SkyDemon GPS
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Castleford
SkyDemon GPS
Good evening, another question!
I'm looking into buying a GPS, and can't decide as there are so many, but I have been pointed in the direction of the SkyDemon GPS unit, my question is, has anybody has any experience with the flight planning software. I like the way NOTAM,TAFs and METARs can be uploaded before commencing flying incase a diversion is needed, which I think is quite smart, my mind isn't made up and I'm open to ideas too.
Many thanks, Jim
I'm looking into buying a GPS, and can't decide as there are so many, but I have been pointed in the direction of the SkyDemon GPS unit, my question is, has anybody has any experience with the flight planning software. I like the way NOTAM,TAFs and METARs can be uploaded before commencing flying incase a diversion is needed, which I think is quite smart, my mind isn't made up and I'm open to ideas too.
Many thanks, Jim
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 158
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From: Near the end of a long, long road
I fly a PA28 and Cessna 172 (VFR) and in my view Sky Demon flight planning is brilliant.
I put all the routes in beforehand and on the day in question just input the flight times and a plog is produced, which includes every frequency I could possibly need, bearings for each leg together with times.
If it works for me it'll work for anyone!
Oh, and if you have any questions you can ask Sky Demon direct (to which you'll get a quick answer) or there is an excellent forum.
I don't think Airbox is anywhere near as good (and I've got both).
I put all the routes in beforehand and on the day in question just input the flight times and a plog is produced, which includes every frequency I could possibly need, bearings for each leg together with times.
If it works for me it'll work for anyone!
Oh, and if you have any questions you can ask Sky Demon direct (to which you'll get a quick answer) or there is an excellent forum.
I don't think Airbox is anywhere near as good (and I've got both).
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 134
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From: UK
I have the sky demon device, and even though I have a full IFR panel, Garmin 430W, and a yoke-mounted Garmin 795, I still can't bring myself to leave the SkyDemon at home. The three things it does really well are NOTAMs, Airspace warnings and the fabulous side view nav which shows you airspace above and below you rather than just around you.
As JW411 alludes, though, you don't need to buy the actual device. You can try running it on pretty much any windows enabled GPS device - such as a GPS enabled laptop. But for me, I just liked the peace of mind that the device was specced specifically for the software, so I didn't need to think about it.
As JW411 alludes, though, you don't need to buy the actual device. You can try running it on pretty much any windows enabled GPS device - such as a GPS enabled laptop. But for me, I just liked the peace of mind that the device was specced specifically for the software, so I didn't need to think about it.
Last edited by SDB73; 25th November 2011 at 19:05.
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 114
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From: Sheffield
I am another fan of SkyDemon. Apart from the advantages mentioned by other contributors, one big plus for me was being able to use it with my HTC HD2 Windows Smartphone, without having to buy a specific GPS device. Planning is done on my PC, then I just Sync to my phone, and take it into the cockpit. I print out the plog from my PC, and use the phone for a moving map display. The windscreen mount I bought from E-Bay to attach the phone to the window must have cost me all of £5. This was another plus, as I could use it in any hired aircraft, before I bought a share.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 229
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From: Worcs/Glos border
Skydemon runs fine on Windows 7, certainly it does on my MacBook Pro running W7 under Parallels - I presume (though you might want to check with Tim) that it's also fine on a mobile device with W7.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 292
Likes: 3
From: Ready to Depart
Think we need some clarification here:
SD (Plan) will run fine on Windows 7.
It won't (ever) work on Windows Phone 7.
The desktop software is bloody fantastic, especially considering the price/subscription fee.
SD (Plan) will run fine on Windows 7.
It won't (ever) work on Windows Phone 7.
The desktop software is bloody fantastic, especially considering the price/subscription fee.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Sherborne, UK
To clarify,
SkyDemon works just fine on Windows 7. It does not work fine on Windows Mobile 7.
If you have a Windows Mobile 6.5, then SkyDemon will run quite happily. I dont know exactly what Microsoft changed, but I wish they hadn't...
SkyDemon works just fine on Windows 7. It does not work fine on Windows Mobile 7.
If you have a Windows Mobile 6.5, then SkyDemon will run quite happily. I dont know exactly what Microsoft changed, but I wish they hadn't...
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 145
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From: Middle England
Lag - I use Skydemon and I think it an astonishing piece of software which I would heartily recommend. Tim Dawson and his team have that rare knack of being able to write software that is both a pleasure to use and does the biz. The most cost effective config I think it to buy the PC/mobile version and then synch onto a cheap WinCE enabled GPS device. You can get oriental versions of these devices for about £60 from eBay. I think they offer a trial of 30 days on the software which you can download.
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Peterborough
An iPad version would be interesting, where did you see that? I can't find any mention on the SkyDemon website.
I bought a new HTC Touch HD2 (which runs Windows Mobile 6.5) a few weeks ago to replace my old HTC HD. I'd rather have an older model of phone that runs SkyDemon than a newer model that can't run it
Confirming the earlier posts, SkyDemon will not run on Windows Mobile 7 phones, but it runs happily on 32 and 64 bit Windows 7 on your PC/laptop/tablet. Tim has told me that they have no intention of porting SkyDemon to run on Windows Mobile 7.
I bought a new HTC Touch HD2 (which runs Windows Mobile 6.5) a few weeks ago to replace my old HTC HD. I'd rather have an older model of phone that runs SkyDemon than a newer model that can't run it
Confirming the earlier posts, SkyDemon will not run on Windows Mobile 7 phones, but it runs happily on 32 and 64 bit Windows 7 on your PC/laptop/tablet. Tim has told me that they have no intention of porting SkyDemon to run on Windows Mobile 7.
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,547
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From: Dublin
Good evening, another question!
I'm looking into buying a GPS, and can't decide as there are so many, but I have been pointed in the direction of the SkyDemon GPS unit, my question is, has anybody has any experience with the flight planning software. I like the way NOTAM,TAFs and METARs can be uploaded before commencing flying incase a diversion is needed, which I think is quite smart, my mind isn't made up and I'm open to ideas too.
Many thanks, Jim
I'm looking into buying a GPS, and can't decide as there are so many, but I have been pointed in the direction of the SkyDemon GPS unit, my question is, has anybody has any experience with the flight planning software. I like the way NOTAM,TAFs and METARs can be uploaded before commencing flying incase a diversion is needed, which I think is quite smart, my mind isn't made up and I'm open to ideas too.
Many thanks, Jim
Don't know if your "so many" has included PocketFMS....the Origianal and still the best
There is a 30 day free trial available too. PocketFMS
(I should point out in the interest of clarity that I'm a Beta Tester for PocketFMS, but have no financial links.
If you're looking for something cheaper and simply want a GPS system which will help you avoid unintended airspace incursions then you might consider Airspace Avoid for iPhone/iPad/Android. It's just €13!
Airspace Avoid
dp
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,118
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An iPad version would be interesting, where did you see that? I can't find any mention on the SkyDemon website.