Having played with this beta for an hour or so, my first impressions are that the mapping engine is a nice improvement. I have found a couple of points for discussion.

I've been using beta 2.3 since January and although there were a couple of peculiarities which have been resolved, I hadn't noticed yours findings. I have just gone into the beta version on my PC and my charts appear fully as soon as I click the initial 'yes' button. When I zoom in on the waypoints I just get the shape I initially used e.g. 'circle' triangle' etc

I'm using UK chart view, but have just tried High Contrast and Skydemon view in case it reproduces what you are seeing, but it doesn't.

A couple of quick comments after (a very short) play with today's (21/2/2012) beta release.

In terms of the approach mode I agree with the previous comment from "srayne". A few further thoughts:

1. the non-active side of the circuit could be "greyed" out - still visible but clearly not the circuit to use.

2. the buttons on the end of the runway overlap and seem really large - maybe they could be moved to the bottom of the screen - ie left/right buttons. So you select the runway end and then select L/R. I am using Motion Computer's LS800 so I imagine the issue is more acute on smaller screens. Also some airfields operate circuits in both directions so you need to add this as an option I suspect.

3. could users add their own data to illustrate exactly where the circuit is - where the airfield has noise abatement proceedures in force? I would think the individual airfields would be happy to let you have the information given SD's popularity

4. perhaps a further button could be added that displays the overhead join, perhaps customised to reflect "custom" circuits entered under 3 above; and finally,

5. I can't seem to get the route profile up when using mobile? Is it possible to add it? It would be really useful when ATC for instance ask you to change level etc.

Great package though!

I hadn't realised that a new beta had been released, I'm still using the one I downloaded a few weeks ago. Please disregard my comments from my post above just in case the faults are present in this release, I'll download it now, but the date does still say 24th January

I've had a bit of a play with it now, My device has had a couple of crashes but not sure what I was doing at the time, but it went back to the menu, I'll try and reproduce it later.

I would also like the swipe up and down brought back.

I agree that the buttons at the end of the runways on approach are a bit too big

I used custom data and created a couple of VRPs but they will not transfer when syncing and don't appear in the custom data folder. I already had a couple of VRPs saved from the previous version and although they are in the custom data folder and show up in SD plan, they won't transfer to the device either.

I created a couple of waypoints and they transfer OK.

I won't be flying again for a week or so, but I'm driving about 75 miles later today so I will try it out a bit more in the car.

Some good improvements, just a bit more fine tuning

Continuing with my play with the new beta.

I agree, routes don't show up when in the print area

Having driven with it in the car last night for about 60 miles each direction, the screen redraw is noticeable slower than the previous release. I checked it in both directions just in case it was because that part of the chart hadn't been loaded before.

When the aircraft gets to the point where the screen redraws, it goes to a light blue screen with just the aircraft showing and then the chart appears. It doesn't take masses of time but the screen just shows the aircraft without chart for at least 5 seconds.

I have just tried two identical devices, one with the latest beta and the other with the previous release by swiping my finger accrooss the screen and the beta is definitely slower to redraw.

It's still a marvelous product though!