IPad Mini / Software / ADS-B Pirep

[RocketAviator]

Looking for feedback on IPad Mini, I have the IPad II.  Fly with it well but it is a little bigger than I think I want, my full size IPad has the Retna display and is bright enough in all conditions, how is the IPad Mini in this regard?

 

I am expecting to soon move from my 696 & IPad to just the IPad as a backup to my panel and backup weather using either the Clarity or iLevel for ADS-B weather and AHARS, any input on either of these units would be appreciated.

 

What is the IPad Mini battery life in flight use conditions?

 

Also trying to decide if going Foreflight or FlyQ or some other software.... I currently have a tablet PC with Voyager by Seattle Avionics that I flown with for years and have a lifetime subscription (which I like very much...).

 

Software must have good flight planning capabilities, Geo Referenced Approach plates and weather.  I have tried the trial version of the FlyQ and find it adequate, but never the Foreflight.

 

Appreciate the feedback,

[N601RX]

I've been using the Ipad 3 and Foreflight and really like it.  I think they still have the 30 day free trial.  If your wanting a mini, I would consider wait  until the mini 2 comes out.

[Marauder]

Lacee - I have been flying with both ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot for over a year now. I also gave WingX a run during a free trial version. Before you run out and buy any of them, use their 30 day free trials and see which one you feel comfortable with. I like ForeFlight better in flight due to it's simplicity, but like the split screen of the Garmin for showing more information. Why do I keep the 2 subscriptions? Because I am torn between the two. Both do things well and both have short comings. I have not made the jump to ADS-B yet because I am not willing to commit to one application and lock myself into an expensive antennae. I wish I liked WingX better since of what I consider the 3 major players in this market, they offer the most flexibility for antennae. My current hardware setup is ForeFlight on my iPad 2 & iPhone and Garmin Pilot on my iPad 2 & Nexus 7. If you like the WingX, there are a few options to get into an ADS-B out antennae that will give you better traffic coverage. A related note: As 601RX points out; hold off on the iPad mini until Apple's announcement on the 22nd. Rumors have it that they will introduce a new version of the mini.

[midlifeflyer]

Looking for feedback on IPad Mini, I have the IPad II.  Fly with it well but it is a little bigger than I think I want, my full size IPad has the Retna display and is bright enough in all conditions, how is the IPad Mini in this regard?

 

I am expecting to soon move from my 696 & IPad to just the IPad as a backup to my panel and backup weather using either the Clarity or iLevel for ADS-B weather and AHARS, any input on either of these units would be appreciated.

 

What is the IPad Mini battery life in flight use conditions?

 

Also trying to decide if going Foreflight or FlyQ or some other software.... I currently have a tablet PC with Voyager by Seattle Avionics that I flown with for years and have a lifetime subscription (which I like very much...).

 

Software must have good flight planning capabilities, Geo Referenced Approach plates and weather.  I have tried the trial version of the FlyQ and find it adequate, but never the Foreflight.

 

 

Then  try ForeFlight. And WingX. And Garmin. Although some of the bells and whistles are different, for most, it's the UI that leads to choosing one or the other.

 

The one thing I can tell you about FlyQ is that it is currently not as robust for IFR use as the others. I did AOPA's FlyQ webinar (check here or here)in June and thought it was missing some essential features compared to the others.  (Purely political, but there are also those who don't like FlyQ just because AOPA, supposedly a GA rep,  is using it to compete with other developers and supporting one organization (Seattle) over others.)

[flyboy0681]

After fumbling with paper approach plates and scolding by my CFI to get with it, I finally bit the bullet and got a mini. I will say this, I'll never go back to the old way. I've been using, and am very satisfied with, Garmin Pilot. 

 

It appears by the picture that the HSI is covered but the picture was taken when I had the seat rolled back. When I am in the forward position the entire HSI is unobstructed.

[BigTex]

I'm also running both Foreflight and Garmin Pilot. I'm running Foreflight in an iPad2 and Garmin Pilot on a Nexus 7. I've been using the Foreflight app for several years and really like the app. It's feature rich and really simple to use in flight. That being said, I'll likely let my Foreflight subscription expire and go strictly with Garmin Pilot.

Why... Because I needed a 7" tablet for the cockpit and being a cheap bastard, I can't bring myself to pony up the dollars for an iPad mini. I'm also convinced that Garmin will be closing the gap on Foreflight in the near future. Also as stated above, the split screen is really cool.

Almost all of the aviation apps I use are already running on Android, so I'm enjoying not being tied to Apple.

[RocketAviator]

After fumbling with paper approach plates and scolding by my CFI to get with it, I finally bit the bullet and got a mini. I will say this, I'll never go back to the old way. I've been using, and am very satisfied with, Garmin Pilot. 

 

It appears by the picture that the HSI is covered but the picture was taken when I had the seat rolled back. When I am in the forward position the entire HSI is unobstructed.

Any additional input on the Garmin Pilot?  I have not even looked at it?

[fantom]

After fumbling with paper approach plates and scolding by my CFI to get with it, I finally bit the bullet and got a mini. I will say this, I'll never go back to the old way. I've been using, and am very satisfied with, Garmin Pilot. 

 

 

Have you totally dumped FF in favor of Garmin Pilot, Mike?

 

Suggest you tell your partner/CFI to also get with it, and at long last sign you off so you can get your Instrument ticket.

