IPad mini

[GJHeck]

I've been waiting for the IPad Mini. It would fit in my instrument panel just right.

I was talking to Anywhere Map and one of the guys there said to make sure it had internal GPS and wifi capability so you can get wx and mapping. Anyone know if it has that is a problem with the mini?

By the way Anywhere map is coming out with ADSB to add on with weather. What a deal

[Bushcaddy]

I have the iPad with internal GPS and was not happy with consistent reception. I added the Dual Xgps 150, $100 from ACS and the whole setup has been perfect since. It's Bluetooth, so no wires. Highly recommend.

[MartinPred]

Here's what my iPad 2 looks like in my RV-4 in direct sunlight:



I find it to be quite usable, and I haven't had any temperature issues.

Of course I tend to fly a little lower than most...

-Matt
402BD

[woodmanrog]

My wife and her partner flew the Women's Air Race Classic using 2 Ipads, and a 496 in a Cessna. When we're in our RV6, and I am in the right seat, I am constantly getting the Ipad out of my way and have elected to put it in back of me in the luggage compartment. We have a panel mount Bendix King GPS and a 496 with weather in the plane. My question is this: why use a product that is only so, so when there are great products DESIGNED to be used in an airplane and do the same thing without compromises.(RE: sunlight readability, too large a size.) To me it seems a 696, or something similar is a much smarter way to go. I personally don't like to use products that are designed trying to do everything in a mediocre fashion. Kinda like going to a podiatrist for heart surgery. Just my two cents worth.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by woodmanrog

My wife and her partner flew the Women's Air Race Classic using 2 Ipads, and a 496 in a Cessna. When we're in our RV6, and I am in the right seat, I am constantly getting the Ipad out of my way and have elected to put it in back of me in the luggage compartment. We have a panel mount Bendix King GPS and a 496 with weather in the plane. My question is this: why use a product that is only so, so when there are great products DESIGNED to be used in an airplane and do the same thing without compromises.(RE: sunlight readability, too large a size.) To me it seems a 696, or something similar is a much smarter way to go. I personally don't like to use products that are designed trying to do everything in a mediocre fashion. Kinda like going to a podiatrist for heart surgery. Just my two cents worth.

No argument here. I've had a Garmin 696 to compare with. My wife has an Ipad2, and I have the 7" Nexus tablet. The 696 is much better with RV sun conditions. In fact, it's perfect with all sun conditions. I did try the Garmin Pilot 30 demo on the Nexus. The Nexus display graphics looks great, and Nexus screen is about the same size as the 696. I'm not actively flying my RV these days (due to a "mishap"), and no longer have XM weather. But I would have required XM, because the new ground based weather systems are not yet availble for a good portion of the mountain west. Besides, the Garmin 696 picked up the weather from satellite. No cell service required, & it used an external antenna. At this point, I'd never trade the 696 for one of these pads..........as the principle form of GPS navigation.

As a side note:, the Garmin also drives the auto-pilot.

L.Adamson

[RV6_flyer]

Originally Posted by woodmanrog

My wife and her partner flew the Women's Air Race Classic using 2 Ipads, and a 496 in a Cessna. When we're in our RV6, and I am in the right seat, I am constantly getting the Ipad out of my way and have elected to put it in back of me in the luggage compartment. We have a panel mount Bendix King GPS and a 496 with weather in the plane. My question is this: why use a product that is only so, so when there are great products DESIGNED to be used in an airplane and do the same thing without compromises.(RE: sunlight readability, too large a size.) To me it seems a 696, or something similar is a much smarter way to go. I personally don't like to use products that are designed trying to do everything in a mediocre fashion. Kinda like going to a podiatrist for heart surgery. Just my two cents worth.

