Reachable landing sites in iGlide

On Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 10:57:53 AM UTC-8, wrote:
Can you use the iPhone 6 as a screen only without getting a wireless line ?
Dan
On Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 1:02:45 AM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 7:49:01 PM UTC-8, JS wrote:
On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 5:31:41 PM UTC-8, Casey wrote:
I believe the one time I had to reinstall data files was due to an iOS update. And I belive the clearing of data from parameters and map data is from storage availability. I have too many apps and photos and sometimes forget about adding more photos.

It might sound completely crazy, but how about using a dedicated device in the glider?
Jim

I do. An iPhone 6 Plus.

Not sure what you are asking. Using iGlide and an iPhone 6 or 7, regular or plus, by itself, you will have a fully featured glider computer. It uses its internal GPS and barometer, and works pretty well. What you will not get is any variometer or Flarm data. You will get position and glide slope information, makable landing sites and arrival altitudes, terrain and airspace clearance, even the thermal assistant works (though not as well). You will not get instantaneous wind. The thermal assistant is not as accurate, nor does it have the wind vectors. No Flarm targets will be displayed. For those, you need the serial stream of data either from an Air Vario, or the Air serial-to-WiFi convertor hooked up to another variometer system capable of streaming LX style serial data. With a proper connection, it will synchronize the McReady setting between vario and iGlide, and all the GPS and barographic data will come from the vario.

You will also find you want to connect the iPhone to a charging cable, as it will only last 3 hours or a bit less on the internal battery.

When I say it works pretty well: One season I had some trouble with my WiFi stick in the Air Vario, so the iPhone would disconnect from the vario in flight. After a few seconds of no data, iGlide defaults to the iPhone internal sensors and keeps going. On several occasions I flew for long periods without having noticed the difference. When I noticed, it was due to the lack of Flarm and wind data. You can put up a navbox displaying the GPS source, which tells you right away - but you might not notice otherwise. There is very little difference in the GPS recorded fixes from the phone vs. the vario. The barograph in the phone is not quite as sensitive (and of course not total energy).

jfitch. When the iPhone disconnected from the wifi stick, was the IGC file in either the iPhone or vario corrupt?

On Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 6:01:46 PM UTC-8, Casey wrote:
jfitch. When the iPhone disconnected from the wifi stick, was the IGC file in either the iPhone or vario corrupt?

Not corrupt in the Vario. I didn't check the one in the phone on those occasions, as I rarely use the one in the phone. It is not secure for contests or records (I don't think?), and I already have one in the Vario and one in the Flarm. The WiFi connection is an additional source of faults not present in a wired serial setup (iGlide only does WiFi). Overall it has been pretty reliable for me, with occasional issues. Normally, if something goes wrong it happens right from the beginning when you turn everything on, and reconnecting fixes it. Once working for the flight, it normally stays working for the flight. When I was having the issues in flight, I attempted several things including power cycling the vario. Even in that instance, as long as you turn it back on within a few seconds, the IGC file is intact. In a race, you are allowed a maximum of 60 seconds between fixes, and a power cycle might push that.

I intend to use the iPhone only for soaring. I was asking whether I need to have a Verizon (or others) wireless line for the iPhone in this scenario.
Dan
On Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 8:44:46 PM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
On Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 10:57:53 AM UTC-8, wrote:
Can you use the iPhone 6 as a screen only without getting a wireless line ?
Dan
On Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 1:02:45 AM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 7:49:01 PM UTC-8, JS wrote:
On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 5:31:41 PM UTC-8, Casey wrote:
I believe the one time I had to reinstall data files was due to an iOS update. And I belive the clearing of data from parameters and map data is from storage availability. I have too many apps and photos and sometimes forget about adding more photos.

It might sound completely crazy, but how about using a dedicated device in the glider?
Jim

I do. An iPhone 6 Plus.

Not sure what you are asking. Using iGlide and an iPhone 6 or 7, regular or plus, by itself, you will have a fully featured glider computer. It uses its internal GPS and barometer, and works pretty well. What you will not get is any variometer or Flarm data. You will get position and glide slope information, makable landing sites and arrival altitudes, terrain and airspace clearance, even the thermal assistant works (though not as well). You will not get instantaneous wind. The thermal assistant is not as accurate, nor does it have the wind vectors. No Flarm targets will be displayed. For those, you need the serial stream of data either from an Air Vario, or the Air serial-to-WiFi convertor hooked up to another variometer system capable of streaming LX style serial data. With a proper connection, it will synchronize the McReady setting between vario and iGlide, and all the GPS and barographic data will come from the vario.

You will also find you want to connect the iPhone to a charging cable, as it will only last 3 hours or a bit less on the internal battery.

