New Featherweight Tracker release

[Adrian A]

Kevin and I have been working on on a new Tracker release that has logged data downloading and sharing. The tracker logs the following data at 10 times per second:

• GPS time of the sample
• Latitude & longitude to 6 decimal places
• Altitude in feet
• GPS fix type
• Horizontal velocity in feet/second
• Vertical velocity in feet/second
• Heading in compass degrees
• GPS quality flag
• Total Number of satellites
• Number of satellites with > 40 dB signal strength
• Number of satellites with > 32 dB signal strength
• Number of satellites with > 24 dB signal strength
• LoRa signal strength from the ground station to the tracker
• Battery Voltage

Once you download the data from the tracker, it's stored in the phone memory, and shown in a list that includes the flight time and the name you gave to your tracker. From there you can email the data out to analyze, turn into KML files, etc.

There is a flight simulation feature you can use to try it out. There are also some other improvements, including better filtering to prevent corrupted transmissions from getting passed along to your phone.

I'm still hoping we can get this out tomorrow before LDRS starts, but we need to test it a bit more to make sure the upgrades work smoothly and we didn't break anything.

 

[ksaves2]

Hmmmmm, Maybe I’ll wait and spring fo this one. Gotta iPad Pro 2 I can stick a data sim in if I want.

 

[kjs]

you don't need a data sim... just wait until you get back on wifi to mail the saved downloads to yourself... it currently saves them with flight date/time and trackerID so you can multiple saved for the day and then mail them when you get home...

 

[Gus]

Weight, dimensions, power source, photo, estimated price?

Thanks.

 

[Adrian A]

Weight, dimensions, power source, photo, estimated price?

Thanks.

This product has been available for about a year, with $150 for the tracker and $190 for the ground station, which can support multiple trackers. It's' available here:
https://www.featherweightaltimeters.com/featherweight-gps-tracker.html

The 400 mAhr battery cell that ships with the complete set will keep a tracker running for about 6-8 hours.

Here is a link to the user's guide, which has dimensions and power recommendations. Sorry the manual is a little out of date with the latest software updates; we're working on that.

https://www.featherweightaltimeters.com/uploads/1/0/9/5/109510427/manual_2018nov23.pdf

 

[Cameron Anderson]

Any idea when you will be releasing an Android-compatible app?

 

[ksaves2]

Any idea when you will be releasing an Android-compatible app?

Just buy a used Apple device of your choice. You don't have to have a phone sim in it to use. I suspect that's what Adrian will advise. Kurt

 

[manixFan]

Yes, nearly any iPhone will work, no need for cell service or anything else other than going to the App Store and downloading the app. I have a couple of old iPhones that work just fine without a sim installed (other than the constant message that no sim is installed). I also use them to work with WiFi switches without having to change any settings on my ‘real’ phone.

I get that some folks don’t like Apple and don’t want anything to do with them. I feel the same way towards Google and Android. But if the Featherweight tracker was Android only I’d bite the bullet and get an Android device so I could use it, it’s been that good in my experience. Compared to all the other solutions available it is easier to use and just as robust. I have used it at BALLS and just recently at LDRS with great success.


Tony

 

[Cameron Anderson]

Just buy a used Apple device of your choice. You don't have to have a phone sim in it to use. I suspect that's what Adrian will advise. Kurt

Featherweight website says Android compatibility is on the way, so hopefully it is sooner rather than later.

 

[Cameron Anderson]

Yes, nearly any iPhone will work, no need for cell service or anything else other than going to the App Store and downloading the app. I have a couple of old iPhones that work just fine without a sim installed (other than the constant message that no sim is installed). I also use them to work with WiFi switches without having to change any settings on my ‘real’ phone.

I get that some folks don’t like Apple and don’t want anything to do with them. I feel the same way towards Google and Android. But if the Featherweight tracker was Android only I’d bite the bullet and get an Android device so I could use it, it’s been that good in my experience. Compared to all the other solutions available it is easier to use and just as robust. I have used it at BALLS and just recently at LDRS with great success.


Tony

How do you like the functionality of Featherweight? I just bought a used Entacore XTRA 2.0 for longe-range tracking and I can't get the operating system to load on my computer so I might be in the market for something new. I've been using a Missileworks T3 for a while with zero issues. I love it. I want to start pushing beyond 25K in altitude and tracking multiple stages at once so I was looking at Featherweight.

 

[Buckeye]

Yes, nearly any iPhone will work, no need for cell service or anything else other than going to the App Store and downloading the app. I have a couple of old iPhones that work just fine without a sim installed (other than the constant message that no sim is installed). I also use them to work with WiFi switches without having to change any settings on my ‘real’ phone.

I get that some folks don’t like Apple and don’t want anything to do with them. I feel the same way towards Google and Android. But if the Featherweight tracker was Android only I’d bite the bullet and get an Android device so I could use it, it’s been that good in my experience. Compared to all the other solutions available it is easier to use and just as robust. I have used it at BALLS and just recently at LDRS with great success.


Tony

I obtained an old iOS device (no service) for a future purchase of the Featherweight Tracker. What is the best way to download flight data files from the "dummy" device and get them on my "real" computer?

 

[Buckeye]

Featherweight website says Android compatibility is on the way, so hopefully it is sooner rather than later.

