Microlighters

Now that I have a Blackberry, I have installed GPSed on it, and put a link to it on http://www.zu-dve.com

GPSed is a software package (free download) which records tracks of your trip on your cell (with bluetooth GPS receiver or built-in GPS). Tracks are then traced on Google Maps, and stored in an online archive. Furthermore the track can be downloaded in real time (actually 2.5 minutes later, for the free version), to the online archive. (with a bluetooth package, online access is bundled in the package, thus not costing anything, whilst there is an option to SMS the current position as well). In the pro version (costs $10) you have the option of having your current position updated every 3 seconds, and an SOS setting, which when activated send emails, and SMSs to whomever is needed.

I put a link to this on the website, http://www.zu-dve.com - meaning that when I am flying over the boendoes, whoever has an interest in my flying (or more likely in my life insurance policies), can have a look on the link on the website to see where my current position is. Clicking on that map, will also list recent tracks.

Worth taking a look. While it is good practice to tell someone (or leave a note) where you are going, before flying, with a microlight the route often changes on the go.

see http://www.zu-dve.com

see http://gpsed.com/

Cool man!! Now I can tell my wife to check where you are going!! At least you are not 10mph ahead of me any more!!

Wargames wrote:Cool man!! Now I can tell my wife to check where you are going!! At least you are not 10mph ahead of me any more!!

Cool Man, Now your wife and I will know your whereabouts too !!

Hey Gert, looks like I can get a BlackBerry Bold through work, how useful is the gps for flying? Can it give you data such as ground speed or anything useful?

The gps data that you get from GPSed is very minimal and basically just give groundspeed and direction, and time and distance travelled. Also of course the trail or track as you have travelled. BUT you can always load something like garmin mobile XT which is a fully blown gps software set that let's you do a lot more. Can even do street level voice guided nav if you load the right map sets. Sadly there is no aviation mapset for that but it is still very usefull.

I don't think that GPSed should be thought of as a gps for aviation. It is rather a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) for you while flying. It uploads your position and track every 3sec (if you want that), so that your loved ones can get your location by a click of a button. It is still only in beta version, but very nice.

Regards,

that is interesting stuff guys, sadly the Garmin Mobile XT doesn't look compatible with Blackberries.

Gert can you get the live tracking to work? Mine just will not do it thus far.

GregH wrote:that is interesting stuff guys, sadly the Garmin Mobile XT doesn't look compatible with Blackberries.

you must goto http://www.gpsed.com, and download the software for your specific phone for the program to work. If your phone not on the list, 2 option:

1) Get phone on the list
2) Get phone on the list , or wait a while and hope that your phone apear on the list.

Regards,

Robin Hood wrote:Gert can you get the live tracking to work? Mine just will not do it thus far.

My live tracking is working. I have the free version. Phone is Sony Ericson P1i, with bluetooth gps reciever.

Flew this morning and it worked. Need to Refresh/Reload on the web browser to see changes in the position, I hear.

Just confirm that this only works where you have cell phone reception?

Regards,
Arnulf

Yes, only where there is cell phone reception. Even so, if the reception or gps signal goes, as soon as it is restored it starts to update the track again.

Not sure how yet, but I got it to work without refreshing. Will check tomorrow again.

Hi Wargames, GPSed will work with a Blackberry, it was the Garmin XT mobile that won't.

GPSed will do what I want though so that is great! Thanks