Range Report BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

[Jumper]

So, I'm running Ballistic FTE on my Ipod Touch and since it has been out I've been experimentiing with getting the correct atmosphere data into it. I'd compare it with JBM with the same parameters (or so I thought) and never got the same results. But I figured it was just me and kept it because I really like the heads up display. A couple updates later and I'm again trying to enter atmosphere data. Where???? For the current atmosphere there is only options for Density Altitude and temp. If I tell it to use the current atmosphere instead of the zero'd atmosphere from a range trip 2 months ago, it still doesn't pull in any atmosphere parameters for the HUD. What gives? Anyone else have problems like this?

 

[Powder_Burns]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

Might be a dumb question, but do you have internet access when trying to acquire atmospheric data?

Also, what version are you running? I'm on v2.3.1..

 

[waynea96]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

To get your atmospheric conditions in the HUD mode, go to HUD view then settings (top right of the screen), scroll down to current atmosphere and choose enable atmosphere, then enter in your current conditions and load your ballistic profile from the favorites you have saved onto the iPod. The match current conditions only works in conjunction with a GPS enabled iPhone.

 

[Jumper]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: waynea_91</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To get your atmospheric conditions in the HUD mode, go to HUD view then settings (top right of the screen), scroll down to current atmosphere and choose enable atmosphere, then enter in your current conditions and load your ballistic profile from the favorites you have saved onto the iPod. The match current conditions only works in conjunction with a GPS enabled iPhone. </div></div>

Thats what I do but the only paramteres to enter there are density altitude (what is that btw and how is it obtained) and temp in the mach field. But when I go back to the heads up display the fields for Altitude, Pressure, Temp and Humidity are empty.

Also, I am using an I-touch not the I-Phone so it does not pull in these fields automatically. Even when I'm connected to the internet.

I'm thinking zdziarski forgot something in this latest update because I could enter the atmosphere parameters before. I know because with the earlier versions there was no option for Density Altitude. I've explored all the program settings in the General settings area of the I-touch main screen. The version I currently have is the latest version I believe, 2.3.1

 

[waynea96]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

I too am running 2.3.1 and at the HUD atmospheric settings I can enter altitude, barometric pressure, temperature,and relative humidity. Under the main FTE atmosphere settings how do you have it set to load the conditions? Retain settings or load from favorites? Have you emailed Jonathon about this? He's usually very fast in responding.

 

[Lindy]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">there are density altitude (what is that btw and how is it obtained)</div></div>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Density_altitude

Density altitude is simply a single-number expression for air density calculated using temperature, pressure, and relative humidity.

 

[Jumper]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

In the general setting menu I've set it both ways: Current Atm - retain settings and load from favorites. Still can't enter anything but Density altitude. Tried it in simple mode; same result. It seems the ONLY place I can enter atmosphere data is in the Range Log. It doesn't appear that I've got any settings incorrect because I can't even get to a point that I can enter the current atmosphere. If you are using density altitude for atmosphere conditions maybe it doesn't display Altitude, pressure temp and Humidity on the HUD screen????

I haven't emailed Jonathan but I'll send one and see if he replies. I'm starting to think its a difference between the I-phone and I-touch.

Lindy, ref density altitude: I get my atmosphere data from the closest airport METAR and TAF report if available. The report provides a density altitude number but it's a large negative number most of the time. -1700 to -3200 is typical it seems. The local elevation is between 650 and 750ft above sea level. I don't think this is the density altitude number FTE wants. Any idea why?

 

[waynea96]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

I am also using the iTouch, so we are running the same software. The only difference is that the iPhone can retrieve the conditions by using your current coordinates.

 

[Jumper]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

Emailed John. He replied promptly

In settings you can change the atmosphere back to "meteorological" and will get the pressure/humidity/etc fields again


It should be Settings -> Ballistic FTE -> JBM Computer -> Format (under the Atmosphere tab)

And there it was.

Jumper

 

[Lindy]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

Well, I don't know what number FTE wants. I don't know where in Michigan you are, but I just pulled up the numbers for Detroit. Temperature 13 F, altimeter 30.38", altitude 625 feet, RH 46 %.

That is a density altitude of -2935 feet.

A density altitude of 0 feet in the ISA occurs with a temperature of 59 degrees F., pressure of 29.92", and a relative humidity of 0. So, at pressures higher and temperatures lower than that, you will have negative DAs.

 

[Jumper]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

Is the altimeter value the same as pressure in inches of mercury?

 

[Lindy]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

Well, in the U.S., pressure is usually referred to in inches of mercury - unless it's not. See:

Barometric Pressure and Ballistic Software

For all practical purposes, the altimeter setting is the same as the sea-level-referenced barometric pressure. (If you're into arcana, it's actually a <span style="font-style: italic">little</span> different if you get it from the ATIS or tower at an airport, because then it's tailored to the temperature response of an aircraft altimeter.

 

[Jumper]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

Well of course it is. Its all SO clear...

I have read your article several times, printed it out and saved a copy on my I-touch for reference. Thank you BTW.

Ballistic FTE is trying to do it all and its a little too complicated to just pick up and intuitively begin to use correctly. The good thing is if you know what you are doing it can be a very accurate tool. So I've been trying to learn how best to use it, where I can get the best weather data and then how to interpret that data. Thanks for your help.

 

[DogboneS]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

Semi related question......
Sorry if off topic, but there are so many ballistic app threads lately, this one seemed to still be concentrating on Ballistic FTE.

Is there a way to port Ballistic FTE to the Verizon Droid? Haven't got one yet, but was told by the lovely Verizon gal, that you could convert ipod apps across to the droid. I doubted it, but told her "OK".

 

[waynea96]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

Maybe if there is an iPod/phone emulator installed on the droid, but I am still leaning towards no.

 

[Lindy]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

Platform proliferation is a serious problem for software authors.

My recommendation is that people with serious intent on running ballistic software would do well to figure out which program fits their needs, and acquire whatever platform runs that program.

People whose need for ballistic software is less critical might want to make themselves a Density Altitude firing table using JBM ballistics, and use it with a Kestrel portable weather station to shoot under any conditions without need for a device in the field.

And the Kestrel is optional. I can use the pressure sensor in my Casio Pathfinder watch and a cheap thermometer about as well as my Kestrel.

But it's fun to play with the software - and chicks dig it.

 

[azimutha]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DogboneS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Semi related question......
Sorry if off topic, but there are so many ballistic app threads lately, this one seemed to still be concentrating on Ballistic FTE.

Is there a way to port Ballistic FTE to the Verizon Droid? Haven't got one yet, but was told by the lovely Verizon gal, that you could convert ipod apps across to the droid. I doubted it, but told her "OK". </div></div>

They have completely different OSes using completely different programming languages. So the lovely Verizon gal did not know what she was talking about. Apple would never allow for any way for that to happen...Google is now Steve Job's enemy.

 

[Jong]

Re: BallisticFTE:new version forgot current atmosphere

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