Eagle Tree Systems Pro User manual

Copyright © 2003-2010 Eagle Tree Systems, LLC
User Manual for the Seagull Wireless Dashboard Telemetry and Data Recorder Systems
Pro, Flight, Glide, Boat
Document Version 4.4
Please read this manual before using your new system.
Thank you for your purchase! This instruction manual will guide you through the installation and operation of
your Pro, Glide, Flight, or Boat Seagull Wireless Dashboard Telemetry or Data Recorder System (the System).
The System provides most of the functionality of systems costing up to many times more, while featuring the plug
and play, robustness and ease of use benefits of our entire product line.
Please read the entire manual carefully before proceeding. If, after you read the manual (including the
Troubleshooting sections!) you have further questions or problems, please visit our web support page for
additional support options, at http://www.eagletreesystems.com/Support/support.html.
Please visit our support web page for the latest version of this manual, in case changes were made after your
version was published.
Intended Uses
The System is designed to be used to log and transmit data in remote controlled models, where data recording and
wireless telemetry are desired. The system is intended exclusively for recreational use in model planes, boats and cars.
Using the system for other applications is not supported. Further, using the System in situations where its use or
failure could result in loss of life, bodily injury or property damage is expressly prohibited.
Packing List
Your System includes the following components:
Flight, Pro, and Boat System Packing List
•Wireless Telemetry Dashboard Receiver and transmitter (not included with Data Recorder-only Systems)
•Flight, Pro or Boat Data Recorder
•Airspeed tubes: machined brass and aluminum Prandtl style pitot-static tube, approximately 3 feet (1 meter) of
small diameter silicon hose, and plastic ‘T’ fitting (Boat systems do not include T fitting)
•Temperature sensor
•RPM sensor with magnets
•4 Servo Y cables (Boat system includes only 2 Y cables)
•USB cable,
•plastic clip for mounting dashboard to radio antenna,
•Windows CD,
•Optional: Rubber Antenna with SMA connector for SMA Dashboard option
•Note: The 900 MHz/1 Watt Pro system includes Rubber Antennas for both the Dashboard and Transmitter

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Glide System Packing List
•Wireless Telemetry Dashboard Receiver and transmitter
•Glide Data Recorder
•Battery Harness
•USB cable,
•plastic clip for mounting dashboard to radio antenna,
•Windows CD,
•Optional: Rubber Antenna with SMA connector for SMA Dashboard option
Please see our website support page for updates to this manual if changes were made after printing. Also, check our
support page for updates to the Windows software.
Optional expanders for measuring more temperatures, RPM, Servo movements, G-Force, Exhaust Gas Temperature,
Electric Current/Voltage, GPS, brushless and optical RPM, and other parameters are available from Eagle Tree Systems.
Steps to Follow
This manual is divided into two sections, Basic and Advanced. The Basic section describes minimal installation and
setup of the sensors, the Recorder, and the Wireless Telemetry unit (if included). These steps do not require a computer.
The Advanced section describes other features and options available, such as data logging with the Recorder, and does
require a computer.
NOTE: It is recommended that the basic installation be attempted first to verify Wireless Telemetry operation, before
connecting the device to a computer in the advanced section.
Installation and use of your System will be quite easy if you follow these few steps:
1. Read through the manual to understand the warnings, determine the installation and setup sequence, etc.
2. Install the system as described in the Basic setup instructions below.
3. If desired, configure the system with your PC, as described the Advanced setup instructions below.
4. Bench and range test your vehicle.
Your Dashboard display has been pre-configured for the following options: Temperature 1, RPM (using 1
magnet), Variometer (Pro and Glide), Airspeed, Altitude, Climbrate, Receiver voltage, received packet
percentage, and signal strength. Other parameters may be displayed (and alarms programmed) by connecting
the unit to a PC and running the Windows application. See the Advanced section for instructions for
reconfiguration.
Important Warnings
•Make sure you have selected the correct Wireless Telemetry transmitter for your area. You are
responsible for determining whether you may use your transmitter in your country! See the
transmitter specifications below for information on frequency and power output. In general,
transmitters marked EU or CE are suitable for use in Europe, and transmitters marked FCC are
suitable for USA operation.

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•It is very important that you “Antenna Down” range check your vehicle per your radio
manufacturer’s instructions after installing or reconfiguring any electronic equipment, and generally
before each operation. In the unlikely event that you have range issues, see the Troubleshooting
section.
•The System is to be used only as described in the “Intended Uses” section below. Other uses are not
supported, and uses where loss of life or injury may result are expressly forbidden.
•Operating your vehicle requires that you keep your eyes on it and give it your full attention. Looking
at the Seagull LCD display while the vehicle is in operation is strongly discouraged. Use the
programmable audible alarms, or have an assistant look at the display, as necessary.
•The Seagull Transmitter and Dashboard Receiver antennas are very flexible, but use care that you
don’t mount them in such a way that they could cause eye or other bodily contact injury.

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Basic Installation and Setup Instructions
This section describes the minimal setup and configuration required to use your system. No computer is required for this
section.
Install your Data Acquisition Module (Recorder)
NOTE: The recorder’s label has a handy color coded means of indicating the polarity of the various connectors. The
red dots on the label, which are on only one side of the text corresponding to each input, indicate on which side of the
plug the red wire should go.
Installing the Pitot Tube for Airspeed Measurement
WARNING: If you mount the Pitot Tube in such a way that it might induce drag on your model, you need to
make sure that it won’t cause the model to become unstable during high speeds!

