iPad Mini
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iPad Mini
Hi all,
I would like to start this thread to share initial experiences and opinions on the new iPad mini in relation to navigation.
Anybody already tried it?
I would like to start this thread to share initial experiences and opinions on the new iPad mini in relation to navigation.
Anybody already tried it?
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Allow me to make a few comments, they might be helpful.
I have tried the following:
iPad 1 (non 3G - used with GNS 5870)
Samsung Galaxy Tab (7")
Samsung Galaxy S2
Samsung Note
Software wise I have been using Air Nav Pro but recently switched to Sky Map in connection with Flight Planner.
I have a mounting unit for fixing the iPad to the yoke, the problem is that the original iPad is so large that it covers quite a few other instruments. Additionally, the yoke mount is "ok" (just) for Cessnas but on modern Pipers it doesn't fit well. The Galaxy Tab was ok from a size point of view so anyone who has an iPad and thinks they are too big will probably prefer the iPad mini - however the Tab is rather large and cumbersome compared to a mobile device like a phone.
The Galaxy S2 was - in my mind - too small with Sky Map running on it but had the advantage of being portable. Additionally, the battery life was limited - I had bluetooth on, streaming music to my Zulus whilst Sky Map was ensuring I stayed away from controlled airspace which all meant the battery was pretty much dead after 3 - 4 hours. Yes, I could charge it from the power socket but do I really want cables draped around the plane?
Which leads me to my current favourite - the Samsung Galaxy Note. In terms of size it is optimal, fits in my pocket and yes, although it is rather large for telephoning, with Sky Map running, it gives you an overview of everything in your vicinity, allows you to quickly read off your location - none of this "ah... uhm.... er...." when the controller asks your current position and it also lends itself nicely to being mounted on the yoke.
I have two exchangeable reverse sides, one of which has a velcro strip stuck to it. When flying, I peel off the normal reverse side, put the side with velcro on. On the Piper yoke, I also have Velcro strips attached and, when getting in the plane, just press it into position in the middle of the yoke - in full view, without blocking any other instruments - quick and easy. And battery life is significantly better than the S2.
My vote goes for the Note and Sky Map any day, am hoping to get some air time this weekend, will take a picture of the Note in position with Sky Map running and post it, if anyone wants to see it.
By the way, I rarely use the GNS5870 in the Piper, the Note has yet to lose the GPS signal, indicating it sees between 9 and 12 satellites. I have yet to trial it in the Cessna - seems I prefer flying Archers these days - but had my Galaxy S2 in a jacket pocket slung on the back seat of the 172 and it recorded the whole flight easily without losing the signal. The reason for not using it is simply I use the Bluetooth connection from the phone to stream music to my headset, I couldn't do this with the GNS connected.....
I have tried the following:
iPad 1 (non 3G - used with GNS 5870)
Samsung Galaxy Tab (7")
Samsung Galaxy S2
Samsung Note
Software wise I have been using Air Nav Pro but recently switched to Sky Map in connection with Flight Planner.
I have a mounting unit for fixing the iPad to the yoke, the problem is that the original iPad is so large that it covers quite a few other instruments. Additionally, the yoke mount is "ok" (just) for Cessnas but on modern Pipers it doesn't fit well. The Galaxy Tab was ok from a size point of view so anyone who has an iPad and thinks they are too big will probably prefer the iPad mini - however the Tab is rather large and cumbersome compared to a mobile device like a phone.
The Galaxy S2 was - in my mind - too small with Sky Map running on it but had the advantage of being portable. Additionally, the battery life was limited - I had bluetooth on, streaming music to my Zulus whilst Sky Map was ensuring I stayed away from controlled airspace which all meant the battery was pretty much dead after 3 - 4 hours. Yes, I could charge it from the power socket but do I really want cables draped around the plane?
Which leads me to my current favourite - the Samsung Galaxy Note. In terms of size it is optimal, fits in my pocket and yes, although it is rather large for telephoning, with Sky Map running, it gives you an overview of everything in your vicinity, allows you to quickly read off your location - none of this "ah... uhm.... er...." when the controller asks your current position and it also lends itself nicely to being mounted on the yoke.
I have two exchangeable reverse sides, one of which has a velcro strip stuck to it. When flying, I peel off the normal reverse side, put the side with velcro on. On the Piper yoke, I also have Velcro strips attached and, when getting in the plane, just press it into position in the middle of the yoke - in full view, without blocking any other instruments - quick and easy. And battery life is significantly better than the S2.
My vote goes for the Note and Sky Map any day, am hoping to get some air time this weekend, will take a picture of the Note in position with Sky Map running and post it, if anyone wants to see it.
