Which Ipad??

[nels]

My wife decided to give me an Ipad for my birthday. I had mentioned it would be nice to have one for flying purposes. So, do I want the latest and greatest or last years model ipad or what? I was told once that the new ones inhale too much data and your monthly bills would go up but talking to the Apple people this morning, they said it doesn't work that way. The folks at the Apple store couldn't give me much info on how any of the aviation apps work. They expressed concern that the ipad might only work at low altitudes and there would be lots of dead spots between cell towers. I don't think this is the case but thought I would get better answers from the folks on this site than the people in the Apple Store. I'm not real brilliant when it comes to computer technology. Any good insight or recommendations?

[BigTex]

iPad mini hands down if you want to use it for flying.  The full size iPad's are just too large for our Mooneys.  I'm partial to Foreflight but there are a couple of other products that would just as good.

[OR75]

i think there are a few questions embedded in your question:

1) wifi only or wifi+gps+3G

you want to take the gps+3G version so you can use the internal gps. you do NOT have to subscribe to the 3g service ( i don't) , just make sure you update charts and weather etc... when you are home or when you have free wifi service.

the internal ipad gps works great and you do not need any external gps.

2) size "classic" vs. min ipad.

i personally prefer the classic size.

it does indeed barely fit between the 2 ears of the mooney yoke. and it is probably more difficult to position. but it works best for me. i like the classic size as the approach plates fit in more naturally. almost like having the paper version.

my bias may be coming from the fact that i only have a small screen gps in the panel (430). my bias may be coming also from the fact that i made my own custom ipad holder from aluminum sheet metal, leather and felt.

[jsbostwick]

I have to go with Big Tex on this. IPAD mini and Foreflight.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

DP

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

I like/have the full sized iPad 4 running foreflight. Didn't care for the smaller mini

[scottfromiowa]

Full size on co-pilot yoke. Wifi with Garmin pilot ap and antenna for weather/gps in both ipad and 696 in panel dock

[bnicolette]

I think it really depends on where you intend to use it in the airplane.  If you are going to keep something on the pilots yoke, then I would definitely suggest the iPad mini.  If however, you are going to use it as a kneeboard or mount it on the right side of the airplane somewhere, then I would probably stick with the larger ipad.

[Cabanaboy]

Mini and foreflight.

[aviatoreb]

Do you prefer blondes or brunettes?  Redheads, perhaps?  There is no wrong answer.  It all comes down to personal preferences.   

 

There is only one right answer.  Curly red-haired red head.  Cuz that's what I married.  :-)

 

I had an iPad 1 and I was waiting waiting waiting for the mini for something smaller - I love it.  The mini fits beautifully in the yoke for easy access.

[DonMuncy]

I didn't see where anyone addressed the Apple folks concern about being out of range of a cell tower. This is a non issue. Foreflight installs all the charts and they are available anytime at any altitude. If you use an external GPS and pay for the higher priced Foreflight, it is georeferenced at all times as well.

[aviatoreb]

I didn't see where anyone addressed the Apple folks concern about being out of range of a cell tower. This is a non issue. Foreflight installs all the charts and they are available anytime at any altitude. If you use an external GPS and pay for the higher priced Foreflight, it is georeferenced at all times as well.

 

Good point, and that is exactly my setup. 

[Hector]

As you can see everyone has their preference. I have both a regular iPad and the mini. The regular iPad has been relegated to backup. I much prefer the mini as it fits perfectly in the yoke. I also use a separate Bluetooth GPS.

[nels]

Thanks for all the info. It looks like a toss up as far as the mini vs original ipad with the mini having an edge. I like the idea of the fit with the mini but I like the large screen also as it is just easier to read, especially if you are bouncing around a little and you've also passed the sixty year old number. I wish I had both to tryout. Thanks for answering the cell phone tower connection also and needing the gps wifi 3g is great advice. I imagine I'll make up my mind as for the size at the 11th hour.

[aviatoreb]

Thanks for all the info. It looks like a toss up as far as the mini vs original ipad with the mini having an edge. I like the idea of the fit with the mini but I like the large screen also as it is just easier to read, especially if you are bouncing around a little and you've also passed the sixty year old number. I wish I had both to tryout. Thanks for answering the cell phone tower connection also and needing the gps wifi 3g is great advice. I imagine I'll make up my mind as for the size at the 11th hour.

 

Ah - on the topic of how easy it is to read - I figure text size is comparable BECAUSE your iPad full size is more likely to be on your lap which is further away than your iPad mini which is more likely to be on your yoke.  So the apparent size of text may be similar.  Of course if you put an iPad full size on the yoke...then it will be effectively larger text.

[carusoam]

Depending on dollar sensitivity...

Get last year's model. With the money you save, by last years model iPhone for back up...

Download all your charts while on wifi at home or away.

Best regards,

-a-

[dcrogers11]

• I was going to buy my wife a 12 guage Bereta Sporting Clays Special Edition shotgun for Christmas, but decided to buy her the Mini instead so that she could navigate for me on trips with Foreflight.  ;-)  Seriously, I've been using 1st gen iPad wifi only version since they we out and use it in my lap on flights.  If you can just hold out until spring, the Retina display iPad Mini version with faster processor may be introduced which is a huge jump in graphics and speed. 

