| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Coolwind |
Posted - 16/07/2011 : 19:07:00
This is a preview of a nice device I have been working on lately.
It will be soon available through a reseller in Czech, our friend Wolf of http://www.wolf-gear.com who kindly sent me one unit to work on.
This is a 3 inches display device, with a neat TFT LCD which is fully visible under direct sunlight.
The device is sized a bit smaller than a Garmin Oregon, but has exactly the same display, with a diagonal of 7.6cm .
Garmin owners know that their devices have a beutiful screen, and the FunTrek makes no exception. The resolution is 240x400 or 400x240 in landscape mode.
Let's look at this device compared to a MIO400 under sunlight.
Notice the shadow: the sun is almost perpendicular, and in July at 14pm is particularly shining (photo taken in a full bright day).
I have shown this unit at the airfield, and people just said "perfect" concerning the visibility in the sun.
There are interesting things about this device:
1) Thanks to an efficient light sensor, it can automatically self adjust backlight to economize batteries. Using auto backlight, LK can run for several hours while recording (approx. 8-9 hours).
With full backlight on, 3.5 hours are nevertheless granted.
2) Backlight control is available during usage of LK. This means that you can anytime change settings.
3) It has a barometric sensor, thus providing baro altitude to LK.
4) It has a digital compass and a 3 axis accelerometer (G sensor) which is available to LK, though not yet used.
It connects (and recharges also) to PC using a classic MiniUSB plug.
Internal memory (2G) appears as a flash disk. It also has a MicroSD card slot. I have a 4G sd card, total 6G memory. Lots of space.
The internal GPS is very sensible, as you would expect from an outdoor unit such this one: it is waterproof and it was born as a bike computer.
There are only two constraints:
1- Screen size (3 inches) may be too small for some people, depending on the usage
2- There is no real sound, only a beeper (buzzer). So LK will beep, instead of playing sounds. However, I did not find this to be a problem.
This is a real jewel in my opinion (also for the size :-) ).
LK is undergoing support for it, and can already manage power supply, screen of course, and internal sensors.
In the nearest page mode, all values are perfectly readable making it a perfect companion for safety flights.
There is no bluetooth or serial line available over miniUSB.
Another bigger unit (4.3 inches with the same display) is awaited from Holux in the very next months.
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| wolf_pg |
Posted - 24/04/2013 : 21:25:51
...this issue is solved, now. therefore if you will need to make complete OS and AP reboot, do not hesitate to ask me...
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| mom128 |
Posted - 07/04/2013 : 08:02:40
Hi All,
Despite of problems and non support from holux factory and weak support from dealers, finally I can upgrade the Holux device's firmware. if anybody have the same problem, can ask me :)
quote:
Originally posted by mom128
Hi all,
I have a Holux FT130 but there was a fatal error in the start up.
so I followed up the instruction about "Holux FT130 Firmware Update" from
"http://memory-map.com.au/faqs/questions/13/Holux+FT130+Firmware+Update"
but in the 4th step, I selected number 1 from the list and Know I cant see
the Holux Program.
It is turn on with WinCE page.
How can I restore it to Holux Program?
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| AgrestPL |
Posted - 30/01/2013 : 15:19:02
Hi,
I have a TwoNav Sportiva with working LK8000 - no problems so far, happy user:)
Just one thing bothers me, I'd like to have on my device this nice system menu like FunTrek 130 has - this "HoluxShell"... As well as all these nice tools Holux added, like settings for backlight, compass calibrating etc.
Is this possible to download somewhere software which FunTrek runs? |
| wolf_pg |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 22:34:40
quote:
Originally posted by mom128
Hi all,
I have a Holux FT130......
Hi mom128,
is not rather unfair to ask me for help (I received your email 6.1.2013 0:58) and not wait for any answer....on Sunday especially? ;-)
Check your email.
Cordially. |
| mom128 |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 22:14:09
Hi all,
I have a Holux FT130 but there was a fatal error in the start up.
so I followed up the instruction about "Holux FT130 Firmware Update" from
"http://memory-map.com.au/faqs/questions/13/Holux+FT130+Firmware+Update"
but in the 4th step, I selected number 1 from the list and Know I cant see
the Holux Program.
It is turn on with WinCE page.
