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  #11  
Old 12-06-2010, 02:02 PM
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w1curtis w1curtis is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern, PA
Posts: 828
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RONSIM View Post
I found the iPad way to cumbersome in the RV two seaters (8 & 7) so I use the iFly 700 which is terrific for what I do. I have the remote battery hooked to the aux. power plug and the iFly hooked to the battery -- works great. I tried the iPad in the -10 I fly and with the right mount on the tunnel, it was ok. But for the -10, I use the Flight Cheetah 210 and would not trade it for the iPad (for inflight use!)
I would agree that it would be a bit cumbersome in an RV-8 front seat and might be tight in a two seat RV but should be fine in a -10.

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  #12  
Old 12-06-2010, 04:44 PM
iflyforfun iflyforfun is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Lafayette, IN
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 60Bubba View Post
Thanks to all for the responses, it seems I have hit on a popular subject. Looks like the iPad has a slight advantage in numbers. I'd love to support the Adventure Air folks and the iFly 700, but the iPad has a lot of other functionality that make it much easier to justify the purchase at this point. I can definitely see the large size as being a hindrance, but I will usually have a co-pilot/GPS holder, so that shouldn't be too much trouble.
If this will often be your only GPS on board, I would go as far as to say it would be a mistake to use the iPad WITHOUT the external GPS. My iPhone with Foreflight loses GPS connectivity on a regular basis in my plane. Not a problem since I have both a Garmin 430 and 396, but it would be more than a bit of a nuisance if I were actually expecting the iPhone to perform real time tracking.

I've read very high praise of the new external GPS, but if you are going to go the iPad route, plan to purchase the external GPS at the same time ... do not consider it optional unless you consider GPS connectivity also optional.
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  #13  
Old 12-06-2010, 04:48 PM
Bavafa Bavafa is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 3,351
Default Using MyWi to connect to internet

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrreddick View Post
[Bavafa, What is "MyWi"? Is it an app or is that internet tethering? I'm looking at an IPad and using Wing X Pro 7 or Skycharts Pro. Wing X Pro 7 functions great as a moving map gps without a data plan, at least that's what I'm told but Skycharts Pro needs an internet connection to download the sectionals and other maps to keep it updated.
Tethering to an existing device, something I haven't a clue how to do, would make both apps work.
Mike,
You will need internet connection for downloading the data charts and other info but I do that only via the WiFi connection at home and not thru data plan. Once you download the charts, then you have them in the memory till the next month to get the updated charts.

MyWi is an application (really inexpensive) that you can install on your IPHONE and once turned on, your IPHONE becomes a WiFi wireless hub and you can connect any wireless device to it, much like at home. So, any laptop or your IPAD can connect to your IPHONE to gain access to the internet.

I use my MyWi when I have traveled to a destination and hours later I want to get an update on all weather, MEATAR, TAF, etc for my next leg. Once downloads the weather then I disconnect it and all the info now is cached and ready to use.

Hope this helps.
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  #14  
Old 12-06-2010, 05:08 PM
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Alan Carroll Alan Carroll is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Posts: 778
Default sunlight?

Those who have used the iPad in flight, how's the readability in sunlight? I tried an iPad in direct sunlight last summer (not in an airplane) and found it nearly impossible to see. Could be that the brightness needed adjusting though?
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  #15  
Old 12-06-2010, 05:45 PM
60Bubba 60Bubba is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: San Diego, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iflyforfun View Post
If this will often be your only GPS on board, I would go as far as to say it would be a mistake to use the iPad WITHOUT the external GPS. My iPhone with Foreflight loses GPS connectivity on a regular basis in my plane. Not a problem since I have both a Garmin 430 and 396, but it would be more than a bit of a nuisance if I were actually expecting the iPhone to perform real time tracking.

I've read very high praise of the new external GPS, but if you are going to go the iPad route, plan to purchase the external GPS at the same time ... do not consider it optional unless you consider GPS connectivity also optional.
Are you referring to the plug in "Bad Elf" GPS, or the Bluetooth model? It seems the plug in would be more stable, as it is obviously connected directly to the iPad, but the Bluetooth module would give you the option of putting the GPS antenna up on top of the glare shield, etc., to help improve reception, especially when used in a high wing aircraft. My only concern would be dropping the Bluetooth connection between the iPad and GPS could be as problematic as the iPad itself losing GPS lock.

