Physical parameters:

• weight 180 g
• dimensions 138 x 58 x 24 mm
• battery 5000 mAh,  20 h fly time
• memory 32 Gb

Features:

• vario - analog/digital/average, acoustic signalization, graph history
• instant vario response
• flight logs - IGC accepted for FAI Category 1 competitions, CSV
• GNSS(GPS, GloNass, Galileo) - ground speed, altitude, heading, glide ratio
• altimeters - 2 adjustable altimeters
• auto take off and landing detection
• wind speed and direction
• FANET and FLARM beacon
• detailed color map
• airspace violation audio warning with graphical representation
• bluetooth audio transmission through integrated high quality speaker
• flightbook with statistics
• android connectivity - XCTrack, FlyMe, XCSoar, LK8000, TopHat, Sky Land Tracker, Paragliding Dashboard
• iOS connectivity - FlySkyHy, SkyLogger, SkyLogger XXL
• fully customizable - multiple screens with configurable layouts and widgets
• height above ground level (AGL)
• thermal assistant
• Digital compass
• G-meter
• Odometer
• bearing and distance from take-off
• real time clock

Hardware spec:

• Measurement Specialties - MS5803 barometer
• u-blox - NEO-M8Q GNSS receiver
• SKYTRAXX - FLARM/FANET+ Modul
• ST - LSM9DS1 IMU
• Espressif - ES1ESP32 WiFi/Bluetooth module and audio coprocessor
• ST - STM32H7A MCU
• ask for more if you are interested :)

Package contains:

• Strato variometer
• velcro adhesive hooks&loops
• protective pocket
• USB-C to USB-A and USB-C to USB-C cable
• 18W dual port wall charger
• quick user guide
• sticker

All the necessary tools and materials for strato can be found here in

 Strato repository

Broken LCD

In case you have broken LCD due to mechanical damage, we can repair it for 100€. The display is permanently attached to the front cover along with other components, therefore it has to be exchanged as a whole assembly. Please write us to info@skybean.eu before you will send the vario for repair. We won't accept any requests without previous consultation. 

Some questions and answers about Strato pre-order campaign:

We will update this section according received comments and questions.

Purchase

Q - Why Strato cannot be delivered to another than billing address if ordered as company?

A - We offer VAT free purchase, so we have to verify some company details. VAT number and billing address are the only data that we can get from international databases.

Q - Why I cannot pay through PayPal or credit card when ordering as company?

A - We didn't implement automatic VAT verification in our eshop, so we have to manually verify billing data. If you proceed payment through PayPal or credit card, invoice is generated automatically with VAT.

LCD

Q - Why has Strato small LCD?

A - Strato has 3" color transflective LCD (65 x 40 mm of active area). Transflective LCD reflect environment light back, so it needs much less energy to be visible in shiny space than transmissive LCD, what uses brute force method - more light coming from sun beets by more light (= energy) from battery. Therefore Strato LCD drains battery much less than classic transmissive LCD, so battery don't have to be brick size and weight. Transflective screens are not very common and has limited maximum size. Laptops also don't have 24" screens, but if you can connect one if you need to extend working area. The same with Strato - If you need to have larger screen, there are many cheap phones/tablets, what can serve as display extension. Strato can manage extended energy demands for these devices from external power bank as pass through device - read more in power management part.

FLARM/FANET

Q - Are other FLARM aircrafts visible on Strato?

A - No, they are not. FLARM interface is transmitter only - it is called beacon, so you are visible for solid gliders and other ultralight aircrafts. This use case is negotiated by out FLARM/FANET modules provider (Skytraxx) and we believe that in paragliding application is most important to be seen, because you cannot do much if 200kph flying glider don't see you on its way. We would say it is similar like bicycle on the road. Of coarse, FANET network works in bidirectional data flow, so you can see other FANET devices around you.

Q - What is the range of FLARM on Strato?

A - Standard answer like "up to 100km" would be theoretical correct, but useless in practice. We placed a goal 5 km as satisfactory. It came from theory - How far ahead you need to know about gas station while driving 200 kph on highway (in unlimited speed region in Germany of coarse :)  We found it similar to fast moving aircraft around you. Therefore we tested Strato's FANET range in the worst possible conditions - flying PPG, inside cloud, freezing temperature, one device grounded - and range was around 12 kilometers. Another nice weather day, range was more than 40 km, but we assume nobody cares about nice conditions use case.

Connectivity to other equipment during flight

Q - Is possible to connect an eReader via USB and an IPhone via Bluetooth (Flyskyhy) to share telemetry data to both devices simultaneously?

A - Yes, it is possible, we are aiming for this functionality. The USB data is OTG and it will act as virtual serial port for eReader. Then the Bluetooth connection can be used for Flyskyhy.

Battery

Q - Is battery in Strato exchangeable?

A - Strato is equipped with Li-Poly rechargeable battery (single cell 5000 mAh), which is installed permanently inside casing, attached with adhesive tape to back cover and connected to main electronic board with connector. Therefore is it not impossible to change it, just little skills are needed. We would compare this procedure to mobile phone battery replacement. Easy for somebody, but difficult for another person.

Speaker

Q - The speaker is completely unprotected! Do you plan on placing some sort of grill/protection over it or is it really going to stay that way? Large uncovered speaker seems to be weak element of Strato. It looks like big button, just press it. Is there any speaker protection?

A - Speaker is one of dominant components, so we left it unprotected. We tested many types of speakers and we found this one to be very durable. It can play nice range of sound, even very good lows. Its mechanical construction is not flat. Overall 16mm height works not only as high quality audio transducer, but it also brings advantage of "deep" design, where active membrane is drowned 5mm below case surface. This speaker is also IP67 waterproof! Please watch this video if you have any doubts about speaker durability https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T20MyZYOG0

Functions (this part will be separated later to sub-themes)

Q - What kind of widgets and pages will be available? What kind of different screen setups?

A - The first layer of setup is preset profile, where you will choose whole set of stored settings. Profiles can be named e.g. XC, Comp, PPG, Basic, Advanced etc. The second layer are pages/screens, what can also have custom names, e.g. thermalling, gliding, FAI triangle or acro. The last layer are particular widgets, what can be specific size and position.

Q - Can you please tell me if Strato will support competition task?

A - Of course, like any other high class devices, Strato is designed for competition flying. There will be all standard functions and widgets.

Q - Can you tell me something about how responsive it will be compared to current varios, e.g. XCtracer?

A - Strato is equipped with the best possible sensor set and their software fusion results into instant vario response function. Of course, Strato is not worse than its little brother SkyDrop, which has this function also implemented. We wouldn't judge comparison with XCtracer, as we are in conflict of interests and also Koni is our friend :), but you can maybe find some independent videos on youtube.

Q - What kind of features in airspace update and airspace warning?

A - There is detailed map on color screen of Strato, so airspaces can be presented there in very practical way. In a similar way like on XCtrack app. There are planned also obstacle warning, particularly wires (not only for PPG pilots).

Q - Would the Strato be able to connect via Bluetooth to Flyskyhy app on iOS like the Skydrop?

A - Of course, there won't be any downgrade from SkyDrop functions. Strato's bluetooth interface allows much more - bidirectional sound transfer or camera remote functions.

Mount

Q - Will be any mount (strap for the leg or mount for the riser) included? Would it be possible to mount to tandem risers? Does it have safety cord?

A - Of course, there is safety strap attachment point, little (5mm) passthrough hole, like mobile phones have 5-8 years ago, just larger one. Back of Strato is flat, there is surface for cockpit Velcro mount. We plan to design some kind of riser mount, as we believe it is much better than leg mount. This topic is not closed for now.