I-Fly 720 and Sky Radar

[1964-M20E]

I just received my I-Fly GPS 720 and the Sky Radar dual band ADS-B receiver.   I have only played with it at the house and in the car but so far it seems to be pretty good.  I was able to pick up some of the weather information while on the ground in certain locations around my home.  I have not tried it yet in bright sunlight but outside with overcast it works well.  Flight planning on the GPS is easy and you can use the touch screen to rubber band you flight path if needed.  The subscription for VFR and IFR is very reasonable and it gives you all of the US charts.

I chose to use the Sky Radar and ADS-B since it does not require any subscriptions.  Traffic display will be somewhat limited since I do not have ADS-B out in my plane but one of the main reasons is to be able to receive weather reports (METARS, TAFS, PIREPS, WINDS) and NEXRAD in the air.

Is it as nice as the newest Garmin portable no I had the opportunity to play with both of them a couple of weeks ago to help me make my decision.

I’ll post more as I use it.

 

 

 

[davidsguerra]

i have the combo too. i like the ifly720 but i have not had a chance to try the skyradar. i am having it hooked up to a dme antennae as a semipermanent install. I await the freeflight systems dualband transcievers STC for the mooney and any overpriced (but well made) product that Garmin has to offer.

[1964-M20E]

I did not get a chance to fly with the 720 today but I was in the plane in bright sunlight and it is readable.  i had other issues so I just put it in the back seat to get it out of the way.  No need to try and use a new device whil in a BFR flight and confuse the issue.

[1964-M20E]

I flew with the I-fly 720 Tuesday in daylight and sunshine and the screen was easy to read.  I'm still working on the sky radar part.

[Piloto]

Does the database includes airways, airports and terrain topography for the Caribbean and South America? One feature that impressed me about the Aera and the 796 is the vast amount of data that includes for both continents. In particular the terrain depiction and warnings and the AOPA directory for both continents.

José

[1964-M20E]

I just finished flying with the Ifly 720 and Sky Radar.  I was able to see the nexrad radar on the screen for the first time of course this was the first time I had rain in the area to be viewed while I was flying.

I still have not seen any traffic even though I was inside a Class B with some airlines flying nearby and I did several approaches at the Class B airport.

well they said traffic was hit or miss.  I just wish the FAA would turn on TIS-B anywhere mode C is requried under fl18.

[1964-M20E]

Quote: Piloto

Does the database includes airways, airports and terrain topography for the Caribbean and South America? One feature that impressed me about the Aera and the 796 is the vast amount of data that includes for both continents. In particular the terrain depiction and warnings and the AOPA directory for both continents.

José

[jetdriven]

As I understand it, the TIS-B is triggered on by an ADS-B "OUT" aircraft, but the data displayed on the network is only within 3000 feet of the triggering aircraft.   We see plenty of airliners but no low level traffic.  had I known this, I might not have got the dual band unit. 

[nels]

I agree I figuredd I'd see a little more on the TIS side.  If there were only a way to "trick" the system into transmitting the data.

[1964-M20E]

Well flying to SAV and to ORL I have for the first time seen traffic reporitng on the I-Fly 720 adn Skyradar. Of course one time it was reporting me as traffic 6:00, 0NM and at my elevation. I did get to see reported traffic near ORL and when I looked there was the traffic. Nice added set of eyes yet without ADSB-out unreliable.

Still I like the combination.