Hmm...decisions, decisions.
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  #16  
Old 12-07-2010, 07:15 AM
mrreddick mrreddick is offline
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Location: Hangar/home at Hicks Airfield (T67), Fort Worth, TX
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Default IPad in flight

"Bavafa - MyWi is an application (really inexpensive) that you can install on your IPHONE and once turned on, your IPHONE becomes a WiFi wireless hub and you can connect any wireless device to it, much like at home. So, any laptop or your IPAD can connect to your IPHONE to gain access to the internet."

I searched for MyWi and it didn't come up on my Iphone, sounds like it's what I need if I go with the IPad.

Another post said that they constantly lose GPS connectivity in flight. I have traveled all over Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and others and have never lost the GPS signal on my Iphone. "No Service" has appeared but contrary to what many think on this forum, that does not mean your GPS just quit. The little airplane keeps moving on Skycharts or Wing X for me. It wouldn't do that if I had no GPS reception. If the GPS in the IPad is as good as the IPhone, then it will serve me fine!

Thanks for all the info.
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  #17  
Old 12-07-2010, 11:21 AM
Bavafa Bavafa is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 3,351
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrreddick View Post
"Bavafa - MyWi is an application (really inexpensive) that you can install on your IPHONE and once turned on, your IPHONE becomes a WiFi wireless hub and you can connect any wireless device to it, much like at home. So, any laptop or your IPAD can connect to your IPHONE to gain access to the internet."

I searched for MyWi and it didn't come up on my Iphone, sounds like it's what I need if I go with the IPad.

Another post said that they constantly lose GPS connectivity in flight. I have traveled all over Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and others and have never lost the GPS signal on my Iphone. "No Service" has appeared but contrary to what many think on this forum, that does not mean your GPS just quit. The little airplane keeps moving on Skycharts or Wing X for me. It wouldn't do that if I had no GPS reception. If the GPS in the IPad is as good as the IPhone, then it will serve me fine!

Thanks for all the info.
Mike,
Here is a link to MyWi 4.0, http://www.intelliborn.com/mywi.html
you will need to jail break your phone though but that is also very easy and with no issue at all. Only do not upgrade to 4.2 on your IPHONE as it can not be jailbroken.
As for the built-in GPS goes, some people have complained about it, but my usage of it has been really positive. I flew from CA to GA and back and had zero issue with the GPS and I was flying a good portion of it at 14.5K
I usually get a lock on the built-in GPS within seconds and in one minute it goes to 5M accuracy which is the best. But I also have a bluetooth GPS that brings it to 1M accuracy. Again, if you jailbreak your IPHONE then you can use BTSTACK ($5) to use any bluetooth GPS.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have more or specific questions.
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Last edited by Bavafa : 12-07-2010 at 11:28 AM.
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  #18  
Old 12-07-2010, 12:49 PM
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RV6_flyer RV6_flyer is offline
 
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Location: NC25
Posts: 3,507
Default

Not to throw fuel on the fire but do not forget that the iPad 2 will be out in April 2011. Not sure what NEW things it will do.
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  #19  
Old 01-29-2011, 09:19 PM
skyhawk73 skyhawk73 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 12
Cool

I've had my iFly 700 for about six months and I love it more than my AirMap or AV8OR. It's simple and they're constantly adding new features. You don't have to worry about the iFly overheating and shutting down like the iPad. I'll take a dedicated aviation GPS over a multimedia device when it comes to safety. Plus, I just pay one data subscription and don't have to deal with apps or multiple data subscriptions. If everything is at once place, they can't pass you off to a third party app if your having problems. I love Apple, but anybody ever tried to get them to support their device regarding a third party app issue. Good luck. I'll stick with my iFly 700.
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  #20  
Old 01-30-2011, 08:57 AM
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Gregmarlow Gregmarlow is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 183
Default ifly 700 for me

I too love my ifly 700. Having current sectionals, low ifr charts, and approach plates at my fingertips while flying single pilot IFR or VFR is a huge help and having a reliable battery powered back up GPS to my 430 is awesome. Updating the software and charts and plates is a breeze, and you only have to update the ones you want, so that sectional to Oshkosh is a once a year update. The ipad may do more non aviation related stuff, but it sounds like the GPS capability of the ipad is a compromise. No experience with the aviation side of the ipad, but the in flight experience of the ifly 700 is excellent. Very easy to use right out of the box. The ifly GPS picks up a good signal inside my house, or inside my hangar. Better than my 430.
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