Variometer connection to an Android smartphone
How to connect your variometer to an Android smartphone
Varduino variometers can send data via Bluetooth to many paragliding and sailplanes applications on Android devices. Examples are XCSoar, XCTrack or FlyMe.
To set-up your variometer and android app properly, install Varduino Manager and follow the steps below.
Variometer configuration from Varduino Manager
In Varduino Manager, go to General settings.
- Choose Android as target device
- Choose the appropriate data format for pressure and vario information. LK8EX1 works with many apps. For XCSoar, choose POV.
- Set-up the interval at which data are sent. Default is 1 second.
- Turn on and plug in your variometer. Click send to device.
- Reboot your variometer
App configuration: XCSoar
In general, you should NOT try to pair your Varduino from the phone directly but do it from the application.
In Varduino Manager, set up your variometer for Android with POV data format.
- Open XCSoar
- Go to Configuration ->devices
- Choose a free peripheral, for instance B and click "edit"
- In port, choose Bluetooth LE and select Varduino. Your variometer must have been switched on before this step.
- In driver, select OpenVario.
- If needed, click "enable" to enable peripheral B. If configured properly, it should show "connected" with "Baro" and "vario" data.
- One can see data being transmitted by clicking on "Monitor". You should see both GPS and pressure data if your instrument has a built-in GPS.
App configuration: XCTrack
For most apps, you should NOT pair your variometer directly from your phone settings.
In Varduino Manager, set up your variometer for Android with LK8EX1 data format.
- Open XCTrack
- Go to settings and external sensor.
- Click on External sensor and choose the instrument that shows up. Your variometer must have been switched on before this step.
- Check "use external GPS" and "Use external barometer"
- One can check that data is being received by clicking on "Calibrate".
