Strato Flights STRATOfinder Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Strato Flights Manuals
  4. GPS
  5. STRATOfinder
  6. Manual

Strato Flights STRATOfinder Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
STRATOfinder
Guide
GPS Tracker to locate your
stratospheric probe

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the STRATOfinder and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Summary of Contents for Strato Flights STRATOfinder

  • Page 1 STRATOfinder Guide GPS Tracker to locate your stratospheric probe...
  • Page 2 Foreword Thank you for your trust in our GPS tracker STRATOfinder and your interest in this very special mission. We would like to offer you the opportunity to experience an unforgettable adventure with breathtaking video recordings from an altitude where...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    3.4 Installing the Stratoflights app ....... . 15 3.5 Integration of the STRATOfinder into the Stratoflights app ..16 3.6 Settings and functions of the Stratoflights app .

  • Page 5: General Instructions

    General instructions 1 General instructions Before use: Before using the STRATOfinder GPS tracker for the first time, please read this manual completely and with the utmost attention and follow the steps and sequences prescribed here exactly to ensure error-free setup and operation. Please keep this manual in a safe place.

  • Page 6: Product View

    General instructions 1.2 Product view The following product photos are intended to give you a first impression of the STRATOfinder GPS tracker:...

  • Page 7: Quick Start Guide

    Quick Start guide 2 Quick Start guide To get your STRATOfinder ready for use, you can follow the quick start guide below: • Charge the STRATOfinder using the Micro-USB cable until it is fully charged. This will be indicated by a red light. Once the red light no longer illuminates, the STRATOfinder is charged.
  • Page 8 Quick Start guide • If the IMEI is entered correctly and the STRATOfinder is in the powered-on state as previously described, with an unobstructed view of the sky, your newly set up STRATOfinder will be displayed on the map within the Stratoflights app.

  • Page 9: Stratofinder: Charging Process, Initialization, And Activation

    3 STRATOfinder: Charging Pro- cess, Initialization, and Activation 3.1 Charging Process Before initial use, the GPS tracker STRATOfinder must be fully charged. To charge the STRATOfinder, you‘ll need the included Micro-USB cable. First, carefully open the right flap of the STRATOfinder. Now, carefully insert the provided Micro-USB cable into the port. Next, connect the USB cable to your computer or use your smartphone‘s USB charging adapter.

  • Page 10: Activation Of The Stratosim Card

    After selecting the appropriate subscription, you‘ll need to enter the IMEI number of your STRATOfinder during the activation process. You can find the IMEI number on a sticker located on the side of your STRATOfinder or on the product packaging.

  • Page 11: Inserting The Sim Card And Turning On/Off The Stratofinder

    SIM card into the slot until it clicks into place with a soft „click“. Inserting the SIM card into your STRATOfinder will automatically turn it on. If you wish to turn off the STRATOfinder, you need to remove the SIM card. We intentionally chose not to include an on-off switch: In previous models, there were instances where the GPS tracker‘s switch was accidentally triggered during installation into the stratospheric...
  • Page 12 GPS tracker outdoors and let it sit under open skies for a few minutes to establish a connection. Tip: Move around with the STRATOfinder and walk a few meters; this will signifi- cantly expedite the connection process.

  • Page 13: Installing The Stratoflights App

    „APN“ must first be set in order to set up the mobile internet for data transmission. 3.4 Installing the Stratoflights app To be able to use the STRATOfinder GPS tracker, you first need the free „Stratof- lights“ app. This is available in the app store for all common smartphones with Android and iOS operating systems.

  • Page 14: Integration Of The Stratofinder Into The Stratoflights App

    3.5 Integration of the STRATOfinder into the Stratoflights app In order to set up your STRATOfinder GPS tracker after it has been fully charged, the activated SIM card has been inserted, the APN has been set and the Stratoflights app has been installed, you will need the IMEI number of your STRATOfinder. This IMEI number is a ten-digit number that you will find on the packaging or directly on the STRATOfinder.
  • Page 15 STRATOfinders, it is best to label them directly on their cover to avoid confusion! If the IMEI is entered correctly and the STRATOfinder is switched on with a clear view to the sky as described above, the STRATOfinder you have just set up will be displayed on the map:...

  • Page 16: Settings And Functions Of The Stratoflights App

    GPS (=Global Positioning System) is more accurate. The more satellite signals the GPS tracker can receive, the more accurate the location. This is the case if the STRATOfinder has an unobstructed view of the sky and is not located indoors.
  • Page 17 GPS position of the STRATOfinder. Clicking on this button opens Google Maps and suggests a route from your position to the last position data sent by STRATOfinder, so that you can ea- sily navigate to this position. Mit einem Klick auf diesen Button wird die aktuelle GPS-Position des STRATOfinders abgefragt.
  • Page 18 STRATOfinder at any time. Click on „Navigate to the tracker“ to retrieve the current position of the STRATOfinder and to determine a route to the GPS position of the STRATO- finder sent via Google Maps. The assigned IMEI of your STRATOfinder is indicated here. You will also find the IMEI on the housing of your STRATOfinder and on the packaging.

  • Page 19: Adding More Stratofinders To The Stratoflights App

    This scenario varies from country to country due to differences in network coverage. To minimise this risk, a second STRATOfinder may be useful. For example, if you decide to operate the first STRATOfinder with a D1 network and the second STRA- TOfinder with a D2 network, you should add both STRATOfinders to the Stratof- lights app.
  • Page 20 STRATOfinder B, for example. You can easily find out which STRATOfinder is currently displayed on the map: The name of the currently displayed STRATOfinder is shown at the top.

