My Tablet ?2 Cents? Opinion Only:
Recently, intrigued by the ?cool? aviation apps being released for tablet computers, I?ve started shopping for tablets.
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Like you, I?ve been reading about the iOS vs. Android war, and I?m guessing that there is probably not going to be one main winner in the tablet format battle as in past format battles --- snip --- It looks like both iOS and Android are going to be around.
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I notice that both Foreflight and WingX are wisely developing Android apps: Foreflight is offering weather; WingX already offers geo-referenced charts.
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Accordingly, if I decide to go the tablet route I?m looking at Android tablets; not the iPad. Apple is great at starting a market and looking like the early winner, but Apple is not so good at finishing due to Apple?s controlling business philosophy and software development models. In the tablet market, the iPad seems like more of a fad and trend-starter than a long-term winner. I?m thinking that Google (Android) is going to knock Apple off its current tablet dominance just like Microsoft did in computers. This will start to happen next year; if not sooner.
Am I seriously thinking about going with a tablet? The current answer is NO. Certainly, glare issues might be fixed with an overlay, but low brightness cannot be fixed except with new hardware. If a really bright, Android-based tablet is released then I?m back in, but not before then. In my opinion, due to low brightness, tablets are just not ready for ?prime-time? in the cockpit. On the other hand, I?m guessing that someone will realize that they need to design a very bright, well-sealed tablet for outdoor use. It seems that tablets are going to be used much more outdoors than laptops are today.
Does anyone have a different opinion and, if so, why?
Take Care Out There!
Bill Palmer
Agree on about 90%
In about 3 to 5 years, we will have hardware that we would like to have now. In 5 to 7 years, Android will dominate the market just like Microsoft did with PCs. Apple is number 1 right now.
Having flown with a friend and his iPad in my RV, the visibility issue is not a big issue with me. Yes it is not perfect but I found it to be acceptable in my aircraft (RV-6 Slider) in the SoCAL sun around 1300 local time. Yes it does leave a lot to be desired but the display is identical to the iPhone in the sun. An anti-glare screen goes a long way to making an unusable display marginally acceptable.
Today, I used my iPhone 4 (with anti-glare screen) SkyCharts app to intercept an airway (between 1600-1700 local time), and identify the next airway that I wanted to fly on. I use SkyCharts on my iPhone 4 the same way I would use a map. I was thinking about using it to request a GPS IFR approach to CCB but since today was the first day that I have flown since May 1 due to pneumonia, I decided to just enjoy the excellent VFR weather.
Having had the opportunity to fly with a friend and his iPad and use it the same way as a chart and approach plate, I found the display visibility in my cockpit to be less than ideal but thought it was good enough to order an iPad 2 so that I can have IFR charts in my airplane for the SoCAL to Pennsylvania to Oshkosh back to SoCAL trip this summer. The iPad will be used for VFR charts and IFR only IF needed on this trip. I will have backup paper VFR charts but the backup IFR material will be my iPhone4 and any paper approach plates that I print out in advance.
I know that the iPad leaves a lot to be desired and has a lot of short comings. As of today, it is the least expensive way to have electronic charts in our airplanes.
I believe that all PCs and tablets need to be replaced every 2 to 3 years. I try to replace my notebook and primary PC every 2 to 3 years. The iPad purchase was instead of a replacement for my 3 year old notebook. Yes I do loose some functionally by going with an iPad but it will do between 85% and 90% of what I want to do with a notebook while on the road.
IMHO, the longer one can wait to switch to an EFB on a tablet, the better off they will be. For me, I think the iPad is my best bet TODAY. (based on hardware and software that is presently available) I will be using it for about 30-hours of cross-country flying in July. I will have current WAC charts for the country with me plus an older version of Jeppsen FlightStar on my notebook. The only IFR charts and plates I have with me will be on my iPad and iPhone 4. At the present time, I plan to have Foreflight (based on VAF reports of EFB software) on the iPad and I already have SkyCharts on the iPhone. I plan to print approach plates for the places that I may need them. Yes I have an approach certified GPS (GX60) with current Jeppsen Database subscription. (I could sell updates like others in the VAF classifieds but I only have 13 datacards and do not want to sell them with a card but could. IF I were to do that, I would not sell them for less than what others are selling them.) I also have a Garmin 396 in the airplane for backup plus the SL30 with CDI / GS and ACU. The purchase of iPad and e-charts for one year, will save me about $200 of IFR charts and plates purchase for a one time trip but I will have the iPad for my entire PDF tech library for use in the hangar or on the road. IF I like the iPad, I will cancel all my subscriptions except for the LA TAC, local WAC chart, local Low Altitude IFR chart, and SouthWest Pilots Guide. This will be a savings of $200 per year for me by gong to e-charts on the iPad with the benefit of current everything for IFR operation.
I am hoping that the iPad2 I ordered can replace a notebook / netbook for traveling plus serve as an EFB. I believe that the jury is still out on if it will be an EXCELLENT EFB but I do believe that it will be at the least a mediocre EFB. I am hoping that I can use it to fly from SoCAL to VVS in Pennsylvania then to OSH without needing to open a paper chart. Since I have already flown from SoCAL to Texas without every opening a chart (I did open a book to get info on ABQ Class C frequencies and altitudes), I am thinking that it will not be an issue since I know how to use my GX60 and 396 to get most of the flight info needed. I do not have XM weather. I monitor 122.0 while flying. I use Weathermeister.com as primary weather, NOTAM, and TFR info.
I intend to put all the Lycoming, LASAR, and Slick tech manuals on the iPad. I will now have my technical library with me for service if needed. The tests that I have done with PDF file to my friends iPad and to my iPhone4 suggests that the paper can be eliminated for the e-paper that exists on the iPad. Yes it takes time to get use to reading stuff on an electronic device. It took me several years to learn to read and understand what I read on an electronic device. I am old enough that growing up, the TV was entertainment and not a learning tool. It did take several years for my old eyes and brain to learn to use an electronic screen to learn from instead of paper and books.
I hope that my iPad2 purchase at least satisfies my need for a replacement notebook / netbook. IF I am lucky, it will also be an acceptable EFB.
BTW, I turned my iPhone 4 3G, and Cell data OFF before departing. I also turned the iPhone off. Over Dagget VOR, I turned the iPhone 4 on and had position location almost instinctively. Someone said that the iPhone 4 A-GPS chip was the same one that is used in the iPad. I will be testing the iPad to see if it can also find where it is by having it OFF and turning it on about 1-hour after takeoff. I did buy an iPad 3G with GPS so that I did not need to buy a separate GPS. I will find out if the EXTERNAL GPS is really necessary for iPad use in the air.