[nels]

I picked up my new iPad tonight. I ended up going for the larger one but last years model per advice from this forum. I got the GPS and 3G also. I compared the size of the mini vs the std and I really think I will be able to read the std screen a little easier. I asked about the speed difference from retina to old and was told I probably wouldn't see or notice any difference. I forgot to ask that question on the forum. I imagine I may update in a couple yrs and by then maybe I will go for the mini or maybe something better will be out. If Apple would expand the screen to fill the entire front face, it would be great but now I think it may be too small for me.

[Oscar Avalle]

My wife decided to give me an Ipad for my birthday. I had mentioned it would be nice to have one for flying purposes. So, do I want the latest and greatest or last years model ipad or what? I was told once that the new ones inhale too much data and your monthly bills would go up but talking to the Apple people this morning, they said it doesn't work that way. The folks at the Apple store couldn't give me much info on how any of the aviation apps work. They expressed concern that the ipad might only work at low altitudes and there would be lots of dead spots between cell towers. I don't think this is the case but thought I would get better answers from the folks on this site than the people in the Apple Store. I'm not real brilliant when it comes to computer technology. Any good insight or recommendations?

Let me share with you my experience. I got an iPad mini 3G and I have been using it in Guatemala. I have been able to connect at 12k feet and send emails and download weather. I have it mounted on the yoke with a ram mount and it works really well. I use the jeppessen software mainly because fore flight does not work outside the US.

Oscar

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Marauder]

I hope the larger iPad works out for you. I just couldn't find a place to mount it that worked for me, I tried the RAM suction mount on the side windows - nope, either in my face or too far away. I tried the RAM mount on the yokes -- nope, blocked too much stuff on the pilot side, worked on the co-pilot side as long as no one was sitting there. Tried a kneeboard -- possible, my approach plates were partially blocked by the yoke. Could wear the board MUCH further up the leg (if you know what I mean). Tried -- a rubber shock protective cover on the iPad -- nope, had to put it down between the seats and pull it up to look at, not very convenient. After looking at the iPad mini, I decided to give the Nexus 7 a try. The mini is expensive and the Nexus 7 is considerably cheaper. First couple of flights were good. Has built in GPS and a small enough form factor to sit in between the pilot yoke handle in portrait mode. Never lost the GPS signal. Readable (I think better than the iPad because of its lighting). I am waiting for the new RAM mount that is supposed to be coming out. I have seen some reports on the X mount that says people are seeing their device slide in turbulence. Holding it up where the RAM mount would be looks promising from a reading perspective.

[RJBrown]

You really can't go wrong no matter your choice. I have a Ipad 1 16g w/gps. No service so it only connects with wifi, at home or any FBO. Have a Garmin on the yoke so no need for a smaller pad. It is great to have the current charts and plates all the time. This is as simple as it gets to have Forflight on board. A freind of mine is one of the type that always has to have the latest and greatest. He uses the new mini with a bluetooth gps and a Iphone5 for back up. He upgrades continually just to have the latest. I don't see the point. My investment was a $200 I Pad + $75 yr for Foreflight. I have the solid basics. You can spend over $2000 a year to be like my buddy but is it really that much better?

[Marauder]

A freind of mine is one of the type that always has to have the latest and greatest. He uses the new mini with a bluetooth gps and a Iphone5 for back up. He upgrades continually just to have the latest. I don't see the point. My investment was a $200 I Pad + $75 yr for Foreflight. I have the solid basics. You can spend over $2000 a year to be like my buddy but is it really that much better?

Ah, the proverbial technonerd. I was one at one time. College tuitions put an end to that. You can drop a lot of money on the latest gadgets. I have become more deliberate on my technology upgrades, primarily because of cost. I like the new bells and whistles, but now I weigh the cost versus benefit factors.

[Amelia]

Necropost:

I have flown for the last nearly two years with an iPad3, back and forth across the US, and love it. It has had to live balanced on my right knee, or on the lap of my copilot, aimed my way. I have romped through five different EFBs, and find each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but each is a huge advantage over The Good Old dead-tree Days.

Now comes Jolly Olde St. Nicholas, with the new retina screen iPad Mini for Mama, and so far, even these presbyopic eyes can read it with ease, at least sitting on the sofa in a sunny window. I haven't tried it in the Mooney yet, except in the hangar. Industrial strength Velcro keeps it nicely on an old-old AnywhereMap yoke mount. Only problem is that my very short legs make full-back yoke a bit of a squeeze. Also tried a repurposed Garmin highway gps window mount to stick it to the side window, but the little openable window is in the way. Can't have that here in the South! Next idea is to try to mount it to the front-center post.

[bonal]

Last year my wife got me an ipad 2 with no GPS we looked at android as well. The folks at best buy had no clue about GPS enabled. Then I found out that we needed a separate GPS / blue tooth device. No matter all the reviews say that the built in GPS has trouble keeping up in faster aircraft. Foreflight wingx and garmin all have free 30 day trials. I liked the Foreflight best. I mostly use it for flight planning I like the tracking feature but we use a panel mounted 296 as primary gps. As a new pilot around 300 hrs I still like the steam gauges best. To me it's what a panel should look like. The full size ipad just sits in the left side pocket I pull it out from time to time to check progress an confirm what I already know about the status of my flight.

[DaV8or]

I have an iPad 1 that I have been using for a couple years now. This Christmas, my wife gave me an iPad Mini and I now have it all loaded up with my aps and I'm just waiting for a new knee board for it to try it out in the plane. I will report back with a comparison of the two.