Class Compliant Modes
We’re excited to offer the ability to restrict certain functions of the Atlas 2 to comply with different class rules. This functionality is based in the Connect app and can be configured when creating a boat profile. It’s easy to switch between profiles to go from restricted to full capabilities, and to audit what capabilities were available during a given session if there is ever any question. See our detailed video walkthrough of setup here:
Data Logging
One of the core features of the Atlas 2 is its ability to log sensor data for later review. Due to its high logging rate and wireless connectivity, the Atlas 2 has become a favorite of Olympic teams world-wide. When enabled, the Atlas 2 logs data whenever it is on. The data rate can be set from 1Hz to an industry-leading 10Hz. Below we will show you how to adjust the logging frequency rate:
Click on your desired boat profile → Devices → scroll down to Telemetry Logging and make sure logging is on, and set the logging rate. Shown on the screen below:
The rates can be set to record all sensor data at 1, 2, 5, or 10 times a second. 1 is best used for longer distance races while 5 is best for detailed analysis. 2 offers a compromise between settings 1 and 5. 10 is best used for hyper-critical work. The Atlas is ALWAYS recording when the switch is on.
Storage and Accessing of Log Data
Here is an overview of the 4 places the logging data from your Atlas can exist.
A) In the Atlas. With the setting turned on, the Atlas is ALWAYS recording when the power is on. Every time it is turned on then off, it creates a session. There is nothing to manage here, the Atlas can store hundreds of sessions containing days and days of logging. When the storage is full, it simply overwrites old data.
B) In the Vakaros Connect app. The app provides an easy, graphical way to wirelessly pull your sessions off the Atlas and into the app. Here you can view your sessions, do some quick on-the-water review, and prep them (trimming etc.) for loading into a more powerful off board analytics tool.
C) In local device storage as an export. This is simply a file stored on the phone and designed to be opened by an analytics program. We support several popular formats, with or without compression, and our own special binary VKX format that allows the capture of start times and starting line mark locations as well as a CSV file.
D) In a third-party analytics app. Ex. ChartedSails, SailNjord, or Sailviewer.
When in the Vakaros Connect app, you will see an icon on the bottom that says “Sessions”. This icon leads to the logging screen and will show the sessions already downloaded to the App (which will be empty the first time in). The “Download” button is located at the top right of the screen, which also shows how many un-downloaded sessions the Atlas contains.
A session labeled ‘Live’ is the session currently being recorded and can be downloaded at any time. Download times are a function of sample rate and recording length, but normally only take around a minute for a typical race. Once a session is downloaded no other action is necessary - the device will reuse the space when needed. It will live as long as you want it to in the app.
It will be visible in the main logging page where you can scroll through and view data from any session.
Select export which then allows you to trim off unwanted parts of the recording, select desired sensors for recording, and the preferred data format for the file.
Then you can choose to send the file via email etc or save it to the phone’s system. Saving the file to the phone’s system allows you to open it with the app.
The file can be opened using any local app or web-based system. At launch we are partnering with ChartedSails and SailNjord. They both offer a trial period to test the software. Have a look at chartedsails.com and sailnjord.com . We recommend using the VKX format with both CharteredSail and SailNjord instead of other formats such as CSV. We are also compatible with Sailing Performance (sailingperformance.com) and GoogleEarth using the CSV format.
Customizable User Interface
While the UI of the Atlas 2 was created by design experts and top sailors for maximum flexibility, that does not mean that it will be perfect for everyone. That's why we created the custom UI builder. This capability allows you to easily design your own screens with a graphical builder, and then publish those screens to the Atlas 2. It also allows you to add controls (we call them widgets) to the screens to support external sensors.
You must click on your desired boat profile and click on Devices in order to customize the display settings.
