Featherweight Tracker Update - Build 127

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So I installed build 130 and checked to see if it wanted to update the ground station or the tracker [it did not show any indication that it would]. When I scan for flights [select 'scan' along the bottom row], I get the donut of doom, but it never seems to finish [>20 minutes now]. I have no other devices powered while I'm doing this. I will let it run overnight to see if it ever gets there...
 
It appears your iPhone is in night mode. Flip it back to Light mode and you should be good.

As of now, it doesn’t seem to be displaying correctly in Dark mode.
 
IMG_5066.jpg

This is the screen in Dark Mode:
IMG_5063.jpg

And here it is after switching back to Light Mode:
IMG_5064.jpg
 
So I installed build 130 and checked to see if it wanted to update the ground station or the tracker [it did not show any indication that it would]. When I scan for flights [select 'scan' along the bottom row], I get the donut of doom, but it never seems to finish [>20 minutes now]. I have no other devices powered while I'm doing this. I will let it run overnight to see if it ever gets there...

If you’re on the “Scan” page you will just see the spinning donut. It’s looking for trackers/gs via Bluetooth so if you don’t have any unpaired devices on, it won’t show anything.

If you want to find your flights, go to the “share” page.
 
So I installed build 130 and checked to see if it wanted to update the ground station or the tracker [it did not show any indication that it would]. When I scan for flights [select 'scan' along the bottom row], I get the donut of doom, but it never seems to finish [>20 minutes now]. I have no other devices powered while I'm doing this. I will let it run overnight to see if it ever gets there...

Tony, There were two ways the data was stored. The first one used Apple's data storage that is a small SQL Lite DB. I quit using that because it was slow as data piled up. I now use a file per day of flight log. I'll check but I think the code will do a conversion of old to new this time and then delete (or quit referencing) the old. I believe it should finish but let me know if that issue continues. An uninstall / reinstall could fix it, but will remove flight data as well (I think you already have your flight data downloaded?).
 
It appears your iPhone is in night mode. Flip it back to Light mode and you should be good.

As of now, it doesn’t seem to be displaying correctly in Dark mode.
Didn’t make a difference (night vs day mode) and not an issue with build 127.
 
These were screenshots after I installed build 130:<...>

You gave me a heart attack with this post....

It appears your iPhone is in night mode. Flip it back to Light mode and you should be good.

As of now, it doesn’t seem to be displaying correctly in Dark mode.

Luckily I saw this before I passed...

I've never used Dark mode so will try it... Although I'll probably have to update my phone to the latest version and lose that cool magnifying glass...
 
I'm updating my phone to the new OS w/ light / dark mode so I can try to figure this out. Thanks!
Yes makes a difference (light/dark) which is odd. Was thinking BryRocket was referring to night mode.
 
OK, so if I actually use it correctly it shows me the flights, but now I select one of them and it seems to lock up. The cancel option is shown [in blue] but it cannot be selected. The screen shows the single date-labeled file name, but that cannot be selected either. Basically can't do anything and can't get back either.

I did try deleting a file earlier and that seemed to work.

Power cycling the tablet gets it to stop being locked up.
 
OK, so if I actually use it correctly it shows me the flights, but now I select one of them and it seems to lock up. The cancel option is shown [in blue] but it cannot be selected. The screen shows the single date-labeled file name, but that cannot be selected either. Basically can't do anything and can't get back either.

I did try deleting a file earlier and that seemed to work.

Power cycling the tablet gets it to stop being locked up.

Do you have email set up on your iPad? There should be a "share" in the upper right to allow you to share the data (email).... .... .... oh.... I see..... I was happy that I got this build to work again with the older iPhones, but in updating the settings, I also checked the "iPad" option ... I noticed the screens changed some on the iPad (more wasted space - I need to fill it) but now notice it changed some of the navigation buttons... [I just powered up my iPad mini and see the same thing you are seeing.] Let me work on fixing that. Thanks for pointing that out! [It helps that I know you have the same model iPad mini as I do... :-]
 
I don't see an option to use Airdrop with the share sheet, which is the easiest way to transfer to a (Mac) laptop. Any chance of adding that in?


Tony
 
Still no mention on Android?!

I don't think you are going to get a response here. From previous threads, I suspect that nothing is happening on the Android front. Don't hold your breath.

I almost bought an Apple device just for this tracker, but all this app fiddlyness is scaring me off.
 
I don't think you are going to get a response here. From previous threads, I suspect that nothing is happening on the Android front. Don't hold your breath.

I almost bought an Apple device just for this tracker, but all this app fiddlyness is scaring me off.

Yeah, if an Android app never materializes that would be a shame. I have 2 trackers and one ground station. But the good news is that there are other options with Android support if you have no compatible Apple devices.
 
I don't think you are going to get a response here. From previous threads, I suspect that nothing is happening on the Android front. Don't hold your breath.

