Varios (variometers) for RC gliders explained

In this, the last video before my walls went up, I show the new high-precision variometer from FrSky and give an overview/demo of what varios do and how they work.
This vario can also replace the old telemetry hub used by earlier FrSky sensors and produces a far lighter, more elegant way to interface to either the old or newer (X8R receivers.
Note that in order to get the audio output associated with this sensor you will have to be using a Taranis radio or a radio with the FrSky telemetry system and a suitable version of open-source software such as the OpenTX system.
I'll soon be putting this vario in my DLG and doing a flight video to show just how this vario works in actual use.
This unit was purchased from HobbyKing for the normal retail price.
hobbyking.com/h...

[@amtpdb1]

Just bought the Taranis and the Vario! Thanks for the videos and your time. Have a nice week. Don

[@Sprazzer]

I have one and run it without the sound in a gas powered FPV model. It displays clearly on the transmitter and is very useful if you want to know how high you are for taking photos and, as Bruce points out, is very simple to use.

[@fournierrf4d]

Hi Bruce, keep up the good work. I have been flight testing the H-Precision vario for the last week . I have it fitted in to a Radian and am very impressed with its performance. I have it coupled to a DJT module in a JR tx with a "D" series receiver. After many years of full size soaring I can't believe the similarities in this unit and the modern units fitted to full size sailplanes. Can't wait for my Taranis to arrive to get voice alerts instead of the beep alerts.

[@WarblesOnALot]

@RCModelReviews G'day Bruce... Hmn, the 1st time I saw as Audio Vario for a R/C Glider I was amazed. It broadcast to an AM Radio Reciever... They were both in a Symetrical Aerofoil Fairing, mounted on the Uprights of the A-Frame, on a Rogallo in 1979... Back when Lawnmower Motors were High-Tech for "Minimum Aircraft" ;-) Ciao !

[@b94cast]

Your ground pin is coming out on your data out port on the vario - great vids!

[@cuddles-ii6ns]

Bruce hope u are doing ok. Was a week ago for the last video and the recent one 6 days ago. I can't go 6 days without my RC Model Review! I'm addicted but at least I won't get fat watching your videos, haha

[@jchtr3ac]

Nice bit of kit. Thank you Bruce, Cheers, John

[@Znybar]

Nevermind, just found out they do sell one! Might be my next purchase, it's not completely overpriced like other Spektrum stuff.

[@Laurence235]

LiPe VoLcOm... You will probably find that the Li-Po charger will shut down if cloud (or anything else), covers the solar panel & reduces the input voltage. The SLA battery will not be affected.

[@smoothvirus]

Thanks for posting this, I was looking at this vario today to put in one of my gliders.

[@EspenSolbu]

The current sensor (FAS40, FAS100) does not have S.PORT, though they are working on a new sensors that is S.PORT.

[@geoffbrown9168]

Darn, I'm going to have to get new Radio Gear that supports all these kinds of extras. My DX6i is very much yesterdays news.

[@daxdadog]

Just a clarification for any noobs coming away thinking that a vario just reacts to changes in altitude. The beauty of a vario is that upward moving air (lift) is usually less dense, than the surrounding air. The vario will react to that change in air density even before the aircraft starts moving up. You don't have to watch for lift, you will hear it coming.

[@aftertwotoo]

Nice rocking horse. Also, take the plastic off your Taranis LCD!

[@ourblue]

Can you please explain how to set up the high precision vario in companion 9x with alarms for set altitudes in the Taranis.Tearing my hair out! Got a few models set up in c9x but the vario has me stumped. I am using X8R receiver

[@numex106]

the one where you said you would the spectrometer

[@EspenSolbu]

Also, not mentioned in the video, is that the Vario can be used to connect the old style hub and sensors to X8R Rx's. These Rx's don't have the old serial/telemetry port. So this is currently the only way to use the GPS, Current, LiPo etc with the X8R

[@tiiams]

The Taranis is at Infinity Hobby got mine today HK order is still back ordered.

[@LWJCarroll]

Thanks Bruce a very interesting video!!....Can you change the vario audio to be a continuos tone that gives higher pitch going up and lower pitch going down??...Similar to full size hang glider and sailplane varios..Rgds....Laurie

[@Znybar]

Why don't spektrum radios have this feature??? It's really hard to know how effective a thermal is if you have no visual references and this would be awesome!

[@hagenh1883]

setupet for sound with variometer in Taranis? how

[@AltechMYOB]

Tnx! - I have been wondering & waiting for that tidbit for a long time :-)))

[@Soldier53flyer]

It looks good to me.

[@evankirkland7182]

Cool! Would be neat for FPV gliding.

[@brinjal1371]

Can't the glider pilot feel the lift? Why will he need vario?

