Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Non-Airline Forums > Private Flying
Reload this Page >

SkyDemon malfunction with iPad iOS 8.3 and external GPS

Private Flying LAA/BMAA/BGA/BPA The sheer pleasure of flight.

SkyDemon malfunction with iPad iOS 8.3 and external GPS

Old 17th Apr 2015, 22:04
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
SkyDemon malfunction with iPad iOS 8.3 and external GPS

At least it proved I haven’t lost the ability to read a chart !


SkyDemon on my iPad, with a Garmin Glo external GPS was unable to find location data after installing the Apple iOS 8.3 update on my mini iPad.

Apple seem to be aware of the problem but said when speaking to them today that they didn’t know how to fix this or when they would issue a new update.


So I re-set iPad back to factory settings after backing up to Laptop. Then downloaded Download iOS 8.2 IPSW for iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch [Direct DL]Jaxov
(Download iOS 8.2 IPSW With Apple Watch Support, Improvements & Bug Fixes [Direct DL] ) which I found on the internet.


That took ages to download but quick to install it.


I then re-downloaded SD. But had forgotten to pair the GPS back to the iPad which is why initially it didn’t work.

Seemed to do the trick so took it for test it by taking it for a drive…… ok should fly but hey ho !!!


Whilst “go flying” the compass followed car directions and location data didn’t disappear. So looks like sorted.
Don’t think I will be updating the iPad again, lol.
Jude098 is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2015, 22:18
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Age: 68
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Phew, I've just installed the latest update on my iPhone on which I run SD. A quick try in the house and it seems to be OK.

At least it proved I haven’t lost the ability to read a chart !
Flying with charts, how romantic!
thing is offline  
Old 18th Apr 2015, 08:46
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Dorset, UK
Age: 65
Posts: 360
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
IMHO one should have at least 2 GPSs on board (I usually have 4 including the phone) as well as a map, ruler and protractor.
Romeo Tango is offline  
Old 18th Apr 2015, 10:19
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Age: 68
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I usually have 4 including the phone
I only have three, I like to live dangerously...
thing is offline  
Old 18th Apr 2015, 11:04
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: North of the border
Age: 38
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This was posted on the SkyDemon Facebook page:

We have heard that a bug in iOS 8.3 is causing problems with some external Bluetooth GPS receivers. This affects all apps which use GPS data including SkyDemon. For the time being we would recommend anybody using an external GPS receiver with their iOS device does not upgrade. If you've already upgraded and you have the cellular model you should still be able to use the internal GPS receiver.
banditb6 is offline  
Old 18th Apr 2015, 13:02
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
iphone & skydemon

Do any of you use your iPhone with skydemon? If so, how reliable is it? I'm not too savy with the inner workings of this magic. Can you use it when not connected to the WWW?

C.A
Contact Approach is offline  
Old 18th Apr 2015, 13:15
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Age: 68
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have an iPhone 5S with Sky Demon and it's my primary go to GPS so yes it's brilliant. Unobtrusive and faultless in operation. Never had any problems with it at all. You don't need to be on www. for it to operate, it works off the inbuilt GPS. I don't bother turning the GRPS off on mine as it will live update winds etc. I reckon it's good for about two hours min on the internal battery. I've never had it run out but on a recent 1.50 flight it had got down to around 45% on the battery. Of course you can plug into the a/c fag lighter if you have one.

I also have an iPad mini running SD but TBH it's much less hassle just to sucker the iPhone onto the sidewindow and of course the phone is a lot smaller. At the end of the flight you just shove it in your pocket and it's your phone again.
thing is offline  
Old 18th Apr 2015, 13:50
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Excellent, many thanks!

C.A
Contact Approach is offline  
Old 18th Apr 2015, 19:22
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Weston-super-Mare & Jersey CI
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just checked SD on my Mini 3 with my Bad Elf Pro+ and there are no issues with iOS 8.3 using that combo. Checked with both internal GPS off and then with both internal and external operating.

Bad Elf accuracy is 5m or better which is why I tend to prefer using this over the internal one and it prevents the occasional drop-out with the internal GPS, although never experienced it on my Mini but have on my full-size iPad 3.
vulcanpilot is offline  
Old 21st Apr 2015, 11:33
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Dublin
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I love SD as a tool in flight and can't imagine flying without it these days, but all those that know more than me say that I should still be flying with a chart as it will let me down one day. The thing is I carry an iPad and a phone so have backup.

