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Harry911 · 12-20-2014, 10:21 AM

Dear Airstream folks,

I have not posted frequently on this forum so far, but have enjoyed reading a lot already! I'm new to Airstream and look forward to my first European Airstream 684 ordered for March next year (long time to wait...)!

For the remainder of the post, forgive typos and grammar - I'm not a native speaker.

The reason I'm posting today is I'm a smartphone developer and tend to build apps for my hobbies. I have worked for years on a racing data recorder (Harry's LapTimer) and inevitably have started working on a Camper app now.

The app is 80% ready and I plan to release it in February 2015. It is extremely feature rich and unique. It is *not* another camping ground repository but a set of tools that should be valuable for heavy vehicle drivers, everyone towing anything, and most Airstreamers.

Posting this, I want to give you the opportunity to get your hands on this app now - and for free. In return I'd like to get your feedback - lots of feedback. I'm aware smartphone apps are sometimes considered to be gimmicks. From my other line of apps I can tell you they can add a lot of convenience and make available ground breaking new options when powered by bright ideas. I'm confident this forum can generate tons of bright ideas and I'd like to support them as good as possible! As a goody, the app is pretty Airstream inspired, so please enjoy the artwork.

In case you want to participate in the beta, please follow this link for further information.

As a teaser, here are some snapshots. The full set of functions is outlined in the link above.

I'm looking forward to your feedback.

- Harry

P.S. Dear moderators, In case this post should go somewhere else, please feel free to move it. Thanks!

Harry911 · 12-23-2014, 08:05 AM

Thanks to those who have registered for the beta already!

Besides testers, I really appreciate any ideas on additional functionality. One request raised is support for to-do lists on regular processes like preparing an AS during closing/opening a season. Certainly model specific :-) Sounds like a feature that should allow individuals to share their lists with others!?

Anyway, thanks so far and please post any thoughts here. In case you want to participate in the beta, just send your mail to Harry@gps-laptimer.de during the next days. I can add participants later too, but you may miss some initial information.

Greetings, Harry

AWCHIEF · 12-23-2014, 08:22 AM

Apparently does not support android. Will this be corrected in the future?

Protagonist · 12-23-2014, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Apparently does not support android. Will this be corrected in the future?

I don't think it's a matter of "correcting" it. An Android version would be a completely different app with the same functionality, not a correction to an iPhone app.

But I would like to see an Android version. Both my smart phone and my tablet use Android.

I would also like to see a motorhome version for pulling a toad. I use an Airstream Interstate B-van based on a non-extended Sprinter 3500 chassis, towing a Honda Fit subcompact hatchback.

Oh, and as long as I'm asking, weights in pounds, temperatures in Farenheit, liquid measures in gallons, etc. since we Yanks aren't wired to think in metric…

Harry911 · 12-23-2014, 09:57 AM

@Protagonist, Units are set automatically depending on the country settings. I use English language and German country settings - that's the reason the snapshots show metric units. The Honda Fit is sitting on a trailer? Support for Motorhomes is supported already.

On Android: my apps follow a cross platform approach for approximately 60% of the code. The above mentioned LapTimer app (which helped me buying an Airstream :-) ) is available on iOS and Android. For the Heavy Duty / Camper app, I'm not yet sure. I concentrate on making the iOS version available now - the rest depends on the demand and feedback and time I can make available.

- Harry

Harry911 · 12-23-2014, 10:05 AM

@Protagonist, that's the best can do currently :-)

But the visuals are not everything :-)

- Harry

Tincampers · 12-23-2014, 10:09 AM

So, can you explain further what is required to get the engine data to say an iPad with the lightning interface? Just a cable?

perryg114 · 12-23-2014, 10:31 AM

I am with Protagonist. You need and Android version.

Have you considered an app that will record vibration levels to tell you if you need to balance a tire or something. This might not be important for square box trailers (SOB) but is it important to the longevity of an Airstream.

Perry

Harry911 · 12-23-2014, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrprez

So, can you explain further what is required to get the engine data to say an iPad with the lightning interface? Just a cable?

There have been cable adapters a few years ago, but they have been replaced by wireless connectors now. For an iPad, I recommend GoPoint's BT1 - it is not the fastest but "plug in and forget". OBDLink's MX WiFi dongles are faster but require you to work with WiFi - which may be required to connect to a rear cam ;-) For details, please check Compatibility and scroll down to the OBD area.

- Harry

Harry911 · 12-23-2014, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

Have you considered an app that will record vibration levels to tell you if you need to balance a tire or something. This might not be important for square box trailers (SOB) but is it important to the longevity of an Airstream.

