New Panel Help

On Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 9:51:47 AM UTC+11, Mark628CA wrote:
I posted this some time ago, but it may be helpful.

I recently converted to a Dell Streak 5 Android device and I used a
RS232/Bluetooth adapter from usconverters.com ($51 with shipping) to
connect to the CAI 302. I built a cable to connect the adapter, as
both the 302 and the adapter had the same plug gender. It was no big
deal, even for an electron challenged guy like me. It was only four
wires, and I was able to power the Bluetooth adapter (pin 9) from the
302 power output on either pin 6 or pin 8. So far it works great. I
needed to get some help from a couple of people (Mike C & Mike A) to
get everything up and running, but I am very happy with it so far. I
also have to say that I am very impressed with the screen brightness
of the Dell Streak 5 and the power of XC Soar. Total cost for the
package was under $300. I am seeing the Streak 5 on ebay for around
$200.

Battery life is adequate, even at full brightness but I learned that
the Streak should be set to "Airplane Mode" so that the cell
searching
doesn't draw power. I flew 4.5 hours the other day and the battery
still showed 46%. Just in case, I installed a 12v to 5v USB plug
(soldered two wires to a cigarette lighter charge adapter from
Duracell) in my panel. Pretty cool alternative to systems costing
hundreds or thousands more. I will be comparing screen brightness to
the upgraded Oudie soon. The Craggy Aero Ultimate and ClearNav are
much better, but pretty expensive.


I am also able to download flight logs from the 302 and upload to the
OLC with a WiFi connection. Definitely a big improvement over my old
Compaq 1530 and GlideNav II, but there still needs to be a utility
app
for the Android to replace the Cambridge Utility 257. You can still
use a laptop if necessary, but an Android app would be better.

I have an LXNAV V7 vario with LXNAV Bluetooth dongle talking to my Dell Streak running XCSoar. That leaves the Dell Streak charge port free, which I connect to a 6 inch square USB-output solar panel ($20 on EBay).

The Streak has great sunlight visibility. The V7 is an excellent vario. I really like this setup.

I dropped and broke my original Streak. When I bought another one second hand it came with the early, 1.6, Android version. I couldn't get the Bluetooth on that to work with the V7. After much internet research I managed to hack the Streak and upgrade to v2.1 Android. That was a pain in the arse though, so if you're shopping for a Streak I recommend making sure it's got at least 2.1 (some have 2.2) when you buy it.

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