Ok. Right on, thank you.

I'm old school and like paper charts. I have a Bendix/king Av8or that I haven't updated since 2009. I usually only get it out when I'm more than a couple hours from home. Been thinking about trying a samsung tab with Avare. I think having current airport data in electronic format would be nice but don't really need or want to pay for something like foreflight. An electronic AFD would suffice.

I don't own an iPad so I'm clueless here. Is there any chance, ever, that ForeFlight or others will include EMS functions through a separate box so that we can have full EFIS/EMS function?

Maybe I should call ForeFlight? I've heard that they are very responsive to questions and upgrades.

My Samsung Tab 2 is... well, it's a piece of shit and I would never bother with it in the cockpit. It was one of their cheaper models at the time and it shows in terms of CPU horsepower. Choose wisely and don't skimp on device specs.

Z, I know very little about this stuff so I trust your opinion. However, the Tab 3 8.0 (1.5 GHZ processor with 1.5 GB ram) seems just fine when compared to the iPad mini on paper. Yeah it is cheap at ~$250 but should be fine for looking at charts and airport info.

whee wrote:I'm old school and like paper charts. I have a Bendix/king Av8or that I haven't updated since 2009. I usually only get it out when I'm more than a couple hours from home. Been thinking about trying a samsung tab with Avare. I think having current airport data in electronic format would be nice but don't really need or want to pay for something like foreflight. An electronic AFD would suffice.

I'm really happy with Avare. The developers are really responsive to questions and suggestions as well.

Zzz wrote:My Samsung Tab 2 is... well, it's a piece of shit and I would never bother with it in the cockpit. It was one of their cheaper models at the time and it shows in terms of CPU horsepower. Choose wisely and don't skimp on device specs.

I installed Cyanogenmod on my Galaxy Tab 2. It runs WAY faster and battery lasts longer now too.

Has anyone tried the Ilevil AW unit? Works with either platform but also provides pressure altitude and airspeed. You can also link an engine monitor like a GRT 4000 through it and it will connect by bluetooth to a couple screens. I looked at it at OSH and it seemed pretty cool but sure would like to see more reviews. I need to do something most of my instruments are kaput. Seems also like a great way to be able to keep up with new technology. I believe it works with WingX as well for the maps.

http://www.aviation.levil.com/iLevil.htm

I use a Mini I Pad with Wing X and it is fantastic.

Z said Choose wisely and don't skimp on device specs.

I sort of mentioned this tablet / flight software issue because the latest tablets are just crazy amazing with their specs. The fact that you can get 64GB onboard and add another 64 GB memory with an SDXC memory card which on slickdeals.net currently costs $ 32 dollars ( Feb 20, 2014) is just amazing.

The Apple ipads are great but one can't easily plug in more memory. The point being that with these really amazing new tablets being available at increasingly more affordable prices, more and more folks will start to consider flight software.

The posts have been really very helpful and after reading through I am going to have to really take another careful look at the Garmin offerings.

I see IFly has a new app out for both Android and iPad, check out "iFly GPS". Charts are higher-res than the competition (so more storage is a good thing). Haven't used it yet (happy WingX customer) but downloaded it to give it a try. Glad we have so many capable options.

svanarts wrote:I installed Cyanogenmod on my Galaxy Tab 2. It runs WAY faster and battery lasts longer now too.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out. I want to like the Galaxy Tab 2, but it's a dog in stock form. Maybe exhaust, prop repitch, I dunno.

Zzz wrote:

svanarts wrote:I installed Cyanogenmod on my Galaxy Tab 2. It runs WAY faster and battery lasts longer now too.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out. I want to like the Galaxy Tab 2, but it's a dog in stock form. Maybe exhaust, prop repitch, I dunno.

In stock form I agree with you but it can be a better device. It will give you another couple years out of a worn out Galaxy Tab 2.

One more reason to get the Garmin Pilot app:

SYNTHETIC VISION.

So damn cool.




“Once you fly with it, you won’t want to fly without it.”

My experience was similar as many other pilots out there: once I flew with synthetic vision, I never wanted to fly without it. Synthetic vision is a technology Garmin has years of experience incorporating into certified avionics and flight decks. It adds safety-enhancing situational awareness that offers a level of assurance in areas of rising terrain, in darkness, and even in fog, rain, haze, and solid IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions.

Building on our experience developing synthetic vision for avionics, we have integrated this enhanced, three-dimensional perspective into Garmin Pilot for your iPad or iPhone. Garmin Pilot offers a unique level of perspective unlike anything available today and we are certain, once you fly with it, you won’t want to fly without it!

