iPad Micro

[n5lp]

I am one of those guys that tends to like the Apple stuff but it has never worked out that well for me in the cockpit. The iPad is way too big as is the iPad Mini and the iPhone is way too small. I have used the iPad Mini some in the cockpit, mostly on a kneeboard, and had screen visibility problems and didn't like the fact of always having to remember to bring it and then there is worrying about the state of charge.

The other day I installed a mount in my RV-6 for the iPhone 6 that I own. It showed promise. Still too small but the more vertical angle seemed to make the screen much more visible.

I always thought the iPhone 6 plus was too big to carry but I started thinking it might work out real well in the cockpit as an iPod micro so I ordered a used and unlocked one for way less than one would pay for any airplane avionic thing and activated it with the SIM from my phone, took that SIM out and had a small device with no contracts and no monthly expense of any kind.

I get the inflight weather from my Stratus I and ForeFlight and get it on the ground by tethering from my phone or by an inexpensive ($10/month) data only SIM. I have the flexibility to use Weathermeister and many other apps.

Boy, I loved the Garmin 496. Inflight weather through XM and many other terrific features. Things started to go bad when I got crosswise with XM. For the 496 I had a cable going back to the XM weather receiver, a cable for power, a cable to the necessary external antenna and a cable for audio. It seemed worth it but I hate cables running everywhere.

Now I have a simpler installation with a dual power cable from the 12V outlet to the iPhone 6 Plus and the Stratus. I may plug in the external audio cable for music. No more power worries and the iPhone 6 plus fits very nicely and way more neatly in the space vacated by the Garmin.

The Garmin had some features that ForeFlight doesn't and vice versa. It is pretty much a wash there. The iPhone will be much cheaper to run.

I was a bit worried about screen size but took the photo below to show how it is. I still think buttons may be a bit easier to use in turbulence, but the actual screen size is very satisfactory. When I took the photo below I had both units inside the house. The iPhone got an immediate GPS lock and the Garmin with the little stub antenna never did lock until I took it outside for about 5 minutes.

Oh, I still have the regular iPhone mount for what I always carry, for a backup.

[humptybump]

Larry, nice overview. I am not thrilled carrying an iPhone 6 Plus as my "phone" but tolerate it because it makes a good device when flying - flight planning, weather brief, flight plan transfers, inflight backup, etc.

Funny how an activity which makes up about 0.85% of my life drives so many decisions

(For non-apple fans, I am a fond proponent on the Nexus 7)

[Canadian_JOY]

Originally Posted by humptybump

(For non-apple fans, I am a fond proponent on the Nexus 7)

Again for non-Apple fans, I have a Nexus 7 tablet which I find more than adequate for cockpit use and have recently acquired a Nexus 6 phone. The Nexus 6 is actually a bit bigger than an iPhone 6Plus with better-than-Retina display specs. I've found both Nexus devices to be quite suitable for running FltPlan Go. The Nexus 6 is a nice size for "near the panel" mounting while the Nexus 7 fits nicely on a kneeboard mount.

My choice of the Nexus 6 was driven by a desire to have a "pure" Android device and to have a device which would be adequate to display aviation apps. As it turns out I like it for just about all the other typical cell phone uses. Yes, it's big to carry, and my kids hate that my phone is bigger and better than theirs are...

[Chkaharyer99]

Larry,

Thanks for the observations on the use of Apple products in the cockpit.

I've been thinking about getting the iPhone 6 for use with my Foreflight subscription as the iPad mini is to darn big to mount in my RV8 without interfering or obstructing the rest of my panel. Right now I store the mini in the rear passenger foot well, not optimal.

I love my Samsung 5 phone but it won't run FF. I will take a look at the used market for iPhones 6 and see if that's inside my budget.

It would be nice if Apple had a device smaller than a mini but larger than a iPhone 6.

I need a Stratus also. Or maybe just try different software and use android like others suggest

Thanks gain,

[compren]

You might want to look on Amazon for a "Fosmon Anti-Glare" screen protector to help with the display (especially in sunlight). They may or may not help you, but after getting one for my Nexus 7, I liked it so much I replaced all the screen protectors on my devices (3 Nexus 7's for ths kids, 2 iPhones, iPad). And $5 won;t break the bank if it doesn't work out for you.

[Raymo]

If you haven't updated the firmware on the 496 in a while (years), it could solve the reception delays. And it is free.

[erikpmort]

That's the first time anyone has called my 6+ a micro. I love my ram mount for it in the cockpit and I have yet to have a readability problem.

[Lenny Iszak]

I'm planning on doing the same thing and just got a 6 plus. There's only one problem. I think, but haven't tested yet, that ForeFlight lets you use a subscription on 1 iPhone, 1 iPad and 1 iPod. I like to use it on my phone (iPhone 6) for preflight, checking weather, etc.

Do we need to have two ForeFlight subscriptions or can we get an exception from ForeFlight to use the Plus in lieu of an iPad?

Lenny

[newt]

What do you folks do about screen visibility in bright sunlight with sunglasses on iDevices?

I have an iPad mini which I use on a kneeboard with OzRunways. But RVs have bubble canopies, and more often than not the sun is shining directly onto the display, and it's virtually impossible to read it without unclipping it and lifting it up near my face.

I can turn the brightness up all the way (not worried about battery life, I have an 11Ah external battery that'll run an iPad with the screen on for days). But even then it's hard to see fine detail through sunscreen fingerprint smears without shading it.

Not a big problem with paper charts

- mark

[turbo]

mark, get a ram mount and get the iPad up to eye level. it should work much better there.