(Next Generation) Amazon Kindle DX: The perfect EFB

[loopfuzz]

Originally Posted by rmcgann

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

Ron thats a cool little device. Where can you buy one of those?

[rmcgann]

Try

http://www.dynamism.com/#home in the USA or

http://www.tegatech.com.au/products/umpc/index.htm in Australia

cheers
Ron
RV-10 VH-XRM flying in Oz

[w1curtis]

Originally Posted by 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 particularly 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

Let us know when you fly a real approach with it and used it for other cockpit functions-day and night. The appeal of XP and application in a cockpit environment is not something I would look forward to. Nor is a screen that gets washed out by sunlight.

I view the Kindle DX as an ideal PAPER replacement--nothing more. For this function it is more than adequate. On a typical IFR flight, I have the flight plan on the Kindle. Enroute, I'm usually reading, then on let down, I load the appropriate charts for the approach.

[w1curtis]

Originally Posted by rainsux

Meanwhile; it seems that Sony may be next in-line to deliver a cockpit-friendly eBook
reader.

The ONLY good things about the Sony eBook reader (top of the line PRS-700) PDF viewer and touch screen. Everything else compared to the Kindle DX is lacking. Smaller screen, high price, no cellular wireless-has Wi-Fi, not as easy to get ebooks, etc. OK technical product but a weak overall solution for either book reading or cockpit paper reduction.

[w1curtis]

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?

NO! Not in an eBook type product. If you are looking for something like this, the Kindle (or any other book reader) is not the product for you. If you are a VFR pilot looking for electronic sectional chart display, do NOT look at the eBook devices. If however, you are an IFR pilot looking to reduce the paper carried in your aircraft (approach charts, AFD, flight plans, manuals, Airport Directories, ets) then the eBook products will suit your needs.

[rainsux]

> mail it to your Kindle account. I tried transferring it from my computer and got
> the "Can not display all images" message

Neither the Kindle 1 or Kindle 2 natively support PDFs. When you 'mail' the document to
Amazon, they *attempt* to convert the PDF to native Kindle format. Sadly; their
PDF --> Kindle (v1 or v2) translator does not support vector graphics.

The Kindle DX is the first Kindle-family device to include a PDFviewer. Sadly; their
PDFviewer is crippled. Perhapss they'll fix it, perhaps not.

[greenmatter]

Originally Posted by rainsux

> mail it to your Kindle account. I tried transferring it from my computer and got
> the "Can not display all images" message

Neither the Kindle 1 or Kindle 2 natively support PDFs. When you 'mail' the document to
Amazon, they *attempt* to convert the PDF to native Kindle format. Sadly; their
PDF --> Kindle (v1 or v2) translator does not support vector graphics.

The Kindle DX is the first Kindle-family device to include a PDFviewer. Sadly; their
PDFviewer is crippled. Perhapss they'll fix it, perhaps not.

good to know thanks. i'll just use my iphone for pdfs

[Auburntsts]

According to an the article below (see link), Apple is close to releasing it's new tablet PC (aka the "iPAD"). If the info is even close to being accurate, I think it will be just what the doctor ordered for an EFB.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a52c9ec0-7...44feabdc0.html

[rainsux]

> Meanwhile; it seems that Sony may be next in-line to deliver a cockpit-friendly eBook
> reader.

>> The ONLY good things about the Sony eBook reader ... Everything else compared to
>> the Kindle DX is lacking ... smaller screen ...

You missed my point entirely.

According to the folks that make the screen for the Kindle DX; Sony will have a large
format ebook reader using the same screen. I'm hoping/guessing that they'd probably
want to have it for the Xmas season.

As you point out, the current Sony's lack WiFi or cellular. Neither are on my list of
must-have features.

The Kindles lack:

- Screen light
- Memory slot (expandable memory)
- Full-function PDFviewer
- Touch screen

Sony already includes all these items ... and I hope a large-format Sony ebook reader will
include these same features. Of course; they could screw it up. <g>

[flickroll]

Readerplates.com has the most elegant solution for the Kindle DX that I have seen. Easy to navigate and at 10 bucks per month very reasonable as well. YMMV