Owners Manual

T R A X X

Importer Cumulus Paragliding ● 7 Tuffnell Street ● Richmond ● Nelson ● New Zealand http://www.cumulus-paragliding.com ● contact@cumulus-paragliding.com

Manufacturer BLANKFORM ● Im Bildstöckle 5 ● 79822 Titisee-Neustadt ● Germany

2

TRAXX Owners Manual

Thank you for choosing SKYTRAXX.

This inflight instrument was developed using the newest components available. It was designed to cover your instrument needs as a paragliding or hanggliding pilot, enabling you to spend more time in the air and log the details of your flight.

We hope you enjoy flying with the SKYTRAXX vario.

3

Owners Manual TRAXX

CONTENTS

1. How to 4

2. User Interface 5

2.1. Interface buttons 5

2.2. Interface screens 5

3. Getting started 7

3.1. Switching on 7

3.2. Switching off 7

3.3. Main menu navigation 7

3.4. Viewing main menu 7

3.5. General settings 7

4. Main menu 8

4.1. TRAXX 8

4.2. Go to 9

4.3. Way points 9

4.4. Route 10

4.5. Airspace zones 11

4.6. Parameter 11

4.7. System 12

4.8. Simulator 12

5. Extra features 13

5.1. Specifications 13

5.2. Bluetooth setup 13

5.3. Leg strap 13

6. Important information 15

6.1. Battery care 15

6.2. Water landings 15

6.3. Guarantee and disclaimers 15

6.4. Disposal of your SKYTRAXX 15

HOW TO1. How to switch SKYTRAXX on/off

See Section 3 Getting started

How to set the language, volume, sink/climb rates etc. See Section 4.6 Parameter

What do the different symbols and numbers on the screen mean?

See Section 2.2 Interface Screens

How to activate Bluetooth on SKYTRAXX.

See Section 4.6 Parameter

How to upload data from SKYTRAXX to PC

See Section 4.1 Traxx

How to get firmware updates

See Section 4.7 System

How to configure waypoints.

See Section 4.3 Waypoints

How to configure flight routes.

See Section 4.4 Route

4

TRAXX Owners Manual

VIeWING MAIN MeNu 2.4. From the Main screen press the button. Navigate the options using the

and buttons. Press OK to select a menu item.

To return to the main screen press the button.

GeNeRAL SeTTINGS2.5. You will find most common settings in chapter 4.6 Parameter.

GeTTING STARTeD2. This section contains information on general functions of the SKYTRAXX.

SWITCHING ON2.1. To switch SKYTRAXX on press the

button followed by the OK button within 3 seconds. If you do not press OK , the device remains switched off. Likewise, if the button is pressed accidentally and not confirmed with the OK button, the device remains switched off.

SWITCHING OFF2.2. To switch SKYTRAXX off press the button repeatedly until you reach the Main screen. Press and hold the button (for 3 seconds) until the prompt appears, and confirm with the OK button.

Note: Once the device is connected to the charger it will switch itself on and can not be switched off as long as it is connected.

MAIN MeNu NAVIGATION2.3. After switching the device on you will see the Main screen.

5

Owners Manual TRAXX

uSeR INTeRFACe3. The SKYTRAXX vario comes with a high resulution dot matrix display. All functions can be accessed using the four buttons below the display.

INTeRFACe BuTTONS3.1.

To return to the Menu options screen or step back one menu level in the options setting process.

To scroll down or increase a selected value.

To scroll up or decrease a selected value.

OK

To confirm a selection.

INTeRFACe SCReeNS3.2. Main screen

1. Analoguos vario 2. Altitude above mean sea level AMSL 3. Digital vario 4. Clock 5. Current glide ratio 6. Wind speed 7. Direction to last thermal 8. Heading 9. Speed above ground 10. Wind direction 11. GPS status 12. Flight logging status

The first screen you see after switching SKYTRAXX on.

Once a value on the main screen becomes inaccurate it starts flashing. However, once GPS data is received indicators are calibrated and updated.

SKYTRAXX recognises and displays changes in wind direction best if you fly a full 360° turn.

Large display Vario

From the Main screen press OK . This shows your altitude variations and ground speed.

6

TRAXX Owners Manual

General information display

From the large display vario screen press OK . This shows your current coordinates, the current date, time, temperature, GPS reception and battery level.

Main menu

From the main menu press . Here you can select individual functions for configuration.

For more information on configuration see the Main menu chapter.

7

Owners Manual TRAXX

MAIN MeNu4.

