Sky Demon on the IPhone

[BlueJays]

Good Morning!

Has anyone got any feedback on the use of Sky Demon on the Iphone in flight? I have an IPad, but I find it too large in the aircraft I usually fly (PA38). I'm also not willing to purchase an iPad mini.

Thanks in advance.

[BackPacker]

I've got both an iPad and an iPhone. I use the iPad to plan my flight, review NOTAMs and whatnot, and when I'm happy with the plan I'll transfer it via de SD Cloud to the iPhone. That becomes my primary GPS during the flight.

I also keep a paper map handy with the same line drawn on it as in SD, and I keep the most pertinent information from the plog on a paper backup. Between thse bits of paper and the iPhone I have more than enough information to complete the flight.

In a pinch I can plan the whole flight on my iPhone as well but the smaller screen size makes that a lot harder than on the iPad.

[CharlieDeltaUK]

The screen on the iPhone 6+ is quite large. But, if the OP doesn't want to buy an iPad, he probably wont want to buy a 6+ either.

[SouthendPilot]

I was using an ipad and it was a complete pain in the ass, just too big and couldn't mount it anywhere. I didn't want to shell out for a Mini, so tried it on the wifes Galaxy Tab, SD was rubbish and kept crashing.

In the end, I bought a Nexus 7 for £130. SD runs beautifully (twice the processing power of the ipad mini and Galaxy) and the size is perfect. I got a Ram yoke mount and the setup is spot on.

:)

[BackPacker]

Alternatively, you can use the web version of SD from an internet-connected PC to create your route, then use the SD Cloud to transfer it to your iPhone.

I have not worked with that myself since the web version requires Silverlight, and that doesn't run on my PC OS. And using something like moonlight was too much hassle to setup.

[thing]

I've used it on my iPhone for a couple of years or so. It's small, doesn't need an external GPS source and works a treat, plus you just bung it in your pocket at the end of the flight.

I have the georeferenced Pooleys on it which can be hard to read but I just print the plate out before I go. I have an iPad mini too with it but TBH its not worth the faff of trying to mount it somewhere where it's not in the way and I invariably forget to take the GNS 2000 out of the plane.

I use one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/OsoMount-360-Grip-Mount-Smartphones/dp/B00BFWQQEG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1424893529&sr=8-4&keywords=iphone+holder+for+car

to stick it on the side screen, it's the stickiest mount I've ever found, absolutely bulletproof.

[ChickenHouse]

I found the big iPads very uncomfortable to use in small cockpit and installed SD on the iPhone 5S. Combination with the desk version (I am using the Mac virtualization) and transfer by SD cloud are very convenient. Only thing bothering was the iPhone not being quiet on mobile net. Yes, screenis small, but sufficient.

So, after a while I changed to iPad Mini, but keep the iPhone as backup, usually in flight mode on warm standby. If there would be a chance to get Jeppesen FD (still in use because of some things not available on SD) on an iPhone, I would switch to iPhone 6 Plus, but this way I keep it on the iPad for this season and dump Jeppesen next autumn, if it is still this way and go completely SD - ditching some possible locations.

[chrisbl]

It's needs to be well secured. I had a renter have one on his knee for a club checkout and it slid off his knee on take off not to be seen again until after the flight.

[Aubrey.]

I use SD on an iPhone 6 plus and I feel it's an excellent screen size. I also use SD on an iPad Mini, which one I use depends on the length of flight, but the other is usually kept as backup. As others have said, secure mounting is essential as you'll need to be able to press the screen without it falling off. If I had to pick one device for SD I still think it would be the Mini, providing you've got enough room, however the iPhone is a very close second. I tried SD on my older iPhone 5 and found the screen too small.

[MarcusH]

Does the nexus 7 have a gps included?

[RayBanJockey]

Yes it does and it works great with Skydemon

[cotterpot]

Yes Nexus has gps - and very good, even in high wing environment

[ChickenHouse]

@Aubrey:
I use SD on an iPhone 6 plus and I feel it's an excellent screen size.

Can you share a bit more? Does the always enabled mobile net causes trouble with interference with radio or audio panel? Is SD scaled to use the pixel of the 6 plus already? Maybe you even have a picture of it mounted in the cockpit? I am into replacing my iPhone5 pretty soon and was thinking of using the 6plus, getting off my RAM mounted iPad Mini as well.

[18greens]

I have a mini which is great with SD. But when I put it on the kneeboard I have nowhere to write.

I subsequently found out my 5S is excellent at rendering sd. I can strap it to the kneeboard to secure it, I have space to write . Fantastic

I now use my mini for watching films in the hotel.

Ideally I would use the mini if I could find a place in the cockpit to secure it.

[flybymike]

@Aubrey:
Quote:
I use SD on an iPhone 6 plus and I feel it's an excellent screen size.
Can you share a bit more? Does the always enabled mobile net causes trouble with interference with radio or audio panel?
Presumably not if you remove the sim card

[ChickenHouse]

Presumably not if you remove the sim card
That is not entirely correct. As phones are mandated to have emergency call capability independent of a SIM card and therefore they will contact mobile net towers anyways.

[thing]

Don't know about the 6 but I never get interference from the 5. I would agree with 18 greens, the ipad mini is probably the ideal solution if you could panel mount it. I'll use it on the rare occasion such as going into a big place with lots of taxiways as the georeffed Pooleys is invaluable for that but otherwise it's just a quantum leap more convenient to use the iphone.

[Flyingmac]

This has a sunlight readable screen and SkyDemon runs faultlessly on it.


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Asus make the Nexus.

[tmmorris]

Very interesting, do you mount it and if so how?

[Flyingmac]

Various mounts freely available on t'internet from a couple of quid up to RAM silly money. Mine is on a sucker mount. £5 from Wilkinsons.

[ChickenHouse]

RAM may be crazy expensive, but good as well ... I do not grudge these folks for cashing in a great idea.

[tmmorris]

Thanks. RAM might work for me, as I would only need the bracket, having already the rest of the mounting system. I'll take a look.

[thing]

TM: I use the RAM system on the rare occasion I fire up the ipad mini and it is very good.