That teaser has been on the website for years. Don't hold your breath. Based on updates posted in this forum, Android is not coming anytime soon.

 

[Buckeye]

How do you like the functionality of Featherweight? I just bought a used Entacore XTRA 2.0 for longe-range tracking and I can't get the operating system to load on my computer so I might be in the market for something new. I've been using a Missileworks T3 for a while with zero issues. I love it. I want to start pushing beyond 25K in altitude and tracking multiple stages at once so I was looking at Featherweight.

I almost pulled the trigger on Entacore 2.0, but the posts about the fiddly firmware/software scared me away. Also, it is a South African company without much info/presence here in the USA. I'd rather put my money on the new technology and known support from Featherweight.

MW T3 works for me, too. The downside are the crappy Android apps needed to receive the GPS data. I think you can use multiple trackers? Don't remember.

 

[Cameron Anderson]

I almost pulled the trigger on Entacore 2.0, but the posts about the fiddly firmware/software scared me away. Also, it is a South African company without much info/presence here in the USA. I'd rather put my money on the new technology and known support from Featherweight.

MW T3 works for me, too. The downside are the crappy Android apps needed to receive the GPS data. I think you can use multiple trackers? Don't remember.

I spent 2 hours trying to get the software to work on my oldrer, rocket-field laptop last night and it was error after error after missing DLL. The 3.0 version software worked fine but I need the 2.0. I just had a friend download 2.0 on his brand new laptop and it works so I am going to continue work it on mine. Im not looking for new updates or anything crazy all the time - i want long range tracking...4 deployment channels are just gravy.

Missileworks bases are not paired to individual trackers but I could never get the base to track multiple trackers at the same time. The app (rocket locator) didn't know which position to report and lost its mind.

 

[Adrian A]

What is the best way to download flight data files from the "dummy" device and get them on my "real" computer?

The next release will let you email them.

That teaser has been on the website for years. Don't hold your breath. Based on updates posted in this forum, Android is not coming anytime soon.

I just changed the website so it gives a more accurate expectations.

 

[ksaves2]

I spent 2 hours trying to get the software to work on my oldrer, rocket-field laptop last night and it was error after error after missing DLL. The 3.0 version software worked fine but I need the 2.0. I just had a friend download 2.0 on his brand new laptop and it works so I am going to continue work it on mine. Im not looking for new updates or anything crazy all the time - i want long range tracking...4 deployment channels are just gravy.

Missileworks bases are not paired to individual trackers but I could never get the base to track multiple trackers at the same time. The app (rocket locator) didn't know which position to report and lost its mind.

You can’t do that with a T3 or EggFinder stuff. One rocket, one receiver. That’s what most sport people do.

 

[Syclone]

@Adrian A Is this update available? All I was able to download from Testflight was V1.0 build 103 dated 8/13.

 

[Adrian A]

There is a new version that we are testing now. Looks like there is a wrinkle or two we need to iron out, hopefully in the next few days. The new version supports downloading flight logs for TRA record attempts. We have been working with with the records committee on the details of the data formats, and they are ready to approve the Featherweight GPS for records when the new version comes out.

 

[markjos]

Adrian and/or Kevin,

I'm sure this is on your radar - but I'm curious: since FIP from TestFlight (1.0 (103)) expires in 7 days, can we expect a feature change? Any new documentation or firmware? We're headed to Midwest Power on 11/16, and would like to work with any changes ahead of time, if at all possible (on the field being the worst place to incorporate new tricks, of course).

Thanks - we're looking forward to the updates.

Mark

 

[kjs]

Mark,

yes, we have a release that I'm working on tonight as I know people want to update when they are not on the field. we'll post on TRF when it has been released as well as you should get a notification from TestFlight.

thanks!

 

[AeroAggie]

There is a new version that we are testing now. Looks like there is a wrinkle or two we need to iron out, hopefully in the next few days. The new version supports downloading flight logs for TRA record attempts. We have been working with with the records committee on the details of the data formats, and they are ready to approve the Featherweight GPS for records when the new version comes out.

This is great news! I haven't turned my tracker on since LDRS to see if any updates have been pushed...Are you there yet?

 

[markjos]

Mark,

yes, we have a release that I'm working on tonight as I know people want to update when they are not on the field. we'll post on TRF when it has been released as well as you should get a notification from TestFlight.

thanks!

Fantastic. Thanks for the reply, Kevin.

 

[dshmel]

...
We're headed to Midwest Power on 11/16, and would like to work with any changes ahead of time
...

Same here, but for Distant Thunder in Argonia this weekend.

 

[BDB]

This is great news! I haven't turned my tracker on since LDRS to see if any updates have been pushed...Are you there yet?

There weren't any updates when I last used my tracker on 10/19. I'm hoping this version contains the exportable flight logging. That would be a great feature.

 

[GrouchoDuke]

I'm definitely excited for the record-ready update!

 

[Buckeye]

Is there absolutely no way to download the data off the device as of today? Adrian mentioned that a future release will allow you to email the flight log to yourself. I assumed this was just an additional convenience and not the actual capability.

 

[kjs]

Please see new thread "Featherweight Tracker Update Build 127"

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/featherweight-tracker-update-build-127.155873/