If I fly with someone else I always pull out the paper chart to try and keep myself sharp, but there is no way on this earth that I can be as certain of my position though as I am with GPS and SD.
MarcusH is offline  
Old 21st Apr 2015, 12:10
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Age: 68
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If I fly with someone else I always pull out the paper chart to try and keep myself sharp, but there is no way on this earth that I can be as certain of my position though as I am with GPS and SD.
If it's not a local flight I always mark the map up and have a plog (Skydemon plog that is) stuck to my knee board. Once I have SD running and I'm flying I don't want to be faffing around trying to get the right page up on SD, I like it printed out. I find marking the map up helps get the route and various features in my mind, whereas plotting a flight on SD doesn't. But you're right, SD or whatever other system you use is the Bee's knees. Keep cross checking though...
thing is offline  
Old 21st Apr 2015, 12:37
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The problem is with IOS 8.3 communicating with an external Bluetooth GPS. Everything works fine with an i-pad or i-phone with internal GPS.
I use Runway HD on an i-pad and had problems after installing IOS 8.3. I am using a Garmin GLO GPS and solved the problems by downloading the latest Garmin software through Garmin's WebUpdater.
misterling is offline  
Old 21st Apr 2015, 20:04
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Middle England
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you are trying to downgrade from ios8.3 to ios8.2 as the OP has suggested using the 8.2 IPSW file, you may find that you will need to keep trying. It took me about 90 attempts. The first 89 r sp failed with '3014' 'unknown' errors. After a bit of research (and not a little panic), I found some answers on the apple forums. There seems to be a consensus building that the Apple verification servers are really busy and it therefore takes a fair few attempts before you can get a hit. After all that my iPad 3 and GNS 5870 are now happily remarried and talking to each other once again.
2high2fastagain is offline  
Old 22nd Apr 2015, 17:15
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A possible fix

I found this ?fix related to the same issue albeit not associated to Sky Demon

One would assume the same fix would work if you simply alter the privacy settings for SD

See

WingX Pro7 - Fixing iOS 8.3 and XGPS150
Awitty is offline  
Old 23rd Apr 2015, 10:13
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: England
Age: 76
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 16 Posts
I am using a Garmin GLO GPS and solved the problems by downloading the latest Garmin software through Garmin's WebUpdater.
Worked for me too (running SD on an ipad mini ).
Discorde is offline  
Old 23rd Apr 2015, 21:24
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Jersey, Channel Islands
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have a crappy crappy crappy GNS2000 GPS Dongle (dont buy it! dont get me started) and it doesnt work with ios 8.3 either... you are not alone here... I only found out at the hold but I had maps, eyes, watch, and iPhone just in case
GBEBZ is offline  
Old 24th Apr 2015, 22:18
  #17 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Went flying yesterday evening and SD with the downdated iOS 8.2 on iPad worked as normal with Garmin GLO...... yippeeee!!!!
Jude098 is offline  
Old 25th Apr 2015, 09:00
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Same here. Downgraded to IOS 8.2 and Duel XGPS150 now works fine with SD.

PS Using Ipad mini 2
nkt2000 is offline  
Old 26th Apr 2015, 13:01
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For those of you that have not seen it yet, SkyDemon has now put up a webpage with more details on the issue.

iOS 8.3 and External GPS Receivers

It seems that there are two protocol formats that an external GPS device can use to communicate with iOS, and the older of the two has now been disabled, or broken, or something.

So with certain newer devices you will have no issue whatsoever, and some older devices can be updated with new firmware so that they support the new protocol. If you can't upgrade your device to use the new protocol, you have a problem. Putting pressure on Apple and/or your device manufacturer may help.
BackPacker is offline  
Old 26th Apr 2015, 16:55
  #20 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well I'm glad it's not just me. Ipad 2 with 8.3, SD, XGPS 150. Initially found me on the airfield but at the hold it disappeared. This was my first FIR crossing to an unknown airport so caused a bit of panic, but as one of the other posters said, I had printed the plog and routed it on my chart. I also had an iphone with SD and an off-duty instructor in the a/c who had done the route before. Used Navaids, charts etc and found my location without any trouble. Good to know I still can!

I found a web page (after many hours of searching) which gave a suggested fix of turning off all of the location services under settings --> privacy --> location services --> system services, then doing a soft reboot (home and lock until apple icon shows). It also worked for me in the car, but have yet to get back in the air to test it there.
Straighten Up is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.