v^SPEED Vario mini Open Source Paragliding Variometer. Email vSpeedVario@gmail.com to purchase. Usage and Instructions: Start Here Changing Settings Bluetooth Operation Firmware Updates

v^SPEED VARIO mini $99 Email vSpeedVario@gmail.com to purchase

SPECS: Ultra-high precision barometric pressure sensor detects altitude changes as small as 10cm Measures altitude 84 times per second (72 while transmitting bluetooth data) Lowest priced Bluetooth Variometer on the market iPhone users: Fully compatible with FlySkyHy app (recommended) Android users: v^SPEED app (experimental) (Recommended use is with FlySkyHy for iPhone) Fully compatiple with Arduino IDE to easily change custom settings (Micro USB cable included) Mounts on risers with velcro (100lb test 0.55mm Dyneema Leash, and velcro wrap for riser included) Tiny Size: 68x25x10mm (about the size of a man's thumb) 3D printed case (any color available upon request) Power switch, and volume buttons 150mAh lipo battery with microUSB charging port 10hr battery life while streaming bluetooth data 1.5hr charging time Sale price: $99 each

ABOUT

This is an open source project, with all public files available at the vSpeed-Vario repository. The v^SPEED mini is based on PROTOTYPE6, which is found within that same repository. This variometer was designed to be compatible with the Arduino IDE for advanced usage, which allows users to modify the existing source code to their pleasure. Here, in the repository you are currently viewing, you will find the most up-to-date source code for use in the Arduino IDE. The hardware is based on another open source product: Adafruit's Bluefruit Feather M0. The v^SPEED mini is basically just a Bluefruit Feather M0 development board, but without the header pins broken out, and with the added variometer circuitry.

INSTRUCTIONS

Start Here
Changing Settings
Bluetooth Operation
Firmware Updates

START HERE

Congrats on receiving your new v^SPEED Vario mini!

• Arduino IDE is an integrated development environment, which compiles and executes written code. All the prewritten code used by the vario is included in the repository on this website. If you desire to change any settings on the vario, you must obtain a copy of this code and edit it through the Arduino IDE and re-upload it to the vario.
• Install Arduino IDE from Arduino's website
• Click HERE to download and extract the code files in this repository
• Open the vSpeed_mini.ino file, which should open with the Arduino IDE
• Tools -> Board ->Boards Manager -> Search for: Arduino SAMD Boards -> Install
• File -> Preferences -> Next to "Additional Boards Manager URLs", type: https://adafruit.com/package_adafruit_index.json
  • (If a URL is already there, separate it with a comma and type the new URL next to it)
• Tools -> Board ->Boards Manager -> Search for: Adafruit SAMD Boards -> Install
• Tools -> Board -> Select: Adafruit Feather M0
• Connect your v^SPEED mini to your computer
  • Some USB cables are "charge only" cables, which won't work for uploading code, so use the USB cable provided in the kit
  • The vario must be switched on
• Tools -> Port -> Select any port for now
• Sketch -> Upload
• Anytime you power on your vario, or upload a new sketch, you will hear two sequences of beeps:
  • The first beep(s) indicates the bluetooth mode.
    • No beep: Bluetooth disabled
    • One beep: vSpeed Android app mode
    • Two beeps: FlySkyHy iPhone app mode
    • Three beeps: XC Track Android app mode (not working yet)
  • The second series of beeps indicates the battery level.
    • Ascending: Battery is at least 66%
    • Steady: Battery is at least 33%
    • Descending: Battery is below 33%
• You're ready to fly!