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Follow these guidelines when mounting the pitot tube:
Flight Pitot Tube Installations
1. The pickup end of the pitot tube (the silver colored tip) should be pointing toward the direction of the model’s travel.
While best results will be obtained if the pitot tube is perfectly aligned with the direction of travel in both axes, the
“Prandtl” design of the tube will compensate somewhat for higher angles of attack.
2. The static holes on the pitot tube (shown on Figure 1) should extend at least 1/2” (13mm) past the wing’s leading
edge, or past any other obstructions - the farther out, the better. This is to ensure that the static holes and pitot
pickup are in undisturbed air.
3. For prop planes, it’s important that the tube be placed so that it is not directly in the plane’s prop-wash, which will
result in erroneous readings. The best place to install the tube is on the leading edge of the wing several inches out
from the fuselage, as shown in Figure 1.
4. For jets, gliders, or “pusher” prop planes, the nose cone often provides a perfect mounting location.
5. After Pitot Tube installation, it is recommended that you glue or otherwise attach the silicon hose to the airframe, to
reduce the chance that hose vibration or movement could cause erroneous readings.
Boat Pitot Tube Installations
If you have the standard Airspeed option for boat speed measurement, the pitot should be rigidly mounted somewhere on
the boat where the mouth of the tube will be pointing toward the direction of the boat’s travel, as far away from water
spray as possible. The tube needs to be in smooth air out of the air pocket that surrounds the surface of the boat. The
tube should point at right angles with the plane of travel, which may mean that the tube points slightly downward when
the boat is not planing due to upward tilt of the bow during planing.
If you ordered the Waterspeed option for boat speed measurement (ok for up to about 50 MPH), the included brass tube
should be rigidly mounted on your boat’s transom, so that the end of the brass tube is in the water, and bent so that the
tube’s mouth is pointing toward the direction of travel. The tube should be far enough below the bottom of the boat so
that it maintains contact with the water even when the boat is planing. Connect the brass tube to the silicon tubing
supplied. WARNING: if using the Waterspeed option, it is recommended that you either glue or otherwise
reinforce (with a zip tie, spring clip, or other) the silicon tube to the recorder’s speed nipple. This is because, if the
tube detached from the nipple during the run, the boat could be flooded by water coming through the tube! The
recorder’s case lid can be removed to access the nipple as needed for reinforcing.
Altitude Measurement (except Boat)
The Seagull Pro system measures altitude via a sensor inside the unit. Altimeters measure slight pressure differences to
determine elevation. Since these pressure differences are relatively small, it’s important that the model’s internal
pressure doesn’t vary much due to propwash or moving through the air. Such variation can occur if the front portion of
the model has an opening that causes air to compress inside of the model when air is forced into this opening. If there is
variation inside the fuselage, connect the altitude port to the static source via the T fitting, as shown in Figure 1. Here are
the steps:
1. If you have a Pro recorder, skip to step 4
2. If you have a non-Pro recorder, remove the Recorder’s case top.
3. There is a predrilled hole to accommodate an external altitude tube. Look at the back of your recorder cover, and use
an x-acto knife to carefully cut the label around the hole.
4. Connect silicon tube to the nipple of the altimeter sensor just like you do the pitot tube for airspeed, using the included
‘T’ fitting, as shown in Figure 1.
Installing Temperature Sensor(s)

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If your system came with a temperature sensor, the dashboard is configured to display one temperature. If
you purchased additional Temperature Sensors, you will be able to monitor up to 6 temperatures with your system (two
using our loop type sensors, and up to four using our Exhaust Gas Temperature or Cylinder Head Temperature expanders).
Plug the Futaba style connector from the sensor into the recorder as shown in Figure 1.
Note: the Temperature Sensor lead can be easily extended with a standard servo extension cable.
Installing RPM Sensors and Magnets
The following instructions apply to the magnetic RPM sensor, which is included with all systems except the Glide. Note
that if you have a brushless electric motor, our easy to install Brushless RPM Sensor is also available.
Installing the RPM sensor and magnets is the most challenging part of installation, but is relatively easy once a good
mounting location is determined. Refer to our website’s support page at http://www.eagletreesystems.com for pictures of
example installations.
To install our magnets, first find a suitable location on your engine’s motor to attach either one or two small magnets and
RPM sensor. Typically, the prop washer or prop hub are ideal locations. This will of course vary with make and model
of aircraft. Make sure the magnets are mounted on some structure that doesn’t “flop around,” as the magnets could hit the
sensor in this case. The RPM sensor must be mounted so that it does not move around, and is within 1-2 mm of the two
magnets as they spin. On typical model installations, there’s usually a place where the back of the sensor can be glued to
a flat surface under or over the hub which has the magnets mounted. The Recorder kit includes four magnets. That
provides you with up to 3 spares.
Installing Magnets
Once you have determined where to install the magnets, decide whether you will
drill a hole so that the magnets will mount flush with the surface, or if you will just
glue the magnets to the surface. Though somewhat more difficult and permanent,
mounting the magnet flush with the surface is the best long term approach, since
the mounting will be much more rugged, and the risk of imbalance due to not
mounting the magnets exactly 180 degrees apart is reduced. In fact, if the magnet
is mounted flush in another metal material, it is quite possible that no shaft
imbalance will occur if you only mount one of the magnets total.
To flush mount the magnets, drill a hole just slightly larger than the diameter of the
magnet size you choose, and of the same depth as that magnet. If you decide to
surface mount the magnets, thoroughly clean this area and lightly scuff it to
improve adhesion. Glue the magnets with the side marked with a red line
facing inward (hidden), using epoxy, or other strong, suitable glue. It’s important
that the red line on the magnets faces away from the sensor once the sensor is
installed. The magnets should be glued 180 degrees apart to keep the shaft in
balance.
WARNING: make sure that the magnets are glued sufficiently so that they will not detach and create a hazard,
and always wear safety glasses when your engine is running! It is also a good idea to put a piece of heatshrink
tubing or electrical tape around the magnets, to further secure them.
Using Existing Magnets
Note: if your engine already has magnets mounted for some other purpose, there’s a good chance you can use them.
Take one of the magnets included with your recorder, and put that magnet up against the previously mounted magnet. If
the red line of the Recorder magnet faces down so that the sensor can be mounted facing the side of the magnet with no
red line, mount the sensor with the printed side toward the magnet. If the side of the magnet with the red line is visible
when on top of the previous magnet, the polarity is reversed. This should work correctly if you install our sensor
backwards (printed side of sensor away from magnets), though we have not tried it.

