We are now switching our images to OpenSoar. Far-reaching and sensible changes have been made here both in the image for the OpenVario and in OpenSoar (offshoot of XCSoar). The most obvious thing is that the OpenVario start menu no longer exists and has been meaningfully integrated into OpenSoar. It is also very important that all settings are now saved in a third partition of the SD card. This partition is not touched during the update, so your device retains all settings after an update. There are many other differences, but it’s best to just give it a try.

The images published here currently differ slightly from those published by Uwe and are only useful in conjunction with a FreeVario. If you don’t have FreeVario, we recommend Uwe’s images. https://opensoar.de/releases/

The most important difference is the new version of the FreeVario driver, which Uwe will soon incorporate into the official OpenSoar. As soon as these developments are incorporated into the official release of OpenSoar, our images will expire here.

If you want to update from one of the old images to this version, you first have to load a special version of Uwe and enter a few commands using the keyboard in the terminal. As this is explained here: OpenVario-Upgrade

You can then drag the image from here to your USB stick and run the update in the OpenSoar menu under OpenVario. So you never have to remove the SD card for an update again!

You will also find everything you need to build here. All data is also published in GitHub: https://github.com/freevariode/FreeVarioGauge
In the GitHub, you can find the older files in particular, in case you need access to the old files again.

Current software version of FreeVario: 2.4.4
New in V2.4.4:
– FV automatic mode works better

New in V2.4.3:
– together with the OpenSoar version from 30.06.25, the symbol at the bottom right now also switches when changing from STF to Vario or vice versa

New in V2.4.2:
– files from the data folder can be uploaded OTA via the web interface

New in V2.4.1:
– Bug fix for wind display when FreeVario is only connected to Larus

New in V2.4:
– Optimization of the menu for direct connection to the Larus without OpenVario

New in V2.3:
– Improvement of device detection (XCSoar or Larus)
– improved connection to Larus
– optimized data transfer using the BT-RS232 bridge from FreeVario

New in V2.2:
– Improved wind arrow color
– STF bug fix
– in the menu, instead of using the slide switch on the board, set whether XCSoar or flap switch should switch between STF and Vario in automatic mode
– Improvements to variosound
– Improvement when setting McCready

New in V2.1:
– improving sound if entering update mode
– prepare VarioSound for hardware version 2.0

New in V2.0:
– Wind direction and strength of the external wind (Larus, Anemoi, etc.) is displayed
– if this is not available, the wind calculated by XCSoar is displayed
– Function can be deactivated in the menu
– the FreeVario can now also be used as a standalone device for Larus. It can be connected directly to the Larus without XCSoar
– A FreeVario image with OpenSoar is required for OpenVario larger than 24096
– The official OpenSoar image does not yet support the feature. But that will come soon.
– With a FreeVario version lower than 1.2.2, the data folders for the sound board and the graphics board must also be re-uploaded!

New in V1.3:
– Bugfix: Mosquito value was not displayed correctly

New in V 1.2.3:
– In STF mode, net Vario is now shown at the top of the display, and in Vario mode the average climb is shown. The image for the OpenVario must be larger than 23313!

New in V 1.2.2:
– Revision of the web interface for updates
– IMPORTANT!! After the update to V 1.2.2, the two data folders must be reloaded into the memory of the display and soundboard

New in V 1.2.1:
– the update of the two ESPs can now be carried out even more easily via the WiFi (OTA)
– IMPORTANT!! After updating to V 1.2.1, the folder data must be reloaded into the display board’s memory
– See the assembly instructions, Chapter III, variant 1, from point 17

New in V 1.2:
– an update can now be done for both ESPs via WiFi (OTA)

New in V1.1.5 (OpenVario image from FreeVario.de at least 22193 required):
– Attenuation (ATT) adjustable in the menu between 0 and 3
– Altitude and speed settings, as well as damping rate and mute settings are stored in the device
– After the OpenVario crashes, the devices synchronize again

Difference between the original OpenSoar image and the image of FreeVario:
– the latest FreeVario driver is included
– the programs i2sdetect and chattr are included
– optimized so that when using the FreeVario together with the stick remote control, switching between STF and Vario mode works correctly
– the driver for the Air Control Display can synchronize the QNH with the OpenVario and external devices such as the FreeVario