Tablets(IPAD) with Foreflight or Garmin 660

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by RV-4

Perry, my friend is definitly a burger cruiser and flies just for fun so the easier the better.

FYI - I've never owned a device with Foreflight on it. I've played with Foreflight on other people's devices, and find it confusing at times. My regular use is on FltPlanGo, which I find very easy to use.

Not suggesting either is better on usability overall, just saying that if I had used Foreflight a lot more than FltPlanGo I would probably find it the most intuitive. You learn what you have, and the more you use it the easier it gets. There's no cost to start with the free one.

(As for usability, I find the Aera 660 even easier than FltPlanGo or Foreflight, FWIW... But i've been using Garmins for 20 years so their UI philosophy is very familiar to me)

[BSwayze]

Originally Posted by patterson

Bob Martin mentioned a $100 off Sale on the 660 earlier in this post. any ideas on where that can be found?
Ron

It's not only from Chief, here's a link direct to Garmin. Just click on the "Download rebate" link on this page:

http://garmin.blogs.com/promotions/2...l#.WE-5dfkrKUk

I debated this very question in my mind for a long time before springing for a Garmin 660 just a few days ago. I already had an Aera 500, which I sold, and applied the proceeds toward the 660. There's really no comparison, the 660 is awesome! I can't wait to fly with it when my RV-7A takes to the skies.

I also bought the hardwired panel mount. The 660 snaps in and out of the unit very easily. I hope to have pictures of it very soon.

[EPG Aero]

So when I had steam gauges, I used my iPad with Garmin Pilot on it. Later, I installed a GDL 39 ADS-B IN antenna for my iPad/Garmin Pilot combo. They worked fabulously. Weather and traffic were nice and big on my iPad and easy to use. True, the iPad does overheat when used with a cover, but I've found using it without a cover and in a MyGoFlight holder, it can operate indefinitely. It does use a lot of battery power, so my USB power port comes in handy.
Recently I upgraded my panel to two Garmin G5 units to replace my vacuum system. I also exchanged my outdated GPS with an Aera 660. What's nice about Garmin is they use similar icons and intuitive capabilities to ALL their products. You don't need a HELP button on any device.
I like the Aera 660, but as we've all seen technology get lighter, smaller and more capable, it's tough for me to see such small items and use it with my fat fingers.
However, the Aera 660 can and does, replace my iPad usage and gives me such fantastic situational awareness it's remarkable!
All the Garmin items I have now are updatable and so easy to use.
I've seen ForeFlight and even Jeppesen's products and my opinion these can't compare to Garmin.
I've visited the Garmin aviation factory in Olathe, KS and the way they test every item, plus seeing how it's made, convinced me of the quality and reliability of their equipment. They stand by each unit and will go out of their way to satisfy a customer. (and no, I don't work for Garmin)

[mbauer]

After reading through the posts in this thread, decided to go with the G660 over the Ipad.

Great thread for the pros and cons of each. Been away from flying for 20-years, so all of this new technology can be a challenge.

Once again Thank you everyone who posted their reasons for each device. Interesting reasons at that!

G 660 on order from Sporty's.

Best regards,
Mike Bauer
Dues Paid Dec 2016

[mbauer]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Frack. Wouldn't you know it, I ordered mine on November 11th and it shipped on the 21st... Two days before the cutoff (rebate starts on November 23rd). $100 would go a long way towards a database update.

Bought mine on the 22nd of Dec, shipped the 23rd. Thought I missed out as well, however a quick call to Garmin Rebate phone number cleared all this up.

If you purchased two weeks before the rebate of 23 Nov and two weeks after Dec 22, the rebate is an option.

You must send in the required paperwork by Jan 20, 2017.

Best regards,
Mike

[RViter]

One of the considerations on an iPad (or any tablet) is WiFi only or cellular capable? If WiFi (or Bluetooth), will an 'external' AHRS or GPS signal be used for Position or Position/Location?

My iPad Mini4 is WiFi-only which means no internal GPS chip, and the cellular iPad's have an internal GPS chip, but my understanding is it's not as robust as an external GPS device. (External device such as a BadElf (Bluetooth) can quickly pair and provide a superior GPS feed.)

Lastly, the Dynon SkyView has a (currently $35) WiFi dongle which allows the ForeFlight app on an iPad to pair with the EFIS and feeds AHRS (GPS, Attitude, etc). I expect to hear soon that ADS-B in (TIS-B, and FIS-B) will be displayed on the map. Although the WiFi iPads can be tethered to a cell phone, the use of that feature inflight is poor plan. (more of a ground use for me, wouldn't depend for inflight.)

Using a RAM mount, and cradle, 'can' also add adjustable viewing angles, and with at least one brand, additional cooling.

[dan carley]

will the garmin gdl39 work with the 660

dan carley

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by dan carley

will the garmin gdl39 work with the 660

dan carley

Hello Dan,

Yes, the Aera 660 works great with the GDL39.

Thanks,
Steve

[swordtail]

second that vote for Ifly 740 drives my Trio AP just fine too.

[snopercod]

Here are a couple of iPad failure modes, both of which happened to me on a long cross country last week.

1. The "network settings" became corrupted. As a result, I had no cellular capability on the ground to check weather, etc. The Wi-Fi still worked and the ADS-B (in) from my Stratus still worked. The fix, which Verizon just showed me today, was to do a "Reset Network Settings" Settings==>General==>Reset==>Reset Network Settings. After doing that, you'll also need to re-enter any Wi-Fi passwords you have been using.

2. Then, as I was cruising along above a solid layer, I got a warning that my iPad battery was down to 10%. I fly with the iPad charging continuously from ship's power, but somehow the lightning cable had gotten pulled out of the iPad. Needless to say I plugged the cable back in immediately. In the future, I plan to carry a spare lightning cable and a Backup Power Source.