This repository contains all previous prototypes.

Click here for the final product repository.

v^Speed Vario Contents: v^SPEED VARIO mini Compare Android App iPhone App 3D Printing Arduino Code Custom Circuit Board Parts List

DIY Paragliding Variometer (Vertical Speed Indicator)

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

SPECS: Ultra-high precision barometric pressure sensor detects altitude changes as small as 10cm Lowest priced Bluetooth Variometer on the market iPhone users: Fully compatible with FlySkyHy app Android users: v^SPEED app new in Google Play Store Fully compatiple with Arduino IDE to easily change custom settings Mounts on risers with velcro (leash, and velcro for both riser and vario included) Tiny Size: 68x25x10mm (about the size of a man's thumb) 3D printed cover screws onto circuit board (black, white, yellow, or light blue) Power switch, and volume buttons 100mAh lipo battery with microUSB charging port 7hr battery life while streaming bluetooth data 1hr charging time Sale price: $99 each (subject to change) OR -- DIY! -- (assuming you have a 3D printer, an SWD programmer, and a reflow oven) 1 hand assembled: ~ $70 each 10 hand assembled: ~ $38 each 10 machine assembled: ~ $89 each 100 machine assembled: ~ $59 each

v^SPEED Vario Back to Top

Android App-- I have modified Adafruit's "Bluefruit LE Connect" for Android and the source code can be found in the Android folder. 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.

Flyskyhy Back to Top

iOS App by Renevision-- I've been working with Rene to get v^SPEED VARIO compatible with the World's most popular Paragliding app! He's been very helpful throughout the process, and 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 for the time being.

Prior Prototypes:

PROTOTYPE5 (In Progress) Back to Top

IMPROVEMENTS: Nokia 5110 LCD is much cheaper 2.9" e-Paper display was having interference issues Three buttons used for interfacing with menu Screw-together 3D printed case is much more printer friendly Size: 97x47x18mm Material cost for ten: ~ $54 each Material cost for one: ~ $96 each

PROTOTYPE4 (Aborted) Back to Top

IMPROVEMENTS: Bluetooth compatible with: iPhone: Flyskyhy Android: v^Speed (soon to be published) 2.9" e-Paper display is much larger Amplified electromagnetic buzzer is much louder Micro SD saves settings and any desired flight data Single Button power-on also used for interfacing with menu Machine assembly potential: All SMD components, except the switch Size: 100x40x30mm Material cost for ten: $69 each Material cost for one: $111 each

PROTOTYPE3 (Fully Working) Back to Top

IMPROVEMENTS: Bluetooth compatible with: iPhone: Flyskyhy Android: v^SPEED (soon to be published) Adafruit Feather Bluefruit M0 MS5611 Barometric Pressure/Temperature Sensor (SPI mode) Less than several INCHES of altitude noise with a simple averaging filter 37 Altitude samples per second with the display screen ON 56 Altitude samples per second while connected to your phone with the display screen OFF Size: 60x28x20mm (perfect for wrist watch, or riser mounting) 0.66" OLED display (SPI mode) PS1740 Piezo Buzzer 3D Printed Case Custom designed PCB Audio and a handful of widgets are implemented in each app Material cost for ten: $45 each Material cost for one: $77 each

PROTOTYPE2 (Discontinued) Back to Top

IMPROVEMENTS: Bluetooth compatible with: iPhone: (Not yet compatible) Android: v^SPEED (soon to be published) Adafruit Feather Bluefruit 32u4 MS5611 Barometric Pressure/Temperature Sensor (SPI mode) Less than several INCHES of altitude noise with a simple averaging filter 21 Altitude samples per second with the display screen ON 49 Altitude samples per second while connected to your phone with the display screen OFF Size: 60x20x28mm (perfect for wrist watch, or riser mounting) 0.66" OLED display (SPI mode) PS1740 Piezo Buzzer 3D Printed Case Custom designed PCB Audio and a handful of widgets are implemented in the v^SPEED app Material cost for ten: $45 each Material cost for one: $77 each

PROTOTYPE1 (One of a kind) Back to Top

SPECIFICATIONS: Arduino Nano BMP180 Barometric Pressure/Temperature Sensor (I2C mode) Just about a foot of altitude noise with a simple averaging filter 13 Altitude samples per second Size: 60x20x28mm (perfect for wrist watch, or riser mounting) NOKIA5110 LCD Display (SPI mode) Backlight Control Volume Control PS1240 Piezo Buzzer Material cost for one: $20

