Anyone who has ever felt their way upwards in a weak thermal beard knows the problem: the variometer reacts too slowly, the decisive moment has passed before the first beep sounds. With version 5.0, this is a thing of the past. Vario One now combines the tried-and-tested barometer with the gyro sensor of your iPhone and Apple Watch - for a variometer that Significantly faster than before.

The problem: Why classic variometers lag

Conventional variometers - including those in smartphone apps - are based solely on the barometer. This measures the air pressure and uses it to calculate the change in altitude. This works reliably, but has one disadvantage: the barometer delivers its readings with a certain delay. In practice, this means a noticeable gap between the moment you fly into an updraft and the moment your vario beeps.

In light thermals or turbulent conditions, this delay can make the difference between a beard you centre and one you miss.

The solution: sensor fusion of barometer and gyro sensor

In addition to the barometer, Vario One 5.0 now uses the Acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor of your device. These sensors measure the movement and position of your iPhone or Apple Watch in space - and at a significantly higher sampling rate than the barometer.

An intelligent algorithm combines both data sources in real time:

• The Barometer provides precise, long-term stable height measurement as the basis
• The Gyro sensor Recognises the position of the device in the room
• The Acceleration sensor records the vertical acceleration - i.e. whether you are climbing or descending
• The Sensor fusion combines both data sources and delivers a result almost in real time

The result: your vario starts immediately when you fly into an updraft - without any noticeable delay.

How does it work?

The sensor fusion in Vario One works in two phases that are continuously interlinked:

Phase 1 - Barometric base measurement:
The barometer regularly provides altitude values from which the climb rate is calculated. This value forms the stable basis - it is accurate in the long term and does not drift.

Phase 2 - Acceleration supplement:
The acceleration sensor takes over between the barometer measurements. The gyro sensor is used to extract the vertical component of the movement - regardless of how you hold your device. The app recognises ascents and descents almost immediately.

The calculated value is intelligently filtered so that no sensor interference leads to wild swings. This ensures that the vario remains stable and reliable even in turbulent conditions.

The advantages at a glance

The combination of both sensor sources gives you tangible advantages when flying:

• Immediate reaction - the vario beeps as soon as you climb or descend
• Early detection of thermals - you notice the updraft before it shows up in the pure altitude measurement
• Better centring - the quick feedback allows you to find the centre of the beard more precisely
• Accuracy is maintained - the barometer continues to ensure long-term stability
• Works on the iPhone - Your device has all the necessary sensors
• No additional accessories required - everything happens with your device's built-in sensors

Switch on and off as required

Sensor fusion can be activated or deactivated at any time in the settings - under the name „Delay-free beeping“. The function is switched on by default.

When might it make sense to switch off the function?

• Energy saving - the gyro sensor also consumes some battery power. Deactivating this can extend the runtime on long cross-country flights
• Personal preference - some pilots prefer the quieter, purely barometric display

You can even change the setting during the flight - it takes effect immediately without restarting the app.

Summary: Delay-free variometer in Vario One 5.0

Intelligent sensor fusion makes the variometer in Vario One more responsive than ever before:

• Two sensors, one result - Barometer and gyro sensor work hand in hand
• Intelligent sensor fusion - Both data sources are combined in real time
• Immediate feedback - the vario starts as soon as you climb
• Long-term stability - The barometer ensures permanently precise values
• Can be switched on/off - Can be switched at any time under „Delay-free beep“ in the settings
• No additional hardware - utilises the built-in sensors of the iPhone and Apple Watch

A good variometer is like a good co-pilot - it tells you what's happening before you realise it yourself. With Vario One 5.0, you now have exactly that in your iPhone.