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We are often asked whether existing magnets on spark ignition engines can be used. The answer is “yes” in most cases, if
you can install the sensor near enough to rotating magnets. We have found that these engines typically have 3 magnets,
with 2 magnets mounted with one polarity, and the other one with another polarity. The easiest way to use these
magnets is to install the sensor with the printed side facing the magnets (as described below) then run the motor and see
what RPMs are recorded after setting up the gear ratio. If the RPM looks like it is only half of the correct value, double
the gear ratio value you entered, to compensate for only one magnet being in the right polarity. We have received
problem reports of RPM reading errors when the RPM sensor is mounted very near the magneto of spark engines, so we
recommend mounting it 180 degrees away from the magneto, or as far away as possible.
Installing the RPM Sensor
Once the magnets are glued and completely dry, temporarily position the RPM sensor so that the side of the sensor with
printing (or colored dot) is facing the side of the magnets WITHOUT the red line. The sensor now needs to be glued
so that it is held rigidly into position. Before gluing, put a small spacer (1-2 mm thick) between the sensor and one of the
magnets to ensure proper spacing.
If desired, a small piece of brass tubing can be glued or heatshrunk to the back of the sensor to ease mounting and increase
stability.
After the sensor is glued and completely dry, remove the small spacer and rotate the propeller to ensure complete freedom
of movement. Also make sure that the sensor won’t vibrate and come in contact with the magnets during driving. If this
happens, the sensor will be destroyed, and the Recorder could be damaged.
Once these steps are complete, plug the Futaba style connector on the sensor into the recorder as shown in figure 1.
Note that a standard Futaba style servo extension cable can be used to lengthen the wire if needed.
Using Existing RPM Sensors
Several of our customers have been able to use existing RPM sensors, such as governors or turbine sensors, with our
products. The following steps must be followed:
1) Determine the “pinout” of the existing sensor. Compatible sensors will have Power, Ground, and Signal
connections. The Recorder’s RPM pinout, from left to right, is: Power (black wire), Ground (red wire), Signal
(white wire).
2) Devise a “Y” cable to connect your existing sensor to it’s connection, and also to the Recorder’s RPM connection.
NOTE: Power for the sensor should come only from the connection the sensor is normally plugged into. So,
only Gound and Signal wires should be routed from the existing sensor to the recorder. The power wire of the Y
cable between the sensor and the recorder should be cut before connecting it to the recorder. This is necessary to
avoid connecting the power of the existing sensor connection to the Recorder’s power connection.
3) Thoroughly test the system to make sure the sensor still works with whatever it was originally connected to, after
Y’ing to the recorder.
Installing Secondary RPM Sensor(s)
With the PRO recorder, up to 3 MODIFIED secondary RPM sensors can be used, for a total of 4 RPMs. The secondary
RPM sensors plug into the 3 servo slots nearest the switch on the Recorder. The servo slot nearest the switch is RPM
sensor 2 in the software. Each secondary RPM sensor used MUST be modified as described below. With non-Pro
recorders, up one secondary RPM sensor can be used for a total of 2 RPMs.
The secondary RPM sensor(s) must be modified by swapping the red and black wires in the RPM sensor plug. Carefully
pry back the plastic tabs that hold each pin in the plug, remove the red and black pins, and re-install them so that the pin
order is RED, BLACK, WHITE. The second RPM sensor plugs into the servo port with the red wire to the right, nearest
the edge of the recorder.

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The secondary RPM channels are automatically set up with the same gear ratio as the primary RPM. The
secondary RPM sensor(s) are logged and displayed on the screens with the other parameters, as described below.
NOTE: When using secondary RPM sensors in any of the servo ports, servo port monitoring will not work correctly. It is
a good idea to select “Do not calibrate servos” in the New Model Wizard if you plan on using multiple RPMs.
NOTE: for the secondary RPM sensor to work, there has to be voltage from 4.5 to 6.5 V supplied to one or both of the
servo inputs (as shown in Figure 1). This is normally done with the Y Cables, a separate battery, or your BEC.
Powering the Recorder
IMPORTANT: If you are using the 1 Watt 900 MHz Telemetry Transmitter, special care must be given to ensure
that the supplied power remains between 5V and 5.75V. The 1 Watt Transmitter will stop transmitting if
powered above 5.75V, and will reduce power output to 500 mW (when in High Power mode) if the voltage drops
below 5V.
Also, if you are using the 2.4 GHz Telemetry Transmitter, special care must be given to ensure that the supplied
power remains between 4.35V and about 6.1V. The 2.4Ghz Transmitter will stop transmitting if powered above
about 6.1V.
First, determine if you wish to log servo positions. If you decide to log servo positions, you will be connecting the
Recorder to up to 4 of your receiver via the ‘Y’ cables. See the Advanced section for more information on servo
monitoring.
If you decide not to log servo positions (or have a Glide recorder without optional Y cables), you would normally still
power the Recorder from your receiver battery by connecting one of the Y cables from one of your receiver channels to
one of the Servo slots on the Recorder. You can either “Y in” to a used slot on your receiver, or just plug one end of
the Y cable into an empty receiver slot.
Note that for the Glide Recorder, the battery harness (cable with a Futaba style male connector on one end, and male
universal servo connector on the other end) is used to power the system. To power the system, plug the Futaba end into
any one of the recorder’s servo slots.
If you want to power the Recorder from a separate battery, meaning that you want complete electrical isolation between
the Recorder and your receiver, you can power the Recorder with a small 4.8v battery plugged into one of the servo slots.
Installing the Optional Battery Backup Harness
In most cases, the Recorder can be successfully powered by the Y cables from the receiver. If you have problems with
recorder power during acceleration or steering, as described in the troubleshooting section, this can be remedied by adding
a small backup battery to power the recorder. To add the backup battery, plug the larger end of the optional backup
harness into the recorder. The backup harness is a two wire cable with a Futaba style male connector on one end, and a
larger male connector on the other end. The large end of the backup harness plugs into the USB port of the recorder,
with the red wire in the same place as the red wire of the USB cable (as shown in the drawing).
The backup battery must be at least 4.5volts to power the recorder. Power is only drawn from the backup battery when
the voltage being supplied through the Y cables drops below the voltage of the backup battery, so if you use a 4.5 volt
backup battery, no power should be drawn from it except for moments when the main battery drops below this voltage.
Therefore, it is possible to use a very small pack (a tiny 4 cell pack or possibly 3 watch type batteries) as the backup
battery. Note of course that the backup battery must be disconnected whenever the receiver is turned off, as it will power
the recorder whenever power is not supplied to the recorder from the receiver. If you want to get fancy, you could add a
DPDT switch in place of the standard receiver switch and turn off the backup battery whenever you turn off the receiver.
Installing the Seagull Transmitter in your Vehicle

