Latest Android recommendations?...

[Martin]

What's the latest Android recommendation for instrumentation? How about the latest external device (Thinking BlueFly IGC and or....). I have used my old Samsung S7, screen was good, audio ok, but sadly the USB power jack is pretty iffy meaning I end up with a pretty suspect brick connection and can't rely on it for those 6 - 8 hour flights.

The F-Book XCTrack user group when asked the question tend to rattle off a bunch of Euro accessible stuff and the conversation quickly goes sideways.

Also, anybody use "The Flight Vario Pro" ( https://www.theflightvario.com/ ).... ? I've tested this out a few times and it does seem like a nice simple app but perhaps a bit glitchy with my S7 and its internal sensors. The developer was quite responsive early on to adding accessibility features and had some cool tweaks to several data fields to customize the user profile. In some ways I prefer the single screen format.

Thoughts?

Martin

[kevinB]

If I had to do it again, I'd go with an e-ink device with B&W screen and the latest device from Stodeus. As software I'd run See You Navigator.

[Martin]

If I had to do it again, I'd go with an e-ink device with B&W screen and the latest device from Stodeus. As software I'd run See You Navigator.

Does going with a E-ink device limit the option to have a complete stand alone recorder? (example, no internal GPS or sensors so you still need endure the connection process). The path of a E-ink device seems to be the same as the Kobo direction? Right now I have tested several standalone android setups and continue to rely on my old Flytec 6030 to be my primary.

I'm also faced with the small challenge of having an accepted IGC file generated from a list of "approved" devices. Unless the device is on the FAI's list ( chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.fai.org/sites/default/files ... -06-20.pdf ) my preferred OLC does not process the file. XContest seems to process everything but I don't want to be in its database.

Earlier this year, I lifted off out of the tow vehicle and my Flytec took a crap. Airspeed (which is critical to flying rigid wings), was freaking out so I muted the Flytec and relied on XTrack/android to fly the flight. It was ok, but when I tried to upload the generated file, it got tossed by my server. Fortunately, I left my Flytec running and had a approved file that did work.

I get the feeling that standalone Android/IOS apps have yet to fill the position of a primary instrument.

Martin

[kevinB]

If you use a Stodeus device, the data gets recorded on that device and produces FAI compliant files. You can use it stand-alone if the e-ink dies or tumbles towards earth during flight. The e-ink device (or Android/apple phone) is merely a display with better visibility for the map and miserly on battery consumption. The vario sounds come from the Stodeus device. The GPS and map readings probably suffer from microsecond delays on the e-ink device due to Bluetooth and rendering processes, but imperceptibly so.

[Martin]

If you use a Stodeus device, the data gets recorded on that device and produces FAI compliant files.

Noting that Stodeus (https://www.stodeus.com/en/stodeus_para ... nts_range/ ) is not on the CAT1 FAI list:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.fai.org/sites/default/files ... -06-20.pdf

How about dropping some names of these so called E-Ink devices?

Martin

[kevinB]

Interesting... Their website claims they are

https://www.stodeus.com/en/faicivl-valid-igc-track/

[kevinB]

Never mind... I see the new products aren't. Even my Syride isn't. Hmm. Why would it vary within a product range?

[kevinB]

How about dropping some names of these so called E-Ink devices?

Martin

Well the obvious (and latest) shiny tool in the shed here is the Syride SYS'Evolution, which is firmly on the FAI list. Covers off all the bases for sure.

[Martin]

When you mentioned E-Ink device, I thought we were going to discuss Android based cell phones. As I understand it, low power consumption, sunlight readability, internal sensors and able to run a flight app.

The IGC thing apparently comes down to the manufacture submitting its file protocol to some sort of FAI/CIVL bureaucracy. Manufactures that have done the process (appear) to be able to just rubber stamp the newer stuff based on earlier certification. I'm in odd situation as I only participate on a Sailplane OLC that appears pretty anal about the G-Record (part of the IGC file protocol) coming from their approved list.

Lucky, it includes my trusty Flytec 6030 but after several tests appears to refuse XCTrack files (created via internal sensors). Where this gets silly is the site accepts files generated by XC Soar, but not XC Track.... but.... the Hang and PG side of FAI/CIVL Cat 1 list includes XC Track... but not XC Soar !

Back to the instrument side of things...

Have Android based devices achieved the ability to be a GOOD, RELIABLE, standalone instrument?

Martin

[Martin]

Considered ordering from Stodeus, went to the online page and the link appears to be broken?....

https://www.stodeus.com/en/shop/

Martin

[Martin]

Sent them a note... supposedly they didn't know it was down and are going to fix the link....

M

[Jason Steeghs]

Have Android based devices achieved the ability to be a GOOD, RELIABLE, standalone instrument?

As a brand new pilot with a long list of gear costs and tech to wrap my head around, I've been trying to figure out the same thing! I believe the answer is yes* but I'm not positive. The two different aspects seem to be - from my extremely minimal experience/understanding - the quality of the phone's sensors for vario/gps purposes, and the features (UI, file output, etc.)

I don't know enough about the features of other instruments, but from a sensor (vario) perspective, I think even the cheapest phones - if used properly by the app - can (almost?) compete with dedicated instruments. Accelerometers, barometers, and GPS combined together seem to be pretty accurate.

This developer is really keen on making it all work just as good as even the most high-end dedicated instrument:
https://www.theflightvario.com/variomet ... eter-vario
https://www.theflightvario.com/variomet ... eter-vario

In his test videos, it's just as responsive as the XC Tracer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_rQPIMa0kU

FWIW, I've used this a few times now and found it's worked well. I tried the XC Track app once and found it less responsive. But again, I have extremely limited experience.

The downside of this app (there are actually three versions for different purposes) is that it's just ok UI and there's a lot to dig into before I'll feel like I really am using it to it's full potential. But I don't know how any other instruments work either, so...same difference I guess.
I'm still considering buying a little dedicated vario and testing side-by-side, and possibly just using it to send info into one of the apps via bluetooth. But that might just end up as a backup.

Would love to hear anyone else's take on this.

Jason