When I say it works pretty well: One season I had some trouble with my WiFi stick in the Air Vario, so the iPhone would disconnect from the vario in flight. After a few seconds of no data, iGlide defaults to the iPhone internal sensors and keeps going. On several occasions I flew for long periods without having noticed the difference. When I noticed, it was due to the lack of Flarm and wind data. You can put up a navbox displaying the GPS source, which tells you right away - but you might not notice otherwise. There is very little difference in the GPS recorded fixes from the phone vs. the vario. The barograph in the phone is not quite as sensitive (and of course not total energy).

Dan:
A smart phone used for navigation doesn't need a SIM card. The maps, etc can be downloaded and installed at home.
Jon:
I noticed that there's a 13s wind average set (likely the default) in my Air-Glide S. This is likely the wind used to send to another device and internal glide calculations.
We're overdue for a manual update, but there will be a firmware update soon, so perhaps they'll come together.
Jim


On Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 9:34:23 AM UTC-8, wrote:
I intend to use the iPhone only for soaring. I was asking whether I need to have a Verizon (or others) wireless line for the iPhone in this scenario.
Dan

On Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 9:34:23 AM UTC-8, wrote:
I intend to use the iPhone only for soaring. I was asking whether I need to have a Verizon (or others) wireless line for the iPhone in this scenario..
Dan
On Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 8:44:46 PM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
On Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 10:57:53 AM UTC-8, wrote:
Can you use the iPhone 6 as a screen only without getting a wireless line ?
Dan
On Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 1:02:45 AM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 7:49:01 PM UTC-8, JS wrote:
On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 5:31:41 PM UTC-8, Casey wrote:
I believe the one time I had to reinstall data files was due to an iOS update. And I belive the clearing of data from parameters and map data is from storage availability. I have too many apps and photos and sometimes forget about adding more photos.

It might sound completely crazy, but how about using a dedicated device in the glider?
Jim

I do. An iPhone 6 Plus.

Not sure what you are asking. Using iGlide and an iPhone 6 or 7, regular or plus, by itself, you will have a fully featured glider computer. It uses its internal GPS and barometer, and works pretty well. What you will not get is any variometer or Flarm data. You will get position and glide slope information, makable landing sites and arrival altitudes, terrain and airspace clearance, even the thermal assistant works (though not as well). You will not get instantaneous wind. The thermal assistant is not as accurate, nor does it have the wind vectors. No Flarm targets will be displayed. For those, you need the serial stream of data either from an Air Vario, or the Air serial-to-WiFi convertor hooked up to another variometer system capable of streaming LX style serial data. With a proper connection, it will synchronize the McReady setting between vario and iGlide, and all the GPS and barographic data will come from the vario.

You will also find you want to connect the iPhone to a charging cable, as it will only last 3 hours or a bit less on the internal battery.

When I say it works pretty well: One season I had some trouble with my WiFi stick in the Air Vario, so the iPhone would disconnect from the vario in flight. After a few seconds of no data, iGlide defaults to the iPhone internal sensors and keeps going. On several occasions I flew for long periods without having noticed the difference. When I noticed, it was due to the lack of Flarm and wind data. You can put up a navbox displaying the GPS source, which tells you right away - but you might not notice otherwise. There is very little difference in the GPS recorded fixes from the phone vs. the vario. The barograph in the phone is not quite as sensitive (and of course not total energy).

No cellular connection is needed. I don't have a sim card in the iPhone 6 Plus I use in the glider, and it has never been on a cellular network. You can download and install data or maps anywhere you can get a WiFi connection..

Jim: yes, I've seen the wind average setting in the Air Glide S. I believe mine is set to 20 seconds. John Carlyle has looked into this a bit, because iGlide and the S display will often show a difference, sometimes large, in arrival altitude: it seems to be due to the wind value used, one averaged over a longer constant than the other. What have you heard about a firmware update?

On Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 1:19:30 PM UTC-8, jfitch wrote:
On Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 9:34:23 AM UTC-8, wrote:
I intend to use the iPhone only for soaring. I was asking whether I need to have a Verizon (or others) wireless line for the iPhone in this scenario.
Dan
On Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 8:44:46 PM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
On Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 10:57:53 AM UTC-8, wrote:
Can you use the iPhone 6 as a screen only without getting a wireless line ?
Dan
On Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 1:02:45 AM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 7:49:01 PM UTC-8, JS wrote:
On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 5:31:41 PM UTC-8, Casey wrote:
I believe the one time I had to reinstall data files was due to an iOS update. And I belive the clearing of data from parameters and map data is from storage availability. I have too many apps and photos and sometimes forget about adding more photos.

It might sound completely crazy, but how about using a dedicated device in the glider?
Jim

I do. An iPhone 6 Plus.

Not sure what you are asking. Using iGlide and an iPhone 6 or 7, regular or plus, by itself, you will have a fully featured glider computer. It uses its internal GPS and barometer, and works pretty well. What you will not get is any variometer or Flarm data. You will get position and glide slope information, makable landing sites and arrival altitudes, terrain and airspace clearance, even the thermal assistant works (though not as well). You will not get instantaneous wind. The thermal assistant is not as accurate, nor does it have the wind vectors. No Flarm targets will be displayed. For those, you need the serial stream of data either from an Air Vario, or the Air serial-to-WiFi convertor hooked up to another variometer system capable of streaming LX style serial data. With a proper connection, it will synchronize the McReady setting between vario and iGlide, and all the GPS and barographic data will come from the vario.