If the option for ‘Display Layout’ is gray, it means the Atlas software needs to be updated. If it is not gray, click on the button and it will bring up the screen editor. All changes are made in the app and then sent to the Atlas. Your screen should now look like this:
The big image is the editable Atlas page. It’s highlighted at the bottom of the screen on the carousel. Flicking through those images allows you to select a different page to edit, or add a new page in place by selecting one of the arrows. The ‘gear’ button at top right allows you to adjust the setting for the current page.
Most of the options are self-explanatory; two deserve an explanation. The ‘Start’ page is the page that the Atlas switches to whenever the start button is pressed. The ‘Home’ page is the page that the device switches to after the gun. Now let’s get a feel of what we can do by making a few changes. Here’s a simple one.
Imagine you love the big digit heading and speed page, but are not crazy about the reverse color on the speed. Let’s change it. Select the page, and then tap on the speed widget.
Tap the button to turn off ‘Invert’ and the control switches. The speed widget should now show the inverted color scheme.
Now let’s swap a widget. On the regular home page choose the widget you would like to switch. As an example we will switch trim for COG. Flick to the page in question and tap the ‘Trim’ widget. The widget menu appears again, but this time select ‘change’
Doing so brings up the list of available widgets for that screen position size. Each widget size has its own list. Tap on ‘COG’ and the page updates to show your choice.
You can define your own pages. Tapping on the ‘+’ between the pages allows a newly defined page to be placed there. There are two main types: Pre-made and Custom. Pre-made pages are the foundation of the built in ones. But of course you can modify them. Pressing ‘Custom’ allows you to start from scratch. There are four frameworks to start from. Pick the basic layout and go!
After you have made your desired changes go back into your boat profile and press save. To implement these changes make sure your Atlas is turned on and nearby, otherwise the changes you’ve made won’t be saved. Once you press save your Atlas 2 will restart and you will see immediately the changes you’ve made.
Firmware Updates
The software that runs the Atlas 2 (known as firmware) is constantly evolving, with new features, improved algorithms, and more. Vakaros Connect will let you know when a new version is available, and walk you through the installation process. Updates are installed wirelessly on the Atlas 2, and the whole process only takes about a minute!
Starting Timer
Set minutes to the starting signal, and choose if the Atlas makes countdown sounds.
Start Line/Bow Offset
You can choose whether to use one or not. If you do, select the distance and the units used. When bow offset is used, you will ping the line when the Atlas is on each end of the line so you can sight the Atlas and the line together. The Atlas will account for the measurement between the Atlas and the bow to give you the correct DTL reading.
Backlight
The Atlas 2 has a vision-protecting red backlight, which can be enabled to turn on automatically based on the ambient light level, or manually from the Vakaros Connect app. The backlight also backlights the side buttons, and lightly backlights the LEDs (so you can see which ones are OFF, a key RaceSense feature). Backlight settings are controlled in the profile settings for your Atlas in Vakaros Connect, (Display and Sound → Backlight).
Profiles
Atlas profiles are collections of boat data and settings that can be switched as a unit. That means you can set settings for a J70 racing with a 3 minute rolling clock, and a Star using a 5 minute sequence, and save settings (like bow offset) for each. To switch profiles have your Atlas turned on and nearby → Go into the desired boat profile → Pess select profile → Your Atlas will restart and the profile name will appear on the screen.
To name or rename a boat profile scroll all the way to the bottom of your boat profile → Rename Profile → Change default to the boat name you are sailing on.
Clock
Switch timezone, choose a 12 or 24 hour clock.
Orientation Offset
Choose between Upright Mode (default) or Prone Mode (Atlas lying flat). Correct for mounting offset in all three planes (Heel, Trim, and Yaw).
Sound
Control the volume of sounds produced by the Atlas 2. (Boat Profile → Devices → Display and Sound → Sound)
Magnetic Heading
Choose if the compass will display in degrees magnetic or true, and the dampening level.
GPS Heading
Select the amount of dampening for both Speed over Ground (SOG) and Course Over Ground (COG) readings.
IMU Dampening
Select the amount of dampening for both heel and trim.