How can I restore it to Holux Program? |
| Coolwind |
Posted - 30/12/2012 : 15:00:48
Wolf is the distributor of these nice toys, he provided me the units to develop, that's why you have LK running on them today. Thanks to Wolf, in fact. |
| janpol |
Posted - 30/12/2012 : 12:35:19
Thanks Coolwind and wolf_pg. I think you are also the 2 persons responsible that LK8000 is running fine on this unit!
So either if you have a Funtrek or a Funtrek Pro and you want to know how to add an new application, don't use the manual found here http://www.holux.com/JCore/en/products/products_download.jsp?pno=395
But use the Funtrek Pro manual: http://www.holux.com/JCore/UploadFile/7758651.pdf (or use a zip file from wolf_pg)
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| wolf_pg |
Posted - 30/12/2012 : 10:53:26
quote:
Originally posted by janpol
Until now I use the HP310. Now I wil also try this Funtrek. Besides the small screen
....screen is 38 x 66 mm (3,0") as written in each manual
quote:
Originally posted by janpol
I found an other drawback: if you use the backligt time out and there is no sun, you can not see it is on. So this morning, when I wanted to use the Funtrek, the battery was empty.
...try to switch off entire unit ;-)
quote:
Originally posted by janpol
It is not possible to go in to sleep mode (or I missed it?).
There is any sleep mode, but possibility to switch off display backlight 10/30 or 1/3/5 minutes) or entire unit automatically after 15/30 minutes or 1/2 hour of nonactivity.
quote:
Originally posted by janpol
This means if you want to start with a full battery, you should power on just before your flight: 3 sec. power on, wait 25 sec., start LK8000, wait for loading maps etc and then you can check everything is OK. With the HP310 this is: 1 sec. power on and after 2 sec. you can check if everyting is OK.
Each unit has different behaviour, FT 130 is NOT PDA, it is "outdoor GPS unit", so must be different
FT 130 made during start sequence several self check procedures to ensure safety start.
LK8000 start depend on number of maps, installed in folder _Maps. I recommend 30 maps files maximally there for FT 130. Other maps should be stored outside this "operational" map folder.
quote:
Originally posted by janpol
I thougt installing LK8000 would be very easy, because I was one of the first to use these kind of programs on an HP310 see http://xcsoar.1045713.n5.nabble.com/Re-XCSoar-on-a-personal-navigator-td2647250.html
But it was more difficult than I thought. First I tried to find this here on the review and this forum reading a lot of pages. I only found that I should be careful with the rotate option. Then I tried the Holux Funtrek 130 manual from the internet, but nothing was explained how to add an external program. But finaly on the internet I found an explanation how to install cecmnd on this funtrek and then it was no problem anymore to install LK8000. Later I saw that the manual of the Pro version did also explain how to add an external aplication. See http://www.holux.com/JCore/UploadFile/7758651.pdf Is it not possible to add an external aplication with the not-pro version of the Funtrek?
LK8000 installing is simply, but you have to follow different procedures as formerly and on different units.
Most simple way is to ask some Holux distributor, which is experienced with this issue. You will receive zip file, usually, unpack it in root of your microsdhc card and then set shortcuts.
Only differences between FT 130 and FT 130 Pro is that Pro version is able to manage ANT+ signals (wirelles communications similar to Blue Tooth) from external sensors (used for bicycling and mountainbiking: heart beat, velocity and pedalling frequency), in fact.
Any third party software, e.g. geocaching, navigation, etc., should be installed, there is one limitation, 4 free shortcuts "slots" on main screen. More programes are executable from different place...
quote:
Originally posted by janpol
Then I had to set the GPS settings. I remember having read this somewere on a forum, but were? So again I have to check a lot of pages and I found it half way this thread. I use a higher baudrate:
- Name: generic
- Port: com port 2
- Baudrate 115200
Now everything seems to be working, but here in the Netherlands it is not the right time to check the screen in direct sunlight has been improved.
Higher baudrate is nothing bad, I recommend lower possible figures.
Please do not hesitate to drop me PM, email or contact me by Skype.
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| Coolwind |
Posted - 30/12/2012 : 01:51:28
Remember to set device model to Funtrek, so the internal barometer is used.
You are right concerning sleep mode, it is not working on the funtrek.
But the battery with no backlight is lasting for many hours, 12 maybe, with LK running.
In sunlight I confirm that with or without backlight it is readable the same, perfectly.
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| janpol |
Posted - 29/12/2012 : 22:49:04
Until now I use the HP310. Now I wil also try this Funtrek. Besides the small screen I found an other drawback: if you use the backligt time out and there is no sun, you can not see it is on. So this morning, when I wanted to use the Funtrek, the battery was empty.
