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Explore a detailed comparison of the best paragliding apps, their features, pros, and cons. Discover free options like xcsoar and xctrack vs. paid apps like flyskyhy for iOS. Dive into user design capability, maps, and airspace details. Learn essential considerations like battery life and device compatibility before choosing the perfect app for your needs.
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Apps – Choices & ConsideratioNs The pro’s and con’s of a small range of the best and most common apps in general paragliding use
Flight navigation apps are now very popular, often sitting alongside and complimenting a dedicated • flight instrument. • * They are a very low cost (Android), more expensive (ios) option to a dedicated high-end instrument. • Some pilots use them as their sole instrument by BT ing a dedicated vario/logger (xctracer, Bluefly, • Skydrop) • The most common apps are: xcsoar/LK8000, xctrack, flyme (Android). ALL are free. • flyskyhy (ios) Total with the maps, airspace and xc package £30+ • Support and development – xctrack, flyme responsive support – under constant development • xcsoar/LK8000 – some forum support, very limited development. • Issues – screen readability, battery life. Approx 12-15%/hour. • Many apps now produce an igc file acceptable to all major leagues – with g and c record signature. • What they are good at – user design capability, mapping and airspace detail, easy tasking, logging • and tracking.
Every single box (widget) configureable in terms of: Position, size, field, appearance, function, page etc Mapping – roadmap, topo, contours, airspace, detail, info’ etc Xctrack 8.0.2
e ink High contrast white
Apps are a very personal thing, • Whatever you choose, get to know it really well BEFORE you use it in anger. • When choosing an app you may wish to consider: • i) What you wish to spend. Android devices are relatively cheap, ios devices about 3x the cost • Leagoo M8PRO - £82 Cubot P20 - £129 • ii) ALL android apps are free, most ios apps have some (if small , cost). Configurability • iii) Check battery size – bigger the better (3500 mAh minimum). • iv) Consumption rate - expect about 12 – 15% hr ….. say 5 to 6 hrs. • v) Settings can effect consumption rate – xcsoar seems worse than xctrack (?) • vi) Carry as slim a spare battery as you can – you don’t need a big heavy one. • vii) Personally, I’d avoid using my phone as a flight device … but I know why ios user’s would. • viii) Have a device secure attachment to your flightdeck