Clear up my confusion about IPad for aviation

[Dbro172]

To put it simply, buy the most expensive iPad you can, get the full blown Foreflight subscription for $150/year and if you want ADSB get a Stratus. Then you'll be happy.

[kclark7623]

Great Info!!! Not sure if I am educated enough to make the decision yet but definitely have more input to go on. Thanks to all for the advice.

[RVbySDI]

Originally Posted by Dbro172

To put it simply, buy the most expensive iPad you can, get the full blown Foreflight subscription for $150/year and if you want ADSB get a GDL39. Then you'll be happy.

Not sure he would be completely happy with this as the GDL39 will not communicate with Foreflight. It will only work with the Garmin Pilot app. Foreflight is currently only supporting the Stratus ADS-B.

[F1R]

You might want to have a look at Xavion. It runs without flaw on a 4G mini. You can find demo videos on you tube. I have not bothered with any external devices of any kind, and not needed them. If mounted in a panel orientation, it will provide synthetic vision, GPS and inertial flight data, and nav to selected waypoints at chosen altitudes. It does not do well nor is it intended to be used as a kneeboard.

[vasrv7a]

When you get your ipad, if you intend to only fly VFR, try the 30 day free trial of each software application before buying. The free trials will give you a good indication of what works for you. For example, screen glare and screen brightness were not much of an issue when using Jeppesen's mobile flight deck VFR product because the displayed charts are not .pdf images of government charts, they were very nice bright data driven charts... and that included geo-referencing. i currently use foreflight because i need VFR and IFR charting. If i were to only need VFR, the Jeppesen product would be my software of choice @ $49/year.

Because of the great chart image and brightness, I am currently considering purchasing the Jeppesen product to use for VFR in addition to having foreflight on my ipad...

Good luck with your choice.

Victor

[hoyden]

I use ForeFlight with my 4G iPad. I have a minimal Verizon data plan for my iPhone and Verizon charges extra if I want to enable the iPad for cellular service. I could pay $20 more to get both on my plan but would get only 1 GB of data vs the 2 GB I have now. I don't find it worth the expense.

I have ForeFlight on my iPhone and I use that to get in-flight updates or when I am on the ground without wifi. I have considered getting a Karma wifi hotspot that costs about $15 per GB with no contract and pay as you go.

[dealfair]

Originally Posted by vasrv7a

For example, screen glare and screen brightness were not much of an issue when using Jeppesen's mobile flight deck VFR product because the displayed charts are not .pdf images of government charts, they were very nice bright data driven charts... and that included geo-referencing. i currently use foreflight because i need VFR and IFR charting. If i were to only need VFR, the Jeppesen product would be my software of choice @ $49/year.

Because of the great chart image and brightness, I am currently considering purchasing the Jeppesen product to use for VFR in addition to having foreflight on my ipad...

Good luck with your choice.

Victor

Hmmmmm, Good to know Victor. I'm a strict VFRer (is that a word?). Going to give your suggestion a try. Have foreflight, but enjoy experimenting with all this great stuff. Thank you!!

[Glas467]

I use an IPad 2 (16 GB, WiFi only) with an external GNS 5870 MFI (bluetooth GPS unit). It works great with all of the popular EFB applications. I use it with the FltPlan app which has moving map, approach plates, etc ... best of all it is free, everything is free maps/approach plates/etc. Just completed a 1000 mile trip ea way and it worked flawlessly and provides outstanding situational awareness.

[johngoodman]

I have the cheapest iPad Mini you can get (16G and wifi only). I bought a Dual Universal XGPS150 for $99 from Aircraft Spruce. It uses Bluetooth. It is so good, that it can find a position in a closed room with no windows (I've seen it!).
I installed ForeFlight Pro and 16G is more than adequate for complete coverage of the Eastern Half of the US. You can dump and install as your need changes. My wife runs the whole thing from the right seat of our RV-10. There is no glare problem and she can follow the flight easily (the 10's top is probably the plus on the no glare issue). A full battery charge on the Mini and the Dual is good for two legs (Georgia to New Jersey), but she has the necessary charging cables if necessary. I have traffic on my GRT HX, so I didn't get the Stratus.
In short, the Mini is a great size, and ForeFlight Pro is a great choice.
John