iPad Mini in cockpit

[FlyDave]

I got my Mini on Sunday night and the mount today.

First of all a few thoughts on the Mini:

• For general use it's easier to manage/handle than a full size iPad
  
• It's considerably lighter than my iPad 1 (better for yoke mounting)
  
• The screen size is not that much smaller than the original iPad
  
• I don't think the mini's battery life is as good as the original
  
• The Mini charges much faster than the iPad 1
  
• The Mini uses the same processor as the iPad 2 and it's much faster than my iPad 1
  
• They resolved the polarized glasses issue and you can now see the screen in either portrait or landscape (see pics)
  
• I thought they had turned the screen brightness scale down lower than the iPad 1 but if they did, they did only marginally. You still need to be able to dim the screen further at night or you'll get blinded
  

I used the following RAM Mount components:

• RAM Mount Yoke Clamp Base with 1 inch Ball
  Model: RAM-B-121BU
  
• RAM Mount Universal X-Grip II Tablet Cradle with B-Ball
  Model: RAM-HOL-UN8BU
  
• RAM Double Socket Arm for 1" Ball Bases
  Model:RAM-B-201U
  

The mount is extremely flexible (RAM Mounts usually are) and it seems sturdy.

Hand clearance around the yoke is excellent.

From my view I can see the instruments in my panel fine and even the top of the rocker switches at the bottom of the panel. I'm 5'6" and use the 3" rudder pedal extensions so I'm probably closer to the panel than most people and get a more vertical view of the panel. Taller people that sit further back than I do may have some of the panel and switches obscured from view.

The X-Grip mount swivels left and right with the iPad in it. I don't think this was the intention of RAM but it's a factor of their design. (see "cocked" pictures). This isn't a big deal - just something to be aware of.

Final thoughts: This is the EFB hardware I've been looking for. Size, weight, ability to mount on the yoke and not look like the side of a building all make is a great unit. I got the 16 Gig with Verizon wireless connection so I would have the built in gps. I installed WingX and downloaded the Western US approach plates and diagrams as well as the sectionals and IFR low enroute charts for the contiguous US. I also installed a few other apps but nothing really big. I don't keep tons of stuff on my ipad (had a 32 Gig iPad 1 and only got to 6 GB after 2 years) so for me, 16 GB is fine.

I've attached some pictures so let me know what questions you have.

Dave

[Oscar Avalle]

What app do you use?

[lahso]

Great write-up and pics, Dave. I'm contemplating moving from my iPad 1 to the mini, and this seems like a good solution. Did you use a external battery with your iPad 1, and if so, does it work with the mini?

[scottfromiowa]

This is great Dave. I have Ram for I-Pad 2 (wife's) and she won't part for it. I like that X-Clamp. Perhaps a mini and that set-up are for me. Again, thanks for the detailed photos and write-up. I think you saved me some money in your logic as to why a 16 gig is fine...

Scott

[Nathan Peterson]

Dave, thank you very much for the detail... will be looking at this.

Nathan

[Bob]

Thanks for the Mini information! I also have the Ipad 1 and am forced to use it at an angle on the co-pilot yoke. I was unable to mount it on the pilot side due to instrument restriction.

Last week I ordered the Mini mount so I am ready when I purchase the Ipad Mini in the next couple weeks. I prefer the snap in mount.

http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-apple-ipad-mini-clamp-mount-ram-b-121-ap12u.html

I also found the best source, for me, to be gpscity.com Full RAM product line and good prices!

They have a cupholder mount that looks to be a great solution when moving the Ipad to the car.

http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-ipad-ipad-2-cup-holder-mount-rap-299-2-ap8u.html

Also a iphone mount for the cupholder

http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-apple-iphone-5-cup-holder-mount-rap-299-2-ap11u.html

Not connected with gpscity.com, just a very happy customer!

[cfipilot80]

Is there enough space to yoke mount it in landscape mode?

[David White]

I made the same jump, iPad 1 to a Mini and couldn't be happier. I picked up Stratus at the same time, it's pretty cool.

[PTK]

The ipad mini is a move in the right direction for the cockpit in view of smaller dimensions. But will not get my vote quite yet! Its 329$ price point and absence of the retina display is dissappointing! At that price point I expect at least 1280x800 resolution and the A6 processor or better!

I wouldn't be surprised to see the mini2 in several months. I'll wait!

[gmwoods@alaska.net]

Appreciate the post and pictures FlyDave but it looks like the Eiffel tower on your yoke! I am hoping someone has a solution - the iPad Mini would work best if there were small arms that slipped over the individual yoke horns and then craddled the iPad from below. Or something like velcro that atteached to the center of the iPad so it could be positioned snug against the center of the yoke. Anyone have ideas?

[Cabanaboy]

I ordered this one from Ram mount, not avail yet but takes up much less room.

http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-apple-ipad-mini-clamp-mount-ram-b-121-ap12u.html

Appreciate the post and pictures FlyDave but it looks like the Eiffel tower on your yoke! I am hoping someone has a solution - the iPad Mini would work best if there were small arms that slipped over the individual yoke horns and then craddled the iPad from below. Or something like velcro that atteached to the center of the iPad so it could be positioned snug against the center of the yoke. Anyone have ideas?

[Marauder]

Dave - thanks for posting these pictures and in a Mooney no less! I have a 296 mounted on my yoke in my Mooney and it blocks out visibility for some of the switches. How much of the panel can you see over it? I bought a RAM yoke mount for my iPad 2, but it eats up even more space than the Garmin.

It looks like you have enough leg room underneath it, but it doesn't look like there is enough room to put it into landscape position.

[pilot716]

I too just went from the iPad 2 on the yoke to the mini. I have not been able to get a new Ram holder, they are all backordered till January, so I have actually been holding it on my right thigh while it is in the leather case holder and it is not that bad there, I am not used to having the extra view over the yoke or the space while I had the iPad2 on there. I find it a great tool and it is just about the size of an approach plate.