Which EFB ??

[Barry]

Hi ... I'm in the market for an electronic flight bag. There are a LOT of them out there and I'm wondering if

anyone would like to share their experience with them. The ones I know about are:

Garman, Anywhere Map, Av89or Ace by King, Flightprep. There may be more that I am not aware of. I've already

completed a search and couldn't find any info on this topic. It may be of interest to others ...

All the best ...

Barry in WV

[Magnum]

I am using a Fujitsu Siemens P1620 convertible notebook. It has a 8.9" WXGA touch screen (sunlight readable, no stylus required), a small but usable keyboard, built in UMTS and 64GB SSD. Spec s and pictures: http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=1092

As this is a "old" version (P1630 is out), I think you can get it very cheap. I also had the predecessor (P1510) and I am really happy with it. The size is great for Mooneys. There is even a Ram Mount available, it fits on the yoke. I run Jeppesen Flight deck and Flight star on it. I only use it for charts, as GPS I have a 695 on the Yoke (unfortunately Garmin doesn't have approach plates for Germany...).

[flight2000]

I just purchased the Asus T91 tablet PC specifically for plates.  It should arrive on Tuesday and I'll let you know how it goes.  The screen size is 8.9" which should be good for reading the PDF charts and the cost was way below the P16XX series. Thought about the Kindle DX, but this provides a little more flexibility for less. In tablet mode, you can either use the touch screen or stylus for navigation.  Just another option.

Brian

[RobertoTohme]

I also carry a Fujitsu Lifebook 1620, and use it with Jeppesen Flitedeck and MountainScope linked to a bluetooth GPS on the dashboard...  This machine, altough on the small side for typing, is my work machine too as I have docking stations on my offices with external monitor, keyboard, mouse and DVD unit permanently connected.   Office to cockpit in no time!

[Jeff_S]

Barry, you should check out the TrueFlight Flight Cheetah lineup at http://www.aviationsafety.com.  I've got an FL190 that I purchased about three years ago and it has been exceptional.  They also have a new FL150 which runs exactly the same software but in a smaller form factor so it takes up less space.

Pound for pound, feature for feature, these units hold their own against the Garmin and Bendix-King lineup.  And the yearly database updates are the least expensive available.

[Amelia]

I know there are some who will take issue, but here's my experience: I've had AnywhereMap and PocketPlates for years, and though I've had software problems from time to time, the support staff is great, accessible, and for the moment, I'm very happy. Mine runs on an old iPAQ 4700, which is a nice size- big enough to read the fine print, but doesn't block too much of the panel, and fits in my purse at the end of the flight- calendar, addressbook, grandchild photos, word processor, internet access, and all.  Refresh time is excellent, but I'm using an older, simpler software version than their latest effort, which looks gorgeous, but needs a fancier computer I can't afford this year.   Both XM- Wx and approach plates are now quite seamless. The nexrad WX alone is worth the price of admission. I use the Aviator Lite subscription which is adequate for my needs. Seeing a way through a line of thunderstorms, predicting a trend, or being able to understand what the controller is vectoring me around is just great, not to mention getting up-to-date airport information 200 miles before the AWOS can be picked up. The approach plates- being able to look at any approach plate in the nation, right now, has saved my bacon a time or two, when I diverted to an airport other than the one I had the plates for. And the little moving airplane that shows 'you are HERE' right on the plate is nice. I like being able to tap on the screen to navigate, rather than twist dials a'la Garmin, and the update service is a whole lot less expensive, and every bit as accurate.

Hope that helps.

 

[FoxMike]

Barry,

I have used the Anywhere Moving Map for many years.  I am currently using a Samsung Q1 and Haicom GPS.  The system works OK and fits my needs.  In a Mooney screen size is important so I recommend that you make templates of the proposed computer and make sure it fits the cabin.  The Samsung displays an entire approach plate but is as large as can be fit on the yoke of my Bravo.  Size matters! Good Luck.

Walt

[mjc]

I just started using a Kindle DX and posted another thread about it before I remembered this one. In my opinion, it isn't an EFB by any stretch, but it is a good value for what it can do. Here is the other thread:

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=1&threadid=616

 

[docket]

I bought the whole deal from Flightprep about 15 months ago.  It is a Fujitsu 1620 with a SSD.  It also came with a bluetooth GPS that is remarkably efficient on batteries and worked well in sunlight.  I enjoyed using it and one great feature was that the approach plates were georeferenced.  I have stopped using it because I bought a Garmin 696 and had it panel mounted.  If you are interested in the 1620/Flightprep deal PM me and make me an offer.  I have the 1620, the GPS, the chargers, the cigarette lighter adapter plug and a Case for the unit.  The laptop and screen are in new condition.  I paid a crazy amount for it -- about $3,500.

[Barry]

I'd really like to thank everyone for their comments. There have been quite a few ideas and I have been surfing the web to find out about them. What I like the EFB for, is you never have to worry about having the right piece of paper onboard regardless of what happens with the wx, etc. The XM WX is also very cool.

All the Very best ... and have a Merry Christmas ...

Barry in WV

[212WD]

Quote: docket

I bought the whole deal from Flightprep about 15 months ago.  It is a Fujitsu 1620 with a SSD.  It also came with a bluetooth GPS that is remarkably efficient on batteries and worked well in sunlight.  I enjoyed using it and one great feature was that the approach plates were georeferenced.  I have stopped using it because I bought a Garmin 696 and had it panel mounted.  If you are interested in the 1620/Flightprep deal PM me and make me an offer.  I have the 1620, the GPS, the chargers, the cigarette lighter adapter plug and a Case for the unit.  The laptop and screen are in new condition.  I paid a crazy amount for it -- about $3,500.

[Mooney65E]

Thought I'd bump this thread as I'm going to OSH with plans to purchase among other things an EFB.  There's probably new units out since last Christmas. I'm looking to get rid of all the paper charts with minimal subsciption and hopfully georeference capability. Any thoughts on whos booth I should visit?

[Barry]

I ended up with Anywhere Map with XM WX and am very happy. I reallly like the geo-position on approach plates WITH terrain and XM WX super imposed. The GPS is WAAS and works very well. Not good for primary on approach but GREAT situational awareness.

Also, geo-positional data for airport diagrams, etc.

[KLRDMD]

Quote: Mooney65E

Thought I'd bump this thread as I'm going to OSH with plans to purchase among other things an EFB.  There's probably new units out since last Christmas. I'm looking to get rid of all the paper charts with minimal subsciption and hopfully georeference capability. Any thoughts on whos booth I should visit?