Does AHRS work or not?
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David Dearing
Aug 12, 2018, 10:51:10 AM8/12/18
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I'm a little confused. looking through the previous posts, it seems folks have gotten AHRS to work, but on all of the vendor websites, it says Avare doesn't support AHRS. Which is it?
Also, is there any way to bring up the map and the PFD at the same time (assuming AHRS works) like foreflight? I'm looking at purchasing an old Mooney that has, well, crap instruments and it would be nice to use Avare as "backup". :)
Thanks!
Pete Roemer
Aug 12, 2018, 12:03:07 PM8/12/18
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The Stratux AHRS works very nicely for me, when viewing the display on the Stratux web interface: Choice: Menu, then GPS/AHRS and scroll down for the display. This assumes the gps is connected to the Stratux and working. I just did some 45 deg bank 360's, 45 deg pullups and nose drops and the display seemed perfect. I don't know what it would do in aerobatics.
It is my understanding that the Stratux AHRS will not show up on the Avare PFD display. (yet.) Some people report that their phones or tablets will do a split screen with the Avare map display, plus the Stratux web AHRS display in each window.
Perhaps the "more expert" can add or correct my impressions.
Pete
John W SBA
Aug 12, 2018, 5:27:36 PM8/12/18
to David Dearing, Apps4Av Forum
> folks have gotten AHRS to work...Avare doesn't support AHRS.
Both are correct, and...
I've had it working on the StratuX web interface via Firefox on the
ground, in a car, and in flight. It correctly shows attitude changes,
and could be useful as a non-certified emergency backup.
And:
*It works in the car but still isn't showing level flight.
*Without battery backup, it could join a panel AHRS shutdown.
*It doesn't display within Avare (web interface only).
*As reported by the helpful expert user named "TV" here, there's
something about the StratuX that's unreliable - at least with current
Avare versions. In flight I've had Stratux randomly stop working at all
(no GPS, or ADS-B - don't know about AHRS via Firefox). It may have to
do with WiFi connection being interrupted, even though that seems
unlikely to me since I've lost Stratux above 5,000'AGL in an unpopulated
area with no other air traffic. I don't see how interference from
another WiFi source could be the problem when the Stratux is <3' from
the Android device and there's no other WiFi source within a mile. TV
knows far more than I about the numerous technical issues and has
probably tested and researched solutions so maybe he'll chime in with
anything beyond what he's already written here. Bottom line: my
understanding is that TV doesn't fly the StratuX he designed and built,
with the Avare app, and maybe not at all.
There's been some recent work on an Avare upgrade that better supports
StratuX, I've tested it, and am excited about the many improvements. And:
*So far it doesn't address the loss of input described above.
*It doesn't yet have integrated AHRS.
*Last I heard it's still in beta testing.
*More improvements and upgrades will be helpful.
*Work on it is done by volunteers so there's no timeline.
*Volunteer work was disrupted by the recent chart issues.
*My impression is that the StratuX developer (don't recall his name at
the moment) stopped working on StratuX, and doesn't fly with it -
particularly AHRS. Can anyone here provide references to the contrary?
> any way to bring up the map and the PFD at the same time
Yes, IF you have an Android version that supports split screen. I
believe some Samsung devices did it before Android officially added it
as a feature.
And:
*Split screen doesn't leave much Avare space.
*Split screen takes a lot of CPU.
*If I start routinely flying StratuX, I'll probably have it on my
secondary devices (two S7 phones). That way if (when) it's interrupted,
my primary device (tablet) won't be affected. The phone screens are
plenty big enough for traffic, wx, etc. The phone screens are also much
better than my panel 430W in many ways.
> nice to use Avare as "backup". :)
I actually fly it as primary for GPS moving map and EFB, with the 430W
as backup. StratuX on the phones works well enough for me on everything
but traffic (great for that when it's working, but not reliable imo).
Lately I've been going back to the "$10 ADSB" for traffic (using S7
internal GPS), since it uses USB and seems to be more reliable than
StratuX. The downside is it uses device battery, due to inability to
supply ship's power to the device. I've found a dongle that works on my
S7s to at least provide ship's power to the "$10 ADSB" receiver, but
alas not simultaneously to the S7. That still works well enough since
it's rare I need traffic for more than an hour. The phone has easily
lasted for an entire 3 hour flight if I turn the screen brightness down
when not needed. It's quick and easy to turn brightness back up, and
depending on heading & sun angle it's often fine at fairly low brightness.