When launching version 6.1 of Garmin Pilot on your iPad, you’ll immediately notice a new icon on the main menu: ‘SynVis.’ Even more, if you’re flying with the GDL 39 3D, (our newest portable ADS-B receiver) you’ll receive the benefits of synthetic vision with an attitude indicator overlay. Obstacles, traffic threats, and even the runway environment are all available within the same display. Nestled among the attitude indicator, GPS-derived airspeed and altitude tapes, and a horizontal situation indicator (HSI), which offers course information if an active flight plan is entered. Also available, estimated time enroute (ETE) and distance from your next waypoint or destination. Now you know the mystery behind the name: GDL 39 3D!

If you haven’t had the opportunity to fly with the GDL 39 3D – don’t worry! You’ll still receive the benefits of 3D Vision with a subscription to our VFR or IFR Premium packages. The same three-dimensional display is available, only without attitude information. So, you’ll still see the display of obstacles and the runway environment while on approach to land, as well as an HSI, ground speed, GPS altitude, ETE, and distance information all among a virtual topographic landscape.

Leveraging years of experience in developing synthetic vision, this is the quality you can expect from an industry-leading company that designs synthetic vision for certified aircraft. So, it goes without saying: Once you fly with Garmin Pilot, you won’t want to fly without it!




Copied and pasted from the Garmin Blog Found HERE: http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2014/02/garmin-pilot-adds-synthetic-vision-capability-.html#.UwawSPldXE0

I would never fly with synthetic vision on anything but a certified installation. Sure you say you won't actually use it but that one time you fly into the soup I'll bet you turn it on. I was in a flying with a friend that had all three of the major efis apps on his iPad. I can't remember which one had synthetic vision at the time but he would roll out a turn and the iPad would show about 5deg off from wings level not every time but frequently. 5deg may not be enough to kill you but from my experience flying IMC inadvertently the last thing you want is some "instrument" lying to you; your brain will do plenty if that on its own. Sure it is a cool feature but I wouldn't even want it included in an app I was going to use, the temptation would be too high if I inadvertently went IMC, I'd turn it on because let me tell you when you go IMC in a VFR plane without any real IFR training it is scary and you will grasp at anything you think might help keep you alive.

I understand what you are saying about the whole synthetic vision making you feel more capable than you actually are. But why would you not want to equip yourself with all available resources for a just in case scenario? (Kind of like having a well thought out survival kit, hope u don't need it, but it's there if you do). The fact that Garmin is an industry leader and they have an interface that has been around for years that continues to get better (and more affordable) says a lot in my eyes. Plus I already have an iPad and I use it every day for work and play so it's already available to me. I can use it for so many different things PLUS, I can get in flight weather, ads-b traffic, synthetic vision, etc etc not to mention the in flight weather capability will HELP avoid flying into IMC and then if it does accidentally happen I will have at least a little help when I have no other point of reference. The temptation would definitely be there in a worst case scenario. Especially if my VFR equipped airplane had no attitude indicator. You are right. If I was in that situation I would grasp anything that might keep me alive. But like many have said before and I think what you are getting at is that it may give a false sense of security and one may push the VFR envelope because they have the syn vision capability. But again, that all goes back to judgement and a go, no go choice.

Have an iPad mini + Foreflight but wish I had a 496. Or even like an aera 500 would be sweet.

One good thing about Garmin products is that if you have an issue with it, it's a flat rate fee to fix it. Also, no subscription unless you want wx.

But as a broke pilot I can agree, hard to cough up tha cheddar.

Does anyone have a feeling about how significantly the hardware & flight software are improving? Newer ADSB GPS units like the Dual 170 + latest Samsung Galaxy Note Pro (almost like a Galaxy Generation 4.5 tablet) + the latest & greatest flight software from all these competing manufacturers = good things. Moreover, these good things continue to improve.

I bet Oshkosh will have some pleasant surprises.. I don't expect G1000 performance from a < $1000-1500 tablet setup, but I cant help think that the future looks bright for such lower cost options.

I do agree with those who are cautious. I'll always have a few steam gauges on my panel, even if they are small Mickey Mouse ones, or all clustered in one or two multi-gauges. Just saying...

Denali wrote:Does anyone have a feeling about how significantly the hardware & flight software are improving? Newer ADSB GPS units like the Dual 170 + latest Samsung Galaxy Note Pro (almost like a Galaxy Generation 4.5 tablet) + the latest & greatest flight software from all these competing manufacturers = good things. Moreover, these good things continue to improve.

I bet Oshkosh will have some pleasant surprises.. I don't expect G1000 performance from a < $1000-1500 tablet setup, but I cant help think that the future looks bright for such lower cost options.

I do agree with those who are cautious. I'll always have a few steam gauges on my panel, even if they are small Mickey Mouse ones, or all clustered in one or two multi-gauges. Just saying...

The thing about units like the Dual 170 ADS-B and Foreflight Stratus and Garmin GDL 39 is that they are using the same WAAS type receiver that the G1000 and other certified installations use. The only difference is it's not certified, which is why the price is so much lower. I agree with having paper maps and steam gauges wholeheartedly. I just am a geek when it comes to technology and gadgets. Especially when they are made more affordable.