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NOTE: Customers without the Seagull System should now proceed to the section
entitled “Advanced Installation and Setup Instructions”
Choose a location in your vehicle to install the transmitter. The transmitter is normally mounted with Velcro or double
sided tape. Ideally, the transmitter will be installed with its antenna and body as far away from your radio receiver (RX)
as possible, with the antenna protruding at right angles with your RX antenna, to reduce the possibility of interference.
For example, if you have a plane with the receiver mounted horizontally along the plane’s fuselage, mount the Seagull so
that the antenna is protruding from the vehicle vertically, as far forward of the RX antenna as possible. Best reception
will be obtained if the Seagull antenna is vertical.
Connecting the Seagull Transmitter to your Data Recorder (if included)
Ensure that the Recorder is not powered when connecting the transmitter, and ensure that the red wire of the transmitter
cable corresponds with the red dot on the port label (to the right of the connector). Plug the Seagull Transmitter cable
into the “Expansion” port on your Recorder, as shown in Figure 1. Install the transmitter in the upper row of pins, as
shown in the figure.
Using the Seagull Wireless Dashboard (if included)
The Seagull Dashboard Receiver (the Dashboard) operates from a standard 9V battery. The battery installs in the back
snap-off compartment of the Dashboard. Approximately 12-14 hours continuous use is typical with an alkaline battery
with the 900 MHz/200mW and 433 MHz versions. Approximately 3-4 hours of continuous use is typical with the 2.4
GHz and 900 MHz/1 Watt systems. Optionally, any battery of between 5-16 volts can be used to power the Dashboard.
Rechargeable 9V batteries will work, but the run time will be significantly reduced.
Note: If the Dashboard will be unused for long periods, it is a good idea to remove the battery
Note: When removing the battery clip, use your thumb to pop the clip off from the side without the wires. Pushing on
the wire side can break the battery clip or the wires.
Variometer Function (Pro and Glide systems only): Your Dashboard contains a sophisticated varying tone
Variometer, employing electronic Total Energy Compensation, based on changes in Airspeed. Basic variometers do not
support total energy, which means that “stick thermals” are reported by the variometer if you descend or ascend due to
elevator movement. Standard total energy variometers reduce the effects of moving the elevator by monitoring the pitch
of the aircraft, which requires an additional probe to be mounted. The Seagull Pro system uses the airspeed pitot tube for
total energy calculations, requiring no additional tube.
The variometer produces a varying tone, which changes as you ascend or
descend at different rates. When ascending, the tone will be broken, with
the tone frequency increasing as the rate of ascent increases. When
descending, the tone will be continuous, with the tone frequency
decreasing as your rate of descent increases.
Several parameters of the variometer are adjustable. See the
Configuration Menu section below for more information.
The Dashboard includes a small speaker, or a set of standard headphones
or ‘earbuds’ can be plugged into the dashboard for noisy areas. Note that
the headphone volume is fixed.
NOTE: the “Var” parameter must be displayed on the Dashboard for the variometer tones to work correctly. Please make
sure you add that parameter when you configure the Dashboard!
Stall Speed Function (Pro System only): Your dashboard can be used as an aid to maintaining correct landing speed.
See the Stall Speed section below for more information.

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USB Connection: The USB cable supplied with your Recorder connects to the Dashboard at this port. Note that the
RED wire of the USB cable goes up, as shown by the red dot above “USB” on the Dashboard label. NOTE: If you have
a 9V battery in the Dashboard, the Dashboard must be powered on before connecting to USB.
LCD Display: The 16 x 2 LCD character display is easily programmed to display up to four vehicle parameters per
screen page.
Pushbutton 1 (up arrow): The leftmost pushbutton advances to the next LCD screen page. Holding down this button
brings up the configuration menu.
In Menu mode, this button increases the value of the parameter.
Pushbutton 2 (down arrow): This pushbutton returns to the previous LCD screen page.
In Menu mode, this button decreases the value of the parameter.
Pushbutton 3 (Disp/Reset Max): pressing this pushbutton briefly causes the Dashboard to toggle between Max and Live
modes. In Max Mode, the parameters displayed have a carat (^) next to them to indicate they are the max parameters
recorded. Note that some parameters are not captured in Max Mode – these are displayed with “***”. Figure 6 shows
which parameters have the Max feature. In Live Mode, the data displayed are the live values received from the
Transmitter.
Holding down this pushbutton for approximately two seconds zeros the Max parameters.
In Menu Mode, this pushbutton takes you to the next menu item.
Pushbutton 4 (Mute/Power): When the unit is in operation, pressing this button mutes or unmutes the audio portion of
the Dashboard, as well as turning off power. What happens when the mute button is pressed briefly depends on the state
of the audio system:
•If the audio is unmuted, and no alarm beeps are in progress, pushing the button causes the Dashboard to go into
“Mute All” state. No beeps will be heard in this state.
•If the audio is in “Mute All” state, pushing the button causes the Dashboard to go into “Unmute” state. All beeps
will be heard in this state.
•If the audio is unmuted, and alarm beeps are in progress, the Dashboard will go into “Mute Current” state. This
state mutes only the currently sounding alarm to be muted. All other beeps will be heard, and the currently
sounding alarm will be heard once the alarm condition occurs again.
When the Mute/Power button is held for approximately 2 seconds, the Dashboard is powered off.
Note: Pressing any of the keys when the power is off powers up the Dashboard.
Note: The Dashboard will power off after approximately 5 minutes when no signal is being received, and no buttons are
pressed.
Configuration Menu (Pro and Glide Systems only)
Holding the Pushbutton 1 (up arrow) button on the SRX puts the unit in Menu mode. Holding it again takes you out of
Menu mode. In Menu mode, pressing/releasing up and down arrows varies the parameter, and pressing Pushbutton 3
(Disp/Reset Max) takes you to the next menu item. All of these parameters can be selected and changed while your
vehicle is in the air!
Here is a description of the menus:
•“Vario Avg Secs” – This setting controls the averaging period of the variometer, in 10ths of a second units. For
faster response, lower periods are recommended, but in rougher air longer periods may be required to avoid false
alarms. Pressing up/down arrows changes the averaging period.
•“Vario Sinkrate” – this setting controls the minimum sinkrate. Normally, this would be set to the standard
sinkrate of your vehicle, i.e., the rate at which it descends in smooth air with no thermals. When you descend at a