By the way, I rarely use the GNS5870 in the Piper, the Note has yet to lose the GPS signal, indicating it sees between 9 and 12 satellites. I have yet to trial it in the Cessna - seems I prefer flying Archers these days - but had my Galaxy S2 in a jacket pocket slung on the back seat of the 172 and it recorded the whole flight easily without losing the signal. The reason for not using it is simply I use the Bluetooth connection from the phone to stream music to my headset, I couldn't do this with the GNS connected.....
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Foreflight liked it.
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The Apps are what make it
People seem to be missing the bigger picture when it comes to this question of iPad vs. Droid Tablet and that is it's NOT about the hardware IT'S ABOUT THE APPS !!! I've never been very excited about the iPhone or the iPad but I have been very pleased with the Apps and all I can do with them. Get a droid if you must and only want to do a few things. Get the Apple product if you want to do more - way more.
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Agree with Airspeedintervention. I have an Android phone, but use an iPad when flying, as the choice of apps on an Android is pretty poor - Air Navigation Pro being the only faintly usable app. On an iPad Sky Demon is way above everything else. I sold my Android tablet because it was pointless for flying, irrespective of its size.
The downside to a regulariPad is the size. I would love to hear from anybody who has used an iPad Mini when flying - especially in a PA28. Sky Demon will work on an iPad Mini, but I would like to know how usable the device is in the aircraft.
The downside to a regulariPad is the size. I would love to hear from anybody who has used an iPad Mini when flying - especially in a PA28. Sky Demon will work on an iPad Mini, but I would like to know how usable the device is in the aircraft.
Last edited by wb9999; 21st Nov 2012 at 16:28.
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The great "flying" app for Android is Oziexplorer.
You can get maps for every bit of the world for Ozi. On occassions they might not be, ahem, copyright free
but they come at the "right price".
On my first long flying trip (UK to Crete) I flew all the way down there using Ozi and running aviation charts which I scanned myself. I wasn't taking any chances - I wanted to know where I was 100% of the time.
Nowadays, with an IR, it's easier but if I was going VFR I would fly the same way.
The problem with the IOS platform for GA flying is that you are stuck with a small selection of official but variously crippled products, often you tear all your hair out trying to do something which should be really really trivially simple (like print to a PDF), or you jailbreak it and then you - for the most part - have to know what you are doing with messing about inside unix.
I have an Ipad2 which is great and does what Apple intended it to be used for brilliantly.
You can get maps for every bit of the world for Ozi. On occassions they might not be, ahem, copyright free
but they come at the "right price".On my first long flying trip (UK to Crete) I flew all the way down there using Ozi and running aviation charts which I scanned myself. I wasn't taking any chances - I wanted to know where I was 100% of the time.
Nowadays, with an IR, it's easier but if I was going VFR I would fly the same way.
The problem with the IOS platform for GA flying is that you are stuck with a small selection of official but variously crippled products, often you tear all your hair out trying to do something which should be really really trivially simple (like print to a PDF), or you jailbreak it and then you - for the most part - have to know what you are doing with messing about inside unix.
I have an Ipad2 which is great and does what Apple intended it to be used for brilliantly.
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Sorry guys, those of you who haven't tried Sky Map should try this. I love the fact that I can do my planning with Flight Planner and transfer it to Sky Map - which is available as an Android and iPad app.
Here is a picture of Sky Map, what I like most, which has proved a blessing to me, is the fourth square from the top on the left hand side which tells you the distance to the next airport and it's ICAO code - saves hunting around guestimating how far you are from the next airfield should ATC ask - plus a visual representation of the terrain and airspaces ahead of you.
What is also useful about Sky Map is you can program it to remind you when to change tanks - it might be just a small thing but anything which lightens my workload when flying the Archer has to be a good thing. Every 30 minutes I get a visual and acoustic warning - change fuel tanks....
I'm not going to get into a battle of Apple v Droid because I'm typing this on a Macbook Pro, I have an iPad and an iPhone 4S, having previously owned 3 other iPhones but seriously, the Samsung Note, because of it's size and the detail you can see on the screen at a glance, wins it hands down. The iPad is - in my humble opinion - too large to be yoke mounted, the Note offers significantly more viewing space without overcrowding the panel....
Concerning Apps: The main apps that I used on my iPhone / iPad - Flight Plan, Aeroweather, Weight and Balance Pro - are available either as direct 1:1 transfers to droid or similar apps are available in the Play Store.
Here is a picture of Sky Map, what I like most, which has proved a blessing to me, is the fourth square from the top on the left hand side which tells you the distance to the next airport and it's ICAO code - saves hunting around guestimating how far you are from the next airfield should ATC ask - plus a visual representation of the terrain and airspaces ahead of you.
