iPad3 or iPad mini for flying, any thoughts please?

[chopper2004]

Happy Easter all,

I own an iPad flying i,e memory map, Foreflight.

However I will be upgrading my phone to iPhone5 in the next few months of course its gonna be a different adaptor pin Lightning as opposed to 30 pin have on my iphone4 and Ipad.

I've been an Apple man for nearly 5 years now and haven't looked back! I like the commonality of one single power source can power both my iPad and iPhone4 so if one is going abroad forgets to take another power source, its not a problem. In short I like the commonality.

The only glitch as I mentioned initially is maybe sorting out an accessory adapter but laying all that aside, I will be contemplating using tablet in the cockpit soon and read the ipadpilot web, and it appears that the iPad mini is becoming more popular due to restrictive space

Out of interest, which out of the Apple, do you all use - the pad3 or the mni? OR which would you recommend?

Cheers

[industry insider]

Just be careful,of the iPad mini. In some jurisdictions it falls slightly under "plate" size and is not therefore approved like the bigger iPad for use in the cockpit.

[Jetexec]

30 pin to Lightning adapter

I switched to the iPhone 5 and had a zillion 30 pin cords around (which I still need for the iPad. I ordered a dozen adapters off of Amazon and problem solved!
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

[paco]

I would go for the mini - you don't need the retina screen, and it's battery life is longer as a result. Also, the big ipad bounces around too much and it's a pig to selct things on the screen - at least you can put the mini on your knee

phil

[md 600 driver]

I have a ipad mini running on runway hd with the caa maps , pooleys, OS maps ,post code search and runways vector maps for Europe

I find it very good I can use it for a 4 hours of flight and still have 40% left on the power meter

I use the built in GPS ipad ( the one with 3 g capability and a SIM card socket which is unused )

I get notams and weather it even shows the wind direction on the map from the last Internet connection

I have it mounted on a ram mount 1 inch ballmount

The backup i have had from Runway HD is also very good
I did try a large ipad but found it too big the mini is just the right size

I don't work for runway or apple either

[Aucky]

+1 for mini. It's smaller size allows a shorter mounting arm from the suction cup, which coupled with less weight makes it MUCH smoother. Skydemon is worth a look too (now my program of choice having used MM, AirNav, RunwayHD, and numerous Garmins).

[JTobias]

Hi

iPad mini, without a doubt. I have both sized iPad's loaded with all sorts of aviation related apps including mapping applications etc. I have detected no issues at all with the mini and now hardly ever use my standard sized iPad for anything.

Joel

[IFMU]

I bought a mini. Good size for the cockpit.

[John Eacott]

OzRunways (apparently about to produce a UkRunways?) have a bl0g with a discussion on iPad sizes here. You'll have to edit the link where I substituted a 0 for o in bl0g

My only concern would be battery life if you don't have an external power source. My iPad 3 is down to 20-30% after 4 hours flying, in normal use it won't go below 70% in a day (non OzRunways use). SWMBO has an iPad Mini which has nowhere near the battery life in everyday use, 20% at the end of the day is normal. Translating that to OzRunways use wouldn't see me expecting much from the mini unless I had a power source to supplement the battery.

And my iPad 3 battery takes forever to recharge after a day of flying, too

[Rotordent]

power

I use the MyGoFlight dual micro usb adapter 28v-12v for powering my ipad during flight. works great

[timprice]

Mini i-pad all the way

Mini i-pad works really well with SkyDemon, no problems yet and first class service on Notam's, Weather etc
No one flying by them selves should be without one.

[Helinut]

The Skydemon app on the iPad is very impressive. I have dropped some of the competition to make it my default "carry with me".

[chopper2004]

Thanks guys, please keep them coming....I'm beginning to get slightly swayed in the direction of the iPad mini....

Just wondering if the iPad mini could for the sake of portability and convenience, could fit inside pocket of say a leather A2 jacket or in one of the outside cargo pockets.

Thanks JohnEacott, yep agree that everyday use of ones iPad3 especially such as Numbers, Pages, iBooks, Kindle can drain the battery somewhat and also take forever to charge up! My average flying time is thankfully an hour maybe two a a stretch...so hopefully keep me going for that duration! However if I consider a trans ocean / trans Europe then maybe watch out for the duration of the battery but I'd expect to touch down for fuel and rest if planning a long trip so would automatically power down / switch off / charge for 45 mins to an hour dependent on the situation.

Thanks Rotordent, might look into purchasing that power pack

Cheers

[Bravo73]

Originally Posted by chopper2004

....I'm beginning to get slightly swayed in the direction of the iPad mini....

"Slightly swayed"??? Jeez, you must be hard to please.

Pretty much everyone who has posted has recommended that you should get an iPad mini. Some have even said that you shouldn't go flying without one.

After reading this thread, I feel that I should get one. Oh, hang on, my company is currently about to start trialling them as EFBs.

What more do you need to be told?

[Owz]

iPad Mini Every Time

I fly with an iPad Mini with SkyDemon loaded and it's the dog's bollocks!
I also have an iPad Retina but it's a bit too big when mounted as it shakes about a bit too much.

I have used on the mini a clear case and have mounted a GoPro self adhesive camera mount on the back so I can lift it off easily. This is then mounted on a sucker cup with a short arm to reduce vibration. this is very useful when you are in and out of different helicopters.

I would highly recommend SkyDemon on the iPad Mini as you have everything in one place.

Last sunday I flew for a total of 4.5 hours and the battery died fust after landing. So thats not too bad? Obviously a power lead would have helped but thankfully it was not needed.

So to conclude Don't hesitate just go and get one!

Owain..

[Corax]

Galaxy Note, use it for everything.

[IFMU]

The mini will fit in the inside pocket of a leather A2 as long as you have no bulky protector.
IFMU

[CYHeli]

I use a full size iPad but a number of friends use the mini. They slide them into a knee board and can use them under the plastic cover/sleeve.

Regarding adapters, I use this site, DealExtreme - Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - DX Free Shipping Worldwide
and ordered cigarette lighter plugs and cables, no postage cost and was less than $5 Aust.

[Desert185]

I still use a 32GB iPad 2 with Foreflight, Goodreader, MyGoFlight Sport kneeboard and a Bad Elf GPS Pro for an EFB. Good size in the jets, but a bit large in the 185. Beats the heck out of a 35# flight bag. There are power plugs in all the aircraft I fly, so iPad battery life isn't an issue. Next check, have MX install a cig lighter power receptacle and get a plug that will charge the iPad. Not all of them will.

I would consider a Mini, but I don't want to carry two, as I like the "Maxi" pad when outside the cockpit. Life is a compromise.

[apb]

In these videos you can see a cockpit flight with one Ipad and one Ipad mini, you can judge by yourself how they fit in the cockpit:

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/243...ml#post7814134