Garmin Pilot 4.4 for iPad released

[Marauder]

Now includes multi map overlays, TFR enhancements, SFRA flight planning, location alerts, stopwatch and trip planning altitudes improvements Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

[NotarPilot]

I recently bought an iPad mini two weeks ago and I love it.  It's so useful for flying.  I've been evaluating Foreflight, Wing X Pro and Garmin Pilot.  I think Wing X Pro seems to be my favorite so far.  I really like the fact that it shows terrain elevation and includes the Safe Taxi feature on the standard subscription.  However, I'm on a free 30 day trial period for each product so I still haven't decided but so far I think it's Wing X Pro in first place, Garmin Pilot in second and ForeFlight in last place.

 

I'm curious what others have to say about it.

[FlyDave]

Steve,

 

As you know, I've used WingX for a couple of years. But I downloaded the Garmin Pilot app and still have about 12 days left on my 30 day trial.

I'm moving to Garmin Pilot from WingX for a couple of reasons:

• More professional software development practices (less bugs/faster bug fixes/better implementation of features, <<probably>> a better implementation of ADS-B.
• WingX provides NexRad/NOTAMs only via ADS-B and Winds aloft only via WiFi. Kind of screwy if you ask me.
• As good or better interface (split screen)
• Screen dimming throughout the app instead of ONLY dimming the map screen on WingX (blinds you at night if you use anything except the map screen

Garmin has updated Pilot twice since I downloaded it - once with minor changes and once with major changes - both in 18 days. WingX hasn't done anything in months.

I have asked WingX to fix the screen dimming thing for well over a year and gotten nothing but lip service.

I'll purchase the Garmin app when my 30 days expires and get the geo-referenced approach plates ($100 for both right now).

 

Dave

[Marauder]

Thanks for the excellent PIREP, Dave. Generally speaking I am very satisfied with WingX, but you raise some good points regarding it's shortcomings. I, too, have been receiving lip service for quite some time from Hilton about something that should be an easy enhancement. In my case since I fly VFR it is color coded SUA overlays, which would make my life a little bit simpler in the high military flight training traffic airspace in which I fly. But I don't ever plan to switch to Garmin as long as there is a viable alternative. Given their track record for charging for data, what do you think that they will do with their Garmin Pilot pricing policies as soon as the competition goes away? Jim

The good news in all this Jim is that there are viable options today and based on how we are a fickle bunch, will continue to be so. I think back on the days of NOAA and Jepp charts (there were others though) and how limited we were in IFR options. Since this is an electronic switch making it easier to go from one platform to the next, I am happy to hear and see the competition in the marketplace. It is good for all of us whether we choose ForeFlight, WingX, Garmin or any others out there. We should support them all. What I am seeing from Garmin is a reaction to the changing dynamics in the market. Back in the days of paper, we had limited options. Garmin's recent increased attention to their Pilot apps (both on the Nexus and iOS formats) has convinced me that they are looking to be a significant player in this market (how long before we see a Connected Pilot version for their navigators?). Whether that translates into "we're going to gouge you" mentality, time will tell. If it happens, I'll switch to something else.

[jetdriven]

One good thing about the iPad, Garmin Pilot, and the Aera is it puts weather on both, and we can go back to using the iPad for a sectional chart. In fact, I usually only use the iPad to avoid Class B airspace or find out what the name of that lake down there is.

[Marauder]

One good thing about the iPad, Garmin Pilot, and the Aera is it puts weather on both, and we can go back to using the iPad for a sectional chart. In fact, I usually only use the iPad to avoid Class B airspace or find out what the name of that lake down there is.

I am waiting for more players to get into the ADS-B arena. I would love to get it on my iPad, but it is funny how all of the ADS-B manufacturers are selling them for the same price! I said this before, the first manufacturer that comes up with an antennae that can be used with anyone's app AND it costs less, far less than $799, will get my business.

[Bennett]

One good thing about the iPad, Garmin Pilot, and the Aera is it puts weather on both, and we can go back to using the iPad for a sectional chart. In fact, I usually only use the iPad to avoid Class B airspace or find out what the name of that lake down there is.