COMPARE: Back to Top
Model	PROTOTYPE1	PROTOTYPE2	PROTOTYPE3	PROTOTYPE4	PROTOTYPE5	PROTOTYPE6
Height x Width x Thickness (mm)	100 x 70 x 20	60 x 28 x 20	60 x 28 x 20	100 x 40 x 30	97 x 47 x 18	68 x 25 x 10
Controller	Arduino Nano	Bluefruit Feather 32u4	Bluefruit Feather M0	Bluefruit Feather M0	Bluefruit Feather M0	ATSAMD21G18A-MU
Barometer	BMP180	MS5611	MS5611	MS5611	MS5611	MS5611
Altitude Sample Rate (Hz)	13	21-49	37-56	(Not Tested Yet)	~ 60	~ 80
Altitude Precision (cm)	35	11	10	(Not Tested Yet)	10	~ 8
Android App Compatibility	-	v^SPEED	v^SPEED	v^SPEED	v^SPEED	v^SPEED
iPhone App Compatibility	-	-	Flyskyhy	Flyskyhy	Flyskyhy	Flyskyhy
Battery	9V	BTG 150 mAh Li-Po 3.7V	BTG 150 mAh Li-Po 3.7V	BTG 150 mAh Li-Po 3.7V	BTG 150 mAh Li-Po 3.7V	Adafruit 100 mAh Li-Po 3.7V
Battery Life w/ Full Function	(Hasn't Died Yet)	(Approx 8 hr)	(Approx 8 hr)	(Not Tested Yet)	(Not Tested Yet)	(Not Tested Yet)
Buzzer	PS1240	PS1740	PS1740	BOT-03D-BUJEON	BOT-03D-BUJEON	SMT-1127-S-R
Amplification	-	-	-	Yes	Yes	Yes
Volume Control	Thumbwheel	Thumbwheel	Thumbwheel	Digital	Digital	Digital
Display	Nokia5110 LCD	0.66" OLED	0.66" OLED	2.9" e-Paper	Nokia5110 LCD	(Use Bluetooth)
Micro SD Slot	-	-	-	Yes	Yes	-
User Control	Volume, Brightness, Power	Volume, Power	Volume, Power	Single Button	Three Button, Power	Two Button, Power
Custom Settings	Arduino Upload	Arduino Upload	Arduino Upload	Settings Menu	Settings Menu	Arduino Upload
Mounting	Leg Strap	Riser, Wrist	Riser, Wrist	Riser	Leg Strap	Leg Strap, Riser
Assembly	Cardboard, Protoboard, Wire	Custom PCB Through-hole	Custom PCB Through-hole	Custom PCB Surface Mount	Custom PCB Surface Mount	100% machine assembly potential
Qty 10 Unit Material Cost (USD)	$20	$45	$45	$69	$54	$37
Qty 1 Unit Material Cost (USD)	$20	$77	$77	$111	$96	$70

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Footage:

Introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFNgn0X94sw
In-Flight Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXyAx8dpHaY

The only footage I have for the app is during an Imagine Dragons concert in a low averaging setting--
Android App: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kcBOBjCzPE&t=4s
(At about 1:20 the heavy base ramps up during the song and makes the barometric sensor data go nuts!)

Contact with questions or concerns:

Contact: vSpeedVario@gmail.com

This is an open-source project

SolidWorks Back to Top

3D Printing-- Printing the cases for each variometer should be quite a bit cheaper now that my dad purchased a Prusa i3 MK3 3D printer. SOLIDWORKS is my software of choice, but if it's not available for you, I would suggest OnShape.com for designing your 3D printed parts.

Arduino IDE Back to Top

Programing Code-- The Arduino integrated development environment (IDE) is the free software and programming language compatible with this device. Paul McWhorter got me hooked on his YouTube video series of lessons for learning Arduino. Before the summer of 2017, I had no interest in electronics, until I realized you can do almost anything when you combine it with computer programming. I ended up pulling an all nighter as I watched every single one of those videos, and suddenly I knew how electronics worked, and I knew how to implement my own ideas in the Arduino Software.

Eagle CAD Back to Top

Custom PCB-- A Custom PCB is designed in the free Eagle CAD software and ordered through SEEED Studios.

Bill of Materials Back to Top

Full Parts List-- Download PROTOTYPE5 Parts List Download PROTOTYPE6 Parts List

Where Did I Learn All This?--

Besides the fact that I've been teaching myself all this stuff,
HUGE bragging rights within this project can be claimed by:
Paul Butler ( my Dad )
Paul McWhorter ( http://toptechboy.com )
Adafruit Industries ( https://www.adafruit.com/ )
Sparkfun Electronics ( https://www.sparkfun.com/ )
BlueFlyVario ( http://blueflyvario.blogspot.com.au/ )