UltraBip: detailed instructions & FAQ
Set-up: Make a lark's head with the attachment line to secure the UltraBip.
- Pass the small loop of the attachment line through the handle of the UltraBip.
- Pass the other end of the line (large loop) inside the small loop.
Installation on the harness shoulder strap or on the cockpit is recommended.
(at a distance from your radio to avoid interference)
GPS antenna position : To get the best satellite reception, position the device so that it faces the sky, as shown in the diagram.
Note:
Even during your preparation, make sure that nothing is covering the UltraBip, and that the antenna (behind the handle) is positioned so that it faces the sky.
Track recording starts 1 minute before take-off detection (if the GPS fix has taken place). Or, in the ConfiguratorYou can disable take-off detection, and recording will start as soon as the GPS fix is established, and will continue as long as the camera is switched on.
Info :
The UltraBip has been designed specifically for use in paragliding. We do not guarantee optimal operation in the car, at home or near buildings.
The GPS recording frequency is 1Hz.
GPS search : GPS fix takes 30 seconds in optimal conditions. The more the orange LED flashes, the greater the number of satellites in view. When the GPS fix is established, the LED stops flashing.
As the UltraBip is a very low-power, solar-powered device, it needs optimum conditions to make a GPS fix in less than 1 minute: at the set-up site, in a well-cleared area, with the handle pointing skywards.
Note:
Without a GPS fix, your track will not be recorded, but the audio vario will still be activated.
During satellite acquisition, battery consumption is high.
Profile selection at startup: If you have created multiple profiles (up to 3) using the Configurator, you will be asked to select one when the device starts up: A single click lets you cycle through the profiles, a long click selects the current one. If you don’t take any action, the last used profile will be selected automatically after 20 seconds.
Volume : You can select from five different volumes at the click of a button, at any time.
Silent Vario : voice volume and LED behaviour can be configured in the Configurator.
The vario is silent on the ground. On the ground, changing the volume will activate the vario, which is silent by default until you take off (configurable, see the "descent alarm" section).
Note: The volume of the vario consumes energy: when it is at maximum, battery consumption is high.
Climb beep settings : You can change the climb sensitivity without using the Configurator (just before take-off, for example), following the diagram above. If you have several profiles, you will need to select one first.
To enter the vario settings menu :
- The UltraBip must be ON.
- Then press and hold the button for at least 6 seconds.
- Then, each click changes the setting.
- When you have chosen your rise sensitivity, double-click to move on to the integration time setting.
- Each click changes the setting.
- Confirm your choice by pressing and holding the button for 4 seconds.
Note: A slow integration time gives a damped and averaged vario, for a better understanding of the information. Ideal for weak lift with a wide turn radius.
A very short integration time gives instant, fast vario. Ideal for leeward, choppy thermals that are difficult to exploit.
Vario profiles: long beeps / short beeps.
To choose between short and long beeps, quadruple-click the button at any time when the instrument is switched on (excluding the setup menus). You will then hear a short profile demo on a simulated vario ranging from -8m/s to +8m/s.
Setting the descent alarm : You can change the descent alarm without going through the Configurator (just before take-off, for example), following the diagram above. If you have several profiles, you will need to select one first.
To enter the lowering alarm setting menu :
- The UltraBip must be off.
- Then press and hold the button for at least 6 seconds.
- Then, each click changes the setting.
- If you wish, you can activate or deactivate take-off detection by triple-clicking.
- If you wish, you can activate or deactivate zeroing at start-up by double-clicking.
- Confirm your choice by pressing and holding the button for 4 seconds.
Zerotage : brief modulations indicating an area of very weak lift, not strong enough to circling in but potentially close to a thermal (vario from -50cm/s to the selected climb rate, default +15 cm/s).
Configurable thresholds in the Configurator.
To enable or disable this option, double-click the button at any time when the instrument is switched on.
Note: It is also possible to have zeroing activated from start-up, see section "lowering alarm settings".