I agree completely. Even with all my Garmin "stuff", I still like Foreflight's Sectional chart presentation for Class B rings with altitudes, and for looking up data about alternative airports.  I bought a Mini iPad, which in reflection may not have been a wise choice.  The lack of resolution, and the small screen size, are a poor substitute for the full size iPad 3 or 4, with the retina screen.  I am experimenting with a RAM yoke mount and the Mini, but I suspect I will get rid of it, and just leave the full size iPad on the co-pilot's seat, or ask the passenger to hold it. I have been using XM weather on my 796, and I like all the additional features like cloud tops, and the way winds aloft are presented at various altitudes.  I flew N335BB  back to Scottsdale (Executive Aircraft Maintenance) a few days ago where I am having the 430W replaced with a GTN 650 (to have uniform iconic interfaces with the GTN 750 and 796, plus other features), and to add a GDL 88 ADS-B in/out unit.  This will allow traffic to be seen on either the GTN 750 or GTN 650, along with Nexgen weather. I am hoping that the Nexgen weather will be good enough to convince me to cancel the XM subscription.  Lots of overkill here, but cross country flights are a real pleasure with all the new avionics, and ability to obtain meaningful information well ahead on the flight plan. Also, this is the perfect time to have the GTN software and firmware updated.  I have the remote audio panel for the GTN 750, and I understand that the new software will allow for what is essentially stereo. Primary ATC in one ear, and the monitored radio in the other ear, except that they are "blended" in some way that allows you hear them both clearly.  I heard a demonstration last year that was remarkable.  I'll do a PIREP for the GDL-88 in a week or so.after I pick up the airplane and fly her home.

[Marauder]

One good thing about the iPad, Garmin Pilot, and the Aera is it puts weather on both, and we can go back to using the iPad for a sectional chart. In fact, I usually only use the iPad to avoid Class B airspace or find out what the name of that lake down there is. I agree completely. Even with all my Garmin "stuff", I still like Foreflight's Sectional chart presentation for Class B rings with altitudes, and for looking up data about alternative airports. I bought a Mini iPad, which in reflection may not have been a wise choice. The lack of resolution, and the small screen size, are a poor substitute for the full size iPad 3 or 4, with the retina screen. I am experimenting with a RAM yoke mount and the Mini, but I suspect I will get rid of it, and just leave the full size iPad on the co-pilot's seat, or ask the passenger to hold it. I have been using XM weather on my 796, and I like all the additional features like cloud tops, and the way winds aloft are presented at various altitudes. I flew N335BB back to Scottsdale (Executive Aircraft Maintenance) a few days ago where I am having the 430W replaced with a GTN 650 (to have uniform iconic interfaces with the GTN 750 and 796, plus other features), and to add a GDL 88 ADS-B in/out unit. This will allow traffic to be seen on either the GTN 750 or GTN 650, along with Nexgen weather. I am hoping that the Nexgen weather will be good enough to convince me to cancel the XM subscription. Lots of overkill here, but cross country flights are a real pleasure with all the new avionics, and ability to obtain meaningful information well ahead on the flight plan. Also, this is the perfect time to have the GTN software and firmware updated. I have the remote audio panel for the GTN 750, and I understand that the new software will allow for what is essentially stereo. Primary ATC in one ear, and the monitored radio in the other ear, except that they are "blended" in some way that allows you hear them both clearly. I heard a demonstration last year that was remarkable. I'll do a PIREP for the GDL-88 in a week or so.after I pick up the airplane and fly her home.

Sounds sweet! Interested to hear about the GDL-88.

[Jamie]

I'm running Garmin Pilot for Android on a Nexus 7 and really like it. Leaving aside the "Apple vs Android" argument, I really like the size of the Nexus 7. Goldilocks... not too big, not too small.

 

(It's running fine on CyanogenMod 10.1, btw. )

[Marauder]

What is CyanogenMod 10.1?

[Jamie]

What is CyanogenMod 10.1?

 

 

The Nexus 7 is easily upgraded to a version of the operating system that allows more control over the tablet. It's mainly for geeks, but you do get some additional capabilites not found in the stock version of the software that may or may not matter to you.

 

http://www.cyanogenmod.org/

 

Actually, "easy" is probably relative. But... still. Garmin Pilot works under CyanogenMod without any problem.

 

(I have a Galaxy Nexus phone and the non-phone version of the Nexus 7. I put cyanogenmod on my phone which allowed me to enable it as a wifi hotspot for free. Then, I can connect to the internet using wifi from the nexus 7 through my phone's 4G connection.  Having cyanogenmod on the tablet wasn't required for this, it was just fun.)

[Marauder]

Thanks for the explanation. It was a new one for me.