# theVariometer > iPhone variometer for paragliding, measuring flight data and tracking flights. (iPhone/iPad app by Ronald Schmieder.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thevariometer/id376519869 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Ronald Schmieder](https://appshunter.io/developer/376519872) - Category: Sports, Health & Fitness - Price: $4.99 - Rating: 1.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 14 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 8.0 · 19 MB - Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, European Spanish - Released: 2010-06-30 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thevariometer/id376519869/reviews.md ## What is theVariometer? This nice little tool - a must have for every paraglider pilot - emulates a variometer on your iPhone. Since version 3.0 the app supports iOS9, as well as the pressure sensor of your iPhone 6(s) or iPhone 6(s) Plus. Therefore your iPhone is a complete replacement for a "real" variometer. In conjunction with an external sensor such as ASI FlyNet2, FlyTec SenseBox or the XC-TRacer, the app provides even more precise climb- and sink-rates. You can use it to measure - climb/decline rate - absolute altitude - hight over ground - relative height - speed over ground and - course Values ​​displayed in meters or feet/kn. The current climb- or sink-rate is signaled via different "beep" sounds, as usual for a variometer. You can watch your flight using the integrated map view in real time, so you will never loose your orientation. Even if your are flying accidentally within a cloud or under poor visibility conditions! By typing to „Alt 3“ - usually after the adjusting phase - or any time later you can reset „Alt 3“ to „0“. Moreover you can use the App to - record you flights - view your recorded flights in the integrated map view - send your recorded flights by mail as kml-files or gpx -files to your friends One last note: The app reacts a little somewhat slower, as e.g. a Bräuninger- or Flytec Vario, if you use the internal pressure sensor of the iPhone, because the sensor doesn't provide data as often as an external sensor. The app requires a good GPS signal, if no internal or external pressure sensor can be used. Please make sure in any case, that you have a good GPS signal, if you use the app. The app does NOT work - completely and reliably - in buildings or other situations in which you have no or a bad GPS signal! However, this should not be a problem, since you usually flying under a clear open sky. ;-) Usage - without - an internal or external sensor is possible, but subject to known the limitations of a pure GPS operation, such as using only open-air, a good GPS signal and altitude changes > 5m with at least 1-2 m/s. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Even if the App is running in background, the GPS location service is used by the App, if you record your flight! ## Key features - Emulates variometer functionality - Measures climb/sink rates, altitude, speed - Real-time map view for flight tracking - Records and shares flight data (KML/GPX) - Supports external sensors for precision - Adjustable altitude reset ## Recent user reviews (10 of 14) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thevariometer/id376519869/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Nice app but No sound *2020-05-24* Hi bought your app today as I didn’t have charge on my vario but can’t get beeping sounds any ideas Thanks ### 1/5 — Don’t buy this app *2018-12-09, version 3.1* It doesn’t work and it is a waste of your money! ### 1/5 — Save your money *2017-07-01, version 3.1* App does not work as described. Wasted $5. Does not work as a vario at all. Some settings are totally inoperable. ### 1/5 — Fails to work *2017-04-14* Great idea but DOES NOT WORK ST ALL. Have tried a number of times with updates but still 0 audio comes out and reads nothing. Do not buy this app. Developer needs to fix it. ### 4/5 — Customer service *2015-03-25* Following a problem upgrading my app and losing my flight data I emailed Ronald and asked for help and he responded really promptly and did a brilliant job of helping me fix the problem and retrieve all my data - thanks Ronald, from a very satisfied customer - the app is great too! ### 5/5 — Variomter *2015-02-24* My variomter app stop work ### 2/5 — Need improvements *2013-01-30, version 1.5* I had high hopes for this app to use as a backup vario in my sailplane. Granted it will not be compensated and less accurate than pressure based but should still be helpful in case of dead vario. But I found it not very usable from the following reasons: 1- as soon as I get high enough and outside cell coverage it keeps complaining with error messages and freezes. Not having cell coverage is common 90% of the time where I fly and there is no need for cell coverage just for the vario functionality. 2- audio beeps are very unintuitive. The rate of the beeps should increase, not just the pitch, like any normal vario. 3- it is not clear what is the purpose of the secondary vario scale. Surely the needle should not move down to the center if the rate of climb exceeds 5 m/s! 4- the app should not allow the iPhone to auto lock ! 5 - feet per second is not a common non metric unit. The scale should be in knots! 6- digital rate of climb should be 20 sec average not instantaneous especially since GPS altitude is not smooth. Please fix all these and ill be happy to give a better review and recommend it to the whole gliding community. ### 1/5 — do not bay it *2012-08-11* it is waste of mony do not by it work to slow ### 1/5 — Its pretty much waste of money *2012-01-22* Sluggish, variometer is useless. Don't bother. ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2011-11-22* Great idea. I'm a paraglider pilot and was attracted to how much the variometer screen actually looks like a real vario but ---- no matter what I set the climb threshold to (from 0 -always beep, to +10) there is no acoustic cue. Same for descent. The numbers do not change either, no matter how fast or slow I descend or climb either. No manual or instructions as well. So it's useless. And, yes... I used it outside. iVariometer, despite having a painful widget setup system and also no manual at least works. Definitely get that instead. ## Frequently asked questions about theVariometer ### What is theVariometer used for? theVariometer emulates a variometer on your iPhone, primarily for paragliding. It measures climb/sink rates, altitude, speed, and tracks your flights in real-time on a map. ### What devices does theVariometer support? theVariometer is available for iPhone, iPod, and Apple Watch. It supports iOS 9 and utilizes the pressure sensor on iPhone 6(s) and 6(s) Plus. ### How accurate is theVariometer? Accuracy depends on sensor usage. With external sensors like ASI FlyNet2, FlyTec SenseBox, or XC-TRacer, it provides more precise climb/sink rates. Using only the iPhone's internal sensor may result in slightly slower reactions compared to dedicated devices. ### Does theVariometer require a GPS signal? Yes, the app requires a good GPS signal for reliable operation, especially if no internal or external pressure sensor is used. It will not work reliably in buildings or areas with poor GPS reception. ### Can I record and share my flights with theVariometer? Yes, you can record your flights and view them on the integrated map. Recorded flights can be sent to friends via email as KML or GPX files. ### What is the price of theVariometer? theVariometer is a paid app, priced at $4.99. There are no in-app purchases or subscriptions mentioned. ### How often is theVariometer updated? The latest version, 3.1, was released on October 29, 2015. This indicates infrequent updates, with the last update being several years ago. ### What is the age rating for theVariometer? theVariometer has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 3.1 — 2015-10-29 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. Version 3.1 of the variometer app now includes support for Apple Watch OS2 and for the XC-Tracer. A nice little and especially nimble Bluetooth Vario. Please see https://www.xctracer.com for more information regarding the XC-Tracer. ### 3.0 — 2015-09-28 As requested by some pilots, the app now supports the Apple Watch! To be able to leave your iPhone in your pocket and use only for recording your flight. The most important indicators, such as climb and descent rate, current altitude (MSL) and the distance traveled can be seen on your Apple Watch. Moreover, the data exchange via iTunes File Sharing were installed and fixed a small bug in the Bluetooth stack. The app now supports officially the Flytec SensBox via BLE 4.x. ### 2.1 — 2014-10-20 Exciting news! The new version 2.1 supports iOS 8 and the pressure sensor of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Attention! The pressure sensor of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus reacts somewhat slower than the external sensors of a "professional" variometer! ### 2.0 — 2014-08-05 First things first: The Variometer App now supports the ASI FlyNet2 Bluetooth Variometer as an external pressure sensor and thereby allows an exact indication of the current climb and descent rates, both acoustically and visually! Version 2.0 of the Variometer App contains following additional enhancements: - A completely revised data model. - The sound system has been completely revised. Now sounds like a "real", analog Variometer. - No more “Auto lock”. - Climb and descent rate in knots (kn), if non-metric units are selected. - Export via mail additionally in GPX format - Other, minor bug fixes. - Preparations for the next operating system version + the next "One more thing." ;-) Usage without an external ASI FlyNet2 sensor is still possible, but subject to the known limitations of a pure GPS operation, such as using only open-air, good GPS reception and altitude changes > 5m with at least 1-2 m/s. ### 1.5 — 2012-06-14 Fix for playing "Beep" sound even in background mode or if the iPhone is locked. ## Apps similar to theVariometer | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Results Qatar](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/results-qatar/id1589819920) | — | Free | Sports | | [Football Cup 2026 Live](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/football-cup-2026-live/id6443582262) | 4.4 (197) | Free | Sports | | [El Colorado Centro Ski Chile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/el-colorado-centro-ski-chile/id1388986382) | — | Free | Sports | | [burnair Go](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/burnair-go/id1666354109) | — | Free | Sports | | [LIVALL Riding](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/livall-riding/id936292893) | 3.5 (55) | Free | Sports | | [Spedmo](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spedmo/id1087822914) | 4.0 (2) | Free | Sports | ## More apps by Ronald Schmieder - [Bicycle Computer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bicycle-computer/id522710549) - [QRCode.me](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qrcodeme/id625235375) - [Earth Explorer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earth-explorer/id1148591950) All apps by Ronald Schmieder: https://appshunter.io/developer/376519872 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*