It is not possible to go in to sleep mode (or I missed it?). This means if you want to start with a full battery, you should power on just before your flight: 3 sec. power on, wait 25 sec., start LK8000, wait for loading maps etc and then you can check everything is OK. With the HP310 this is: 1 sec. power on and after 2 sec. you can check if everyting is OK.
I thougt installing LK8000 would be very easy, because I was one of the first to use these kind of programs on an HP310 see http://xcsoar.1045713.n5.nabble.com/Re-XCSoar-on-a-personal-navigator-td2647250.html
But it was more difficult than I thought. First I tried to find this here on the review and this forum reading a lot of pages. I only found that I should be careful with the rotate option. Then I tried the Holux Funtrek 130 manual from the internet, but nothing was explained how to add an external program. But finaly on the internet I found an explanation how to install cecmnd on this funtrek and then it was no problem anymore to install LK8000. Later I saw that the manual of the Pro version did also explain how to add an external aplication. See http://www.holux.com/JCore/UploadFile/7758651.pdf Is it not possible to add an external aplication with the not-pro version of the Funtrek?
Then I had to set the GPS settings. I remember having read this somewere on a forum, but were? So again I have to check a lot of pages and I found it half way this thread. I use a higher baudrate:
- Name: generic
- Port: com port 2
- Baudrate 115200
Now everything seems to be working, but here in the Netherlands it is not the right time to check the screen in direct sunlight has been improved. |
| LorenZ |
Posted - 09/08/2012 : 23:46:06
quote:
Originally posted by wolf_pg
quote:
Originally posted by LorenZ
".....lk8000 recording tracks with log time too "wide" (1sec. to 4sec.) for this reason (I think) the GPS is not able to calculate direction and speed of the wind (leaving always the field --\-- in the main screen) as well the track is very imprecise, you can also see my request for info in general support forum section ... have any ideas to fix this? Thanks a lot Lorenzo
.... this sampling range is rather strange , please drop me email... with details....about unit, settings, tracklogs.... etc.
heeeh....any info is neccessary....I checked your post in other thread, try this :".......this problem should be in settings of FT130....see User manual at page 36 (english version), section "Log interval" and following....user manual is available on my website...."
Mail sent!  |
| wolf_pg |
Posted - 09/08/2012 : 17:22:36
quote:
Originally posted by LorenZ
".....lk8000 recording tracks with log time too "wide" (1sec. to 4sec.) for this reason (I think) the GPS is not able to calculate direction and speed of the wind (leaving always the field --\-- in the main screen) as well the track is very imprecise, you can also see my request for info in general support forum section ... have any ideas to fix this? Thanks a lot Lorenzo
.... this sampling range is rather strange, please drop me email... with details....about unit, settings, tracklogs.... etc.
heeeh....any info is neccessary....I checked your post in other thread, try this :".......this problem should be in settings of FT130....see User manual at page 36 (english version), section "Log interval" and following....user manual is available on my website...."
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| LorenZ |
Posted - 08/08/2012 : 19:58:14
quote:
Originally posted by wolf_pg
to miniwheatSoar - Posted - 21/07/2012 : 04:44:04
there is more simply solution: drop request here.
I had made app folder, which solve this problem. there is available rotation shortcut icon, which could be placed in main screen.
right button option could be selected in setting parameters (together with storage options. etc.)
12 hour is good time, 5 minutes
should be better
hello wolf, I hope you can give me a hand saw your great experience with this hardware. My funtrek runs lk8000 recording tracks with log time too "wide" (1sec. to 4sec.) for this reason (I think) the GPS is not able to calculate direction and speed of the wind (leaving always the field --\-- in the main screen) as well the track is very imprecise, you can also see my request for info in general support forum section ... have any ideas to fix this? Thanks a lot Lorenzo |
| wolf_pg |
Posted - 22/07/2012 : 12:02:54
to miniwheatSoar - Posted - 21/07/2012 : 04:44:04
there is more simply solution: drop request here.
I had made app folder, which solve this problem. there is available rotation shortcut icon, which could be placed in main screen.
right button option could be selected in setting parameters (together with storage options. etc.)
12 hour is good time, 5 minutes
should be better
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| Coolwind |
Posted - 21/07/2012 : 12:12:03
just for your information, it is about 4 months that LK 3.1 has rotation from menu buttons. |
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