TRAXX4.1. In the Traxx option you can view flight details and upload flight data to your PC.

To view the basic details of individual flights

1. Select the TRAXX option from the main menu and the first flight record appears.

2. Scroll through to other flight records, using the / button.

3. Press OK to select the flight record that you want view in detail and use the / button to scroll through the five flight details screens

To upload flight data from SKYTRAXX

Note: ensure that Bluetooth is enabled. To enable Bluetooth see: Main menu >> Bluetooth

Make sure you download the Maxpunkte application from http://www.maxpunkte.de/competition.html. This application was developed specifically for use with your SKYTRAXX.

See chapter 5.2 for Bluetooth use.

1. Select the TRAXX option from the SKYTRAXX main menu.

2. use the / button to scroll through to the flight details that you want to transfer.

3. ensure Maxpunkte is open and running on your PC and select „Read Device“ from the menu options. Then select SKYTRAXX or MLR.

4. If Bluetooth is activated SKYTRAXX establishes a connection to your PC.

5. The SKYTRAXX data is filed in „TRAXX read-out“.

6. When the tranfer window opens double click the COM interface.

7. Click on S-Nr. read-out to identify the vario.

8. The flight track details can now be accessed and processed.

8

TRAXX Owners Manual

GO TO4.2. From the GO TO option you select a way point to which you want SKYTRAXX to direct you.

WAY POINTS4.3. Adding a new waypoint

In the new waypoint screen you can configure the coordinates for a new waypoint.

Select Way points from the main menu.

In the Waypoints menu select New WP. The BeZ (Waypoint name) field is highlighted with a flashing frame.

To enter the name:

1. Press OK and use the / buttons to move the cursor across to the character you want to edit.

2. Press OK then use the / buttons to scroll through the alphabet and digits to enter the character. Press OK to select.

3. use the / keys to move the cursor to the next character. Repeat step 2.

Note: You can scroll across to empty spaces and insert additional characters to a maximum of six.

4. When the name is set press the button until the BeZ field is flashing.

To enter the latitude:

1. use the button to scroll down to the LAT N (latitude north) field. Press OK .

2. use the / button to move the cursor across to the latitude in

degees° and press OK to select. use the / button to decrease or increase the value and press OK to confirm and save.

3. Repeat step 2. to set the minutes‘ and seconds“.

4. When the latitude is set press the button until the LAT N field is flashing.

To enter the LON E (longditude east) and ALT (altidude)

Repeat the steps described above, in „to enter the latitude“

Editing a waypoint

In the Waypoints menu select edit WP. use the / button to scroll through the waypoints stored in the SKYTRAXX memory. Press OK to select a waypoint for editing.

To edit the name:

1. Press OK on the BeZ field and use the / buttons to move the cursor across to the character you want to edit.

2. Press OK then use the / buttons to scroll through the alphabet and digits to select the character. Press OK to confirm.

3. use the / keys to move the cursor to the next character. Repeat step 2.

Note: You can scroll across to empty spaces and insert additional characters to a maximum of six.

4. When the name is set press the button until the BeZ field is flashing.

9

Owners Manual TRAXX

To edit the latitude:

1. use the button to scroll down to the LAT N (latitude north) field. Press OK .

2. use the / button to move the cursor across to the latitude in degees° and press OK to select. use the / button to decrease or increase the value and press OK to confirm and save.

3. Repeat step 2. to set the minutes‘ and seconds“.

4. When the latitude is set press the button until the LAT N field is flashing.

To edit the LON E (longditude east) and ALT (altidude)

Repeat the steps described above, in „to enter the latitude“

Input waypoint

Here you can view existing waypoints and perform GPS dumps to SKYTRAXX from your PC via Bluetooth.

For more information on installing and setting up Bluetooth see the Bluetooth setup section.

In the waypoint menu use the button to scroll down to the Input waypoints option. Then press OK to view a list of all existing waypoints (in alphabetical order).

TBD Waypoint input process from PC.

Waypoint output

Here you can transfer existing waypoints to your PC via Bluetooth.

For more information on installing and setting up Bluetooth connections

to your PC see section 5.2 Bluetooth setup.

1. To transfer waypoints to your PC

ensure Bluetooth is enabled on SKYTRAXX.

For more information on enabling Bluetooth see section 3.4 General settings >> Bluetooth.

2. From the main menu select waypoints, and use the button to scroll down to WP output. Press OK , and then OK again to start the waypoint output process.

