Looks like I am getting an iPAD Air 2 128G on T-Mobile (4) G network. Primarily for ForeFlight, BlueChart (seaplane) and general navigating (finding a motel).

I do not think I can go wrong with it but, I have said that before on other things.

Any thoughts? Thank you, eh?

I have a Verizon iPad Air 2 128GB model as my personal tablet. Work provides me with a T-Mobile iPad Air 2 64Gb model on an international data plan. As a result, when I'm working I have both iPads with me.

Having spent lots of time with my iPad and only a month or two with the T-Mobile version, I can say that generally, the Verizon network is blazing fast, while T-Mobile is not so much. Domestic coverage is far better with Verizon as well. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been out of cell range on Verizon over the last several years, and in just a month I've seen several times I couldn't get a connection on T-Mobile.

Verizon costs me $10/mo for 6GB on the family share deal. Dunno what T-Mobile costs.

I have no recent dealings with AT&T. My previous experiences with AT&T cell service was less than ideal, but that was 6-8 years ago.

In either case, the iPad Air 2 is phenomenal.

Cannon wrote:I have a Verizon iPad Air 2 128GB model as my personal tablet. Work provides me with a T-Mobile iPad Air 2 64Gb model on an international data plan. As a result, when I'm working I have both iPads with me.

Where is your AOR (Area of Operations) generally located?

Cannon wrote:IHaving spent lots of time with my iPad and only a month or two with the T-Mobile version, I can say that generally, the Verizon network is blazing fast, while T-Mobile is not so much. Domestic coverage is far better with Verizon as well. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been out of cell range on Verizon over the last several years, and in just a month I've seen several times I couldn't get a connection on T-Mobile.

Hear you loud and clear on coverage comparison. Having decent luck with T-Mobile around Oregon so far, except in remote locations.

Cannon wrote:Verizon costs me $10/mo for 6GB on the family share deal. Dunno what T-Mobile costs. I have no recent dealings with AT&T. My previous experiences with AT&T cell service was less than ideal, but that was 6-8 years ago.

AT&T Wireless was purchased by crooks. I would hesitate to use them, but "Never say never"

Cannon wrote:In either case, the iPad Air 2 is phenomenal.

I agree...

Thank you Cannon, I like your guidance Bro.

8GCBC wrote:

Cannon wrote:I have a Verizon iPad Air 2 128GB model as my personal tablet. Work provides me with a T-Mobile iPad Air 2 64Gb model on an international data plan. As a result, when I'm working I have both iPads with me.

Where is your AOR (Area of Operations) generally located?

Not that I'm adding anything to the convo as I have the Ipad 4's with retina, but AOR= Area of Responsibility

Timberwolf wrote:

8GCBC wrote:

Cannon wrote:I have a Verizon iPad Air 2 128GB model as my personal tablet. Work provides me with a T-Mobile iPad Air 2 64Gb model on an international data plan. As a result, when I'm working I have both iPads with me.

Where is your AOR (Area of Operations) generally located?

Not that I'm adding anything to the convo as I have the Ipad 4's with retina, but AOR= Area of Responsibility

It was late last night! Thank you for the correction! I am awake now

I don't have much to add but I was a tmobile user for a few years till I had to change because I didn't have coverage at my house. I almost always have coverage on my iPhone with Verizon when flying; even in the middle of nowhere. With my tmobile iPhone I could pretty much count on not having coverage when flying. Mostly Idaho experience but when I flew to HSF I didn't have coverage in NV most of the time.

I hope you have great success with it. I like tmobile and would switch back if I could.

Well, Verizon has the vastly superior coverage for LTE. T-Mobile is playing catchup. The prices reflect the quality/quantity, "you get what you pay for".

T-Mobile may not be what I need right now for LTE on iPAD Air 2... Still pondering

One thing to think about on your trek North is if your Verizon CDMA unit will roam on a GSM network. The wireless cell phone geeks on the board can chime in with knowledgeable info, but if I think if you are on a CDMA unit and are in an area where the only service is from a GSM carrier, then you are SOL and visa-versa.

TD

TomD wrote:One thing to think about on your trek North is if your Verizon CDMA unit will roam on a GSM network. The wireless cell phone geeks on the board can chime in with knowledgeable info, but if I think if you are on a CDMA unit and are in an area where the only service is from a GSM carrier, then you are SOL and visa-versa.

TD

Interesting point about cross pollination. I need to check on that...

Research and the generous guidance from other users suggest Verizon. Because, mainly the coverage map.

