iFly 740b Vs iPad

SPX · #1 12-29-2019, 03:57 PM

I own an iFly740b, and various iPad devices. On the iPad, I run ForeFlight Mobile. I know that there are quite a few members here that also use the iFly products.

For those that have opted for the 740b (or earlier models) versus an iPad, what have been you top reasons for doing so? Are you experiencing overheats which render the iPad useless at times? Is the screen glare too much for you to overcome? Or..?

The reason for my question is that despite the iFly 740b being a great unit, I find the iPad to be even better. Yet, I know enough of you have decided against the iPad that I am wondering what I am missing?

I find the iFly running on the 740b to be a bit ?clunky? in that it does not provide nearly the touchscreen ease of use that the iPad does. I have also been unable to find a means to get audio to my headset from the iFly, which in the event of a traffic call, I find to be invaluable. Having to click a button to dismiss the traffic alert on the iFly also gets a bit old in areas of high traffic, such as Southern California. Maybe there is a setting that I have not discovered to better handle traffic alerts.

All this said, this really is not about ForeFlight vs iFly, as I think the iFly would be a lot better on the iPad than it is on the 740b. There are plenty of iPad apps, each having their own merits. So, in the context of iPad vs 740b, why have you chosen to not go with the iPad?

MiserBird · #2 12-29-2019, 04:36 PM

The iPad or Android for that matter does not support NMEA out from iFly.

Previous heat related shutdowns with iPad.

The iFly device is easier to read in sunlight.

BTW, the iFly devices do have audio out, which connects well to the intercom in the Cardinal.

SPX · #3 12-29-2019, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiserBird

The iPad or Android for that matter does not support NMEA out from iFly.

BTW, the iFly devices do have audio out, which connects well to the intercom in the Cardinal.

I'm using the iFly 740b as a portable unit, as I have a GPS 496 in the panel for the autopilot. Perhaps if I replaced the Garmin with the iFly, I?d enjoy it more.

The intercom in my RV doesn?t have an audio input, so I use Bluetooth directly to my headset for audio. The intercom setup that you have seems like it would provide a better experience.

Steve Melton · #4 12-29-2019, 06:45 PM

I dropped Garmin pilot for iFly on Android and it has been good. I'm thinking of replacing my AVMAP4 panel dock mounted with iFly 740b to drive my autopilot with NMEA. I don't see anything on the iFly website about NMEA but it's seems it does have it. Can someone confirm NMEA output from 740b?

titanhank · #5 12-29-2019, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Melton

I dropped Garmin pilot for iFly on Android and it has been good. I'm thinking of replacing my AVMAP4 panel dock mounted with iFly 740b to drive my autopilot with NMEA. I don't see anything on the iFly website about NMEA but it's seems it does have it. Can someone confirm NMEA output from 740b?

I drive my trutrak vizion 385 autopilot with the ifly 740. Works great with nmea output.

drill_and_buck · #6 12-29-2019, 07:56 PM

I have an IFly 740a recessed on my panel and use it to drive a Dynon 2 axis autopilot. I also have an IFly subscription for my Ipad mini.

I found the sunlight readability of the IFly (1300 nits) to be far superior to the sunlight readability of the Ipad mini (450 nits). On the flip side, the User Interface of the Ipad is better than the Ifly.

I use to fly with both the Ipad and Ifly 740 both active but now I exclusively use the Ifly 740a in flight and only use the Ipad mini for flight planning.