EVGrokker
commented
7 years ago (Suggested TMC post copy)
We've just updated EVTO to version 1.1.6, a maintenance release. Please update to stay current with the latest features. You can download the latest release from the App Store or Google Play.
You may have been following a thread about the upcoming 4th Annual Sounds of Silence Rally. EVTO is a perfect planning companion for "what-if" road trips. So…
I've just posted an advanced route planning tutorial on our website, using EVTO to plan a three-day trip from the Bay Area to the Sounds of Silence Rally (May 19th-20th) in Custer SD. The tutorial explores using EVTO to lay out a trip with automatic charging stops, as well as building the trip incrementally in segments, day by day, with overnight stops in Winnemucca NV and Billings MT. You'll find our Sounds of Silence tutorial here.
You can also explore other Tips & Tricks and FAQs at our website.
We're working hard on the next release of EVTO with some exciting new features coming your way. You can get a sneak peek at our new charger graphics in the tutorial. We implemented this change in response to an excellent suggestion from an EVTO user, and we're delighted with the new look.
As always, if you have any suggestions for EVTO or Tips & Tricks requests, please send them our way. Our goal continues to be providing the indispensable trip planning companion app for Tesla owners.
aesculus
Work in progress, ready for @aesculus review
Route Planning: The 'Sounds of Silence' Rally
Do you hear the Sounds of Silence Tesla Rally calling to you? Use EVTO to quickly scope out a route!
The Big Picture
The 4th Annual "Sounds of Silence" Rally May 19-20, 2017 in Custer, SD. If you're wondering how best to arrive charged up for the activities, read on. This tutorial outlines the steps to plan a 3-day road trip from the Bay Area to Custer. We'll plan it in three connected segments, with each day's stopping point at a Tesla Supercharger with hotels available nearby.
Note: EVTO calculates optimal routes based on parameters you've specified in Settings and My Cars to dial in the accuracy of its predictions. If your numbers don't line up with ours, it's probably because we actually weigh our payload baggage before a trip. OCD, right? But of course it could also be the weather forecast for our trip time is different too.
"Good morning class!"
A few mumbled responses make it to the front of the room. I put on a big brave grin, like everyone seems excited to be here and happy to see me.
"Welcome to Advanced Route Planning 101! Today we're going to plan a trip from the Bay Area to the 4th Annual Sounds of Silence Rally in Custer South Dakota. We'll be using several of EVTO's route-planning tools to build our route."
I wait for the anticipated enthusiastic response…
Crickets.
"OK! Let's get started. First of all, you'll need the EVTO Pro version IAP upgrade. That enables you to add multiple segments to your trips, highly recommended for longer road trips like this one."
I look expectantly around the room. Most heads are nodding that yes, they've purchased the Pro version IAP. It was listed in the syllabus as a requirement.
A hand goes up.
"Yes? You in the back corner?"
"How much is the upgrade?"
Sigh. Not everyone is prepared today.
"It's a lot less than the cost of that double chocolate mocha you're slurping down."
Another hand.
"Is there any way to get it for free?"
Harrumph. "Not for free, but like I told you on the first day of class, you can get a discount on all Apple App Store purchases by using discounted gift cards when they go on sale. Follow @iTunesCardDeals on Twitter to keep up with the latest offers. Anytime you see 15% or better grab it. You can find similar deals available for Google Play gift cards. Google it."
Oh yeah, that got their attention. Lots of scribbling going down. Let's get this show on the road.
"OK, open EVTO and let's get going."
1. Preview the Route
Let's see what EVTO recommends for the most expedient, charger-populated route.
EVTO ponders the nature of the space-time continuum to calculate the optimal route:
Auto-routing preview: Fremont CA to Custer SD
"Class, you're looking at the optimized route that EVTO calculated from the Bay Area to Custer using supercharging stops. If you were in a hurry, or lazy, you could just use this route and be on your way. But, we're here to learn, so we're going to build this trip in segments."
A hand shoots up. The hand belongs to Mr. Double Chocolate Mocha. Quelle surprise.
"It's only 1548 miles! I can load up with Twinkies, Peanut M&Ms and Big Gulps, and iron-butt it in one stretch. I'll cue up my 50 Best Road Trips Songs playlist on repeat and I'm outta here!"
I see an opportunity to enhance the average IQ of the group. "Brilliant! You're excused! Don't forget to recycle your drink cup!"
As Mr. DCM exits, I recommit to making the rest of our time together a quality learning experience.
"OK, we'd probably prefer a more leisurely journey, leaving something in the tank for the rally festivities, right? Let's put this together."
2. Subdivide and Conquer
Eyeballing the suggested superchargers along the route preview, we're going to pick Elko NV for the first night's stop, and Billings MT for the second night. That puts the longest driving days up front, getting us into Custer mid-afternoon the day before the rally starts to hang silently with our EV brethren.
This tutorial features the use of Add Segment, so we're going to start from scratch with our origin, add overnight stops in Elko and Billings, then arrive at our Custer destination.
EVTO calculates our first day journey to Elko. Select Segment Summary from the menu to review the itinerary. Looks good. Let's establish our departure date and time to get us to Custer on the afternoon of May 18th.
"OK class, if the rally starts on the 19th, and we want to arrive on the 18th, and it's a three day trip, what day should we leave the Bay Area?"
A couple of hands go up. I point to the quiet one over by the window.
"Will this be on the final exam?"
Shaking my head, I sigh. I point to pocket protector guy. Let's cut to the chase.
"With three driving days, that would be, uhh, um, let's see, a departure date of May 16th." The rest of the class nods in agreement.
"Good! You guys are getting it!"
Let's see what time EVTO predicts we'll arrive in Elko. Select Segment Summary from the menu to review the itinerary.
Not as Iron Butt as we used to be
3. Next Stop, Billings!
We'll use EVTO's Add Segment feature to add our next stop, Billings MT.
"Almost there. We'll add our final segment from Billings to Custer, setting a departure time of 8:00 AM again, and see what time EVTO predicts we'll arrive in Custer."
4. Custer's Last Ice Cream Stand
Once again, we'll use EVTO's Add Segment feature to add our final destination, Custer SD.
Finally, we'll see what ETA EVTO predicts for our arrival in Custer. Select Segment Summary from the menu to review our day 3 itinerary.
Plenty of time to enjoy the sounds of pre-rally silence!
"Good job, class! One last thing…"
The class smiles in anticipation, waiting for it. They know where I'm going.
"What do we do when we find an app to be useful?"
"RATE IT IN THE APP STORE!"
I smiled. These guys really do get it.
"Have fun, and be safe out there! Custer's waiting for you!"
Got an idea for a tutorial? Let us know!