RCSpeedo is an Android/iPhone app that automatically reports the speed of RC airplanes as they make speed passes. It calculates that speed using the audio doppler method pioneered by enthusiasts on these and other boards. RCSpeedo was designed to be extremely easy to use; before flying your plane, you launch the app, press "Start Listening", and go! The app will be constantly listening for your speed passes and will vocalize the speeds as it detects them.

RCSpeedo was designed to work with EDF planes, but actually works with many prop models as well. Please, download a trial version of the app, (search "RCSpeedo Trial" on android or "RCS Starter" on the iPhone) for free and see if the app works with your model! The trial version will expire in 7 days and if you like the app, please support us by buying the full version! The app cost $3.99 on both the Android and Smartphone.

There is a lot more information at my website as well as links to download all versions of the app:
http://www.rcspeedo.info

If you are having issues with the app, please turn it on and set it next to a computer speaker, then go to this youtube video:

Windrider F 35 LSJS1400 5S (1 min 28 sec)

You should get at least one reading from this video. If you do not, something is wrong with your phone's setup.. please search the thread and post here and I'll get back to you asap. You can also e-mail us at contact@rcspeedo.info

Here's a short promo vid I created for the app:

RCSpeedo - Mobile Phone RC Plane Speedometer App (0 min 34 sec)

Original Post:
Hey folks, I'm nearing completion of development on an android (smartphone) application that continuously listens through your phones microphone, picks up on doppler shifts, and then audibly (and visually) reports the speed back to you. Basically it will be a nice, clean version of the "waveoscope" application the really smart folks on this forum have pioneered usage of to calculate jet/airplane speed from video, except this one will work automatically, with immediate response, on a smartphone It's got a lot of cool features that I'll touch on in a later topic when it goes for sale on the android market (I'm thinking $3 or $4 is fair).

Here's a video of the app in action:

RC Speedo for Android Demo (1 min 9 sec)

I got the EVO 4G Droid and I am going to a jet rally this weekend. Send me a PM or email

CRCJA at AOL dot com

Ralph

So is this app to dopler a video or the real things..
I have just ordered my latest lot of stock from Jeti, in this shipment is the new airspeed meter sensor.... Once I know what it reports I could probably compare the results of your app against it..

Originally Posted by rorrock

So is this app to dopler a video or the real things..
I have just ordered my latest lot of stock from Jeti, in this shipment is the new airspeed meter sensor.... Once I know what it reports I could probably compare the results of your app against it..

It dopplers the airplanes in real time. The way I've been using it is hitting the "start listening" button, putting the phone on a nearby flat surface and just flying. The phone will speak the speeds as you make your passes.

CRCJA: is it an EDF rally or a turbine one? The app is definitely weak with turbines currently as the sound of turbulent air tends to muffle the sound of the rotors, which is what you really need to perform this calculation.

Originally Posted by neonbjb

For right now, I'd like to get some feedback on it. I've tested it on my own planes, but my problem is that currently, my fastest jet tops out at 75MPH I want to make sure it works well in the faster echelons of speed, as that's where it's going to be most useful. So what I need is someone who:
1) Has a smartphone with an android OS that is at least as good as the Droid (ie it was released in the last year)
2) Has an airplane of some sort that can go faster than 130MPH
3) Is willing to help me out by taking a short video of the app working with the plane so I have some video demonstrations to release with the app.

I've got a Sprint EVO 4G and various Electra and eBandit planes capable of 200 MPH, we'll be shooting some video this weekend anyway. I was just thinking about this the other day too, funny...

Jack

I have "Doppler Speed" for the iPhone (same type of app you are making). It is very accurate, so it would be a good comparison for your app if you have someone around you with an iPhone.

Originally Posted by jfetter

I've got a Sprint EVO 4G and various Electra and eBandit planes capable of 200 MPH, we'll be shooting some video this weekend anyway. I was just thinking about this the other day too, funny...

Jack

Jack, this would be interesting as around 180+ MPH is when the doppler shift becomes very hard to trace. I'm currently putting some finishing touches on the program that should allow it to track airplanes in this speed range. I'll get back to you tomorrow if I can get a copy out for you to help me test with! Thanks!

Originally Posted by JimDrew

I have "Doppler Speed" for the iPhone (same type of app you are making). It is very accurate, so it would be a good comparison for your app if you have someone around you with an iPhone.

Jim, I'm aware of this iPhone app, but to my knowledge it required you to press a button just before and after an airplane makes a pass to calculate the speed; is this correct?

Originally Posted by neonbjb

It dopplers the airplanes in real time. The way I've been using it is hitting the "start listening" button, putting the phone on a nearby flat surface and just flying. The phone will speak the speeds as you make your passes.

CRCJA: is it an EDF rally or a turbine one? The app is definitely weak with turbines currently as the sound of turbulent air tends to muffle the sound of the rotors, which is what you really need to perform this calculation.

Mostly turbines, but enough EDFs to make it fun. Best in the West jet rally, I can doppler my Fly-Fly planes, Clay's Foremost, Tams fleet etc

Ralph

Well, neonbjb was nice enough to send me a beta copy of "Doppler Radar" (his Doppler Speed applet for Android phones). This version has a hard-coded temperature set now, it's just temporary (he asked what to set it at, I said 86 degrees F, perfect for South Florida this time of year). Take a look at the bit of testing I did;

Doppler Radar, Windows Media, High Definition, 221MB
Doppler Radar, Windows Media, Standard Definition, 21MB

Jack

OK now that is a cool product!...I want one!...oops just a crapy phone...I guess its time to step up!

Thanks again for your help Jack, I look forward to hearing what you think of the app after testing it this weekend.

I haven't mentioned it yet, but the app will automatically use the phone's GPS to figure out the temperature/humidity of where you are at, so it should be accurate no matter where you are. The app also has/will have a couple of other features that aren't in the copy that I sent Jack; one of which is the past speeds list that he talked about in the video.

Wow!!!

Do you think you can do one for an HTC using windows operating system? I want very bad......

Very well done.

It would be nice if it automatically pulled the temp into the program for you using LBS.

Originally Posted by unknown flyer

It would be nice if it automatically pulled the temp into the program for you using LBS.

It will

Great!