I almost bought an Apple device just for this tracker, but all this app fiddlyness is scaring me off.
If it interfered with how the tracker worked, it would be an issue. But based on my personal experience the tracker and app excel at finding rockets. At LDRS last year I was with the huge Texas community that had probably every tracking system made. The Featherweight system was easier, did not require a ham license, and had a 100% success rate, at a cost that was lower or comparable to most other systems. I also had a ham based system and happily sold it off once I got the Featherweight trackers. I’ve used it at BALLS twice with 6 high performance flights with great success.


Tony
 
I can say I never wanted an iphone or ipad, but I don't mind having a dedicated rocket tablet, so for me buying an older ipad [which was about the same generation as the app I think once upon a time...] was an acceptable compromise. As for 'fiddlyness', that is a personal preference, but for the cost, anything out there will have something that still needs work. The actual tracking works great and I have no complaints. User interface stuff is much more complicated and takes much more time & effort. It is nice to see that effort ongoing.

br/
'other' Tony
 
I have two other 900 MHz systems, and for total cost, the Featherweight is on the high end. To get started, you need the full system plus the recommended battery charger, which sets you back $370. AND, you still need your own Apple device. So, I am not sure about a cost advantage.

I don't mind paying for the advanced capability of the GPS that sets it apart from other units. The 10 Hz sampling and accurate velocity appeal to me. I am put off that the FIP is constantly in beta test mode and may or may not work with your device or OS.

I want to get the data files, in simple plain text, to a Windows computer with 10 Hz resolution for further post-processing. Is that feasible today?

Tracker is sold out, also. Not sure what that means.
 
Buckeye, I assume you are kidding when you say you don't know what it means that the tracker is sold out. The Perfectflite Stratalogger CF is nearly always sold out and it's one of the most popular altimeters that I know of, at least in our club.

You can get the files to a Windows computer from an iOS device through several means: you can email the file to yourself, copy it to Dropbox, or to Microsoft OneDrive. If you have other cloud file sharing services they may also be available. On my iPhone or iPad, I can also open the files directly into Microsoft Excel without any transfer required. (Using the iOS version of Excel available via an Office 365 subscription.)

If you don't already have an iOS device and have to buy one to use the system that obviously does increase the overall cost of the system compared to others. But it should be pointed out that there are several trackers that only have an Android app and I've not heard of any plans to bring those to iOS. So it's not an issue unique to the Featherweight trackers.


Tony
 
Buckeye, I assume you are kidding when you say you don't know what it means that the tracker is sold out. The Perfectflite Stratalogger CF is nearly always sold out and it's one of the most popular altimeters that I know of, at least in our club.

You can get the files to a Windows computer from an iOS device through several means: you can email the file to yourself, copy it to Dropbox, or to Microsoft OneDrive. If you have other cloud file sharing services they may also be available. On my iPhone or iPad, I can also open the files directly into Microsoft Excel without any transfer required. (Using the iOS version of Excel available via an Office 365 subscription.)

If you don't already have an iOS device and have to buy one to use the system that obviously does increase the overall cost of the system compared to others. But it should be pointed out that there are several trackers that only have an Android app and I've not heard of any plans to bring those to iOS. So it's not an issue unique to the Featherweight trackers.


Tony

OK, thanks. I figured that some kind of cloud transfer would be the way to go. Lord knows I have enough Google, Microsoft, and yes, even Apple accounts.

Yes, I know SLCF is often unavailable, and everybody finds it annoying as hell. I was genuinely curious if FW sales are gangbusters or there are production problems. Sounds like the former.

OK, I hate to nitpick the cost thing, but other systems in the $400 range are stand alone, no other device needed. The GPS system where I need to provide my own Android device is less than half the cost of FW.
 
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OK, thanks. I figured that some kind of cloud transfer would be the way to go. Lord knows I have enough Google, Microsoft, and yes, even Apple accounts.

Yes, I know SLCF is often unavailable, and everybody finds it annoying as hell. I was generally curious if PF sales are gangbusters or there are production problems. Sounds like the former.

OK, I hate to nitpick the cost thing, but other systems in the $400 range are stand alone, no other device needed. The GPS system where I need to provide my own Android device is less than half the cost of PF.

My 2¢ would be don’t worry about the perceived app issues listed here. The kinks are still getting worked out but the system has worked 100% flawless for me every time I’ve used it. And I’ve flown it a whole lot. It’s so simple and reliable. Cost is what it is. I get that. I’ve never lost tracking on a rocket (29k’ max and landed over 2.5miles away). Walked right up on it. The lost rocket feature is working good too and is really really cool. At LDRS, I kept getting “found rockets” that I could have helped with. It speaks to you similar to Kate with position/velocity/apogee etc data during flight. It’s pretty rad. And now the ability to share my gps files is super easy and w the latest update the data is really clean and an easy export/import to google earth. I got rid of my other 900mhz systems because I was having more reliability issues w them. Or perhaps user error too. That’s my input. [emoji106]
 
Since we're no longer on Build 127, can you change the thread title to something generic like Featherweight Tracker Updates? Maybe put some links in the first post that jump you to each Build announcement and a description of it.
 
