Here is a typical modern paraglider pilot problem: You've downloaded XCTrack or another flight app to your smartphone and installed it on your flight deck. You feel very cool and up to date because you didn't succumb to that $700 flight instrument....
But now when flying, you find you can't navigate the touchscreen because you have gloves on.
Smartphone screens use conductive technology, which means they detect the current in your skin based on the fact that your skin is slightly moist. Sometimes if your fingers are too cold or dry, you might have noticed the touchsceen not working because there isn't enough moisture on the skin.
Touchscreens won't work at all with gloves. You can buy special gloves with conductive fabric on the tips, but who knows if those gloves are the right ones for paragliding, and who really needs yet another set of gloves. I keep losing paragliding gloves, the pair I currently like the most cost $10 at a gas station on the way to go flying one day.
Here is the low budget solution to make your gloves touchscreen compatible.
1. Go online and search for Conductive Thread. It took me about 5 minutes to find some for about $5 and it was delivered in 2 days. You don't need very much. The thread has strands of silver or stainless steel in it. I paid $5 for 35ft shown below, but the one from Sensa Thread is $2.59 and even comes with a needle.
2. Thread a sewing needle with at least 8 inches of the conductive thread and knot the end so the thread is doubled up. Stick you finger in the glove, because you need to be sure that the thread will actually make contact with your skin. Carefully work the needle through the glove so you can feel the needle. Don't prick your finger! You need to be able to feel the needle and thread, because your finger needs to be in contact with the thread to conduct electricity from the screen to your finger. It's no use just sewing threads in the top layer of fabric.
3. Make eight to ten stitches in a random pattern, with at least a couple of stitches going right through the material so that you can feel the thread with your finger inside the glove. You can be very neat or tidy, or just make it random. It won't really make much difference to the performance. Just make sure the threads are near the tip so that when you use the touchscreen, they will be in contact with the screen. Trim off any excess thread when you have enough stitches. Make sure some of the stitches go right up to the tip of the glove.
4. Test the finger on the smartphone app, and add a few more stitches if it is unreliable.
Worked perfectly!
But now when flying, you find you can't navigate the touchscreen because you have gloves on.
Smartphone screens use conductive technology, which means they detect the current in your skin based on the fact that your skin is slightly moist. Sometimes if your fingers are too cold or dry, you might have noticed the touchsceen not working because there isn't enough moisture on the skin.
Touchscreens won't work at all with gloves. You can buy special gloves with conductive fabric on the tips, but who knows if those gloves are the right ones for paragliding, and who really needs yet another set of gloves. I keep losing paragliding gloves, the pair I currently like the most cost $10 at a gas station on the way to go flying one day.
Here is the low budget solution to make your gloves touchscreen compatible.
1. Go online and search for Conductive Thread. It took me about 5 minutes to find some for about $5 and it was delivered in 2 days. You don't need very much. The thread has strands of silver or stainless steel in it. I paid $5 for 35ft shown below, but the one from Sensa Thread is $2.59 and even comes with a needle.
2. Thread a sewing needle with at least 8 inches of the conductive thread and knot the end so the thread is doubled up. Stick you finger in the glove, because you need to be sure that the thread will actually make contact with your skin. Carefully work the needle through the glove so you can feel the needle. Don't prick your finger! You need to be able to feel the needle and thread, because your finger needs to be in contact with the thread to conduct electricity from the screen to your finger. It's no use just sewing threads in the top layer of fabric.
3. Make eight to ten stitches in a random pattern, with at least a couple of stitches going right through the material so that you can feel the thread with your finger inside the glove. You can be very neat or tidy, or just make it random. It won't really make much difference to the performance. Just make sure the threads are near the tip so that when you use the touchscreen, they will be in contact with the screen. Trim off any excess thread when you have enough stitches. Make sure some of the stitches go right up to the tip of the glove.
4. Test the finger on the smartphone app, and add a few more stitches if it is unreliable.
Worked perfectly!