[FlyDave]

Lacee,

 

I used WingX for almost 2 years but switched to Garmin Pilot last year. I have not used ForeFlight since the first short (3 months I think) subscription I purchased.

I like the Garmin Pilot app because of the simplicity of the interface and features. It feels a lot like the interface on their handhelds. It's very easy to switch between screens and things are laid out in a very logical order. I don't have to think differently than I when I did before using it - it's very intuitive.

Some of the other features I like:

• Split screen
• Widgets on split screen - customizable to whatever info you want to display
• Fairly simple flight planning
• ADS-B support - I'll be getting the Garmin GDL-39 soon

I believe Garmin will be adding new features over the next year but none of the developers release what those features are until they're released.

It's a stable, well thought out app with the experience of all the Garmin aviation products behind them. They are also the only one of the "big three" iPad app makers that have a useable release for Android.

 

Dave

[flyboy0681]

Have you totally dumped FF in favor of Garmin Pilot, Mike?

 

Suggest you tell your partner/CFI to also get with it, and at long last sign you off so you can get your Instrument ticket.

 

I'm sticking with Garmin. In a side-by-side comparison they are nearly identical, each do some things better than the other and each are unfortunately tied to their own proprietary ADS-B receiver. 

 

I don't see my check ride until December or perhaps January. I'm heading out of town again for several weeks and when I get back my CFI hits the road. It's been a vicious cycle.

[fantom]

I don't see my check ride until December or perhaps January. I'm heading out of town again for several weeks and when I get back my CFI hits the road. It's been a vicious cycle.

 

Want me to set you up with a CFII friend of mine to fly with you, sign you off, and you can surprise your CFI partner whenever he gets back, with your new ticket? IMHO, you're more than ready.

[flyboy0681]

Want me to set you up with a CFII friend of mine to fly with you, sign you off, and you can surprise your CFI partner whenever he gets back, with your new ticket? IMHO, you're more than ready.

 

While appreciate the offer, I'd never go behind his back if for no other reason there is a failure.

 

I do feel that I'm ready for the most part, but I'm still sloppy in a few areas that are definitely in the PTS.

[fantom]

While appreciate the offer, I'd never go behind his back if for no other reason there is a failure.

 

 

 

That isn't what I was suggesting.....more than one CFI can give a person a different perspective, and some new tricks. But if you think that after all this time, it would offend him, then wait it out and good luck to you.

 

I applaud your loyalty, if not your judgement.

[gjkirsch]

I started with the Ipad 2 and switched to the mini after it came out.  I use foreflight and stratus for weather.  I have the mini in an "otter" case and it fits nicely in the mount between the yoke.  I will take a picture the next time I am at the airport.  The only negative I have is that it is difficult to read in bright sun light.  I do keep a backup battery that will fully charge the Ipad and the stratus at the same time. 

[Danb]

I also tried the big three but have been using Foreflight since inception and have the Stratus2 since I am equipped with a G-1000 the combo of Foreflight, G-1000 and portable gps with charts it seems like overkill but all together plus backup battery and handheld seem to meet most of our needs plus the stratus display if you lose your panel is Awsome... All are great choices

[flyboy0681]

 IMHO, you're more than ready.

 

If you witnessed my performance tonight you wouldn't say that.

 

It's been nearly four weeks since our last outing and it shows. Rust definitely happens. I can't imagine what it will be like once I have my ticket and don't fly instruments for a couple of months.

[IndyTim]

I have a Mini on which I have both Garmin Pilot and Foreflight installed. I have the Stratus II with Foreflight. I also have a Garmin 796 with an XM weather subscription.

Of all 3 devices, I find I rely on Foreflight/Mini the most. It's the most intuitive, the most reliable (the 796 has locked up a few times), and it's the one I have mounted on my yoke.

The mini screen size is really nice, just right on the yoke. However, at 50 years old I find that my eyes would appreciate a larger screen sometimes. But it's not a showstopper - easy enough to pinch and expand. I just upgraded to the Pro version and love the georeferenced approach plates. Extremely useful.

I'm not all that excited about the Stratus. ADS/B weather has been slow to update, even unavailable on my most recent trip. And I don't find the traffic all that useful, at least not at this point in time. About the only bogies that show up are commercial carriers 10,000 feet or more above me.

I used Pilot on the mini but found Foreflight to be more intuitive and easier to learn.

As for the 796 with XM, I am starting to use it more and more, mostly for in-flight wx. The winds aloft data is especially useful in-flight.

So, my solution relies on Foreflight for planning, briefing filing plans, airport info, approach plates, taxi diagrams, and as my general gps-map tool. And the 796 with XM WX is my weather data source.

[Schinderhannes]

 

^{We used WingsX for the last 2 years on a IPAD II.  However with our frequent trips to Baja California, the coverage south of the border was disappointing.  Honeywell’s MyWingman offers IFR charts and topography for Mexico, and seems very user friendly.  Also the flight planning functions are superior to other products, as the program uses different fuel burn for different phase of flight.  Honeywell offers a very generous trail period and I think it is worth a try.}

^{A word of caution concerning the use of IPADs, it has happened a couple of times to us that the IPAD shut down due to overheating. We use a ram mount on the copilot side and when the sun shines on the unit it can stop working after a short time. We left today in KPSP (95F) and after lthan 30 minutes Apple's finest gave up. After 30 minutes in the shade it come back to life. This might be not an issue for people up  north, but if you are based in the Southwest this is something to consider.}