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  #1  
Old 12-25-2013, 07:47 AM
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olyolson olyolson is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: St Louis, MO
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Default Which Mini & which software?

Merry Christmas to all and especially to Doug and his family for putting up such a killer website! Having raised two boys, I enjoy reading about Audrey's progress and am glad this website helps put her through college so I am doubling my donation for 2014.

My wife gave me an IPAD mini for Christmas without the cellular and said she wasn't sure which one to get and said I could exchange for the right one (no wonder we're still married after 32 years). So my question is about the cellular models. Are these the ones with the built in GPS for use in flight to pick up weather, moving map sectionals, etc? Does it matter which cell company version I get? I have Sprint for cell service on my phone, is there an advantage to getting a Sprint version? How big a hard drive do I really need?

Secondly, which is the best inflight software to use and what are the yearly fees? I have heard a LOT of guys use Foreflight, Garmin has the Mobile Flight Deck, and there are several others. If I fly cross country I go VFR so that is my primary focus. I can fly VFR or IFR but in an RV-4 there is not a lot of room for paper charts. Any suggestions??

A happy 2014 to all and congrats to all the new RV builders that got their planes up this year.
Oly
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Last edited by olyolson : 12-25-2013 at 01:56 PM.
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  #2  
Old 12-25-2013, 08:26 AM
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schristo@mac.com schristo@mac.com is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: WA
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Default choices...

Based on my experiences and what I currently have...

iPad mini retina WITH cell service - includes a very good GPS receiver. The current cell models, mini retina and iPad air, use consolidated carrier chips that can support all of the prominent carriers by changing the SIM card. The only difference when you buy one is which SIM card is installed.

T-mobile service provides 200M of FREE data without any strings each month and allows you to buy additional data when actually needed.

16Gig is plenty of space unless you want to warehouse lots photos / video / music... I have a good chunk of aviation charts and lots of programs with a smattering of photos and music and still have 3Gig free to manage content. Apple charges too much for the ram upgrades and the turn in credit is about nothing for extra ram.

I use Foreflight. It is great and is quite reasonable at 80/year or so.

I have had an iPad 1, 3, 4 and currently we have an iPad air and the retina mini... when upgrading I have used Nextworth.com to trade in the old units for cash.
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  #3  
Old 12-25-2013, 08:26 AM
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cfiidon cfiidon is online now
 
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Default

Search the threads for more info.

1. You will need a cellular version in order to get the built in GPS. You can buy an external one (such as a bad elf) but..

2. You do not need to activate the cellular service, unless you wish to get data other than wifi.

3. Doesn't matter what carrier, but I chose ATT as that was my cell phone carrier.

4. I use WingX Pro. Everything I need. Others use Foreflight and love it. All of them let you do a 30 day free trial so you can decide what you like.

5. Memory: 32 GB is plenty for me. Unless you wish to store tons of music or video I think you will find it sufficient for you.

Don
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  #4  
Old 12-25-2013, 08:29 AM
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SmilingJack SmilingJack is offline
 
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Location: Hilton Head Island
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Default

Merry Christmas Oly!

I have an ipad 2 with 64MB and my wife has an ipad 2 with 16MB.

She doesnt download movies and has pleanty of space.

I on the otherhand have many documents on my ipad, including a full worldwide subsciption to JeppView (for work). So I would not be able to have a 16 or 32MB ipad.

For the RV we both use Foreflight and sonce we have the Cellular option we both get GPS flight following. We are foreflight diehards and wouldnt switch to Garmin.

But, if I did switch to Garmin I could enjoy ADSb wx and traffic since I do have a GDL39 onboard (via bluetooth). So that is one thing to remember when deciding foreflight, Garmin, wingX, etc...

The thing about the cellular is first without it you dont get GPS. The other thing is although you do not need to sign up for the cellular service it is nice to know you could always sign up for 1 month if you needed it in an emergency.