. It speaks to you similar to Kate with position/velocity/apogee etc data during flight. It’s pretty rad. And now the ability to share my gps files is super easy and w the latest update the data is really clean and an easy export/import to google earth. I got rid of my other 900mhz systems because I was having more reliability issues w them. Or perhaps user error too. That’s my input. [emoji106]

I had the good fortune to be visiting Austin, TX this week and got to fly with AARG. I cracked a fillet on my main rocket so I didn't get to fly it on my bigger motor. Instead I put in my Park Flyer HyperLOC (it weights all of 12oz minus the motor). on a G64. It was getting breezy and I knew that the rocket SIMed to just kiss 3000' agl, but the wind was going to blow her and I would definitely loose sight of that little rocket a 3k. Recovery without a tracker was going to be daunting.

I popped in my Featherweight tracker and off she went. I had the phone speaker turned way up so I (and the bystanders) could hear the Featherweight voice.... everyone lost sight of the rocket as it weathercocked and disappeared. But Featherweight kept giving me updates. I knew when it hit apogee, the decent rate and approximate altitude all the way down to 300' where the chute release let go and we all saw the rocket again. Not only that I was following the rocket based on the tracker arrow so I was looking right at it when the chute popped open.

Once I got back to Chicago I was able to quickly generate the Google Earth plot of the flight and see where the rocket actually went in Google Earth. Getting the data was super easy using the sharing to OneDrive option so I had the data on my Windows machine(s) as soon as I walked in the door.

In my humble opinion the Featherweight is the most useful rocketry thing I've got, maybe even more useful than reload casings. It's not my first time using the Featherweight but it never stops impressing me. I'm attaching the KMZ file of the flight for fun :)
 

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I will start another thread for "Build 130+" but want to add a post in here so people get the "notification of post" and then can move on to the next thread. I created a build130+ public link that I think resolves the Dark Mode and iPad issue. If we confirm them fixed without other issues, I'll make the standard releases point to them so other users get them as well. The public link is:

https://testflight.apple.com/join/1uxEaYG4

Note that if you install via this link only, it may expire in 90ish days. The standard public link will always point to the current build.

The build130+ thread is here; please continue the conversation there.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/featherweight-tracker-update-build-130.157402/
 
Since we're no longer on Build 127, can you change the thread title to something generic like Featherweight Tracker Updates? Maybe put some links in the first post that jump you to each Build announcement and a description of it.

That has been my intention, so thank you for keeping me from straying from the task!
 
I’ll try to describe it here but I’m on the phone and don’t have access to screenshots of the files. This is what works for the Featherweight data that I have on my phone from previous flights. I’m not sure if it’ll change going forward with the new way flights are recorded.

1. Open the .csv file in excel from the day of your flight that you have “shared” to yourself.

2. If you have multiple flights, cut and paste them into separate .csv files (or sheets). They are all listed on the same sheet so you just have to scroll down through the columns. It’s helpful to look at the Vertical Velocity and Alt columns to identify those rows.

3. I delete every row above the start of the flight and the ones below the landing. Basically take one above where the velocity increases and one below where decent stops.

4. I delete every column except for Time, Lat, Lon and Alt.

5. Add “(ft)” after Alt in the column label (otherwise it’ll be in meters after the converting step).

6. Filter down through the data and find all the erroneous Lat/Lon/Alt data points and delete that row. If you miss any, you see them on the google earth plot and you’ll just have to go back and fix it in this file.

7. Save the file as a .csv. If you have all of your flights on the same workbook but in separate sheets, you’ll be told you can’t save it that way and it’ll default to saving each individual sheet that you’re on.

8. Go to here:

https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input?form=googleearth

9. Choose your file on the right.

10. Make sure the options are set as the photo below.

11. Hit “create kml”.

12. Once finished, you can just click on the link and it’ll open it in Google Earth (assuming you’ve downloaded Google Earth Pro).

13. In there you can change the color of the path, label them, etc. I actually uploaded over 15 flights and they are all labeled and organized.

Note: It appears you can save all of the individual flights in separate sheets on the same workbook and then save that as an .xlsx. From there you can use that at the link provided and it’ll just open all the flights from the workbook, as opposed to converting each flight separately.

If you have any questions let me know. I’ll be back at my desktop on Monday and can probably explain that better with screenshots of the actual data. Hope that helps.

View attachment 398222

I used Bryan's above info which got me really close..but I still needed help

the 3 attached items should help with the column labels and what it should look like..



Thanks Bryan
 

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Any word on when the Android version of this will be available? It has supposedly been coming for a long time. I have a set of hardware but no Apple devices to use them on since my daughter moved out about two years ago. I now have two Featherweight boondoggles, a transmitter and a receiver :(.
 
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