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rate greater than this sinkrate, the variometer will start to sound, as described in the “Variometer”
section above. Pressing up/down arrows changes this parameter.
•“Vario Climbrate” – this setting controls the minimum climbrate. When you ascend at a rate greater than this
climbrate, the variometer will start to sound, as described in the “Variometer” section above. Pressing up/down
arrows changes this parameter.
•“Vario Freq Shift” – This setting changes the amount the pitch changes as the climbrate increases/decreases. If
you are not hearing enough change, increase this parameter, and vice versa for too much frequency change.
•“Total Energy %” – this adjusts the scaling of the Total Energy Compensation calculation. 100% means that
Kinetic Energy is converted into Potential Energy directly, i.e., any change in airspeed is assumed to directly
negate any change in altitude. Less than 100% reduces the degree which airspeed change affects Total Energy,
and increasing it above 100% increases the amount.
Ready for Action
Now that you have completed basic installation and configuration of the Seagull system, it’s time to actually use it.
Power on your vehicle as you normally would, turning on your radio transmitter before powering up the vehicle. The
Recorder’s LED should blink normally (one flash repeating) after powering up the vehicle.
NOTE: Always wait 15 seconds after powering down your Recorder, before powering it back on. This will ensure
that the Recorder and transmitter start properly.
Next, power on your Dashboard. Since the Dashboard calibrates several of the parameters on powerup, always turn on
your vehicle first, then turn on your Dashboard (or turn the Dashboard power off and on after you vehicle is turned on).
At this point, the Dashboard should display live data. By default, the dashboard will display Temperature 1, RPM (using
1 magnet), Variometer, Airspeed, Altitude, Climbrate, Receiver voltage, received packet percentage, and signal strength.
Other parameters may be displayed (and alarms programmed) by connecting the unit to a PC and running the Windows
application. See the Advanced section for instructions for reconfiguration.
If the Dashboard displays “No Signal”, consult the Troubleshooting section below.
Once the Seagull system is communicating, consider how you will mount and use the Dashboard. The Dashboard can
be mounted to your radio transmitter, using the supplied plastic clip with adhesive. Just remove the adhesive backing
from the clip, mount the clip on the back of the dashboard, and clip the ring around your radio’s antenna. You can further
stabilize the dashboard with a strip of Velcro on the dashboard’s bottom. Or, just hand the dashboard your crew or buddy
to monitor your run, or just place it in your shirt pocket. It is a very bad idea to take your eyes off your model
during operation!
DON’T FORGET TO “ANTENNA DOWN” RANGE CHECK YOUR VEHICLE AFTER INSTALLATION, AS
DESCRIBED IN YOUR RADIO MANUAL.
Happy flying!

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Advanced Installation and Setup Instructions
This section describes more advanced setup and configuration. A computer is required for this section, and some features
listed require optional accessories.
Connecting the Recorder to Your Models Servos and Receiver
With the four included (optional with Glide Systems) Servo ‘Y’ cables, you will be able to monitor your model’s servo
movements (up to four channels, or two channels with the Boat System). The custom, ‘Y’ cables with Universal
connectors install in line between your throttle, rudder, aileron and elevator servos and your radio receiver. The servo
movements can be displayed on the dashboard, or logged in the recorder and played back on your PC. See the sections
on “Telling the Recorder What to Log” and “Seagull Dashboard Setup Utility Instructions” for setting up the software to
display the servo movements.
Normally, when the servo ‘Y’ cables are installed, the system is powered by the receiver through the ‘Y’ cables. If you
want to power the Recorder from a separate battery, meaning that you want complete electrical isolation between the
Recorder and your receiver, you can power the Recorder with a small separate battery as described in the Installing
Battery Backup Harness section below.
Connection of the ‘Y’ cables is simple: connect the center (male) keyed connector of the ‘Y’ to one of the 4 keyed slots
servo slots in the recorder (see Figure 1), connect the remaining male connector one of the channels on your receiver, and
connect the female ‘Y’ connector to the servo which you previously connected to that channel of the receiver. Note: It
doesn’t matter which of the 4 keyed recorder slots you plug your ‘Y’ cables into – the Recorder Application will
automatically detect which servos are connected where during application setup.
WARNING: Do not connect ‘Y’ cables to any other location on the recorder. Doing so may damage the recorder
or other components.
Note: The ‘Y’ cables included should be compatible with most of the currently available receivers, such as Futaba™,
JR™, Tower™, and HiTec™. The pinout of the ‘Y” cables is as follows: Black = ground, Red = power, White = servo
signal.
WARNING: It is your responsibility to make sure that your receiver and servos are pin compatible with the Y
cables before connecting. Serious damage could result to your receiver, servo or recorder if they are not
compatible.
Removing the Recorder from your Vehicle
When you remove the Recorder, and are using the optional ‘Y’ cables. your servos are still connected to your receiver so
it’s not necessary to remove the ‘Y’ cables from the model to operate it without the Recorder. Be sure however that the
connectors are kept from shorting.
Note: Additional ‘Y’ cables, RPM sensors and temperature sensors are available for purchase on our website if you wish
to install and leave ‘Y’ cables in more than one model. This makes it very easy to use the same recorder with multiple
models.
Installing and Using the Windows™ Application
Installing the Windows Application

