We just received most of the bits and pieces required. Display is expected to arrive next week
.
I don´t know if I should be thrilled or scared, but some of these items are just incredibly small. Guess some soldering practice on an old PC board would be a good idea before taking on t
he real ting.
Everything you need to get started can be found on http://www.openvario.org/doku.php?id=downloads
A while back I stumbled on an article on Facebook I believe about an open project for a DIY glider computer and variometer. I´m a sucker for gadgets in our glider 
and has so far installed Flarm, transponder and ADS-B in and out. Everything presented in XC-Soar on a Samsung TAB 7, via a Bluetooth adapter. My co-owner of our LS6 – Haldor, uses another setup with Seeyou on an Ipaq without Flarm and ADS-B presented. The best solution would be to have a fixed installation with all flight data presented in one integrated device. As probably all of you know these solutions are extremely expensive, reaching thousands for dollars.
OpenVario on the other hand looks like a perfect device, for a very affordable price, and what fun it will be to make it our self. Check the link below for more info about the project and stop by here from time to time for an update on our build.
So far we are gathering information, studying how-to, and anxiously waiting for all the bits and pieces to arrive. There is nothing as satisfying as making your own gadgets and save a few bucks in the process 🙂
We will try to update this page as the project evolves with short descriptions and pictures. Haven’t set a date for completion, but I suspect we will aim for an installation in our LS6 for the 2015/16 season. In other words next winter, but we’ll see.
Stay tuned.