Perry

Good idea. I had an app (I do not remember the name) that measured vibration using the accelerometer and applied a (complex) filter to identify the dominant vibration level and frequency. During a test it actually detected my Defender's Diesel engine as the worst contributor :-)

I need to check that, any information on the nature of vibrations from the trailer are welcome! I'm sure there is a specialist for everything here...

- Harry

Wayne&Sam · 12-23-2014, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

I am with Protagonist. You need and Android version.

Or you Andriod people could just surrender.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

perryg114 · 12-23-2014, 11:27 AM

Sensor Kinetics has an app that measures sensor data and can log them to the phone.

On the leveling app maybe a series of tones that changed pitch as you get close to level. This way you don't have to see the phone to use it to level the trailer. I expect you would select side to side level first and then do front to back level second since that is just running the tongue jack up and down. When level you just get a solid tone. You could just rotate the phone 90 degrees and use the same function for front to back.

I don't like apple because they want to control what I can do to the phone and they want to maximize profits by charging you for stuff I can get for free on Android.

Perry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry911

Good idea. I had an app (I do not remember the name) that measured vibration using the accelerometer and applied a (complex) filter to identify the dominant vibration level and frequency. During a test it actually detected my Defender's Diesel engine as the worst contributor :-)

I need to check that, any information on the nature of vibrations from the trailer are welcome! I'm sure there is a specialist for everything here...

- Harry

AWCHIEF · 12-23-2014, 11:46 AM

[QUOTE=Wayne&Sam;1557650]

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

I am with Protagonist. You need and Android version.

/QUOTE]

Or you Andriod people could just surrender.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

I used to have an iPhone, no longer and no regrets. No reason to surrender.

Harry911 · 12-23-2014, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

I don't like apple because they want to control what I can do to the phone and they want to maximize profits by charging you for stuff I can get for free on Android.

There are pros and cons for everything. Apple tries to lock you up in their ecosystem and Android spys you all day. There is no free lunch... Anyway, please don't make this thread an iOS or Android thread ;-) I try to support both but are bound to time available and need to make a decision which way to go first. Thanks for your understanding :-)

- Harry

Harry911 · 12-23-2014, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

On the leveling app maybe a series of tones that changed pitch as you get close to level. This way you don't have to see the phone to use it to level the trailer. I expect you would select side to side level first and then do front to back level second since that is just running the tongue jack up and down. When level you just get a solid tone. You could just rotate the phone 90 degrees and use the same function for front to back.

I have a lady in that app telling you what to do next.

Adding a beep option makes sense as it is probably loud enough to hear it outside. Those who join the beta will see there is an even better solution for solving this. ;-) It is one of the unique (but currently secret) features.

- Harry

Wayne&Sam · 12-23-2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry911

, please don't make this thread an iOS or Android thread

- Harry

Sorry, that was not my intent. Just my usual attempt at humor.

-Sent from a Chromebook!

**Stefrobrts** · 12-23-2014, 01:53 PM

How do you do the oil temp readouts? Do you use a bluetooth diagnostics connector of some sort? I have been thinking of setting that up on our tow vehicle.

Harry911 · 12-23-2014, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

How do you do the oil temp readouts? Do you use a bluetooth diagnostics connector of some sort? I have been thinking of setting that up on our tow vehicle.

Yes, it is using an OBD II connector available in all modern cars. Check http://www.airforums.com/forums/f317...ml#post1557633 above for details on this. These connectors are between 15 (Chinese copies) and 100 US$ (genuine).

In the view shown above, I have selected a number of parameters relevant for towing. There are four temperatures supported: oil, coolant, catalyst, intake. You can select the one shown with the big gauge (usually oil). There are several indicators for power development: power, torque, boost, gear, throttle. Furthermore, the current fuel consumption (mpg) is calculated and displayed. All gadgets show qualified warning levels - they are not just raw data.

I thought about a view focussed on emissions / economics too, but have deferred this to a second version. The current view is focussed on power (as an example, rpm is green for the range the engine is most powerful).

- Harry

Harry911 · 12-23-2014, 02:12 PM

P.S. Not all cars deliver all values, so please keep in mind some values may miss. For my TV, a Defender (using a Ford engine), all of these values are available, but your milage may vary.

Harry911 · 06-18-2015, 01:20 AM

A big thanks to all of you Airstreamers who participated in the beta. The beta is finished now and the app is online in AppStore.

We are traveling through Scandinavia with our European International 684 currently and have plenty of time to test the app every day. Some pictures are linked below. We have logged 3000 miles so far and plan to do another 4000 until we are back home.

All times good travels!

- Harry