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The supplied Windows application is compatible with USB equipped PCs running Windows 98SE,
Millennium, Win 2K, and Win XP. The application is not compatible with Windows 98 Original Edition (Gold), or NT
4, even if the PC has USB support.
NOTE: the application included on CD with the unit was current at the time of manufacture. Please check our Support
page on http://eagletreesystems.com to see if there is a newer version of the software which may have addressed issues
you could encounter.
To install the application, just place the CD in the CD-ROM drive. If AutoPlay is enabled on your PC, the setup program
should run automatically. If it does not run, click on My Computer, click on the icon for your CD-ROM drive, and click
on the “Data Recorder” application icon in the drive window.
Follow the Setup Wizard to install the Recorder application. Once installation is complete, the Recorder may be
launched either from its Desktop Icon, or by choosing the Recorder application from the Start->Programs->Eagle Tree
Systems folder.
Setting up the Recorder with the Application
Once the application is installed, follow the above steps to launch it. The first time the application is launched, the New
Model Wizard will be invoked.
The Wizard will prompt you to install the Recorder using the supplied USB cable.
Warning: Make sure you connect the custom USB plug with the correct polarity, and into the correct connector on the
Recorder, as shown in Figure 1. Not doing this could cause damage!
When you do this for the first time, the behavior will be different depending on which version of Windows you are using:
Windows 98™: The Recorder and application are not compatible with Windows 98.
Windows 98SE™ and Windows Millennium™: When the Recorder is first connected to the USB port, the New
Hardware Wizard will likely appear. Follow the steps in the Wizard, choosing the options to allow Windows to find the
appropriate drivers for the Recorder – these drivers are built into Windows. If the devices you already have on your
computer haven’t required the installation of the USB drivers, Windows will prompt you for your Windows CD to copy
over the drivers. Once this process is complete, you may be asked to reboot the system. Reboot at this point, then
relaunch the Recorder Application, and the New Model Wizard should start up again.
Windows 2000 ™ and Windows XP ™: When the Recorder is first connected to the USB port, Windows should
automatically install the correct drivers without prompting you. If you should receive a Windows prompt, however, do
what it says.
Once the Recorder is correctly discovered and installed by Windows, continue on with the New Model Wizard,
relaunching the software after reboot if necessary.
Telling the Recorder what to Log
Your Recorder has built-in data logging capability. The first time you run the software, you will be prompted to choose
what parameters you wish to log. The more items you log, the less record time will be available. To invoke the logging
configuration page, click “Hardware, Choose Parameters to Log in the Recorder.”
The parameter choices on this software page will vary based on the type of Recorder. See Figure 4 for an example
display for the Flight System.
A description of some of the parameters is below. Please see manuals included with optional sensors for more
information:

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Servo movements: If one or more of these parameters is checked, the recorder will log the positions of the
corresponding servos, assuming you have the optional ‘Y’ cables installed. Choose these options if you want to see
controller movements during your flight, etc. .
Servo Glitches (requires Y cable installation): If this option is selected, the recorder detects and logs three different
types of servo glitches: short servo pulses (less than 740uSec), long servo pulses (greater than 2.25 mSec) and missing
servo pulses (no pulse for 100mSec). The most common causes of glitches are low receiver or transmitter battery,
driving out of range of your transmitter, or defective receiver. Note that it is normal to see a series of glitch notifications
right after the recorder or the transmitter is powered up.
Receiver Battery Voltage: Selecting this parameter causes the recorder to log your receiver’s battery voltage (or
whatever battery is being used to power the recorder). Note that it is normal to see rapid spikes in the receiver battery
voltage on playback, but if you are seeing voltage drops below 4.5 volts on a regular basis, you should test your battery.
The Recorder constantly monitors battery voltage even if this option is not checked, and will shut itself down if the battery
voltage consistently is below around 4.5 volts to save power for the receiver. The recorder will log an error in this case.
The recorder will “reboot” if the voltage falls below 4.35 volts even for a short period, and logs an error in this case also.
Error logs are displayed in the “Notification Area” of the application during playback.
Figure 4
Speed: If this option is selected, the recorder logs the speed of your model via the air pitot tube.

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Altitude: If this option is selected, the recorder logs the model’s altitude with each sample.
RPM: If this option is selected, the recorder logs the RPM of your session.
Temperature 1: Choose this option if you want to record temperature from the temperature sensor plugged into the
“Tmp1” slot, sold separately.
Temperature 2: Choose this option if you want to record temperature from the temperature sensor plugged into the
“Tmp2” slot, sold separately.
Optional Accessories: See the instruction manuals included with the optional accessories for information on logging
these parameters. Optional expanders for measuring Temperature, RPM, Servo movements, G-Force, Exhaust Gas
Temperature, Electric Motor Current/Voltage, and other parameters are available from Eagle Tree Systems.
Setting the Joystick Configuration Mode
This setting only needs to be changed if you are logging servo movements. The Recorder application defaults to US
Mode 2 Joystick configuration, which is:
•Left Joystick controls throttle and rudder, and Right Joystick controls elevator and ailerons.
If you desire, you can select US Mode 1 via the “Advanced, Set Joystick Configuration Mode.” Mode 1 is:
•Left Joystick controls elevator and rudder, and Right Joystick controls throttle and ailerons.
Setting the “Stop on Full” Feature
After you complete the New Model Wizard for the first time, you will be prompted to choose whether you want the
recorder to write over its data when its buffer becomes full, or to stop when the Recorder is full. NOTE: You can change
this setting later from the “Hardware” software menu.
Setting the “Set Capture Rate” Feature
The Recorder can be adjusted to capture data in during your session at several different rates. The faster the capture
rate, the more data is obtained, but at the expense of record time. The default rate, four samples/second, gives good
resolution and reasonable record times. You may find that you can get plenty of record time even with the highest
capture rate setting, however.
A note on record time: The recorder uses advanced data compression to get the most data recorded as possible. When
your model is sitting idle before or after your session, with the battery turned on, the recorder is still capturing data, but
since not much is changing very little data is recorded. But when the model is actively being used, lots of data is being
recorded.
Note: You can change this setting later from the Hardware menu in the software.