When the vario is silent or deactivated, the manual voice announcement is activated by double-clicking.
Request flight information at any time, by double-tap or double-click (if vario silent or deactivated) on the device.
Note: The strength of the double-tap, the deactivation of the ground double-tap and the announcement format can be configured in the Configurator.
You can activate or deactivate automatic voice mode: announces flight information when distance, altitude or time conditions are met.
Flight voice information :
- GPS ground speed (if available)
- Altitude (MSL), calibrated from GPS at start-up, barometric during flight
- Average rate of climb
- Cap
- Time (remember to set the time zone in the System menu on the Configurator)
- Flight duration
and much more...
No need to install any software. Works on Windows, Linux and Mac with a web browser, even offline.
Use Chrome or Firefox. More information on the Configurator.
In the Configurator, you can create up to three different profiles (cross-country, bivouac, two-seater, acrobatics, and many more).
Make sure you save the configuration file to the root of the instrument, and you will be asked to select the profile each time you switch it on.
To view a flight : Connect the UltraBip with a USB-C cable to your computer, retrieve the corresponding IGC file (in the "tracks" folder), load it onto an online viewer such as the IGC Webview, VisuGPS, CFDor XContest.
You can also load the KML file into Google Earth to view your route in 3D.
The UltraBip connects via Bluetooth to your favourite flight app on Android and iOS (XCTrack, FlySkyHy, FlyMe, SeeYou Navigator, LK8000, and more)
To establish the connection between the UltraBip and your flight app, there is no need to pair the UltraBip with your smartphone in the Bluetooth menu. (except for remote control mode).
Click here for Bluetooth connectivity guides by flight app.
Note: the UltraBip also works independently. You don't need to connect it, as the UltraBip records your track and gives you all the flight information by voice.
Electrosensitive people can completely deactivate Bluetooth via the Configurator.
In-flight solar charging is guaranteed with the default settings (minimum or medium volume, default vario settings, auto voice, descent and zeroing alarms deactivated, etc.).
UltraBip's autonomy obviously depends on the amount of sunlight available, as well as the options activated in the Configurator (see consumption indication for each parameter).
Note: If the battery is completely empty, when the UltraBip is switched on it will beep, then play the shutdown melody, and the LED will flash red for a few seconds.
You can either connect the device to your computer as a USB stick, or charge it using your smartphone's mains charger (or cigarette lighter, external battery, etc). Any power source of any strength (from 200mA to 4A) can be used.
Note: The device has a USB-C connector and can be charged using any USB-C cable. You can use any USB-C, standard 5V or Quick Charge (QC), Power Delivery (USB-C PD) charger, as the device is fully USB compliant.
When charging via USB, the device will draw a maximum of 200mA. Charging is complete in 2 hours.
When charging via USB, the charge level is indicated by the UltraBip LED (when switched off):
- When it is charging, the LED flashes slowly red.
- When charging is complete, the LED lights up steady green, and after an hour it goes out completely.
You can find Stodeus USB-C cables in our online shop, Accessories category.
The UltraBip always charges when it's in the sun (whether it's switched off or on)! Solar charging is not signalled to save battery power. Allow around 20 hours of direct sunlight to charge it up to 70%.
Note: Solar charging works best in direct sunlight (not overcast or cloudy). Be careful not to leave the UltraBip behind a window or the windscreen of your car, as this will not charge your UltraBip and will damage the battery.
Perform a factory reset at any time : the default settings will be applied, and you will have to choose your language again.
Note: your last configuration file will be saved as before-reset-config.ultrabip.
Languages : other languages can be downloaded here.
Default settings :
- 1 profile
- Manual mode voice: ON
- announcement: altitude, speed, average rate of climb
- Voice automatic mode: OFF
- GPS: ON
- take-off detection: ON
- Recording format: IGC and KML
- Instant Vario: ON
- climb threshold: 10cm/s
- integration time: 50%
- DOWN ALARM : OFF
- zeroing: OFF
- vario silent floor: ON
- Connectivity : ON
- Automatic switch-off: after 30min of inactivity
Headphone output : If you want to connect headphones or earphones to receive beeps and voice information directly into your ears, you need to use theStodeus USB-C to 3.5mm jack adapter.
