IPad Mini with Retina Screen

[Bennett]

I replaced my original Mini with the new Mini with Retina Screen. Looks exactly like the original Mini with the exception of the back color, and that isn't that much different.

 

The good: This is one fast iPad.  Uses the same processor as the new iPad Air.  The difference in downloads is remarkable.  The Retina screen is as advertised - simply great.

 

The bad: ForeFlight has not (yet?) tweaked their map and plate programs to take advantage of the pixel density. I ran their sectional and approach plates on both the old and new Minis, side by side, and I could not see any difference in resolution. It would be great if they (ForeFlight) or one of their competitors took advantage of the Retina screen.  The main reason I bought the Mini in the first place was to run ForeFlight on a smaller, easier to live with, iPad in the cockpit.  I mounted the Mini in a RAM yoke mount, and with a bit of adjustment, it neither restricts my view of the cockpit instruments in flight, or hits me when I flare for landing. 

 

Actually, as I have learned to more effectively use my GTN boxes, I see less and less need for the Mini, except as backup, and running apps such as density Altitude, Engine Power, Weight and Balance, and documents I have downloaded as .pdfs.  With the iPad Air becoming lighter, thinner, and narrower, (with Retina screen and the new processor) it might make more sense to use the Air on a kneepad, than the Mini in a yoke mount. For those who have panel space, the Mini with Retina display mounted in an AirGizmos panel mount (use an avionics cooling fan on the back - already set up for this), would provide an huge amount of useful data at a fraction of the price for the Garmin GTN boxes - and hold its own with the AERA 796.  

 

Logitech has a new keyboard, metal case for the Mini that uses Bluetooth. Very nice unit. I have the larger one for the full size iPad, and it is now indispensable. 

[ncdmtb]

Thanks for sharing this.

I take an iPad as a back-up, but I rarely use it. With Jeppesen winding down their sectionals in Europe I am looking at gong digital for maps. May just check out the mini.

Do you use it for maps too?

[larryb]

HI Bennett:

 

     I have a retina mini on order. How does the sunlight readability compare to the previous min?

 

Thanks, Larry

[Bennett]

Yes, I use it for Sectionals as there is a great deal of information there that is not on the Jepp maps on the GTNs. I like Sectionals, but I don't want to carry them, and the Mini with pinching and stretching allows me to see the details I want on the iPads, Mini or regular. So far as I can tell, the Retina screen is better in sunlight. I played with the brightness settings between the old and new Mini, and it seems to me that I can set the brightness a bit higher on the new Mini. 

[carusoam]

Keep in mind the effects of brightness on battery life. Should be interesting how well the new I devices do.

Bet regards,

-a-

[Bennett]

Wall Street Journal reported today that the new Mini did very well in their battery test. Over 10 hours. I haven't used it long enough to comment on battery life.

[aviatoreb]

I really like the positioning of my iPad mini on the yoke vs my previous ipad which I kept on my knee from the perspective of less head down angle to see what I want in the EFB.

[fantom]

I really like the positioning of my iPad mini on the yoke....

 

Left side or right side, and photo's if available?

[Bennett]

I'll try and attach photos of my setup. These photos were taken in my hangar with the yokes forward. In flight they do not block the instruments. I sit high and forward.

[fantom]

Nice....thanks, Bennett.

[aviatoreb]

Left side or right side, and photo's if available?

 

Mine looks like this:

http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/33584-ipad-mini-on-my-yoke/

 

As says Bennett, it does not block the view of the instruments, esp since in flight the yoke comes back.

[fantom]

Excellent, and IIRC just velcroed to a standard RAM mount.

Mine looks like this:

http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/33584-ipad-mini-on-my-yoke/

 

 

[aviatoreb]

Yup - exactly. Quick, easy, secure, light and cheap.