It could be there's another free app that provides 100% reliable
StratuX, and if so I'd like to use that as secondary for traffic.
Suggestions welcome. :)
I like Avare a lot because it's simple yet does all I want and much
more. Plus the "price" (i.e. free) lets me fly a few extra hours even
after I make a modest donation.
Hope this helps.
Happy Flying -j
Both are correct, and...
I've had it working on the StratuX web interface via Firefox on the
ground, in a car, and in flight. It correctly shows attitude changes,
and could be useful as a non-certified emergency backup.
And:
*It works in the car but still isn't showing level flight.
*Without battery backup, it could join a panel AHRS shutdown.
*It doesn't display within Avare (web interface only).
*As reported by the helpful expert user named "TV" here, there's
something about the StratuX that's unreliable - at least with current
Avare versions. In flight I've had Stratux randomly stop working at all
(no GPS, or ADS-B - don't know about AHRS via Firefox). It may have to
do with WiFi connection being interrupted, even though that seems
unlikely to me since I've lost Stratux above 5,000'AGL in an unpopulated
area with no other air traffic. I don't see how interference from
another WiFi source could be the problem when the Stratux is <3' from
the Android device and there's no other WiFi source within a mile. TV
knows far more than I about the numerous technical issues and has
probably tested and researched solutions so maybe he'll chime in with
anything beyond what he's already written here. Bottom line: my
understanding is that TV doesn't fly the StratuX he designed and built,
with the Avare app, and maybe not at all.
There's been some recent work on an Avare upgrade that better supports
StratuX, I've tested it, and am excited about the many improvements. And:
*So far it doesn't address the loss of input described above.
*It doesn't yet have integrated AHRS.
*Last I heard it's still in beta testing.
*More improvements and upgrades will be helpful.
*Work on it is done by volunteers so there's no timeline.
*Volunteer work was disrupted by the recent chart issues.
*My impression is that the StratuX developer (don't recall his name at
the moment) stopped working on StratuX, and doesn't fly with it -
particularly AHRS. Can anyone here provide references to the contrary?
> any way to bring up the map and the PFD at the same time
believe some Samsung devices did it before Android officially added it
as a feature.
And:
*Split screen doesn't leave much Avare space.
*Split screen takes a lot of CPU.
*If I start routinely flying StratuX, I'll probably have it on my
secondary devices (two S7 phones). That way if (when) it's interrupted,
my primary device (tablet) won't be affected. The phone screens are
plenty big enough for traffic, wx, etc. The phone screens are also much
better than my panel 430W in many ways.
> nice to use Avare as "backup". :)
as backup. StratuX on the phones works well enough for me on everything
but traffic (great for that when it's working, but not reliable imo).
Lately I've been going back to the "$10 ADSB" for traffic (using S7
internal GPS), since it uses USB and seems to be more reliable than
StratuX. The downside is it uses device battery, due to inability to
supply ship's power to the device. I've found a dongle that works on my
S7s to at least provide ship's power to the "$10 ADSB" receiver, but
alas not simultaneously to the S7. That still works well enough since
it's rare I need traffic for more than an hour. The phone has easily
lasted for an entire 3 hour flight if I turn the screen brightness down
when not needed. It's quick and easy to turn brightness back up, and
depending on heading & sun angle it's often fine at fairly low brightness.
It could be there's another free app that provides 100% reliable
StratuX, and if so I'd like to use that as secondary for traffic.
Suggestions welcome. :)
I like Avare a lot because it's simple yet does all I want and much
more. Plus the "price" (i.e. free) lets me fly a few extra hours even
after I make a modest donation.
Hope this helps.
Happy Flying -j
Pete Roemer
Aug 13, 2018, 1:06:41 PM8/13/18
to Apps4Av Forum
cyoung seems to have been improving the code as recently as 30 July, 2018. See: https://github.com/cyoung/stratux/compare/v1.4r5...master
I haven 't run into the "disconnect" problem, but then my flights are less than 2 hours, and in a low traffic environment.
Regardless, depending too much on (often flaky) wifi connections seems to be not such a good idea when flying. I like the in flight weather updates, but would never stake my life on any wifi connected devices staying connected.
Pete
On Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 9:51:10 AM UTC-5, David Dearing wrote:
On Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 9:51:10 AM UTC-5, David Dearing wrote:
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