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Setting the “Choose What to Display” Feature
The software can display several data parameters in both numeric and instrument format. The software displays these
parameters both for data downloaded from the recorder, and in “Live Mode” from the Seagull Dashboard.
Select the parameters you
wish the Application to
display on the PC screen by
clicking “Software, Choose
Instruments to Display on
the PC Screen.”
To add a parameter for
display, simply select it from
either the “Meters and
Gauges” or “Numeric
Values” dropdown menus,
and then it will appear in one
of the grids corresponding to
the main display screen.
Then, you can use the mouse
to drag the parameter to a
different location on the
screen, if desired. Or, if you
want to delete a parameter,
just click the “Delete” key
on your keyboard.
Note that some of the parameters require optional accessories, available from Eagle Tree Systems. See an example
screen, at right.
Also note that the display area is limited, so not all parameters can be displayed at once. Numeric parameters take up less
space than instruments, so more numeric parameters can be displayed at once.
Note: Select the “Metric” checkbox on this dialog
if you want metric operation. Also, you can change
this setting later from the Hardware menu.
Setting the RPM to Motor
Revolutions Parameter
If you have the optional RPM sensor, for the
Recorder Application to correctly determine the
RPM of your motor, you must tell the application
about the way type of RPM sensor being used, and
how it is configured.
Also, if you have a non-zero gear ratio between
your motor and your propeller, you can enter that
parameter.
The first time you run the software, you will be
prompted to enter this information.

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If you have a magnetic RPM sensor, enter the number of times your motor turns with each rotation of the
magnets as described in this dialog box. If you have an optical or brushless RPM sensor, please see the instructions
included with that sensor.
Note: You can change this setting later from the “Calibrate” software menu.
Setting Metric or English Units
Metric or English units are selected via the Windows Recorder Application (the App). The default setting is English
units. To change this, Click “Software, Choose Units of Measure” in the software, and click on “Display In Metric.”
This causes both the software display and the Seagull LCD display to switch to metric.
NOTE: whenever you change this parameter, you must re-download data to the Seagull Dashboard, as described
in “Seagull Dashboard Data Setup Utility Instructions” below. The software will prompt you to connect the
Dashboard to do this.
Seagull Configuration Wizard
NOTE: your Seagull Transmitter is pre-configured at the factory. It should not be necessary
for you to run the Seagull Configuration Wizard again.
To configure the Seagull system, plug the USB cable into your PC and the Data Recorder, and launch the software and
select “Advanced, Seagull Setup Wizard.” This wizard will guide you through the rest of the installation process. See
the below instructions on configuring specific items in the Wizard:
Seagull Transmitter Type: Select the type of transmitter you have.
Seagull ID: The Wizard automatically generates an ID for your Seagull system, which you can change in the wizard.
The Seagull ID uniquely attaches your Seagull Transmitter to your Dashboard. This attachment means that it is unlikely
that other Seagull systems at your site will interfere with your system, and it also keeps your data private to some degree.
Note that the Seagull system will not operate if the Seagull Transmitter and Dashboard are set to different ID’s.
Note: The Dashboard ID is displayed in Hexadecimal in the lower right-hand side of the LCD screen at Dashboard power
up.
Set Beep on Seagull Keyboard Press: Check this wizard box if you want a short beep to sound on each press of the
Dashboard buttons. Note that in this mode, selecting Mute All will silence these beeps.
Seagull Power Level (900 MHz transmitters only): The Seagull Transmitter supports operation at low and high power
levels. Normally low power is good for indoor use, and high power may be required for outdoor use. Warning:
Always range check your vehicle after changing power levels!
Connecting the Dashboard to USB: When the Wizard asks you to Connect the Seagull Dashboard, disconnect the
Recorder from the USB connection, and connect the Dashboard as described in the “Seagull Dashboard Receiver
Instructions” section above. Note: Follow the Wizard instructions carefully – if the computer needs to reboot the first
time the Dashboard is installed, do so and relaunch the Wizard after reboot.
After the Dashboard is successfully discovered by your PC, “USB Mode Active” should display on the LCD window. If
this does not happen, see the Troubleshooting section below.
Launching the Dashboard Data Setup Utility: After the Dashboard is discovered by the PC, the Next button of the
Wizard should ungray, and hitting Next take you to the final page of the Wizard. This page has a button to launch the

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Dashboard Data Setup Utility. See the below section on running this utility. Once the utility is successfully
run, the Finish button of the Wizard will ungray.
Seagull Dashboard Data Setup Utility Instructions
This utility (the Utility) will appear the first time you run the software, and can be re-run by selecting “Hardware, Choose
Parameters to Display on the Wireless Dashboard LCD” in the Software. This utility is the tool used to configure
Seagull Dashboard – it gives you the capability of configuring all of the items displayed on the LCD screen, setting up
alarms, etc.
You need to connect the Dashboard to USB before running the utility. NOTE: If you have a 9V battery in the
Dashboard, the Dashboard must be powered on before connecting to USB.
Figure 5 shows the main page of the Utility.
The Utility main page is divided into the following section:
Configure Parameters to Display on the Dashboard LCD: This section contains the tools to select what, how and
where parameters are
displayed on the LCD
pages.
To configure a parameter
to display, click “Choose
the next Parameter to
Configure.” This
dropdown menu lets you
choose a parameter to
display on the LCD
screen. The available
parameters depend on
your Recorder type, and
the sensors you have
installed.
To change the location on
the page for displaying
the parameter, just click
the location with your
mouse, and drag the
parameter to the desired
location.
To change the name of
the parameter on the LCD
screen, click on the
parameter on the
simulated display, and
edit the name with “Enter
LCD Screen Name for
Parameter.”
Figure 5