Good luck!
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  #5  
Old 12-25-2013, 08:41 AM
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Mike S Mike S is offline
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Default

I do not have a mini, but I suspect it really does not matter which one as long as it has the GPS.

We have two Ipads, a 1, and a 2. The 1 is running SkyCharts Pro, the 2 is running Garmin Pilot. Both are cellular with built in GPS, neither has cell service activated.

SkyCharts is much simpler for me to use, but Garmin Pilot does more. Weather and pop up TFR info are very nice.

I chose the Garmin Pilot after flying with a buddy who had it, and was impressed that he could get weather updates while in flight, using only the built in cell service. I also like the VFR maps that Garmin uses.

BUT---------For most of my flying, I prefer the SkyCharts--------just so much easier to use.

Hope this helps, as it is all just my opinion.
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  #6  
Old 12-25-2013, 08:54 AM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
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Location: Boulder, CO
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Default

Ditto Cfiidon, post #3, each point. I'm on the 3-year plan and subscribe to the fuel prices option.

I also have SkyCharts Pro, with less features and somewhat better resolution. I like it too.

I've got something like 13 gigs left so with both of these the 16 gig version might be just a bit short. I do have all the U.S. charts for the lower 48 on both programs.

On WingX, I've found that the cellular data connection gives me real-time weather while flying. Haven't used it enough since I found that out to assess its reliability, but it's been nice to have - no XM, no ADS-B, just the ATT data plan.

Dave
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  #7  
Old 12-25-2013, 08:55 AM
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RV7Guy RV7Guy is offline
 
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Location: Chandler, AZ
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Default Verizon

I've had Verizon for many years. A few months ago I upgraded my iPhone and they combined my data plan for the iPad with my cell service and saved me some money. I've been all over the country and found very few problems with Verizon. I use Foreflight and really enjoy the features. Not sure what else you'd need, but I'm sure the others have comparable features.

My iPad is a full size unit. The mini would be perfect for the RV.

Good luck and enjoy the new toy!!
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  #8  
Old 12-25-2013, 09:29 AM
sailvi767 sailvi767 is offline
 
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Default

To add to the above post. Check before you decide on the carrier if your current cell provider will bundle the ipad into your cell data. Normally it's 10.00 a month at most companies to do that. Version and I think a few other companies are offering a 100.00 dollar discount if you purchase a ipad from them and bundle it for two years. Brings the cost down to 140.00 for two years of data.
George
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  #9  
Old 12-25-2013, 09:33 AM
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RVG8tor RVG8tor is offline
 
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Location: McKinney, TX
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Default None Cellular

I have been using my mini for a month or so now and really like it, I went with the 64G version as this seems to be overkill. I had been using a 8G Samsung which I liked but the Garmin Pilot App would run slow if I have a lot of charts and approach plates loaded, this would only leave me a gig left.

I went with the non cell mini since I did not want another plan and really don't need cell service on it. I have the GDL 39, so in flight it sends GPS position to the mini as well as all the weather and traffic info you can get via ADS-B.

I have had a need for cellular data when I wanted to look something up in the hangar, I just turn my hotspot on my iPhone and link it to the mini and I have all the data I need. This would also work inflight and I believe it also sends GPS information. I am sure the built in GPS might be better but so far this has handled my needs.

I love Garmin Pilot, I have not used Fore Flight except on my iPhone since they chose not to support Android market with the full version. I was just on an instrument flight yesterday, the charts are handy and very readable, I use a Ram Mount device built for the Mini.

One of the reasons I went to the iPad mini is there is just more support for App on Apple products. I love the Retina display.

Merry Christmas.
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  #10  
Old 12-25-2013, 10:43 AM
Kyle Boatright Kyle Boatright is offline
 
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Default

If you go with a Stratus, Skyradar, or other ADSB & GPS receiver plus the appropriate software, you don't need built in GPS in the iPad.

I've been happy with Skyradar + WingX + 32 GB iPad Mini (no GPS).
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