Well based on what I've read and gathered so far from everyone.. here are the current top data recorders (unless I'm missing one):

Cheapest might be the Garmen Geko 201 ($65), will soon have OSD ability with artificial horizon, in conjunction with software like Garmin Mapsource.

Zlog mod4.. just does altitude, can track multiple flights? $90, post flight

Ram2 zlogger .. altitude.. $99 (ram3 due out in 2007), post flight.

Micropower from EagleTree $200 ($69.99 for the base unit, more for features like lcd, rpm, altitude, airspeed, temperature), no live data ability, only post flight.

Picolario telemetry via earpiece $?? (couldnt find online), does height, battery info, etc

Seagull Glide System from Eagle Tree $369 plus more for other sensors.. lcd readout attaches to your radio transmitter for Live data, hookup to PC for live data (gauges) as well, including artificial horizon, dont believe there is an OSD version (for goggles).. does just about everything including googlemap 3d graphing ($150 for gps addon), gforce sensors too

**RTL (return to landing) device.. http://www.u-nav.com/picopilot/picopilotn.html $400 with GPS ability, will basically fly your plane back to a designated spot (what if the battery dies.. i guess it would still crash eh?


Money aside, my fav is the seagull.. for that live data stream.. or the Garmen device (if you had a laptop handy), though once garmen has the OSD, you wouldnt need a laptop, especially if using goggles.

I'm assuming even with 4oz camera gear and 2oz of a Seagull system, even a plane like the TwinStar II with brushless Hackers could handle this load easy


Thanks to all for the info thus far.