[@smajci007]

Can i make vario silent when glider is descending?

[@pokies100]

That is sensitive. What a way to sell the transmitter. I want to spend $200 to get the 50% win transmitter.

[@magoo308]

thanx bruce for all d great video. will this vario work with turnigy 9x tx with the er9x software?

[@danielm5465]

I second jimmy's question. I am so confused with this setup. Bruce can you elaborate (make a video) on connectivity of hub/smart port/Vario/Amp sensor/data port/daisy chain? Thanks for all your help btw!

[@StevenKilpatrickOyst3rs]

Hi Bruce, does the audio come from the Taranis or is it from the variometer?

[@P44man]

Vario is only really useful if it compensates for airspeed, so it doesnt react to climbing as a result of pulling on the stick (trading kinetic for potential energy) or vice versa. With weak thermals the "signal" will be lost in the noise because of changes in attitude and in strong thermals, well, you probably dont really need a vario. For compensation you need a pito tube. Ive seen some for model gliders, would this work with it? Can you test that one day?

[@Migueldeservantes]

No sir! I have not seen any! Hope your can send me a few links as a reference. Thanks in advance.

[@xaralampos1959]

Hi again Bruce! Please i need some help-tips if it's possible. i have a Hitec Optic 6 radio and i just got a flight stabilizer-self leveling F-TEK 30A and i need to make my 3point switch to work on channel 5 on my radio, do you have any idea how to assing that switch to ch5? Thanks in advance.

[@cliftondalezirkleii8670]

I too being a NOOB I learned something today!

[@zawaprz]

thx!

[@Migueldeservantes]

Wonder why Frsky have not decide to make a good quality LRS!

[@michelebarberio4016]

Hi Bruce!!! When are u going to do the 100mw 2.4ghz + 18db yagi range experiment?

[@Migueldeservantes]

I just wish that you would have answer as promptly to my request about how to set the fail safe for the R-lec lorn range system...Please notice, not disrespect or abrasive language! just a humble request.

[@lipevolcom2]

I charge 12v Sla batteries with a solar panel and the charge controller so I wonder if I hook the solar panel 21v open 18v load can I hook direct to the Lipo charger ? Or amp drops do to clouds will mess up with the lipo charger and battery!? So can the lipo charge controller handle power variation like standard 12v batteries or not? Thanks keep up with good videos

[@numex106]

when's the video for the quality of the rc link coming out?

[@Devere203]

Aurora9 part 2..... 19 months on. Please......

[@lucywucyyy]

would this work with an fsi6?

[@ourblue]

Is there any other difference apart from greater sensitivity between the precision and non precision variometers? Have my taranis on order. Looking to buy receiver and vario. Thanks for clear explanations.

[@flashted]

Hello, do you have any idea on how to change the vario sound to a higher pitch? There are a few examples on youtube of this, but no explanations, and no answers on how to do it. Maybe in open Tx? Thank you

[@jimmeeGray]

hi bruce....i have the hub you used in the video, the sensors and the x8r receiver, if i get the vario you just talked about, can i connect the sensors to the hub the hub to vario data input and connect vario data out to the x8r receiver's smart port?. i am not worried about the bulk or weight. but i have a few sensors i want to connect.

[@OZSCQUADS]

I am trying to set this vario up with the D8R-II plus, but I just can`t seem to get the wiring right... Grrrr....

[@pacgrafica4]

I used the radio for the first time, added a new model and seemed to be all the work well, servos, receiver, telemetry, radio. The next day I will test the radio for the first time, when I called not appeared in any infomation on the screen and are emitted just vibration. already switch on and off several times but always happens the same. what I do. The radio is new never fly.​ thanks

[@amtpdb1]

Bruce: Just bought the Taranis a week or so ago. Could you do more on this radio. I have left it in the box up until now. Do you think we should update the software? What else should I do? Any updates on your wings? Thanks for all the videos. Don

[@tungruffel]

How did you remove the plastic pieces on the antennas of the X8R receiver?

[@MyLastRites]

good info

[@Migueldeservantes]

I did and I don't find nothing, do your recommend a channel in particular?

[@wordreet]

WoW ! I've been thinking that I need something like this, as my direction is RC gliders. Good grief! It's only £15.67 plus shipping! Haha! Typically, after a minute on that HK page, they are now offering it to me at nearly $2 less! Grr, and I am only considering the Taranis as a change from my Hitec set-up. Aargh! No, I'm going to wait! I must. :¬( DOH!

[@pokies100]

"Spring suspense" sibilance

[@pokies100]

"Telemetry topology" assonance

[@AndreasR1]

Very interesting. Your pronunciation could be clear and distinct.

[@otocinclus]

wtf they already had this in 2013