Question 1

What is the advantage of an XC Tracer variometer compared to a conventional variometer?

Accepted Answer

XC Tracer has no time lag, unlike conventional variometers is XC Tracer a real time variometer and has no time lag. What you feel and what XC Tracer indicates do perfectly match. It's much easier to core thermals when using XC Tracer, especially in weak conditions. You can check yourself in the forums, many pilots report the same thing: Low safes they think would not have been possible without XC Tracer, still flying in weak conditions when their buddies without an XC Tracer had to land already. Many competition pilots already use XC Tracer, among them are some of the best pilots of the world.
Just one example of feedback from Dean Crosby: "Love the XC Tracer! Best vario I''ve flown within 33 years of flying".

Question 2

Who is the XC Tracer suitable for?

Accepted Answer

The XC Tracer is suitable for everyone. From beginner to professional!
Thanks to the delay-free display of climb / sink, finding and centring thermals with an XC Tracer is intuitive and much easier than with a conventional variometer. Pilots with little flying experience benefit almost more than the pros!

Question 3

Do I have to pay for a subscription?

Accepted Answer

No, there are no fees to pay. It is all included in the sales price.

Question 4

Is the terrain data for the region where I fly included?

Accepted Answer

Terrain data for all areas where flights have been uploaded to XContest between 2012 and 2025 is pre-installed on the SD card.

Question 5

How do I connect the Remote Control to the vario?

Accepted Answer

Press and hold the button of the remote control, then switch on Maxx III. Wait until the logo on the screen disappears. Make sure that the RC and Maxx III are close to each other. You only need to make the pairing once.

Question 6

How do I make a firmware update?

Accepted Answer

Create an account to use our webapp at my.xctracer.online. Then connect your smartphone over BLE to Maxx III. (NB. On iPhone use Bluefy browser). Then use the webapp to make firmware updates, upload flights, etc.

Question 7

I made a firmware update, but it still shows the old version.

Accepted Answer

The information about the new version is only updated when the vario has GPS reception. After a firmware update, switch Maxx III on outside where you have good GPS reception, and then the information about the firmware installed will be updated.

Question 8

I can't see the content of the SD card in Windows Explorer or in Finder

Accepted Answer

If you can’t find the contents of the SD card in File Explorer, either the SD card isn’t in the XC Tracer, or you’re using a cable that can’t transfer data. Inserting the SD card and using a good USB cable will solve the problem.

Question 9

The vario does not switch automatically to the thermal screen.

Accepted Answer

Make sure that Screen1=Standard and Screen2=Thermal, and then in “Screen Options” / “Thermal” make sure that you set AutomaticSwitchBack=10s or more.

Question 10

How do I connect to my flight app?

Accepted Answer

Make the connection to BLE in the app, not in iOS or Android.

Question 11

XC Tracer crashes after starting or when GPS reception is available.

Accepted Answer

Always eject the vario (SD card) from the computer as you would with any USB memory stick. Otherwise the file system on the SD card can get corrupted, and then when the vario tries to write to the SD card the code crashes.This is easy to fix. Connect the vario to a Windows PC (Mac not recommended), switch it on, and then check the SD card for errors using Windows Explorer. In any case, do not format the SD card! Once the errors are corrected, XC Tracer will work normally without any issues.

FAQ