  • Page 21: Optional Commands For Sms Operation

    SIM card: G123456#. STRATOfinder will respond promptly with an SMS containing the current position data of STRATOfinder, as well as a link to the GPS position in Google Maps to na- vigate to the GPS position. 3.8.2 Check whether the APN has been set You can check this with a simple SMS command.

  • Page 22: Installation Of The Stratofinder And Further Information For Your Mission

    SMS. This allows you to precisely locate and recover your stratospheric pro- be after it has landed. The special feature of the STRATOfinder compared to other devices is the huge GPS antenna, because it is four times larger than those of other manufacturers and a small but extremely important feature.
  • Page 23 TESA tape. You can use two layers of TESA tape to create a kind of double-sided adhesive tape. You can attach this to the bottom of the STRATOfinder and fix it to the bottom of the Styrofoam probe. Make sure that the Stratoflights logo on the top of the STRA- TOfinder is pointing towards the sky, as this is where the GPS antenna is located for optimum reception.

  • Page 24: Faq And Troubleshooting

    The GPS tracker only works close to the ground because it relies on the mobile net- work. As soon as the balloon has lifted off, the STRATOfinder has no signal anymo- re. Only when it is close to the ground again, after landing, the STRATOfinder can locate itself again.
  • Page 25 Whenever the STRATOfinder changes its position, it automatically sends its position data. If the STRATOfinder does not update its position data anymore and is back out of the stratosphere and has landed, this is the sign that the probe has landed.
  • Page 26 Important: There is no cancellation period; the subscription simply needs to be canceled during its active period. Is it a problem if my STRATOfinder lands in a border region? Does it cause issues with the mobile network? Fortunately, no.

  • Page 27: Technical Specifications

    Humidity: 10%-70% * Note: The STRATOfinder offers a runtime of approx. 48 hours under normal conditions on earth, without intermediate charging! However, it should be noted that the runtime depends on the load as well as on the extreme conditions of the stratosphere of temperatures down to -65°C.

  • Page 28: Safety Instructions

    Read these safety instructions for this GPS tracker STRATOfinder, hereinafter refer- red to as STRATOfinder, carefully before use in order to be able to use it properly. The intended use is to use the STRATOfinder only as described in this manual to locate an object such as a stratospheric probe.

  • Page 29: Safety

    • If you notice any visible damage to your STRATOfinder or the micro USB cable, do not use it. • Only use the original parts supplied to charge the GPS tracker. If the charging ca- ble is damaged, only replace it with original accessories from the manufacturer.

  • Page 30: Electromagnetic Compatibility

    STRATOfinder with metallic cleaning objects (e.g. knives, metal sponges). This can damage the surface. • Never put the STRATOfinder in water, in a dishwasher (or similar) and do not use a steam cleaner. Correct cleaning of the STRATOfinder: 1. The surface may be wiped with a damp cloth.

  • Page 31: Dangers For Children And Persons In Need Of Assistance

    7.8 Storage If you are not going to use the STRATOfinder for a long period of time, switch it off by removing the SIM card. Then place the STRATOfinder in its original packaging or in a box of the same size. Protect the STRATOfinder from dirt and moisture. Keep it out of the reach of children.

  • Page 32: Separate Collection Of Old Appliances

    Safety instructions used batteries at a municipal collection point or at a local retailer. As a distributor of batteries, we are also obliged to take back used batteries, whereby our obligation to take back only applies to the type of used batteries that we have or had as new batte- ries in our range.

  • Page 33: Data Protection Notice

    Safety instructions 7.10.5 Data protection notice WEEE often contains sensitive personal data. This applies in particular to informati- on and telecommunications technology devices such as computers and smartphones. In your own interest, please note that each end user is responsible for deleting the data on the old devices to be disposed of.

  • Page 34: General Information About A Stratospheric Mission

    Safety instructions 7.11 General information about a stra- tospheric mission Stratoflights GmbH & Co. KG does not assume any guarantee or liability for the correctness and up-to-dateness of the information provided here and on all instruc- tions, platforms, websites etc. related to Stratoflights GmbH & Co. KG. •...
  • Page 35 Make site sure there is enough space so that the balloon will hit no obstacles. The GPS tracker transmits the exact GPS Tracker landing position. A commercially availa- STRATOfinder ble prepaid SIM card is required.
  • Page 36 Checklist: Perfectly prepared and thought of everything? To avoid „damaging“ the sensitive en- velope of the weather balloon, all team members working on the weather bal- Gloves loon should wear gloves and take off rings, earrings, etc. Please avoid contact with the ground! Gas creates the lift.
  • Page 37 Checklist: Perfectly prepared and thought of everything? As a backup GPS tracker, a second STRA- Backup-GPS TOfinder or SPOT Trace may be useful to Tracker provide maximum security. If a live position is desired or a landing at sea is not unlikely, the GPS tracker SPOT SPOT Trace Trace is the perfect choice for a success- ful stratospheric flight.
  • Page 38 About Stratoflights 9 About Stratoflights We hope that we have been able to help you with our weather balloon complete set as well as our other free services such as the Stratoflights App and the tutorials and videos on our website. We hope that you will experience an extraordinary adventure with sensational shots of the blue of our planet.

Table of Contents