https://www.facebook.com/oleg.matvieiev/posts/1420960317935496

Oleg Matvieie writes:

New racing pod for Smartphones is now available!

Made especially for users of #XCSoar, #XCTrack, and AltAIR programs.

The Racing Pod provides:

1. Use of any Smartphone up to 5,5” screen (max phone size 83x154 mm)

2. Built-in 10000 mAh power bank to keep Smartphone charged all day

3. Possibility to change batteries (3x18650 type Li-Ion cells are used)

4. Possibility to use any upright/speed bar mounts including Flytec/Brauniger

5. Possibility to use Smartphone power and volume buttons

6. Possibility to use external Bluetooth sensor like #BlueFlyVario or #AltAIR

7. #AltAIR sensor from Evgen Lysenko and AltAIR android app also adds a
possibility to use hardware keys for in-flight control, Pitot tube for measuring
airspeed, live tracking, leader chasing and many other cool features (the
program itself is available here for free:
http://altair.no-ip.org/downloads.html)

The prices are: The Racing Pod (shell only) – 70 euro

The Racing Pod POWER with power bank board, batteries and charging cable – 85
euro

The Racing Pod AltAIR with power bank, control keys and #AltAIR Bluetooth sensor
with Pitot tube – 160 euro.

Standalone AltAIR bluetooth vario with Pitot tube by Evgen Lysenko – 75 euro.

Shipping, mount and Smartphone price is not included.

2. External batteries are stored inside the pod right under the phone. Actually
now it's a Xiaomi 10000 pcb board and 3 batteries in a battery slot.

3. To change batteries you have to unscrew a plate behind the phone and to
change them.

5. Some programs (XCTrack and AltAIR at least) can use Smartphone's buttons to
control the program. Power button is also useful if you need to restart a phone
- you know, shit happens.

6. Bluetooth sensors like Blue Fly Vario or AltAIR offer accurate altitude and
vario measurement. Their barometric sensor is always more precise than one in a
Smartphone (if it has barometric sensor at all). With such a sensor the phone
reads altitude and speed data from Bluetooth, charges via USB.

To my experience the best and secure way to mount a Smartphone is to use a
silicone or plastic cover available for almost any type of Smartphone and to
mount it on Velcro.

Pitot tube is a part of AltAIR bluetooth sensor which is inside the pod. The
buttons are connected to AltAIR Bluetooth sensor and can be assigned by user in
AltAIR android app. I personally use one button to power onof the Bluetooth
sensor, second - to switch vario loudness, third one to scroll the waypoints in
a task and another two to zoom in/out a map.