VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Main > RV General Discussion/News
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #31  
Old 11-17-2010, 02:53 PM
Bavafa Bavafa is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 3,351
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by brhackle View Post
Wow! Your GPS lock times are certainly not typical in the cockpit, from pireps I've gotten over the last few months. Did you have 3G connectivity at the time?

Jailbraking does open up the options for connecting to non-MFi Bluetooth receivers, no argument there. Just depends on how adventurous you are

As for battery life, I've found that screen brightness has more of an effect on battery life than than using Bluetooth, internal GPS, or external GPS, so it's hard to come up with a definitive number. I've had my iPad WiFi running with ForeFlight and the Bad Elf GPS connected for 8+ hours. Don't remember the percentage drop, but there was still plenty of juice.
No 3G connectivity as I have never subscribed to the plan.

And yes, I was apprehensive about jail breaking it but very easy process in so far I have not seen any adverse affect. In fact my only reservation about buying IPAD was how restricted and limited it was.
Now, I am using MyWi 4.0 Tethering app and utilizing my IPHONE as a wireless device to connect to the internet. No reason to pay for another data plan when you already have one.

As for battery life, mine does not seem to last as long but I agree the brightness has much to do with the power consumption.
__________________
Mehrdad
N825SM RV7A - IO360M1B - SOLD
N825MS RV14A - IO390 - Flying
Dues paid
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 11-18-2010, 09:23 AM
brhackle brhackle is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 5
Default

So the interesting thing about 3G on the iPad is that you actually get assisted GPS data even if you don't pay for the plan! That's also why you can "activate" your plan from the iPad anytime. Somebody (AT&T/Apple) is paying to keep your SIM active, hoping you'll sign up.

To replicate the issues I've heard from other pilots, you could remove your SIM (or enter airplane mode) and then move your location by > 50 miles or wait a few hours (so the assisted gps data will go stale). Rebooting the iPad might also flush the cached data. That's when the lock times can skyrocket.

Of course, it's working great for you so there's no reason to do any of this Probably more of a concern for corporate jet pilots, those that fly in the backcountry, or pilots who don't have the 3G version.
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 11-18-2010, 01:50 PM
Flybuddy2's Avatar
Flybuddy2 Flybuddy2 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 370
Default semi-related question

Considering IPAD purchase,
* should I wait for generation 2
* should I get 3G
* the data plan for 3G shows $14.99 for 1/4 gig and $25 a month for 2 gig. That doesn't seem like much in the way of data usage allowed--is it sufficient and is there an unlimited plan??
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 11-18-2010, 02:12 PM
Bavafa Bavafa is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 3,351
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flybuddy2 View Post
Considering IPAD purchase,
* should I wait for generation 2
* should I get 3G
* the data plan for 3G shows $14.99 for 1/4 gig and $25 a month for 2 gig. That doesn't seem like much in the way of data usage allowed--is it sufficient and is there an unlimited plan??
I couldn't tell you about Gen2 as this is always the question, since after Gen2, Gen3 and others will be coming out and it is a game of ever chasing the next Gen.

I got the 3G mainly because I wanted the GPS option but now that you can use an external Bluetooth GPS, is not quite as necessary any more.
In regards to the data plan, again unless you are planning on downloading the maps, plates, etc over 3G which would take a much longer time, the 1/4 gig should be plenty. I am using my iphone data plan to down load weather and updates when I am not in the range of wireless device so no data plan is really necessary if you already have an iphone.
__________________
Mehrdad
N825SM RV7A - IO360M1B - SOLD
N825MS RV14A - IO390 - Flying
Dues paid
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 11-18-2010, 03:07 PM
Chino Tom's Avatar
Chino Tom Chino Tom is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chino, CA
Posts: 738
Default

YMMV, but in my case, I bought the iPad for aviation use but rarely ever
take my laptop on trips any longer. My iPad was purchased before June
so the data plans available included the unlimited GBs for $30/mo.
In reviewing my data usage, it became apparant (in my case) that the
1/4 GB plan was more than enough. I would still buy the 3G version
even though the dongle and bluetooth GPS are available because my
iPad is used more often for non-aviation purposes.
__________________
Tom Prokop
Chino, CA
RV-8A,180/CS/Carb, AFS 4500 EFIS/EMS
RV-6, sold, 820 hrs of fun.
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 11-18-2010, 03:07 PM
pmccoy's Avatar
pmccoy pmccoy is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Orange County CA
Posts: 646
Default

Quote:
* should I wait for generation 2
With Apple... YES. Gen 2 is always just a bit better. A tweak here and there, more speed maybe, how about a camera, who knows what they are brewing up. But you can bet it will have some new must have bells and whistles. ( I am waiting )
__________________
_____________
Peter McCoy
RV9A N35PM S/N:91335
First Flight: April 2013
Hobbs: 400 hours after Oshkosh 2017
www.myrv9.com
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 11-18-2010, 06:52 PM
gciampa gciampa is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Fuquay Varina, NC
Posts: 75
Default

I work with some folks who are Apple bigots (I mean that in a fond way). Their thoughts are that the Ipad 2011 (we think around Feb/Mar 2011) will have a few upgrades:

* camera
* new IOS (faster)
* SD or USB interface
* improved screen resolution (it is really good today)
* improved anti-reflective screen for outdoor usage

But, there is always the next generation, faster, better more powerful than version one.

Merry Christmas, ho ho ho, off to Apple I go to buy an Ipad :-)
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 11-19-2010, 09:30 PM
JDanno JDanno is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 440
Default

Well,
Today I got to try out the Bad Elf dongle GPS. We went from middle TN to northern Alabama to deliver my seat to have them covered. It was IFR with 400 ft. ceilings when we left. The Bad Elf took less than 2 minutes to lock in new coordinates and then worked flawlessly with SkyCharts Pro. Then I put it into my friends IPad and tried it out with his program. Can't remember the name just now. It worked great also. Neither of these programs are on the list of those that are guarenteed to work with the Bad Elf (such as Foreflight). I was impressed enough that I ordered another one for my friend (also owns my hanger where I rent space) for Xmas and told my son-in-law that he needs to buy one for his VFR flying. Very nice product. This is just what the IPad needed to really function and why I bought the IPad originally.
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 11-20-2010, 08:17 AM
wjnmd wjnmd is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Ft Myers, FL
Posts: 276
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by craigvince View Post
Be aware that the BT receiver sold on Amazon, is shipped from the manufacturer in Germany at an additional cost of $60.00. You'll get it quickly, but that makes the GPS $160. I'd wait a couple weeks if you're thinking of buying this unit. The guys at the ForeFlight booth said they've had a lot of complaints this weekend about the $60 shipping and they are going to talk to the mfr in Germany this week to see about shipping them bulk so we can buy directly from ForeFlight.


By the way, does anyone have a 32g or 64g iPad wi/fi they want to sell? If you're thinking of upgrading to the 3G version, I'd like an older one. (I don't need the 3g).
I just went on the Amazon link from the Foreflight blog and they quote a price of $99 with free shipping. Maybe they worked it out with the mfr to sell in bulk now. Looks like a great gadget.

Bill Near
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 11-20-2010, 08:54 AM
JDanno JDanno is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 440
Default

That's where I bought both of my Bad Elfs (elves?). They were delivered within 3 days
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:48 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.