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If there is a parameter that you would like to display on ALL your pages, click on the parameter on the simulated display,
and click the “Display on all pages” button.
The window labeled “Enter the label to display..” in this section displays the 3 digit label that will be displayed beside this
parameter on the LCD. You can change this 3 digit label to be whatever you want. For example, if Temperature Sensor
1 was attached to your Cylinder Head, you might label this parameter “CHT.”
NOTE: If the data for each parameter grows large, such as a large RPM, the middle character in the 3 digit label will be
eliminated to show all the numeric digits in the parameter. For example, “RPM 0” would become “RM 40342” in this
case.
Set up alarms (if any) to be triggered by values of the above parameter: This section contains the tools to set up
audible and visual alarms for many of the displayed parameters.
NOTE: See the “Servo” section below for information on Servo setup.
NOTE: If you have a Flight System and select Climbrate, see the “Configuring Climbrate Alarms” section below.
To enable a “High Alarm” for a parameter, meaning that the alarm should activate if the parameter exceeds the set value,
check the High Alarm Enabled button.
To enable a “Low Alarm” for a parameter, meaning that the alarm should activate if the parameter falls below the set
value, check the High Alarm Enabled button.
NOTE: only a high or a low alarm can be configured for each parameter (not both).
To enter the alarm value, type the high or low threshold in the “Enter the Alarm Trigger Value” window. For values,
such as RX voltage, with a decimal place, enter the fractional part in the box to the right of the decimal point. For
example, to set an alarm if your RX voltage drops below 4.8 volts, enter 4 and 8 in the two boxes.
See the Parameter table in Figure 6 for high and low alarm limits. NOTE: when an alarm is triggered, a “!” appears to the
right of the parameter label on the LCD, to indicate the parameter is in an alarm state.
If you wish to have an audible beep sound when the alarm is triggered, configure the beep alarm as follows:
•Select the number of beeps to sound in the “Number of Beeps” window.
•Select the beep length in the “Length of each Beep” window.
•Select the length of the “silence” between each of the beeps in the “Length of silent pause between beeps”
window.
If you wish the beeps to repeatedly sound when the alarm condition occurs, click on the “Check here to cause the alarm
beeps to sound continuously…” checkbox. If you wish the alarm to only sound once when the condition occurs,
uncheck this box. Note that when the alarm condition goes away, and then recurs, the alarm will sound again in both
these cases. See the muting section in the “Seagull Dashboard Receiver Instructions” above for information on muting
the alarms.
If you want to have the Dashboard switch to the LCD page that has the alarming parameter, check the “Check here to
automatically Switch…” checkbox.
NOTE: If two or more alarm conditions occur simultaneously, only the last occurring condition will be signaled.
If the last condition to trigger an alarm goes away, the second to last currently active condition will be signaled, etc.
Once all the parameters you wish to display are configured, you can review the parameters by clicking the Preview button
as shown in Figure 5. The Preview window is a handy way to see which parameters are configured on which LCD page
locations. A “***” in a page location indicates that no parameter is displayed in that location.

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Once the parameters are configured to your satisfaction, click OK, which will download the settings to the
Dashboard. Note that you can change the parameters at any time by following the above steps.
Note: If you wish to clear all previously configured parameters, hit the Clear button on the bottom of the utility.
Configuring Variometer Alarms (Pro and Glide Systems only)
The Variometer parameter (“Var”) must be displayed on the Dashboard for the variometer tones to work correctly.
Please make sure you add that parameter when you configure the Dashboard!
If you wish to configure climbrate and/or sinkrate alarms for variometer support, click the Climbrate/Variometer button in
the alarms section. Note that the Variometer/Climbrate button will only appear when the Variometer parameter is
selected and Enabled. Note also that when the Variometer parameter is enabled, the Configure Variometer page will also
automatically appear.
Carefully read the instructions on the Configure Variometer page. This page should be self explanatory. The audible
climbrate/sinkrate alarms are configured in basically the same way that other alarm parameters are configured. One
difference is that both climbrate and sinkrate alarms can be simultaneously programmed.
Note that the altitude value displayed (if the altitude parameter is selected for display) is by default averaged and updated
once during each climbrate measurement time interval. If you wish to display the raw, unaveraged altitude value,
uncheck this box. Note that the altitude may “jump around” a bit if raw mode is chosen.
Configuring Landing Speed Variable Beeps (Stall Speed Alarm, Pro System
Only)
WARNING: the Stall Speed Alarm is only intended as an aid in maintaining a safe landing speed. Of course, stall
speed varies with pitch and other factors. Do not rely solely on the Stall Speed Alarm for feedback on your
landing speed!
To set up a notification alarm which will begin beeping slowly at the specified airspeed, and increase down to a very rapid
beep at half the specified airspeed, follow the steps below:
1) Select the “Speed” parameter, and enable it.
2) Click “Low Alarm Enabled” button.
3) Enter the speed at which you wish the Dashboard to begin beeping slowly, as the Alarm Trigger value.
4) Click the “Enable a varying beep rate for this alarm” button.
Note that none of the other alarm parameters for Speed have any effect, once the “Enable a varying beep rate for this
alarm” button is checked.
Before using the Stall Speed Alarm feature, we recommend gently squeezing the pitot tube, to simulate airspeed. First,
squeeze it so that the speed displayed on the Dashboard is near the trigger value you entered. The dashboard should beep
slowly. Then, as you slowly decrease pressure on the pitot tube, the beep rate will increase. It might be good practice to
imagine yourself flying, and try to keep a constant, safe speed just by listening to the beeps, and have a friend watch the
dashboard to see if you are able to maintain a safe speed.
Note that the alarm will silence whenever the speed drops below half of the trigger speed.
Servo Display on the Dashboard
If you calibrated your servo movements with the software during Recorder setup, the Seagull should display the correct
names of your servos, i.e., “Ailerons.” If you did not calibrate, servos will be labeled “Servo 1”, etc.