Im in the hunt for a tablet for flying and doing other stuff like wasting time.

Ive looked at iPad, and android based tablets. Im wondering what others here use or have.

Im looking to get things such as Foreflight, Jeppesen Charts and some other ones that would be useful.

I think I have got close to the iPad Mini with WIFi, 32GB. I have heard I can get GPS unit to plug it in so that is has a good lock of the GPS in the air.

So, what do you all have that works well?

Foreflight is the clear leader.

ipad is the clear leader.

I've tried several and believe the market has picked wisely.

I would not get the wifi ipad though. Get one with a verizon modem. Built in GPS is nice for both aviation and non-aviation apps. Being able to file flight plans using the cellular network has been a great advantage on several occasions.

I use a iPad 2.

- Bright screen
- 3G
- 32gb holds the entire Foreflight database
- It is way faster than Gen 1, and I probably would not notice the difference in performance compared to Gen 3.
- It's a lot less expensive than Gen 3.
- The big screen is nice for doodling in the air (clearances, etc).
- The camera is not very good.
- I can talk on Vonage about 70-80% of the time.
- I got addicted to the big screen....I was considering a smaller device as well.

I have the pro version of Foreflight on Reno Chick's iPad with the Bad Elf GPS. It's kinda slick having the plates and charts synchronized with your location. The iPad is a wi-fi model, and I turn on the mobile hot spot on my Verizon Droid, if for some reason we need to update anything while in the air.

But, as nice as it is, and being so cool to have all that information right there to see... I never use it. Reno Chick is on it non-stop and using the features sitting there in the right seat, and me, I'm daydreaming looking out the window, wondering where I'm gonna park if the engine quits.

I use my Garmin 396 as my XM radio player on the intercom, and the XM weather to look out for TFR's, and give me surface winds down where I'm thinking of landing.

Gump

GumpAir wrote:But, as nice as it is, and being so cool to have all that information right there to see... I never use it. Reno Chick is on it non-stop and using the features sitting there in the right seat, and me, I'm daydreaming looking out the window, wondering where I'm gonna park if the engine quits.

Yeah, good point. My usage has changed a lot in the past few years. I used to use various apps in flight quite a bit. Now I use foreflight for flight planning extensively (hence my recommendation for getting one with verizon), but not so commonly in-flight anymore.

Mrs. rw2 uses it in flight still.

I use Air Nav Pro pretty commonly inflight in Mexico as the biggest thing to worry about in my area is mountains and the printed charts are ugly as hell compared to the ones in ANP.

I've never used Foreflight so I can't comment there, but I love my iPad Mini with the Garmin App. ($50/year for all updates and charts)

They have the Garmin Glo (The Aviation version just has more mounts included) that works very well for an External GPS.

I use the XM for weather more than the app too. But the Foreflight subscription saves me a couple to a few Ben Franklins a year in charts. I just carry the bare minimum in outdated WACS anymore just in case.

Not to mention that the geolocated plates and airport diagrams are sort of nice when at a busy unfamiliar airport and the taxi instructions cross a runway or two and sound like a cryptographic message.

It's also handy as in flight movie entertainment for younger passengers...they can use earbuds under the headsets with a movie or two, and not bother with the intercom at all. When I need the map, I just tell them to hand it to me and flip to the map again.

I'm the odd man out. I use an Android tablet (ASUS Transformer Infinity) and Avilution Software. I've had a couple of problems with things like compatibility with the Bluetooth GPS/ADS-B I bought, but the company has given me 1 day turnarounds on finding solutions. The software now includes compatibility with the AHRS information from the iLevil Technology GPS/ADS-B/AHRS receiver. The cost for the update is only $4.95/month for georeferenced charts. Approach plates are included, but are not georeferenbced at this price. The premium subscription includes georeferenced approach plates and airport diagrams. The software allows you to scribble notes on the charts and has other features that I think are unique. I used this system for my flight from Seattle to Washington, DC and had ready access to ask the chart and airport information I could ask for. It may not be the market leader, but I am a very happy camper with this set-up.

I recently bought the new Gen 2 Google Nexus 7 (~$260) and installed Garmin Pilot on it to replace my Garmin 196. Cockpit space is rather small in the 140 so a mini-tablet made the most sense. I really like it, Garmin Pilot is about $75 a year for the VFR package. I don't have an external GPS antenna yet but will probably pick up a GDL 39 for Christmas so I can get some of the ADS-B stuff.

I've got a Motorola Xoom (from "Bonanza Man on this site ) several years ago - Android with built in great GPS receiver and 2 flight programs. Works great in the air or on the ground .I'm writing on it now and use it constantly - 8 hour battery life that recharges in a little over a hour. Charging port is a little weird but it works. I looked at IPads (roughly 2-3 times as much $$$) and decided this would do for my use.

Nice replys, thank you, unfortunately Im still torn.

I dont like Apple at all, but it keeps popping up as the leader. I really would like an Android Device, probably a Nexus 7, but all the reviews I read for Garmin Pilot and Avilution, seem like they have a long way to go to make them "AWEOSME" on Android devices. Whereas, on iOS it seems to work quite well.

My main issue is one that 182STOL said, 2-3 times as much money for an iPad. Plus I dont own anything apple. I have droid phones, MP3 players, all my tunes are not from iTunes, etc. Im not sure if that is an issue or not. I doubt it.

The foreflight sounds like the winner for flight planning and having what Im needing. Garmin Pilot looks awesome if it would work right.

I feel like an iPad wont let me down, but I sure do dislike the platform. Im all Android.

Son of a.....

I'm in the same position. I really don't like apple products. Unfortunately, I believe foreflight is the only current program that has electronis charts for Canada... I don't want an Ipad, but doesn't seem like I have much choice.

I wanted to go android as well but the software just isn't where it is on the ipad. An ipad mini + wingx pro has served me well.

Yes, Apple might be evil. They simply can't keep up with lighter, faster, and less expensive platforms.

But.....

1. The other tablet solutions out there were pretty comparable in cost to a factory reconditioned iPad 2 when I got mine. I'm a cheapskate, not a feature- or trend-obsessed techie, and I still went with the iOS product.

2. The software for either droid or iOS was adequate, although I still like Foreflight a bit more...perhaps due to familiarity.

3. The screen is still among the brightest, although that has changed in the past 6 months or so. It's important.

The biggest shortcoming of the Apple is the weight. The newer droid tablets are really nice. All things considered, if my iPad fell and broke, I'd give a look at the droids again for this reason and rapidly dropping costs alone if the screens are bright enough. I'd still want a large screen, though.

I am also not an Apple person. When I took the Mrs to look at tablets we both discounted the iPad immediately since it took a charger we didn't already have. I know, silly reason, but I'm sick of taking four different chargers when I go on a trip and didn't care to add another one. The price didn't make sense either compared to droid based tablets. Now I am set up to use the same charger for my phone, mp3 player, kindle, and tablet.

The new Nexus 7 is pretty sweet but it seems that wingx and foreflight aren't interested in releasing a droid version. I think AOPA had an article on that a month or two ago about foreflight and how it didn't make sense (to them) to release a droid version. That's too bad, they should really reconsider.

I heard Garmin Pilot was atrocious when it first came out on droid. I have never used another software program but the latest version of Pilot seems to work just fine. I use my duats login to get weather and the navigation interface is pretty easy to use.

I've never been an Apple person, but I wanted Foreflight, so a few months ago I bought an iPad Mini with 32gh and 3G/4G, installed Foreflight Pro, and I've been sold on it. So much so, that when my contract runs out on my Android phone, I'll replace it with an iPhone. I still don't like Apple much, but their products seem to be head and shoulders above other manufacturers'.

My first big use of the iPad Mini and Foreflight Pro, along with a Stratus II, was to OSH and back. Pretty marvelous.

Cary

My main thought on all of this, is this. After a few months of owning an Android with Garmin Pilot on it, It will be pretty rad. After a few months with an iPad with Foreflight or WingX, it will be pretty rad.

So, I suppose it boils down to price.

I hate that the iPad id need to get is $559. Thats with WiFi + LTE for the GPS. or $429 for the 32GB and ~$100 for a Bad Elf GPS which is about 30 bones cheaper.

The Nexus is like $269 and already has a GPS.
Or for $349, I can get it with WIFI + LTE with a build in GPS.

One more thing to consider - my Android tablet had a built-in GPS that was spot on when it could receive the satellite signals. In the 182 I started with, the skin of the plane blocked the internal GPS unless the tablet was on the glareshield, or pretty darned close to it. I wound up buying a small Bluetooth GPS even though I had an accurate system built into the tablet. Now I have a combination GPS/ADS-B in unit sitting on the glareshield in my Maule and think it is well worth the cost. Getting a Bluetooth GPS/ADS-B in/AHRS would even be better and may come along someday. Try and check the viability of using the built-in GPS with the plane you are flying to be sure it will work where you want to place the tablet.

Ipad mini 16GB w/3g (GPS) is $459. 16GB is OK for nationwide VFR, obviously you know what you need. If the android software does what you want and is reliable, go for it. As time goes one I am sure it will rival the current ipad offerings. The only thing I didn't like on the Nexus 7 is the wider screen aspect ratio. It is great for some things, like watching movies, but I didn't care for it when used for mapping in the horizontal orientation. ipad is more square which I think is a bit better for "track up" mapping and you get about 40% more screen real estate.

How are the Ipads for 3/4G reception? I know where I live, my Samsung Galaxy gets at least one more bar of service then the Iphones. Would I be correct in assuming that the Ipad would be similar to the IPhone?