hotrod180 wrote:

robw56 wrote:http://m.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/airgizmo-ipadmini4-dock.php?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr5PX0Iq62gIVCtVkCh1M3wxAEAQYAyABEgJqEPD_BwE
If you have enough space you can use one of these mounts for an IPad mini and have it flush mounted in your center stack.

THis looks like itd be pretty slick for an early Cessna with the original t-shaped control column behind the panel.
Mount the com & txp up high (optional), and mount this iPad dock in the lower depth-limited part of the centerstack.
Or just use the dock, and leave the com & txp down below in the usual lower-panel location.

I've been using a home-made velcro arrangement to mount my tablet.



Yesterday a buddy of mine showed me the RAM "tab tite" mount he bought for his tablet.

https://www.amazon.com/RAM-Mounts-RAM-H ... HOL-TAB27U

Very slick, I ordered one off amazon last night. $27 delivered.
It'll mount in the same place as my current set-up, just be more secure and easier to snap the tablet in and out.

slowmover wrote:I've used a mini in my 180 for about 5 years. I mount it to the yoke with a RAM X-Grip yoke mount.

I prefer a laptop when I'm sitting around the house, but the mini is ideal for me in the 180. Perhaps not the most cutting-edge device, but it runs Foreflight great and that's good enough for me. One downside is that the battery only seems to last about 3 hours when I'm running it in flight, so I keep a charger handy. I have considered adding a USB port to facilitate charging... right now I just use a cigarette lighter adapter.

Not cutting-edge device... as compared to what other portable device?

Yes you can and it works great.

corefile wrote:

slowmover wrote:Not cutting-edge device... as compared to what other portable device?

Probably an iOS device that isn't five years old.

Old topic but a simple question..... Are you guys using cellular or only Wi-Fi? I can understand the cellular has many advantages, but would a guy be fine using only the Wi-Fi?

i use wifi only, and hotspot from my phone when a connection is needed. If I flew cross country a lot more, I would pay the extra for the cellular version, and data plan

I too use a WiFi only iPad, and hotspot to my phone when needed. I’ve flown all over the Western U.S., Canada and Alaska with this setup. Never thought I needed the more expensive cell version of the iPad.

The WiFi only iPads do not have an on board GPS, so require an external GPS. Or at least that’s what I was told when I bought this iPad a couple years ago.

Do the newer iPads all incorporate a GPS?

I keep the cellular feature turned off most of the time on mine.

MTV

The WiFi ones don’t have an on-board gps. But if you’re using something for ADS-B weather and traffic, it certainly has a gps, too. And so does your phone if other things quit.

I had a cellular iPad and then a WiFi. I didn’t miss the gps.

StuBob wrote:The WiFi ones don’t have an on-board gps. But if you’re using something for ADS-B weather and traffic, it certainly has a gps, too. And so does your phone if other things quit.

I had a cellular iPad and then a WiFi. I didn’t miss the gps.

Yes, but that introduces one more potential failure point, one more device to keep charged (or more cables in the cockpit), etc. I understand the theory IF you’re using an ADS-B receiver anyway, but even there, your ForeFlight is subject to an external failure point.

My first iPad was WiFi only, and to me (no ADS-B) it was just one more PITA to have another battery operated device in the cockpit.

But, to each his own.

MTV

Thanks everyone! As little as I do longer cross country flights, I think the Wi-Fi version will work for me. I use Net-10 phone so don't have hot spot capabilities (as far as I know).

WWhunter wrote:Old topic but a simple question..... Are you guys using cellular or only Wi-Fi? I can understand the cellular has many advantages, but would a guy be fine using only the Wi-Fi?

For running forflight or any other flight app, I don't even see the use of a non-cellular Ipad. Without a gps for tracking where you are on the map, it's just a harder to read and less reliable version of a paper chart. I guess you can blue tooth it to a external gps, but it adds another piece of electronics to keep track of.

Since a Ipad should last several years, and the data plans are pretty inexpensive, I think the wi-fi only versions are poor investments for pilots...more than half the price, and less than half the utility.

Hammer,
I have been using a Samsung Galaxy Android with Wifi only for several years. Have gotten along fine with just using Avare on it or my phone. For the whole story, I was thinking of ordering the Merlin receiver (www.seattleavionics.com/merlin.aspx) today since it is reasonably priced and probably good enough for my needs at present. I was weighing my options as far as tablets goes and realize that Foreflight is the 'cream de la creme' but needs an ipad system. Hence the reason for looking at 'I' products. Might just do the Merlin for now and pick up a different tablet later on. Heck, traveling for the winter anyway, so no flying most likely until spring.

WWhunter wrote:Hammer,
I have been using a Samsung Galaxy Android with Wifi only for several years. Have gotten along fine with just using Avare on it or my phone. For the whole story, I was thinking of ordering the Merlin receiver (http://www.seattleavionics.com/merlin.aspx) today since it is reasonably priced and probably good enough for my needs at present. I was weighing my options as far as tablets goes and realize that Foreflight is the 'cream de la creme' but needs an ipad system. Hence the reason for looking at 'I' products. Might just do the Merlin for now and pick up a different tablet later on. Heck, traveling for the winter anyway, so no flying most likely until spring.

