(Next Generation) Amazon Kindle DX: The perfect EFB

[Auburntsts]

Put me down for a touch screen device that can display not only approach plates, but any charts you care to upload. I'm really hoping the much rumored Apple iPAD becomes a reality. If the rumors are true, it should be more than capable of performing as a true EFB.

[longranger]

Originally Posted by Rick6a

You guys are talking an unfamiliar language that is way beyond my understanding. Answer me this. Can the user load a series of current sectional charts into such a device? What I (and I suspect many other VFR pilots) would be interested in is a large color display that would allow the pilot to manipulate the displayed information by touch alone to scroll from one geographical area to the next. Its functions would have to include an in-out zoom feature. Does this exist?

AnywhereMap by Control Vision can be loaded with sectional charts, which can then be manipulated by dragging a finger or stylus across the screen.

Miles

[terrykohler]

Rick:
Anywhere Map has some great features, but you need a computer, not an e-reader to run it. With that come power and placement issues if you're going to use it effectively. On the other hand, e-readers won't do what you're looking for. I'm holding out hope that the Sony unit that RAINSUX refers to makes its way to market soon. He knows of what he speaks - 17 years in the Michigan Correctional system doing nothing but studying hardware/software and lifting weights have made him a highly respected and feared source of information.
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP

[rainsux]

> Can the user load a series of current sectional charts into such a device?

NOT on an eBook reader ... at least not with all the "wants' you detail in
your next sentence.

The current eInk displays are technically incapable of smooth-scrolling and/or
animation because the refresh (repaint) time is too slow by a factor of 24X-120X.
Then there is the matter of having to flash a full-black screen on every refresh.

> What I (and I suspect many other VFR pilots) would be interested in is a large color
> display that would allow the pilot to manipulate the displayed information by touch
> alone to scroll from one geographical area to the next. Its functions would have to
> include an in-out zoom feature. Does this exist?

Yes - tablet PCs. The general objections are:

- Cost
- Daylight readability (screens cost more)
- Windoze ('nuff said)
- Battery life (lack of)
- Spinning disk ($$$ can solve this problem)

TK wrote>> Michigan Correctional system

Aww, geesh. Did'ya have to go there? You left out
the part about us having the same parole officer. <g>

[greenmatter]

Originally Posted by Auburntsts

Put me down for a touch screen device that can display not only approach plates, but any charts you care to upload. I'm really hoping the the much rumored Apple iPAD becomes a reality. If the rumors are true, it should be more than capable of performing as a true EFB.

This would be awesome!

[flickroll]

Originally Posted by greenmatter

This would be awesome!

As long as it is sunlight viewable....

[loopfuzz]

Despite some of the complaints on this thread, the kindle is still awesome technology. The e-paper type screen is amazing. And I think this is the start of a great movement of more documents being read on electronic devices.

Sounds like the pdf viewer code could use some work for making it easier to viewing plates on. I'm sure it will be updated at some point. The kindle is still fairly new.

Christopher.

[breister]

The TouchBook is scheduled to come out this month. Features are shaping up nicely, and with a 10 hour battery life (3 lbs including keyboard) should last long enough for the longest flights. The PDF viewer supports both thumbnails and indexing, too.

[RV8iator]

To get the OSH 2009 Notam to work with all the images all you have to do is mail it to your Kindle account.
I tried transferring it from my computer and got the "Can not display all images" message, but after I e-mailed and downloaded it I get the complete Notam.

AirBrief is coming up with new uses weekly and making it more user friendly.
The live brief feature is getting better but still needs work. IMHO

[rmcgann]

My flight bag will soon be boasting one of these:
http://www.myviliv.com/ces/main_s5.html

The device includes a GPS and I have an XP application that can prepare the flight plan and overlay position directly on the charts (sectionals). Awesome additional situation awareness for us in the deeeep south. (Our GPS databases are not generally well populated).

The display is not particuarly cockpit friendly (unfortunately), but it is a full XP computer with SSD and internet connectivity. The S5 should fit easily in the cockpit - the X70 is a 7" version that may be more useful in the long run.

cheers,
Ron
RV-10 VH-XRM, flying in Oz