Anyone have any experience using the GDL39 in with ipad/foreflight? I am trying to do this, but am not getting any targets to show up on my Foreflight. The unit is probly 6 years old with no updates, so curious if the newer updates would help. I have one friend that said he thought they were pretty unreliable. It is getting power and blue toothing to the ipad.
I have this, so if I can make it work, that would be great. If not, which would be the best unit to get for treliable ADS-b in to go with the ipad/foreflight combo.

Thanks Gary

I am very happy with my Stratus 2S. Appareo sell them refurbished or ebay.

The weather in is my first priority when I am in the US, though in the PNW there did not seem to be great service north of Seattle.

I've had a GDL39 that I've used off and on for years both with Garmin Pilot and with Foreflight and it works fine. Definitely a good idea to keep up with firmware updates.

Sounds like it is time to get the manuals out, go sit at Durango and set it up while traffic is in the sky.

http://static.garmin.com/pumac/190-11110-00_0H_Web.pdf

https://foreflight.com/support/support-center/category/guides-supplements-videos/

I would defiantly get the firmware updated. Garmin Pilot does this for you automatically. If you do not use it (Pilot), there are offers for a free trial period, which should allow you to do it. If your has super old firmware, then you may need to have it connect via the serial port to one of the Garmin handhelds, which will do the update via the hardwire. I did get one that had original firmware that turned out the only way I could update was via the Area 660 and the hardwire. Later versions didn't have that issue. I couldn't complain the eBay seller thought it was broken, so it was beyond dirt cheap. If you do not have access to a hard wire setup and yours will not update via bluetooth, PM me and I'll give you a hand.

The GDL-39 is a very handy unit. While it is a bit "Captain Nemo" looking, its form factor allows remote mounting in rather limited space. The A version, with AHARS is also a super little unit. I have used it to ferry aircraft with non-functional HSI's back from halfway around the world. Not to even start any kind of "best oil" type discussion. I personally settled on Garmin Pilot a few years back because it actually works internationally. Foreflight's world kind of ended at the border. This is not an issue of 99.99% of the folks on this forum, pretty much just me. The other nice thing is it plays well in a hard wired installation, which I prefer.

As you can see the GDL-52 up there in the Caravan's turtleneck (and a Spot), which is actually hardwired to the Area 660 on a flexible old cellphone stalk. I simply used the standard Garmin 12V hardwire between any GDL and the 660 or the 796. They have ones for virtually any model they made. I recently got the -52 version for the Nexrad capability, which works everywhere. The Caravan's built in Datalink system just went offline as they discontinued the ground station service. We where on our way out to Rosevelt Lake for a day of practice. The little Husky showed up perfectly as we where doing our work on the lake. As did the FIS weather letting me know it was going to be a slow groundspeed day back.



We where there to do some of this kind of work

I used a GDL 39 for years until recently. Worked fine with FF and Garmin pilot. If not working it usually was the iPad Bluetooth not turned on. Occasionally a manual choice selecting the GDL 39 in the Bluetooth settings would be required to connect the device. For troubleshooting or practice with setup you can take it home, power it up and check the connection and settings in an unhurried environment.

Been using same GLD39 for (5) years w/ ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot (iOS, Android) and various “Connext” devices. Seaplane, Skiplane, wheels, and rotorcraft.

Note: in R44 I use remote ADSB & GPS antennas affixed on upper forward cabin, then on fixed wing I leave it on dash.

GLD39 seems to work well with a plethora of devices and aircraft. I like most of the functionality very well.

Today’s setup. Note ADSB & GPS antennas mounted above:


Disclaimer: Use any Bluetooth and non certified devices with extreme caution!

Thanks guys. Dogpilot is pretty close and gonna get me on track.
G