Vario Tone Settings
The acoustic feedback of a vario is by far the most important aspect of any vario used in paragliding as you will listen and depend on it for 90 percent while flying. This is why we dedicated a separate menu to it within the Settings and theFlightVario app itself. This is also why we added support for custom vario tone configurations using a vario tone editor such as the XCTracer Vario Sound & Config File Editor
Most of settings are preconfigured to match a typical standalone variometer. Nevertheless, have a look at what is being activated before your first flight. Also, we highly recommend to have the calibration routine run as this will make the most of your internal sensors for flying.
Vario Tone Sound
This one is straight forward and describes simply the general type of sound that the vario tones will use. This is like choosing either an electrical or acoustic guitar. You can choose between different sounds from soft to intense in loudness.
Vario Tone Curve
The Vario Tone Curve defines how the vario tone will change with a change in climb rate. This defines how long a beep will beep and how much time there is between the beeping. Predefined or custom XC Tracer Tone Curves can be selected for different conditions or preferences.
Predefined Tone Curves
Predefined Tone Curves will be feasible for most pilots and you you can choose between:
straight - this defines a roughly linear increase in tone frequency and decrease in cycle/duration times and a constant beep
responsive - this defines a logarithmic curve with a nonlinear increase in tone frequency and decrease in cycle/duration times, thus putting focus on lighter thermals
XC Tracer Tone Curves
Configuration files from the afore mentioned XCTracer Vario Sound & Config File Editor can be imported too. In this case choose:
custom - select a vario sound config file
Using these vario tone curves will override any previous Sink, Lift or Prelift Thresholds. We highly encourage to play around with the Vario Sound Config Editor to understand the implications of the settings before using them during flight.
Sink Threshold
You can select a threshold for the vario app to indicate a strong sink. Currently this is set to beeping for basic, classic and fusion and freely customizable for xc vario. Support for custom vario sound configuration for all lines will follow.
Lift Threshold
You can select the threshold for the vario app indicating a lift. Currently his is set to beeping for basic, classic and fusion and freely customizable for xc vario. Support for custom tone configuration for all lines will follow.
Prelift Threshold
You can select the threshold for the vario app to indicate to indicate a prelift zone. This is the zone around or close to a thermal that provides weak but not yet sufficient lift. Which is why we call it the prelift zone. You can choose thresholds between -0.3 m/s to +0.2 m/s. In this case you can choose to be indicated by single beeps or better a buzzer sound. You can also turn it off completely.
Responsiveness
Choose the responsivenes here. We recommend to start with smooth or balanced first. This highly depends on the type of internal pressure sensor as some are precise but noisy others are less precise but not noisy. In case an external bluetooth or usb vario is connected, these settings are not relevant as readings are passed through.
Vario Volume Settings
Within the XC Vario you have two volumes to align with other audio output from the phone and to have the volume always at the same level upon startup.
Vario Tone Volume
This is the volume of the vario tone itself. Use this to align the volume of the vario with other audio output from the phone or apps or bluetooth varios. For instance, you could choose to mute an external bluetooth vario and have the XC Vario take over using custom tone curves. Or you could mute the vario tone of the app to only use the climb rate and altitudes reported but stick to audio output from the bluetooth vario. In any case, this setting does not affect the general volume.
Startup Volume
The XC Vario has a startup volume feature that you can use to always start with the same general volume in the vario app. Use any value from 1% to 100%. Select 0% percent to not use this feature and have the volume be as currently set by the volume up and down buttons of the phone in general.
Testing The Tone Settings
Before flying, test your settings. You can deactivate the Beep Only When Flying setting and move your phone up and down to check. Activate the Beep Only When Flying setting again so the vario is silent if not flying.