Your variometer's best buddy in the sky.
Real-time vario, live thermals and offline airspace warnings for paragliding, hang gliding & soaring — right from your iPhone or iPad.
Currently in final development for public release.
In the air
VarioBud turns your phone into a full flight instrument — pairing with your Bluetooth variometer and layering live thermals and airspace on the map.
Vario, altitude, glide ratio, ground speed, temperature and battery — big, glanceable and always live.
Connects to LK8000-compatible and NMEA devices, reading LK8EX1, LXWP0, GPGGA and GPRMC sentences.
Your flight path drawn in red for climb and blue for sink, with the strongest lift zones detected automatically.
Thermal probability maps from thermal.kk7.ch with adjustable opacity, right on top of your map.
OpenAir airspace data with real-time proximity alerts — no internet connection required in the air.
Wind direction and speed calculated from your GPS track — no external compass or wind sensor needed.
Automatic takeoff detection starts the clock and tracks your distance and bearing from launch.
A high-contrast outdoor mode plus a distraction-free, auto-hiding UI keep your eyes on the sky.
Three steps
Pair your Bluetooth variometer in seconds. VarioBud remembers it and reconnects automatically next time.
Watch vario, altitude and glide ratio update in real time while thermals and airspace sit live on the map.
Follow your color-coded lift/sink trail back to the strongest climbs and fly your best line.
No vario connected? VarioBud can still use your iPhone's GPS to show your position on the map.
VarioBud uses your location only to show your position and track your flight, and Bluetooth only to read your variometer. There are no accounts, no analytics and no ads — and nothing is ever sold or shared. Your settings stay on your device.
Read the privacy policyGet in touch
Made by Karla Digital
VarioBud is an independent project, built by a pilot for pilots. We'd love to hear from you.