Flymaster VARIO LS Light and Simple variometer

image of vector vario instrument showing smoke stream

The Vector Vario is a high-precision flight instrument that redefines measurement standards in paragliding. Its aerodynamics, optimised in a wind tunnel, and its innovative mounting system ensures reliable data, regardless of your equipment — wing or harness.

Its advanced algorithm fuses data from multiple sensors in real time with a flight dynamics model,providing a detailed and instantaneous analysis of your wing’s behaviour and the surrounding weather conditions. Thanks to its Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity, the Vector Vario integrates seamlessly with XCTrack — as well as other flight applications — offering features that were previously unseen in paragliding.

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A total energy vario

A total energy variometer, or compensated vario, incorporates kinetic energy variations into its vertical speed calculation. This eliminates altitude changes caused by flight dynamics (pitch maneuvers and speed variations), displaying only the still-air equivalent vario.The Vector Vario continuously applies this compensation, providing instant and unbiased readings of air mass movement during all flight phases.

This animation compares Vector Vario measurements in both classic vario mode and total energy vario mode, recorded during pitch maneuvers in calm air conditions.

Airspeed is the key

The Vector Vario transcends simple inertial compensation, integrating precise airspeed measurement as a core parameter of its algorithm. The fusion of all this data and the filtering of artifacts related to the pilot’s movements enables the instant detection of usable thermals and the rapid reporting of changes in weather conditions.

The instrument’s aerodynamics have been wind-tunnel optimised to ensure measurement stability even in turbulent air, delivering reliable data in all flight configurations.

image of vector vario mounted on risers of paraglider flying over french alps

image of wind vector from vector vario imaged over the french alps

High-resolution 3D wind

It’s time to consider wind analysis as a true flight optimization tool. Thanks to precise and responsive 3D wind calculations — including horizontal and vertical components (netto vario) — the Vector Vario makes this data fully usable at the scale of a paragliding flight, even near terrain where wind is both complex and highly variable. By comparing this information with your in-flight sensations, you gain a valuable ally to confirm or adjust your assessment of the surrounding conditions, and thus optimize your trajectory and flight regime choices.

The vario netto

The Vector Vario supports you just as effectively in descent as in climb. Two features, based on the precise calculation of your sink rate, help you optimise your performance:

Netto vario :
Widely used in gliding, the netto vario indicates the vertical speed of the air mass. If you combine a negative vario (you are descending) with a positive netto vario (you are descending less quickly than your sink rate), a double beep indicates that the air mass remains favorable. Optionally, a triple beep indicates a negative netto, warning you of an unfavorable area.
Release & Rise :
During an accelerated phase, the vario netto is used to estimate the potential vario you would have without acceleration. If this calculation indicates a lift area, it suggests releasing the accelerator to take advantage of it.

detailed image of vector vario mounted on paragldiing risers

A black box for your flights

Whether for validating a flight on XContest, analyzing performance, or for safety investigation purposes (incident or accident), our black-box recording system stands out thanks to the richness of the data collected and the optimization of its acquisition system.

For each flight, an IGC file describes:

Position and altitude (basic data)
Aircraft attitude: heading, roll, and pitch
Flight dynamics: airspeed and total acceleration
Environment: 3D wind (direction, horizontal and vertical speeds), temperature, and humidity

Whether the Vector Vario stops normally, experiences a malfunction, or suffers an impact, your flight data will be recorded and signed until the very last second.

Vector Vario Configurator

On smartphone, tablet or computer — with or without an internet connection, whether through a web browser or installed as an app — the Vector Vario Configurator offers a simple and intuitive way to manage your Vector Vario. Thanks to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), you can instantly access all configuration settings, transfer flight logs, and easily perform software updates.

The Configurator also lets you use the Vector Vario as an anemometer to measure wind speed at launch,or as a visual glide tool to estimate the glide ratio required by pointing towards your take-off or landing zone.

Vector Vario Analyzer

A data analysis software designed to fully leverage the power of enriched Vector Vario recordings (IGC+). It enables advanced scientific analysis of flight and environmental conditions:

Display of all recorded data
Map-based visualization
Assisted analysis of the polar curve
Atmospheric profile display (Skew-T)

Optimised positioning on the harness and aerodynamically designed for accurate airspeed measurement
Universal mount compatible with all types of risers
Powerful sound, clearly audible even in accelerated flight with a full-face helmet
Dedicated air intake for highly responsive temperature and relative humidity measurement
Simplified interface: a single button and one LED, both always visible in flight
Durable ASA housing (impact- and UV-resistant, recyclable), 3D printed

image of vector vario instrument and what is included in the box

Technical Specifications

GPS with IGC+ flight recording for advanced post-flight analysis
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity
LiPo battery with 15 hours of real-world autonomy
USB Type-C charging (5 V) from any standard charger
8 GB micro SD card provided for recording flights
Available colours: red
Dimensions: 54 mm (L) x 32 mm (W) x 73 mm (H)
Weight: 53 g
Case (red): 96 mm (L) x 77 mm (l) x 47 mm (h), 42 g