Foreflight is super-nice, but it's expensive and probably not worth it if you don't do a lot of x-country flying. I'll likely cancel my subscription this winter, after having it pretty much since the day it came out. I just don't use it enough to justify the expense, and the only reason I've kept it for the last years is laziness.

I have "i" things because my brother is a mac fascist and I can tap him for support, but I don't find ANYTHING about the I-tunes interface to be even remotely intuitive or user friendly. Just the opposite, in fact. If you're not already in that camp, I wouldn't advise joining it.

I like Foreflight. There are other options - Flight Plan Go is very capable. I don’t think you should tie yourself to an iPad because of Foreflight.

I’ve used a WiFi iPad full size and mini for years with Foreflight (since 2009). I also use it for work, so it’s easier to justify the expense when I use it daily.

I use the WiFi version with Stratus, badelf and GDL39. I would get the cellular if you don’t have something hardwired in the plane. I agree with MTV - the more things you have to charge, it’s more likely they’ll be dead when you need them. I have my GDL hard wired so it’s no issue. I also have panel USBs for the iPad. You will need to keep it charged as the location services uses a lot of battery. You can also keep it charged with a 12V outlet and USB.

Once you get a device, find a good way to mount it. I use the ram mount suction when I’m swapping airplanes, but I don’t like the lack of side window visibility (I remove the iPad for takeoff and landings). I prefer a more permanent mount. I use the ram mounts. I considered a panel mount but wasn’t sure about the iPads changing. I have a ram mount on the copilots panel and it’s angled toward me. In the cub, is ram mount front and center.

Hammer wrote: and the data plans are pretty inexpensive,.

My CFI uses an iPad mini, it is the cellular version, but he does not have the data plan enabled. Basically bought the cell version for the GPS. So, in the cockpit it knows your location and displays on the sectional along with your flight plan (magenta line). I am not sure what the cellular service gives you in the way of benefits? Real time updates? Weather? but he said it only needs the GPS to do what he wants from it.

losbright1 wrote:

Hammer wrote: and the data plans are pretty inexpensive,.

My CFI uses an iPad mini, it is the cellular version, but he does not have the data plan enabled. Basically bought the cell version for the GPS. So, in the cockpit it knows your location and displays on the sectional along with your flight plan (magenta line). I am not sure what the cellular service gives you in the way of benefits? Real time updates? Weather? but he said it only needs the GPS to do what he wants from it.

It depends on your mission. On a cross country, if I’m overnighting, I can get weather, file flight plans, etc with my iPad. Normally, I keep the cellular function off on it till I need it. My cell plan provides this line at no additional fee, so no down side.

But, if there were a fee for another line I’d just use my phone for that stuff.

Bigger screen is nice for some stuff.

No big deal either way, but I definitely like the on board GPS in the cell enabled iPad.

MTV

Like some others, I'm wifi only because I use a Stratus for ADS-B and can tether when I need internet.

In terms of failure modes, yeah, I guess. But my backup is to just use my phone in those instances rather than pay a premium for a cellular ipad.

Yes, I am getting the Cellular version of the iPad myself, but I will be leaving the data plan off until I find a reason to have it. My service charges an additional 20 bucks or so, per month for it. I am buying the cellular iPad due to the internal GPS...the Wi-Fi only version would require an external GPS in order for Foreflight to "know" where you are (that is my understanding). I am a student so I want to have the "safety net" for when I do solo cross-country flying. I plan to use paper charts and VOR, but want a backup to confirm accuracy so I don't get lost. I prefer to learn the "old way", but the new technology will give me peace of mind.

I have used a large I-Pad 2 for a while, thot it was too big for the cockpit, so I switched to a Mini I-Pad 4 latest model, 64k purchased from FleaBay. If you are going to purchased an I-Pad, you might as well get the cellular model. I pay $10 a month to AT&T to be connected to the cell system. Plus, it has the GPS, so very good for navigation. This being said, I fly a Piper Mirage as my goto aircraft, mostly filed IFR or at least VFR FP, with FF, below 18K. (Don't own a taildragger yet.. A nice feature with the Cellular connection, is when I'm ready for TO, I refreshed the WX, so I have the latest WX on the I-Pad for the flight I am taking. Also have XM on the GTN 750/500, talk about over kill,,,!!! Haven't carried nav maps or paper approach plates, for 7-8 years now, all legal, you just have to 2 sources for EFB maps. Hint: If you are going to upgrade your cell phone at AT&T, along with the cell phone upgrade, you can purchased a I-Pad for about 1/2 price retail, depending on i-Pad options. I think they only have the 128k for memory option, which is good. Verizon, I think offers the same deal, but you have to ask. I use Garmin Pilot as my EFB program, as it laces up to the Garmin Data Bases on panel flight equipment. Garmin is the 900# gorilla in the avionics business. They are a great company with even better support. I bought their stock on their initial public offering...:):):). The used Garmin GNS 530W sells for 80% of list price and they haven't made the 530 for 6-7 years now. Fly safe. Dave B