HOW TO CHANGE CUSTOM SETTINGS

• Open the vSpeed_mini.ino file, which should open with the Arduino IDE
• Open the DEFAULT_SETTINGS.h tab
• Change any of the following values according to your preference:
  • ENABLE_CLIMB_BEEP= 1; [1]YES, [0]NO
  • ENABLE_SINK_BEEP= 0; [1]YES, [0]NO
  • ENABLE_SINK_ALARM= 1; [1]YES, [0]NO
  • START_UP_VOLUME= 10; (0 TO 31)
  • BEEP_TYPE= 1; Default [1]BASED_ON_VELOCITY, [2]BUFFERED_INCREMENTS
  • CLIMB_BEEP_TRIGGER= 1.0; (Default: One beep for every 1.0 foot of altitude increase)
  • SINK_BEEP_TRIGGER= -1.0; (Default: Constant beep if sinking more than -1.0 ft/s)
  • SINK_ALARM_TRIGGER= -20.0; (Default: -20.0 ft/s)
  • CLIMB_PITCH_MAX= 600.0; (Default: 600.0 Hz when climbing at ten ft/s)
  • CLIMB_PITCH_MIN= 400.0; (Default: 400.0 Hz when climbing at one ft/s)
  • SINK_PITCH_MAX= 250.0; (Default: 250.0 Hz when sinking at SINK_BEEP_TRIGGER ft/s)
  • SINK_PITCH_MIN= 150.0; (Default: 150.0 Hz when sinking at ten ft/s less than SINK_BEEP_TRIGGER ft/s)
  • SINK_ALARM_PITCH= 1000.0; (Default 1000.0 Hz)
  • BLUETOOTH_MODE= 2; Default [0]DISABLE, [1]VSPEED_ANDROID, [2]FLYSKYHY_IOS (default), [3]XCTRACK_ANDROID (not working yet)
  • ALTITUDE_UNITS= 1; Default [1]FEET, [2]METERS
  • VELOCITY_UNITS= 1; Default [1]FEET_PER_SECOND, [2]METERS_PER_SECOND, [3] FEET_PER_MINUTE
• Tools -> Board -> Select: Adafruit Feather M0
• Connect your v^SPEED mini to your computer
  • Some USB cables are "charge only" cables, which won't work for uploading code, so use the USB cable provided in the kit
  • The vario must be switched on
• Tools -> Port -> Select the appropriate port
  • The port should be automatically renamed to "COM# (Adafruit Feather M0)"
• Sketch -> Upload

BLUETOOTH OPERATION

• v^SPEED mini is compatible with both Android and iPhone.
• You may change the bluetooth mode at startup:
  • Hold the volume down button while powering on the vario until it beeps to boot up into Android mode.
  • Hold the volume up button while powering on the vario until it beeps to boot up into iPhone mode.
  • Hold both the volume buttons while powering on the vario until it beeps to boot up into XC Track mode. (XC Track transmission is not working yet).
  • If no volume buttons are held down at startup, the default mode (as shipped) will be to boot up into FlySkyHy transmission mode.
    • You may change the default startup bluetooth mode by changing the BLUETOOTH_MODE in DEFAULT_SETTINGS.h so you don't need to hold down a volume button each time you switch on the vario.

Android Users--

• Download the v^SPEED Vario app from Google Play Store.

v^SPEED Vario

Android App-- This is a modified version of Adafruit's open source "Bluefruit LE Connect" for Android. The source code can be found in the Android folder of the vSpeed-Vario repository. Now published to Google Play! This app will give you a better image of what your v^SPEED Vario is doing as it transmits live bluetooth data of barometric altitude, vertical speed, and battery level. Other features include implemented GPS for GPS altitude, ground speed, and heading. The implemented Audio beeps are helpful for listening to each foot of climb as well as a variable sink tone. An implemented accelerometer is for keeping track of max G-force during a hard turn or spiral. The visual display includes a line chart of vertical speed, as well as scrolling altitude numbers so you can see your precise vertical velocity. The climb and sink thresholds are adjustable within the app, which also change the thresholds on the external vario automatically.

iPhone Users--

• Download Flyskyhy from the App Store.
• While selecting the external vario model, choose Skydrop.

Flyskyhy

iOS App by Renevision-- v^SPEED Vario is now compatible with the World's most popular Paragliding app! Flyskyhy is an unbeatable iPhone application when it comes to flying. v^Speed Vario is currently using the same protocol as SkyDrop variometers, so in the app when selecting your device, you must choose SkyDrop.

FIRMWARE UPDATES

Source code last updated: 9/12/2020

• For the most up-to-date source code for your v^SPEED mini, download and extract the files in this repository and replace the existing files in your vSpeed_mini folder.
• You may want to keep your existing DEFAULT_SETTINGS.h file if you have made changes to it.
• To see the most recent date that your existing code was updated, see the first line of code in vSpeed_mini.ino.
• a changeLog.txt is provided in the vSpeed_mini folder.

QUESTIONS / CONCERNS / ASSISTANCE / PURCHASE

Email vSpeedVario@gmail.com