T-Mobile is a fine organization and I have an Android with them but, the coverage has remained static in the areas I may travel in the future.

Verizon +1 (so far)

Your Canadian cohorts could probably tell you which format is in use along your route of travel.

In the USA, I agree Verizon (CDMA) has the best coverage, but Rogers and the other players in the North I have no idea.

I know I got stuck in Eastern WA w/ a AT&T phone and absolutely no service while my friend had Verizon with great service. No can roam between the two, but it could just as easily go the other way if the carriers along your route are AT&T type GSM providers.

Europe is almost 100% GSM and N. America sorta stands alone w/ CDMA.

TD

8GCBC wrote:

Cannon wrote:I have a Verizon iPad Air 2 128GB model as my personal tablet. Work provides me with a T-Mobile iPad Air 2 64Gb model on an international data plan. As a result, when I'm working I have both iPads with me.

Where is your AOR (Area of Operations) generally located?

I've been all over the U.S., including Hawaii. Mostly in larger metro areas, though I do use my Verizon iPad in some pretty remote places when I'm flying GA.

I second what was said above: If you plan on much international travel, Verizon isn't going to be nearly as useful as a GSM carrier. Of course, a wifi hotspot takes care of that if one is available.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I'll offer my opinion just for contrast. I have an iPad Air with AT&T here in Colorado. I've had both Verizon and AT&T phones throughout the years. Coverage between carriers is always a crap shoot. When flying around the mountains of the Southwest I generally have decent coverage. Most of the time it is always LTE. Knowing friends who have T-mobile, I probably wouldn't go that route personally due to coverage issues.

I was at Saline Valley recently and had full LTE coverage with AT&T when Verizon had no signal. Sometimes I have no coverage at one airstrip and a person with Verizon has it, the next airstrip it's back in my favor. Just depends on who had the best tower location for where you happen to be. My employer offers a 25% discount with AT&T so that's nice but I still wouldn't switch even if I didn't. As others have mentioned, check your most frequented area of operations and make the decision that way. btw, anything less than 4G coverage and I have noticed the data hungry iPad is painfully slow.

Between the Garmin GDL39 FIS-B and the cell phone signal I seem to have a constant stream of data while flying even in some of the most remote parts of the states.

Good luck, I don't think you can go wrong.
Alec

Thank you MTNWEST, your discussion is helpful.

Just got back from the store... 15:00 HST

Now an owner of an iPAD Air 2, 128G, LTE inside a Griffin case! The cell coverage SIM most likely will be a Verizon Plan to start. I can always switch SIMS if needed pretty easily.

Just loaded my free complimentary "second device" ForeFlight app. I love this little iPAD!

Still have a ton to learn about this stuff but, I am having very good luck so far.

Thank you everyone for input

BTW please keep posting here if something needs discussing...

Mahalo.

I like the iPad Air for one reason.... It fits this.....

m_moyle wrote:I like the iPad Air for one reason.... It fits this.....

BearHawk? Nice!!!!

Nah.... The Bearhawk is about 20' behind the was a PA20

m_moyle wrote:Nah.... The Bearhawk is about 20' behind the was a PA20

Ahhh. The rudder peddles say "Piper".

iPad Air 2 on Verizon is an LTE device. LTE is GSM. GSM, as others have pointed out, is an international standard. Verizon has been moving to GSM for a while now and is making noise about dropping CDMA completely.

Now, whether you'll be able to *afford* to use your device on a foreign network is a different question.

On our travels I have frequently found it more affordable to buy a "pay as you go" mobile hotspot and connect my data devices to that.

rw2 wrote:iPad Air 2 on Verizon is an LTE device. LTE is GSM. GSM, as others have pointed out, is an international standard. Verizon has been moving to GSM for a while now and is making noise about dropping CDMA completely.

Now, whether you'll be able to *afford* to use your device on a foreign network is a different question.

On our travels I have frequently found it more affordable to buy a "pay as you go" mobile hotspot and connect my data devices to that.

Thank you Rw2. LTE is good, got it. Glad I made the purchase.

I am taking a short trip to Alaska right now in June. But, have not decided on SIM and/or hot spot (external) cellular data linkups. I think Verizon is my default and path of least resistance at the moment. But, this is all new so please forgive me for perceived biases!

I appreciate the post. Clearly LTE is winning.

In Alaska GCI has the greatest cellular coverage....especially if out of the large metropolitan areas. When in rural Alaska...only GCI works