iPad Mini 7 introduced 10/15/2024

[KSMooniac]

28 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

Ok, just pointing out the issue.

And you don't have to use a cell connection with a cell iPad.  For a while, I used mine without a SIM and just used my phone as a wifi hotspot.

No worries... my first ipad (Mini 2) had the cell option, and while convenient, it was not worth it for me since I primarily just use the iPad for flight stuff and not an everyday device for all sorts of things.  I really dislike Apple in general how they run their business but reluctantly gave in to the iPad ecosystem since the best aviation apps were there.  A $5 GPS chip should be included in all of these devices instead of bundling it with the cell connection option IMO.  It is very nice hardware, I'll admit, but I intensely dislike that universe.

[McMooney]

On 10/23/2024 at 10:17 AM, Pinecone said:

If you can still change the order, get the Cellular version, even if you don't put it on a plan.  The Cell version has built in GPS, wifi version does NOT.

second this, it's just nice having a standalone device.  

[Pinecone]

On 10/23/2024 at 12:58 PM, KSMooniac said:

No worries... my first ipad (Mini 2) had the cell option, and while convenient, it was not worth it for me since I primarily just use the iPad for flight stuff and not an everyday device for all sorts of things.  I really dislike Apple in general how they run their business but reluctantly gave in to the iPad ecosystem since the best aviation apps were there.  A $5 GPS chip should be included in all of these devices instead of bundling it with the cell connection option IMO.  It is very nice hardware, I'll admit, but I intensely dislike that universe.

So many ways I hate Apple and their products.  BUT.........

I agree, it is stupid to not put the GPS chip in.  They should be the same device except for the cellular circuits.

Your choice.  I just like having another back up.

[Coachella Bravo]

On 10/23/2024 at 7:17 AM, Pinecone said:

made my handwriting worse than normal.

@Pinecone, I'm afraid I can't blame my handwriting on the Pencil, screen or anything else. I picked up a I pad mini 6 about1.5 mo ago, hitch hike it off my i  phone for service, as you mentioned, working great. My 3rd mini. I have it mounted on the yoke column, centered on the  yoke.

[201Mooniac]

On 10/25/2024 at 2:04 PM, Pinecone said:

So many ways I hate Apple and their products.  BUT.........

I agree, it is stupid to not put the GPS chip in.  They should be the same device except for the cellular circuits.

Your choice.  I just like having another back up.

While I don't disagree the GPS should be in the base model, the GPS is actually part of the cellular modem that Apple uses.  It is believed they are desighning their own modem chips so maybe then tyhe iPads will have GPS without cellular.

[FJC]

Do you guys know for a fact that the 7 will fit in the 6 Yoke mount? It took forever to get my mount for the 6...

 

———————————————

Airplane: 1997 Ovation, 280HP, Garmin GTN750, GI275, factory air

Aviation Reviews: https://www.toointeresting.com/wordpress/?page_id=174

 

[PT20J]

5 minutes ago, FJC said:

Do you guys know for a fact that the 7 will fit in the 6 Yoke mount? It took forever to get my mount for the 6...

 

———————————————

Airplane: 1997 Ovation, 280HP, Garmin GTN750, GI275, factory air

Aviation Reviews: https://www.toointeresting.com/wordpress/?page_id=174

 

I contacted RAM and they said from the specs it should work but they have not verified it yet. They advised to check the website frequently or sign up for product announcements. 

[FJC]

I'm probably going to go ahead and upgrade...my 6 is a bit short on storage! Thank for the legwork Skip!

 

———————————————

Airplane: 1997 Ovation, 280HP, Garmin GTN750, GI275, factory air

Aviation Reviews: https://www.toointeresting.com/wordpress/?page_id=174

 

[jamesyql]

I contacted RAM and they said from the specs it should work but they have not verified it yet. They advised to check the website frequently or sign up for product announcements. 

I bought the mini 7 and ram mount for mini 6 and it fits well.

I am not happy with the placement on pilot yoke, obstructs gauges and my alt static if it were to be needed so I keep it on the co-pilot yoke.

[PT20J]

11 hours ago, jamesyql said:

I bought the mini 7 and ram mount for mini 6 and it fits well.

I am not happy with the placement on pilot yoke, obstructs gauges and my alt static if it were to be needed so I keep it on the co-pilot yoke.