ROuTe4.4. Here you can set flight routes using the waypoints you set according to section 4.3 Adding a waypoint.

To add a new route

1. From the main menu select ROuTe, and use the button to scroll down to NeW ROuTe. Press OK .

2. use the / buttons to scroll through to select individual letters or numbers for the name.

3.Press OK to confirm and then use the / button to move the cursor across to the next space.

3. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as required, then press the button to go to the waypoint selection screen.

4. Press OK to choose the first waypoint. use the button to scroll down to your desired first waypoint. Press OK .

5. Repeat step 4 for all additional waypoints.

10

TRAXX Owners Manual

Note: You can use the / button to select a previous waypoint and change it.

6. When all waypoints have been added, press the button then OK to save.

Note: Press any other key to quit and return to the main menu without saving your settings.

To edit a route

1. From the main menu select ROuTe, and use the button to scroll down to eDIT ROuTe. Press OK .

2. use the / buttons to scroll through to select the route you want to edit.

3. Select the waypoint you want to change then use the button to scroll down to the replacement waypoint and press OK .

4. Repeat step 3 for all additional waypoints.

Note: You can use the / button to select a previous waypoint and change it again.

5. When all waypoints have been edited, press the button then OK to save.

Note: Press any other key to quit and return to the main menu without saving your settings.

To configure the cylinder radius around each waypoint in a flight route

1.From the main menu select ROuTe, and use the button to scroll down to CYLINDeR RADIuS. Press OK .

2. use the / buttons to scroll

through to select the radius (in meters). Press OK to select and return to the main menu.

AIRSPACe ZONeS4.5. To add airspaces

you need to have MaxPunkte installed. Download MaxPunkte for free from http://www.maxpunkte.de/competition.html.

You need an airspace file to import to Maxpunkte. A file for New Zealand is available from http://www.cumulus-paragliding.co.nz/. Please note that we do not guarantee correctness of airspaces. Please review every single airspace you upload to your SKYTRAXX.

To upload airspaces switch on your SKYTRAXX and go to Menu >> Airspaces >> Input Airpace and startup MaxPunkte. In MaxPunkte go to Options >> Select airspaces file and select your airspace file. You should be able to see the airspaces on the main screen now. As you hover above an airspace with your mouse pointer you will see that the airspace gets shaded. Click right with your mouse and select upload this airspace. Select SKYTRAXX and your virtual COM port in the bottom right corner and alter the remaining parameters to your needs.

Finish uploading the selected airspace by clicking the button upload. Select the next Airspace for upload and continue until you are finished.

Note: An airspace is limited to a Polygon with 13 corners. MaxPunkte will optimize this shape for you.

11

Owners Manual TRAXX

You can upload up to 250 airspaces.

To view existing airspaces

go to Menu >> Airspaces >> Show Airspaces. You can scroll though your airspaces by using the / keys. every airspace can be enabled or disabled using the OK button. The status is shown on the top left corner. Oress the button return to to the main menu.

PARAMeTeR4.6. From the Main menu select Parameter.

Here you can set the sink/climb tone, volume, pitch, language and Bluetooth activation etc.

In the Main menu options screen use the / keys to scroll to the Parameter option and press OK .

In each of the Parameter setting options, Press OK to open the desired settings screen then use the / buttons to increase or decrease the value.

Sinking tone

sets the threshold, in meters per second, at which the vario tone starts to beep when losing altitude.

Climbing tone

sets the threshold, in meters per second, at which the vario tone starts to beep when gaining altitude.

Time offset

enables you to set the Skytraxx device time (default GMT) to match your current GMT zone.

Track interval

sets the frequency at which flight data is tracked and recorded

Volume

changes how loud the key tone and vario tone sound. There are three volume levels, where 0 is the quietest.

Pitch

enables you to set the tone frequency of the vario audio output. This can be adjusted in half tones.

Bluetooth

to switch Bluetooth on or off.

Note: This must be switched on to upload flight data to your PC. For more information on uploading data see upload flight data from SKYTRAXX.

Language

to change the display language to english or German.

SYSTeM4.7. To reset the Bluetooth unit

1. From the main menu select SYSTeM, and press OK to select Reset Bluetooth.

2. Wait while Bluetooth initializes.

3. enter a new ID using / to select letters and OK to move the cursor forward. Press to confirm.

To download new firmware versions

1. From the main menu select SYSTeM, and use the button to scroll down to FIRMWARe. Press OK .

2. Transfer your new firmware via Bluetooth to the SKYTRAXX device.

12

TRAXX Owners Manual

Firmware updates are available from http://www.cumulus-paragliding.co.nz

SIMuLATOR4.8. When activated, the device simulates GPS data and enables you to see all data screens without requiring GPS reception (e.g. in a building).

To activate or deactivate the simulator

1. From the main menu select SIMuLATOR, and press OK . If currently off, it will now be switched on. Press OK or to return to the main menu.

13

Owners Manual TRAXX

eXTRA FeATuReS5.

SPeCIFICATIONS5.1. Vario

Vario range (digital) +/-30m/s Vario range (analog) +/-4m/s Vario accuracy 0.1m/s Volume 3 level settings Altitude range -400m - 9999m Display 4 level Altimeter resolution 1m

Peripherals

GPS calibrated time and date Wind speed and direction Temperature Direction to last thermal Ground speed (1km/h resolution) Memory for 60,000 trackpoints and 100 waypoints Memory for 15 routes with 30 waypoints each Memory for 250 flight restriction zones

Unit

Weight 260g Dimensions 136x100x22mm³

Flight details and summary

Flight length, date, max climb, max sink, Max speed, flight path, launch time and altitude, Landing time and altitude, altitude gain and max altitude.

BLueTOOTH SeTuP5.2. Installation of Bluetooth on your PC

Please refer to the documentation of your Bluetooth device to install all nessecary drivers on your PC.

Connecting (Pairing) your SKYTRAXX with your PC

1. Switch your SKYTRAXX vario on and ensure that Bluetooth is activated

See main menu >> parameters >> Bluetooth

2. Double click on the Bluetooth logo on your desktop.

3. In the new window on the left hand side click on „Add new bluetooth device“ and follow the instructions.

4. Bluetooth will search for the SKYTRAXX device and, once found, it will be displayed.

5. Double click the SKYTRAXX symbol and the serial connection service should appear green.

6. To connect, double click the green symbol and enter the code: 0000

7. Right-click SKYTRAXX and click Menu point status.

You can now see the COM interface with which the vario is connected.

Select this COM interface when transfering data with any application like Maxpunkte.

Note: COM1 usually refers to the comport on the SKYTRAXX. The local comport on your PC is likely to be higher. Make sure you remember this COM port as your application (e.g. MaxPunkte) will ask for it.

LeG STRAP5.3. To attach the leg strap follow the steps below.

14

TRAXX Owners Manual

15

Owners Manual TRAXX

IMPORTANT INFORMATION6.

BATTeRY CARe6.1. Charger

use only the provided charger cable to maintain the quality and longevity of the lithium ion battery.

Recharging

When the charger cable is connected a symbol in the top right of the main screen indicates that the battery is charging. When full a charged battery symbol appears on the display screen.

Fire hazard

Do not throw the battery into fire.

WATeR LANDINGS6.2. If your SKYTRAXX gets wet we suggest you dry it as soon as possible with a hair dryer. Then send it for service by your dealer.

The SKYTRAXX guarantee does not cover damages resulting from misuse, such as getting the device wet.

G6.3. uARANTee AND DISCLAIMeRSThe manufacturer provides a 24 month guarantee from date of purchase against material and manufacture defects.

Damage to the case or display screen are not covered by the guarantee.

Neither the manufacturer nor the importer is not responsible for any damages caused in the instance that your SKYTRAXX does not provide the data you expect, or if data provided is

incorrect. The pilot is fully responsible for his/her own flight decisions and actions.

The use of the SKYTRAXX is at your own risk.

The manufacturer is not responsible for loss of data during any data transfer process between PC and the SKYTRAXX vario device.

DISPOSAL OF YOuR SKYTRAXX6.4. Your SKYTRAXX contains mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb). Please dispose of the device where possible through recycling. If you do not have any recycling possibility please return the device to the manufacturer or importer.

16

TRAXX Owners Manual

Questions and feature requests

Any feedback is welcome and will be considered for implentation in upcoming releases or products.

If you have any questions regarding the product or this manual please contact your dealer or importer

Importer for New Zealand

CUMULUS PARAGLIDING Cumulus Paragliding Nelson Limited 7 Tuffnell Street Richmond, Nelson, 7020 New Zealand equipment@cumulus-paragliding.co.nz www.cumulus-paragliding.co.nz Ph. 0800 FLY TODAY

Images

Michael Blank, Blankform and Cumulus Paragliding Nelson Limited

Technical documentation

TACT www.tact-nz.com