfinder Flight Computer

Had CX2 Before for about 15 years. It was absolutely great. Once it was broken (no fault of the quality of the device), I had to make a decision on this vs the one from Sporty's. Went with the CX2 again because it was such a great product. Only wish it had a back light. I know you can get most of the functions in an iphone/ipade app, but I don't want to rely on that. I like having a dedicated Flight Computer and this is definitely the most functional, most logical One available. Have always loved this little computer.

Very professional item

I bought this item to work on my ATP written test, and it helped me out very much. The weight and balance feature is very helpful, and it is easy to work many scenarios once you put in the moments or arm data in it. Crosswind component is an easy thing to find out with this calculator as well.I find the calculator function a bit challenging, in the sense that if you make a mistake while adding up numbers I end up deleting all the data being calculated so far(as when adding multiple numbers, etc.) But then again I seldom use the calculator function, since all the aviation related features work themselves out in their respective menus.

Like many pilots, I've come to rely on the flight planning tools in apps like ForeFlight to the extent that I almost never need an old-style flight computer anymore. Still, if you need to take an FAA knowledge test, you're not allowed to use a computer, tablet or phone, so you can't use your favorite flight planning tools. Your options are to use the app the test centers provide (which is so-so, especially if you haven't seen it in advance), use an old-style mechanical E6B, or use an FAA-approved flight computer like the CX-2. In my case, I went for the CX-2, figuring it might also be a handy thing to keep in the flight bag as a backup should I ever need it.The CX-2 itself is somewhat on the large side, but I can see this being a good thing - the buttons are larger than many calculators, meaning that if you needed it in the cockpit, you could probably use it effectively, even in turbulence. The keys are also pretty rugged and they seem to take a good deal of force to engage. While I'm not a huge fan of this because it slows you down, I suppose it does make it less likely I'd be hitting the wrong keys in turbulence.Otherwise, I'd say the construction quality is about what you'd expect for this price. It comes with a hard protective cover so that you can toss it in your flight bag without concern. It's also powered by easy to find AAA batteries, and if you're like me, you're already carrying spares for other equipment. I have an older CX-1 from about 1990 that's still working fine - I have no doubt that I'll be saying the same thing in the future about the CX-2.All the calculations most pilots need are in there, as well as lots of simple conversions, timers, and a basic math calculator. In addition to basic flight planning, it can also do weight and balance problems. Most of the aviation functions are pretty structured, prompting you through entering all the required data step by step so you're not likely to get anything wrong or forget a step in a lengthy calculation. If you can do it on the E6B, you can do it on the CX-2.There are a few weak spots.First, I don't find the display particularly readable unless you have perfect ambient lighting. It's not lit for night use, and in bright sunlight it gets washed out and hard to read. Although the buttons are large and solid, the numbers on the display are smallish and not that easy to read. If I were in charge of selecting updates to the CX-2, my first vote would be for a more legible display.I'm also not fond of the way the various functions are laid out. Equations are grouped and organized by task (which is a good thing), but I find a lot of the groupings don't match the way I like to work.As an example, let's say you plan a flight with several legs and you're trying to get an ETA for the entire flight. There's a function for computing heading and groundspeed that gets you part of the way there (computes groundspeed given winds and desired course), but then you need to visit a different section to compute leg time given your groundspeed. The way the menus are organized, this makes for a lot of keystrokes, and it doesn't help you with all the little details. For instance, when computing groundspeed, you need to remember to add/subtract magnetic variation outside the calculation since winds aloft numbers are true and not magnetic. Bottom line is that the menus impose structure, but not a structure that helps prevent all the errors it could.Of course, I'm sure the market for pilot calculators is pretty small, and part of me wants to thank ASA for making this device in the first place. At the same time, part of me wants to shout at the FAA for not allowing pilots to use the tools they are most familiar with on FAA tests. If pilots could use their favorite app on FAA tests, there probably wouldn't need to be a reason for many of us to own things like the CX-2.Still, if you need a flight computer for an FAA exam or as a tool in the cockpit, the CX-2 is about as good as it gets.

Great Product. Easy to use. Nice Clean look.I opened the box and the screen wasnt on all the way I just pushed it down and it stuck. I hope to not have issues down the road because of that. But i have used other Electronic E6B and this is the best one.

slow shipping on this one but I did order just before xmas...my own fault!My husband was disappointed when he opened the box and found a huge scratch across the screenwe knew the screen was not backlit so this was not a shock but really wish one was made with a backlite...it would help for poorly light areas.Other than the scratch my husband love the computer...make his testing so much easier and faster.

After you learn how to use it properly. its just so fast to get your calculations. i do have the cell phone apps. but still I prefer using this 100%.it has become second nature to me and i recommend it 100%. unless you are still on a fly school and some of them don't allow you to use this even do faa does. wich i find weird​ but whatever.

*10/24/17 Update*Looks like they've listened to feedback like mine and have recently released the CX-3. Go look for that and skip this CX-2!!!*UPDATE* After using this device for a while I find although it's features a VERY useful, the construction of the device while durable leaves it to be very non-user friendly. My list of complaints that make this device undesirable to me include (in order of annoyance):1) The buttons are VERY hard to push and are not very sensitive, I am having to mash the buttons very hard in order to get them to register.2) The back is rounded, so it rocks and wiggles while on flat surfaces. Combine this with complaint #1 and you'll find this a difficult device to use with only one hand.3) Display is too dim/dark and needs a back lite or something. You're teased with a CONTRAST feature that makes you believe you can alter the screen display, but no. If you're not looking directly over the screen with good lighting, you're not going to see very well. Night flight? forget this item.4) It's very thick and heavy, at least double the thickness of your typical scientific calculators. It looks to me like they're using 1980 technology and components.ASA offers an on-line demo of this device on it's website and it's capabilities and features are great, I just wish the actual device was more physically friendly to use. I'd recommend looking elsewhere for a flight computer until this device gets a MUCH needed construction update.