What is also useful about Sky Map is you can program it to remind you when to change tanks - it might be just a small thing but anything which lightens my workload when flying the Archer has to be a good thing. Every 30 minutes I get a visual and acoustic warning - change fuel tanks....
I'm not going to get into a battle of Apple v Droid because I'm typing this on a Macbook Pro, I have an iPad and an iPhone 4S, having previously owned 3 other iPhones but seriously, the Samsung Note, because of it's size and the detail you can see on the screen at a glance, wins it hands down. The iPad is - in my humble opinion - too large to be yoke mounted, the Note offers significantly more viewing space without overcrowding the panel....
Concerning Apps: The main apps that I used on my iPhone / iPad - Flight Plan, Aeroweather, Weight and Balance Pro - are available either as direct 1:1 transfers to droid or similar apps are available in the Play Store.
Last edited by Steve6443; 21st Nov 2012 at 19:37.
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Sky-Map doesn't appear on Google Play for me in the UK. The only Sky Map on the Play store is for astrology. I can see it when I search in my browser (https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...m.skymap&hl=en). Is it not available in the UK?
Just found their website (Sky-Map - Aviation Moving-Map Navigationssystem). Looks like a German only app, which is a shame. Looks like it is available on the iPad also, and is on the App Store in the UK. But very expensive (£149.99, not including maps). UK maps are not available.
Personally, I don't anything will better Sky Demon. It makes VFR planning and navigating so easy.
Just found their website (Sky-Map - Aviation Moving-Map Navigationssystem). Looks like a German only app, which is a shame. Looks like it is available on the iPad also, and is on the App Store in the UK. But very expensive (£149.99, not including maps). UK maps are not available.
Personally, I don't anything will better Sky Demon. It makes VFR planning and navigating so easy.
Last edited by wb9999; 21st Nov 2012 at 20:58.
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I agree, Sky Demon seems to be way ahead of all the rest.
We used it for a VFR trip to Hungary and back in the Summer. One of our group had Sky Demon on an iPad and became the leader as the software with weather, Notams, restricted airspace etc. allowed us to thread our way through very complex airspace.
Some of the flightplans would have taken hours the old manual way with charts and Garmins. Skydemon took minutes and even filed the flightplans.
I am thinking of an iPad mini as I can't get the full iPad in the cockpit.
I know the Android tablets are very good but there just doesn't seem to be any software like SkyDemon for them.
We used it for a VFR trip to Hungary and back in the Summer. One of our group had Sky Demon on an iPad and became the leader as the software with weather, Notams, restricted airspace etc. allowed us to thread our way through very complex airspace.
Some of the flightplans would have taken hours the old manual way with charts and Garmins. Skydemon took minutes and even filed the flightplans.
I am thinking of an iPad mini as I can't get the full iPad in the cockpit.
I know the Android tablets are very good but there just doesn't seem to be any software like SkyDemon for them.
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I have a plan! Knowing my luck if I (very reluctantly) spend the extra money and buy an iPad mini rather than a Nexus 7, I can guarantee that within a week SkyDemon will announce an Android version!
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The iPad is - in my humble opinion - too large to be yoke mounted
am thinking of an iPad mini as I can't get the full iPad in the cockpit.
@Cessnapete: My understanding is that the iP Mini works pretty well with Skydemon, or at least as well as the standard iP. The standard iP shows some difficulties (i.e.: excessive temperature leading to self shut-off) which I hope will not be reproduced by the Mini: the battery is smaller, so the heating effect should be less, logically.
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Quote:
am thinking of an iPad mini as I can't get the full iPad in the cockpit.
Fully agree, but still I have some concerns in relation to the high temperature issue...
am thinking of an iPad mini as I can't get the full iPad in the cockpit.
Fully agree, but still I have some concerns in relation to the high temperature issue...
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I've never experienced high temperature issues with my iPad 3, and I've used it for a quite a few hours when flying. I use an external GPS. Maybe that's why I don't have high temperature issues.
Last edited by Zio Nick; 22nd Nov 2012 at 12:34.
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It depends also on the geographical region where you were flying... any experiences in southern Europe or North Africa?
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Not exactly, I mean that an hot environment, together with the typically higher sun radiation of southern Europe, may not help to dissipate the electric heating generated by the iPad itself.
iPad overheat.
The only instance of a shutdown on an iPad II was when inadvertently placed in full sun on coaming when parked. Easy enough to avoid this scenario.
Restarted with no ill effects after short cooling period.
iPad mini plus SkyDemon in C180 with external Bluetooth GPS input, still faultless.
Restarted with no ill effects after short cooling period.
iPad mini plus SkyDemon in C180 with external Bluetooth GPS input, still faultless.