keep it alive
I like the thread. I had deleted my post that started the two above; sorry for the mix up, but I thought I'd mention it in case Jim's seemed really out of the blue. The idea has always interested me, but I haven't taken the plunge yet. Also, I got a free I Pad a while back (well, my wife did as a work perk... but what is hers is ours, right?), so my cost analysis is a little different (if I Pads can work, then I already have the screen part). I am sure I am not the only one in this boat of "I already have an I Pad" so the I Pad to aircraft EFIS screen cost comparison is moot.
I hear a lot of bashing without any facts, such as "they aren't designed for airplanes." That doesn't help. This forum at least has some actual quantified/qualified comments, such as "it overheats when the sun hits it." To me, "They aren't designed for airplanes" sounds like the best thing I've heard (oh wait, is this going in an airplane?? Then just figure on tripling whatever you were quoted previously. What's that? Oh no, it is exactly the same product). I was just reading an article about the I Pad and it seems the aviation community is starting to conform to the generalization that I Pads are an awesome tool for planning and carrying E-charts only, and considering using one for anything else is ridiculous (except maybe using it as a "gee whiz" backup-only GPS function).
Since it has been 2.5 years since the last comment and I have no experience with this yet am very curious, I would be curious to see some up-to-date commentary. I have not tracked all the different I Pad versions and their release dates, but I know they keep coming out with new versions (2, 3, etc.), and I didn't see anyone referencing what version (maybe they were all "1's?"). I was wondering if anyone found solutions to the overheating problem (crafty EAA'ers, Apple engineers, or both). By the way, that is an important fact (overheating) and I am very glad folks are bringing it up; I disagree with the comment/tantrum accusing this fact sharing of being product bashing? I think he missed the boat of us working together to teach each other things that work and don?t for us.
One of the consistent comments I keep finding on why only a fool would use an I Pad as a PFD is that it is not designed with reliability (GPS/gyro). My thought for PFD was to use an AHRS product with as much reliability as anything else, and use the screen to display it. To me, it seems like a great screen with a built-in 10-hour battery backup to include an integrated set of redundant (less "reliable") back-up GPS and (limited) flight instruments. One of the last comments indicated IPhones perhaps putting in solid state gyros along with G meters; does anyone know if the latest I Pads are doing such things? Obviously if the screen is overheating and shutting off, then it isn't worth a thing, but otherwise, the price you pay for all that is ridiculously cheaper than any screen (let alone touchscreen) that I have seen designed for aircraft. At first, I thought I was wrong, and that after adding the ADAHRS equipment to the I Pad cost, you weren't saving all that much, but then I noticed most of the prices listed for PFD's also did not include any of the hardware, to include the ADAHRS they absolutely require. To summarize, these I Pad options seem much more affordable. If they work just as well for less (not counting that they can do so many other things, like give the wife a movie to watch on the secondary screen when you don't need it... not that we are trying to silence our spouses), why not?
Instructor Bill linked
http://i-hud.com/
I found
http://www.aviation.levil.com/AHRS_mini.htm
Has anyone used either? If so, can we hear about it? Any others out there I haven't found yet? Reports?
Also, I'm having a hard time getting recommendations/reports on anti-glare screen covers, with some saying it is horrendous and others (in low wing a/c, I see) are saying it isn?t' a problem. I am not sure what is creating that disparity, but comments would be great.
The other thing I read about is folks saying they don't want to put the drain on their alternator/generator. If set up to charge/operate off the aircraft electric system, does anyone know how these draw the watts compared to aviation specific screens? No one ever says the I Pad draws ___ Watts, while the _____ EFIS draws a third that. Just curious to see some actual useful information there on a topic that I can only find what I have to assume as opinions of unknown reliability since they are entirely unquantified. Myths can be terribly counterproductive yet simply avoided by supplying supporting facts? I suppose I might be able to find that information out, but I?m definitely not an electrician and if someone else has invented that wheel and can just paste their research, I could really appreciate that.
Sorry for the long post. I aim to promote more conversation about using the I Pad not only as a gee whiz not-completely-trusted EFIS, but as the PFD. Specifically, anything regarding newer versions not having overheating problems (or common measures that are working to prevent it), I Pad compatible AHRS/ADAHRS units, glare, and any other tips that would help all of us looking at "glass" options. Much obliged for your time and tips!
p.s. Thanks for the response, Jim! That looks great! I'm glad to hear about the 3M shield working and that you aren't having overheating issues. Do you know what model I Pad that is by any chance?