Originally Posted by L.Adamson

No argument here. I've had a Garmin 696 to compare with. My wife has an Ipad2, and I have the 7" Nexus tablet. The 696 is much better with RV sun conditions. In fact, it's perfect with all sun conditions. I did try the Garmin Pilot 30 demo on the Nexus. The Nexus display graphics looks great, and Nexus screen is about the same size as the 696. I'm not actively flying my RV these days (due to a "mishap"), and no longer have XM weather. But I would have required XM, because the new ground based weather systems are not yet availble for a good portion of the mountain west. Besides, the Garmin 696 picked up the weather from satellite. No cell service required, & it used an external antenna. At this point, I'd never trade the 696 for one of these pads..........as the principle form of GPS navigation.

As a side note:, the Garmin also drives the auto-pilot.

L.Adamson

Tell me a few things:
HOW MUCH does the database update for the 696 cost per year?
Does 696 have GEO-Referenced Approach Plates and airport maps?
Does 696 show TFRs if it has had a data update before getting in the airplane?
Can the 696 be used for getting preflight weather before flying?
Can the 696 file an IFR flight plan before the flight?
Can the 696 recommend an IFR route for the flight between two airports?
Can the 696 be used to check VAF forum while traveling?
Can the 696 keep you in touch with the office by email while traveling?
Can the 696 allow you to find a good restaurant near where you are staying?
Can the 696 all you to read PDF copies of your aircraft equipment manuals while traveling?

I can go on but the 696 is more than twice the price for the hardware. The iPad is being used by Airlines as replacement for PAPER in the cockpit. That is all I want it for but I get more out of it than just an EFB.

Garmin and Jeppsen both have excellent products but they both have one other thing in common. They both cost too much money. There are other products that are available in some cases that are just as good for a LOT less money.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by RV6_flyer

Tell me a few things:
HOW MUCH does the database update for the 696 cost per year?
Does 696 have GEO-Referenced Approach Plates and airport maps?
Does 696 show TFRs if it has had a data update before getting in the airplane?
Can the 696 be used for getting preflight weather before flying?
Can the 696 file an IFR flight plan before the flight?
Can the 696 recommend an IFR route for the flight between two airports?
Can the 696 be used to check VAF forum while traveling?
Can the 696 keep you in touch with the office by email while traveling?
Can the 696 allow you to find a good restaurant near where you are staying?
Can the 696 all you to read PDF copies of your aircraft equipment manuals while traveling?

I can go on but the 696 is more than twice the price for the hardware. The iPad is being used by Airlines as replacement for PAPER in the cockpit. That is all I want it for but I get more out of it than just an EFB.

Garmin and Jeppsen both have excellent products but they both have one other thing in common. They both cost too much money. There are other products that are available in some cases that are just as good for a LOT less money.

Not to go through all of these...........but the 696 has often shown "changing" TFR's in flight, when there is no chance of cell service. I prefer the satellite method of up to date weather changes.

[Mile High Relic]

Originally Posted by woodmanrog

My question is this: why use a product that is only so, so when there are great products DESIGNED to be used in an airplane and do the same thing without compromises. Kinda like going to a podiatrist for heart surgery. Just my two cents worth.

The reason is that the iPad is a better all around VALUE than the 696 for me, and I expect for most others as well. I don't think anyone says it is "better," but almost everyone would agree it is a better value. The market has certainly said that.

My primary justification for the iPad is as a paper chart replacement. Everything else is a bonus. A trip last fall would have required at least $100 to be legal with paper charts. With SkyChartsPro, that was $20.

[AllThumbs]

I pre-ordered a low end mini on Friday - mostly for IOS App work - but I plan to run both Foreflight and Garmin Pilot on it using a GDL39 and Bad Elf as GPS sources.

I'll give a report as soon as I have some results. I expect both will work just fine. With fewer pixels to push around neither app should be working all that hard and the heat produced by the device should be lower as well.

I no longer buy paper charts or plates but I do always have a dedicated GPS device (396/496/Aera) with me as my primary since I've wired them in to drive the autopilot and supply SL40 Frequencies and TIS Traffic via the GDL39.

[Rotorheadrob]

Anyway, back to the MINI...

Has anyone used the MINI in their RV?

I'm fly'n an -8 and use an IPad for charts. Garmin & Advanced Flight Systems in the pannel for flight gauges-happy for now.

However, a slightly smaller pad would be nice.

Thx.