I got the RAM RAM-B-408-75-1U handlebar ball mount and mounted it ball down at the base of the yoke.

This connects to a RAM-B-201-C-KRU long double socket arm mounted under the yoke.

This connects to an EZ Roll'r mount with a RAP-B-202U ball mounted low on the backplate.

Mounting the arm under the yoke lowers the iPad so it does not obstruct the instruments. Take the bulb out of the yoke map light because the arm will interfere with it and break it.

 

[jamesyql]

I got the RAM RAM-B-408-75-1U handlebar ball mount and mounted it ball down at the base of the yoke.

This connects to a lRAM-B-201-C-KRU long double socket arm mounted under the yoke.

This connects to an EZ Roll'r mount with a RAP-B-202U ball mounted low on the backplate.

Mounting the arm under the yoke lowers the iPad so it does not obstruct the instruments. Take the bulb out of the yoke map light because the arm will interfere with it and break it.
 

Oh excellent! I will look into this. Thanks for the detailed reply


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[McMooney]

1 hour ago, jamesyql said:

I bought the mini 7 and ram mount for mini 6 and it fits well.

I am not happy with the placement on pilot yoke, obstructs gauges and my alt static if it were to be needed so I keep it on the co-pilot yoke.

mount it to the center bar, above the compass, mine works great in that location. 

[Pinecone]

On 11/10/2024 at 12:55 AM, McMooney said:

mount it to the center bar, above the compass, mine works great in that location. 

 

Only problem with that is I use that bar to grab to get in and out of the plane.

I use a RAM clamp and arm under the yoke. I can see almost everything on the panel.  About the only thing is the Alt Static knob, and that is distinctive feel.

[McMooney]

1 hour ago, Pinecone said:

Only problem with that is I use that bar to grab to get in and out of the plane.

I use a RAM clamp and arm under the yoke. I can see almost everything on the panel.  About the only thing is the Alt Static knob, and that is distinctive feel.

I do the same, the ram clamp is clamped all the way at the top next to the headliner, out of the way and allowing full gripability of the bar 8)

[NickG]

Just replaced my mini 6 with 512GB Cellular Mini 7. Exact same form factor between the two. Faster processor and for me, loads more storage.

 

I am now selling my mini 6 with 64GB, Space grey. Screen perfect a couple of little nicks in the bezel. Works perfectly. Let me know if you're interested. 

[McMooney]

please report on battery life

 

[jcolgan]

I have a 6 and probably won’t upgrade until they make a mini with facial recognition and/or a brighter screen. 

[FJC]

On 11/12/2024 at 9:01 PM, McMooney said:

please report on battery life

 

+1 for battery life...I never was too impressed with Mini 6 on this. Not sure they increase size or efficiency on Mini 7?

———————————————

Airplane: 1997 Ovation, 280HP, Garmin GTN750, GI275, factory air

Aviation Reviews: https://www.toointeresting.com/wordpress/?page_id=174

 

 

[NickG]

On 11/12/2024 at 9:01 PM, McMooney said:

please report on battery life

 

Battery life is about the same, maybe a bit better. Speed is much better tho.

[PeteMc]

On 11/12/2024 at 9:01 PM, McMooney said:

please report on battery life

On any iPad running FF or G Pilot your best bet for extending the battery life in flight is to first CLOSE all other Apps.  iPadOS is pretty good about suspending Apps, but some still eat up power.   Next BIG TIME item is to reduce the screen brightness when in cruise.  You don't have to go so low that you can't see it, but for every bit you reduce the brightness you can save battery life AND keep the iPad cooler.  (And you can also just turn off the screen too when in cruise to really save the battery and for cooling.)

 

[PT20J]

I installed a USB power cube behind the panel (on it's own breaker) and ran a braided cable under the yoke shaft to the iPad to charge it in flight. The cable is completely out of the way and invisible during flight.

[Pinecone]

Mine is fed from a USB outlet at the lower left of the panel.  The cable goes to the left and snakes behind the panel to the yoke tube.  A couple of turns around the yoke tube and then to the iPad.

I found a cable with a flat, 90 degree connector so your belly does not put pressure on the socket.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CCJLS4R5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[dkkim73]

The mount pictures above were very helpful. I have been working on this problem (iPad Mini 6) and posted some photos of my recent experiments to a prior related thread: