I think I want the ipad mini soas to not block the instruments but if I can get away with a full size ipad, that's what I'd rather do. The reviews for the ram mount mini bracket aren't favorable, at least the one in Sporty's. This is going in a 182 to be used for approach plates, foreflight etc. A timer or place to put one would be a nice feature for me. I found a velcro attached bracket for 74 and up Cessna's but mine is a 66. Is there anything out there that is really good or should I just order the Sporty's one and live with the imperfections?

I've got a full size iPad Air (and iPad 2 before that) mounted in the RAM Yoke mount in my 185.

Works great. I've had no issues with seeing the panel and my hands do not notice the iPad when holding the yoke on either side. I was worried about it when I first mounted it but I haven't give it a second thought in 3 years.

My hand actually goes behind the iPad. You'd have to try it to appreciate it.

When the iPad Air came out...I only had to replace the iPad mount and the yoke portion stayed. $18 change over is all that I paid at the time.

http://www.rammount.com/NewProducts/iPadAirMounts/iPadAirEZROLLRtradeMounts/tabid/4927/Default.aspx

RAM-HOL-AP17U with RAM-B-121-202U

I have the iPad 2 and use the Ram Tabtite mount. Love it! It allows you to keep whatever case you want on your iPad when using it. I highly recommend it. The only reason it blocks my VSI and VOR head is because I have the old scattered panel layout. Otherwise it wouldn't.

Using an iPad 2 with foreflight pro supported by the ram mount in my 67 C180. It is a setup of near perfection. It doesn't cover any of my instruments, and I have a couple that are mounted pretty low. If anything it can obscure switches on the switch panel, but if I move my head 6 inches I can see anything I wish. I imagine that your 66 C182 has a similar panel layout. I was thinking about going with the mini for the same reason, but I had the 2 already and definitely prefer the size when trying to use the touchscreen with any level of precision in turbulence. You will be trying pretty hard if you find many complaints with this arrangement.

I fly a stick but if your interested...

My only issue for using an iPAD for primary navigation is the Sun glare can preempt the screens effectiveness to nearly zero on a sunny day. Other than that I use ForeFlight with complete amazement and confidence VFR. But, I keep it in the door pocket and use a Garmin GPS 496 for primary waypoint to waypoint navigation. ForeFlight use is great for planning (ground and enroute) but for primary I prefer the bright screens of Garmins.

I also use Garmin Blue Chart ( on the iPAD) for ocean surface navigation, however, the software is archaic compared to the development level of ForeFlight. I always rely on either an Aviation type GPS or a Marine Type GPS (plus radar, sonar etc.) when navigation is paramount. A bright screen can be a life saver in my opinion.

Present version: IPAD with Dual GPS

btw I will jump to an Android when the time is right. Apple is a "Microsoft" on steroids. They say one thing but mean another constantly.

Thanks all. Sounds like mini is not necessary. Warning to others, ipads are the only ones you can use with foreflight. I bought a samsung galaxy tablet first because I had a samsung galaxy phone. Noooo workey with foreflight.

I use the Ipad Mini with an anti glare screen protector in our 170. It's perfect for me. Never had any issues seeing the screen. I don't have it attached to the yoke, however. I tried it, and it did cover some of the panel (our panel is the old, spread out non-standard deal), but the objectionable thing to me was the movement. Maybe I should fly smoother and it wouldn't bother me. Anyway, I mounted it on the little shelf between the panel and the door frame where the ashtray is on the passenger side with a RAM mount. The pilot side shelf has the Garmin gps already. Glance to the left for the Garmin, right for the ipad, no obstructions in front of the panel or on top of the glare shield, other than the compass and the cameras mounted everywhere.

I ran the full size iPad with the Ram mount doing some photography work. I was really pleased with the mount itself, I hate almost every other Ram mount. I can't say I'd recommend the full size for a full-time mount location on the yoke. I did block the view to my egt/cht, suction gauge and part of the VSI. Basically any instrument on the bottom row and the switches on the bottom row. While it doesn't interfere with your hands in level flight I didn't like it when I did steep banks. The charging cord was another issue of being in the way. I didn't have a glare screen on it, but it does need something as it wasn't always clear.

If you don't have a problem seeing the information on a mini iPad I would suggest it. I didn't own the large iPad shown, but if/when I buy one it will be a mini. I don't have any experience with the mini Ram mount however.

i've got a mini with the ram yoke mount and it works well. I have a full size ipad but like the mini one for flying since it fits perfectly in the piper yoke when in the landscape orientation. cockpit and panel is too small for a full size ipad in my plane.

I too have an iPad mini on a ram mount on the yoke. The mini fits in nicely between the rams horns and up hard against the yoke itself (the ram mount arm comes up from under the yoke). It's a good fit, a good size in a good location and doesn't block any of the instruments ('76 C185). If I can't read a frequency number on the ForeFlight chart I just pinch zoom to read it. No problem at all.

180BarkinWagon wrote:I ran the full size iPad with the Ram mount doing some photography work. I was really pleased with the mount itself, I hate almost every other Ram mount. I can't say I'd recommend the full size for a full-time mount location on the yoke. I did block the view to my egt/cht, suction gauge and part of the VSI. Basically any instrument on the bottom row and the switches on the bottom row. While it doesn't interfere with your hands in level flight I didn't like it when I did steep banks. The charging cord was another issue of being in the way. I didn't have a glare screen on it, but it does need something as it wasn't always clear.

If you don't have a problem seeing the information on a mini iPad I would suggest it. I didn't own the large iPad shown, but if/when I buy one it will be a mini. I don't have any experience with the mini Ram mount however.

Barkinwagon, there is an arrangement that I found with the ram mount where the link is positioned on the bottom of the yoke parallel to the yoke tube, where the iPad can slide between the rams horns and nestles in very close to the Cessna badge on the yoke parallel to the badge surface. It was hard to visualize before I configured it this way, but it fits beautifully. It is the best way to get the screen low and as close to the yoke as possible. It doesn't interfere in any way through the full range of control travels. I will take a photo and post it this weekend.

Nosedragger wrote:Thanks all. Sounds like mini is not necessary. Warning to others, ipads are the only ones you can use with foreflight. I bought a samsung galaxy tablet first because I had a samsung galaxy phone. Noooo workey with foreflight.

...but should work fantastically with FlightPro! ...previously Avilution.

Should have tried flightpro, but I didn't. Went with the mini because I like to put it vertical. Both fit fine in landscape. Part of my dme equipment sits lower right unfortunately.

I've had my iPad Mini mounted on my P172D's yoke for about a year now, using a forpilotsonly.com iPro Navigator--I ordered it directly from forpilotsonly.org, but Sporty's now carries it, too. I had a little trouble with the RAM yoke mount loosening, until the clamp on the screw side broke, so that the screw drives directly into the yoke--now it's as solid as can be. I run ship's power to it, so its internal battery acts more as a back-up.

The flip up board tended to be flop too much, and the iPad Mini was somewhat loose in the mount. I solved both problems with some judicious use of Velcro. A couple strips of the soft side stuff puts some pressure on the back of the Mini, making it solid. A couple sticky Velcro tabs on the center tabs of the mount keeps the board in place, and it also helps keep it from sliding too far toward the panel in the up position.

I run Foreflight Pro and a Stratus II for weather. It's a remarkable program, and it just keeps getting better. I've gotten to the point that I don't carry up to date backup charts, although I still have some out-dated ones, because I run FF on both my iPad and my iPhone. Very cool.

Cary

My mini is mounted on the bottom corner of a the copilot side of the windshield using a ram suction cup mount. I love this setup because i can angle it toward me and see it perfectly without glare, it is not in my line of sight during takeoff and landing, my wife can play with it when shes is in the right seat, its well within reach in a 172, and I absolutely hate anything attached to the yoke!

I've got a android Motorola Xoom running Avare (free ) and Air Navigation Pro (26 bucks ) on a suction cup mount I put on co-pilots window . I've tried it on glareshield,yoke and panel but prefer r/h window for clarity . On r/h yoke is garmin 296 and panel has King KX135 GPS /com . Mark 2 calibrated eyeball watches for what the glass panel misses . As my old Military instructor s said - " keep your head on a swivel and watch outside " ocassonial scan of instruments.

Scolopax wrote:

180BarkinWagon wrote:I ran the full size iPad with the Ram mount doing some photography work. I was really pleased with the mount itself, I hate almost every other Ram mount. I can't say I'd recommend the full size for a full-time mount location on the yoke. I did block the view to my egt/cht, suction gauge and part of the VSI. Basically any instrument on the bottom row and the switches on the bottom row. While it doesn't interfere with your hands in level flight I didn't like it when I did steep banks. The charging cord was another issue of being in the way. I didn't have a glare screen on it, but it does need something as it wasn't always clear.

If you don't have a problem seeing the information on a mini iPad I would suggest it. I didn't own the large iPad shown, but if/when I buy one it will be a mini. I don't have any experience with the mini Ram mount however.

Barkinwagon, there is an arrangement that I found with the ram mount where the link is positioned on the bottom of the yoke parallel to the yoke tube, where the iPad can slide between the rams horns and nestles in very close to the Cessna badge on the yoke parallel to the badge surface. It was hard to visualize before I configured it this way, but it fits beautifully. It is the best way to get the screen low and as close to the yoke as possible. It doesn't interfere in any way through the full range of control travels. I will take a photo and post it this weekend.

Here is how mine fits:



I am on the taller side of average, and when in cruise and climb attitudes, I have no trouble seeing all of my gauges without moving my head. In a steep descent, I might need to lean forward a bit to see the bottom row, but it is a small inconvenience that is easily neglected in comparison to the convenience of having Foreflight so readily accessible.

And if I want to stow the iPad, no issue at all.

I've used a yoke board for at least 35 years, to hold approach plates. As it happens, the Mini is almost exactly the same size as my old yoke board, and so the plates can be expanded to match the NACO chart size I'm accustomed to using. So far, after almost a year of using the FF program, I'm 100% satisfied with both the program and the Mini's location on the yoke.

I don't have any real problem flight planning with the Mini, but I suspect it's a little easier with a full size iPad--just can think of all sorts of other things to spend $500 on.

Cary

I fly a stick - but I have the ram expandable mount for a full size ipad 2 - I don't like the bulkiness of the yoke mount - and will be changing it out for the u-bolt style and mounting it on the front seat (i fly a j3) or overhead on a fuselage tube. The ipad has brightness controls - you can override the automatic settings and force full brightness. I've been flying w/ ipad and foreflight since they came out - way better than garmin in my book but everyone has their preferences.

Scolopax wrote:

Scolopax wrote:

180BarkinWagon wrote:I ran the full size iPad with the Ram mount doing some photography work. I was really pleased with the mount itself, I hate almost every other Ram mount. I can't say I'd recommend the full size for a full-time mount location on the yoke. I did block the view to my egt/cht, suction gauge and part of the VSI. Basically any instrument on the bottom row and the switches on the bottom row. While it doesn't interfere with your hands in level flight I didn't like it when I did steep banks. The charging cord was another issue of being in the way. I didn't have a glare screen on it, but it does need something as it wasn't always clear.

If you don't have a problem seeing the information on a mini iPad I would suggest it. I didn't own the large iPad shown, but if/when I buy one it will be a mini. I don't have any experience with the mini Ram mount however.

Barkinwagon, there is an arrangement that I found with the ram mount where the link is positioned on the bottom of the yoke parallel to the yoke tube, where the iPad can slide between the rams horns and nestles in very close to the Cessna badge on the yoke parallel to the badge surface. It was hard to visualize before I configured it this way, but it fits beautifully. It is the best way to get the screen low and as close to the yoke as possible. It doesn't interfere in any way through the full range of control travels. I will take a photo and post it this weekend.

Here is how mine fits:



I am on the taller side of average, and when in cruise and climb attitudes, I have no trouble seeing all of my gauges without moving my head. In a steep descent, I might need to lean forward a bit to see the bottom row, but it is a small inconvenience that is easily neglected in comparison to the convenience of having Foreflight so readily accessible.

And if I want to stow the iPad, no issue at all.

Scolopax- That's my yoke and I got the EZ roller holder. I'm going to try to fasten it from underneath as yours is, that looks perfect.

Thanks all for the great tips.