You will also find you want to connect the iPhone to a charging cable, as it will only last 3 hours or a bit less on the internal battery.

When I say it works pretty well: One season I had some trouble with my WiFi stick in the Air Vario, so the iPhone would disconnect from the vario in flight. After a few seconds of no data, iGlide defaults to the iPhone internal sensors and keeps going. On several occasions I flew for long periods without having noticed the difference. When I noticed, it was due to the lack of Flarm and wind data. You can put up a navbox displaying the GPS source, which tells you right away - but you might not notice otherwise. There is very little difference in the GPS recorded fixes from the phone vs. the vario. The barograph in the phone is not quite as sensitive (and of course not total energy).

No cellular connection is needed. I don't have a sim card in the iPhone 6 Plus I use in the glider, and it has never been on a cellular network. You can download and install data or maps anywhere you can get a WiFi connection.

Jim: yes, I've seen the wind average setting in the Air Glide S. I believe mine is set to 20 seconds. John Carlyle has looked into this a bit, because iGlide and the S display will often show a difference, sometimes large, in arrival altitude: it seems to be due to the wind value used, one averaged over a longer constant than the other. What have you heard about a firmware update?

Jon, a PM to you bounced.
Jim

On Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 5:07:53 PM UTC-5, Casey wrote:
I like thermal assistant in iGlide better than my LXNav s100.

I bought a iPad mini 4 to dedicate to just soaring but the screen was not quite as bright as my iPhone 6s Plus. The problems I've had with iGlide have been self induced for the most part. And the little bit of reconfiguring after loss of parameters is not that big a deal. I may dedicate this iPhone to soaring but has been one less item on check list and one less item to charge up.

Casey, could you please describe how to use the "thermal assistant"? I have yet to figure that out. Am running an iphone 6 +, with Bad Elf gps and iGlide advanced. I may use an iphone 5S on the dash this season? Last year I used a 6 plus on a knee board, because its too large for the dash.

On Friday, February 24, 2017 at 7:08:24 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 5:07:53 PM UTC-5, Casey wrote:
I like thermal assistant in iGlide better than my LXNav s100.

I bought a iPad mini 4 to dedicate to just soaring but the screen was not quite as bright as my iPhone 6s Plus. The problems I've had with iGlide have been self induced for the most part. And the little bit of reconfiguring after loss of parameters is not that big a deal. I may dedicate this iPhone to soaring but has been one less item on check list and one less item to charge up.

Casey, could you please describe how to use the "thermal assistant"? I have yet to figure that out. Am running an iphone 6 +, with Bad Elf gps and iGlide advanced. I may use an iphone 5S on the dash this season? Last year I used a 6 plus on a knee board, because its too large for the dash.

The Thermal Assistant only comes with the Pro. If you originally purchase the Advance and upgrade to Pro, it will remain the Advance Icon but will have pro features purchased in the settings. Air Glide calls it Climb Optimizer in the list of Pro features. The Thermal Assistant / Climb Optimizer is automatic.

I like having my iPhone on a Ram mount closer to me so I can see better and touch the screen easier. Short arms and vision not as strong as it use to be.

On Friday, February 24, 2017 at 7:02:00 PM UTC-8, Casey wrote:
On Friday, February 24, 2017 at 7:08:24 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 5:07:53 PM UTC-5, Casey wrote:
I like thermal assistant in iGlide better than my LXNav s100.

I bought a iPad mini 4 to dedicate to just soaring but the screen was not quite as bright as my iPhone 6s Plus. The problems I've had with iGlide have been self induced for the most part. And the little bit of reconfiguring after loss of parameters is not that big a deal. I may dedicate this iPhone to soaring but has been one less item on check list and one less item to charge up.

Casey, could you please describe how to use the "thermal assistant"? I have yet to figure that out. Am running an iphone 6 +, with Bad Elf gps and iGlide advanced. I may use an iphone 5S on the dash this season? Last year I used a 6 plus on a knee board, because its too large for the dash.

The Thermal Assistant only comes with the Pro. If you originally purchase the Advance and upgrade to Pro, it will remain the Advance Icon but will have pro features purchased in the settings. Air Glide calls it Climb Optimizer in the list of Pro features. The Thermal Assistant / Climb Optimizer is automatic.

I like having my iPhone on a Ram mount closer to me so I can see better and touch the screen easier. Short arms and vision not as strong as it use to be.

I would not purchase the Pro just for the thermal assistant - it isn't that good, particularly with no Air Vario connected. If you are racing, then the Pro is desirable of necessary, to create the correct turn points.