The headphones must have a 3.5mm jack connector.
Note: This audio functionality is only guaranteed with thecustom-made Stodeus adapter.
Download the printable version of the instructions for use here
UltraBip: FAQ
Bluetooth connectivity :
To establish the connection between the UltraBip and your flight app, there is no need to pair the UltraBip to your smartphone in the Bluetooth menu.
Yes! UltraBip can be connected via Bluetooth to Android and iOS smartphones and tablets!
Data transfer to the in-flight app cannot be done via USB, as Bluetooth is more energy-efficient. What's more, Bluetooth offers a more reliable connection than using a physical connection that could deteriorate. This method also leaves the phone's USB port free for a powerbank.
Yes, as long as you have activated track recording in the Configurator.
We invite you to consult the following two pages:
- GPS and altitudes
- Bluetooth connectivity, see the "Protocols" section at the bottom of the page.
Start-up :
All you have to do is charge it on the mains (not on a powerbank, not on a computer) overnight with a charger and a cable that you know works (try charging your smartphone first). It is normal for the LED not to light up.
Configuration :
UltraBip can be connected to any Windows, Linux or Mac computer.
The UltraBip must not by no means be formatted.
If the instrument has been formatted, you will need to install at least one language pack. Click here to go to the voice pack download page.
Updates :
When you plug the UltraBip into your computer, it appears as a USB stick in your file explorer or finder.
Its root tree should look like this:
The "voices" folder must always contain at least one language pack. You can delete language packs that you are not using.
The "tracks_IGC" and "tracks_KML" folders contain the tracks recorded. They are classified as follows. The "ON_GROUND" KML sub-folder contains the same KML tracks, but with all the recorded points stuck to the ground. Useful for tracks made on foot.
The track files can be deleted if required, as long as the "tracks_IGC" and "tracks_KML" folders remain.
- Switching off the appliance
- USB connection to a computer
- Open the Configurator
- Click on "Load config", and follow the instructions
- The version number will be visible under System > Advanced (see screenshot below)
Vario :
The vario is silent on the ground by default: you must take off to activate the vario (variation of more than 1.5m/s).
(alternatively, changing the volume will also activate this function)
When the battery is very low, the volume is reduced to consume as little energy as possible and enable the UltraBip to continue recording the track for as long as possible.
In flight, the UltraBip recharges itself via its solar cell, and when the battery level rises, so does the volume.
It's not a bug, it's a feature: zeroing!
This sound is made up of short modulations indicating weak lift (from -30cm/s to your climb rate setting, default +15cm/s), not strong enough to roll up, but which will help you find the nearest thermal.
To activate or deactivate it, simply double-click on the button.
- When activated in the ConfiguratorUltraBip can announce the average rate of climb. It is integrated over the last 10 seconds before the announcement.
GPS :
The UltraBip can store over 10,000 flights!
Yes, the UltraBip can record your track when hiking, cycling or skiing. However, we do not supply a mount for use other than paragliding.
The UltraBip has been specifically designed for paragliding. It needs good satellite reception, so it can lose satellites when it's under trees in the forest, for example, so there can be gaps in the track.
The UltraBip is not waterproof, so we do not recommend using it on board a boat.
Yes, as long as you have activated trace recording in the Configurator.
The recorded IGC file is FAI-CIVL certified.
Charge :
Yes, any source of any power (from 200mA to 4A) can be used: computer, smartphone charger, cigarette lighter, external battery (of any capacity).
Stodeus instruments have a USB-C connector and can be charged using any USB-C cable. You can use any USB-C, standard 5V or Quick Charge (QC), Power Delivery (USB-C PD) charger, as the instruments are fully USB compliant.
You can find Stodeus USB-C cables in our online shop, Accessories category.