We have all read about Apple iPads in flight shutting down due to overheating, or being difficult to read due to the glare of the screen.
That was then. I am wondering if the newer 2016 iPad Mini & iPad Pro models have overcome those issues?

iPad Mini


May 2016 finds the following main iPad options from Apple:

iPad mini 4
Apple introduced a thinner, lighter iPad mini 4 on September 9, 2015.

iPad Pro
Apple's 9.7-inch iPad Pro launched on March 31, 2016. The new model joins the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which launched in November of 2015.

I am not an Apple fanboy, but given the features of ForeFlight and FlyQ EFB, I am almost ready to drink the Cupertino KoolAid. I’d prefer an Android platform because I have a Samsung Note 4 phone, but Android for ForeFlight or FlyQ ain’t happening.

If you fly with one of the newer iPads, how has it performed ?
*** EDIT *** Here are two links describing the issues
http://ipadpilotnews.com/2016/04/dont-let-ipad-overheat-crash-2/
Don’t let your iPad overheat – and crash
April 14, 2016

http://ipadpilotnews.com/2013/05/an-ipad-glare-reduction-filter-that-actually-works/
An iPad glare-reducing screen protector that actually works
May 6, 2013

There's some guys at my airport that developed droid EFB. There's a free trial period if you're interested.

In in the market for a new iPad myself, my old one is a 1st gen ipad2 and barely holds up to the demands of the new iOS versions. Debating on a mini 4. I have heard the new screens are easier to read in the sun but I don't have any experience with one yet.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

I’ve been flying with iPads since they first came out and I’ve only experienced one “Gremlin” very early on (like seven years ago) that was actually a Foreflight compatibility issue. My iPad of choice currently is the Mini 4.

In the 185 its in a X-Grip Ram Mount which is attached mid-windshield where the whiskey compass used to be. When I’m flying in a direction where the sun is on its back I point the co-pilot Precise-Flow Air Vent at it. Never had a problem with it overheating. Before I put it mid-windshield I clamped it high on the V-brace on the co-pilot side so it was parallel to the side of the plane. Worked fine there as well, just not in my visual line of flight.

In the SQ2 the Mini is panel-mounted in an AirGizmo mount. The Mini 4 requires a different AirGizmo mount then the earlier Mini (which I also mounted in the same locations in both planes). Although I’ve never had a problem with it overheating in the SQ2 either, I used a Unibit to drill holes in the AirGizmo mount to give the Mini 4 some places to radiate heat off the back, being careful not to affect the holding integrity of the AirGizmo.

As far as glare, in these two mounting scenarios I’ve never felt a need for a glare shield. The few times glare has been an issue I just kick the rudder and I can see the Mini fine.

My Mini frame color of choice is White so it will reflect heat away, although black would look better in the SQ2. My assumption is this helps keep the Mini cooler although I have no scientific data to prove that.

I'm running the latest iPad Pro (9.7"). This is my 3rd iPad that I've used for the airplane. I really have never had anything that I would consider a "gremlin". I have had two "air restarts" where my first generation device rebooted itself: conditions/cause unknown in 400+ hours; those brief moments didn't concern me as I use this as my supplemental navigation & situational awareness source (really replaces sectionals) while the 430 & 496 serve as the primary.

In the 185, I have a Ram Mount with Tablock mounted to the pilot yolk. At first I thought it would bother me but it has absolutely no interference with my instrument scan or right or left hand use of the yolk.

Perhaps because it is mounted far enough into the cockpit, I have never had any issues with heat or any serious glare issues. The newest iPad pro screen seems (certainly claims to) have the best anti-glare screen to-date. (Yet, it has never been an issue for me).

Now...in the J3, i tend to use my iPhone vs. iPad by leaving it in the upper seat back pocket. It just seems to be a better fit-for-purpose scenario. But again, the J3 is a Point-A to Point-A machine most of the time.

Note: I use the internal GPS on the iPad (and iPhone) only. I have had excellent signal reception in the lower 48. I had an external GPS i used via Bluetooth but I found it to be redudnant and just another piece of equipment to keep track of and charged. I am running a homemade ADS-B receiver at times...a Stratus would also be a nice addition but not needed for the GPS alone.

I am not an Apple fanboy but they have done a great job with the iPad. Combined with Foreflight, i feel this is about the cheapest/highest-value in aviation that I have spent. No doubt, it is a consumer/professional device that is not aviation-caliber (hardened Garmin-style device). Yet, it has been durable, functional, no drama, and a positive experience for me.

Barnstormer wrote:I point the co-pilot Precise-Flow Air Vent at it.

Phil, separate question: did you install your Precise-Flow vents in the 185 while the V-Brace was installed? Did you install them when doing a windshield replacement. I've heard different stories about these working with the V-Brace.

Matt.

I also have been using both a full size Ipad and the mini for several years with Foreflight and WingX Pro.
I love the ipad mini with Foreflight. I have not had any overheat situations with it. I do at times put it in standby on longer trips in the J3 to save battery.

wagonflyer wrote:

Barnstormer wrote:I point the co-pilot Precise-Flow Air Vent at it.

Phil, separate question: did you install your Precise-Flow vents in the 185 while the V-Brace was installed? Did you install them when doing a windshield replacement. I've heard different stories about these working with the V-Brace.

Matt.

Yes they can be installed without removing the V-brace. Looking at it you might not think they will make it past, but they do, just barely. Haven't replaced the windshield.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/precise-flow-air-vent-kit.html

Shutting down when overheating is a feature - and a good one. They all have it - and it won't go away. Keep it out of direct sunlight and hot dashes. If you have it plugged in - charging does make it extra warm - sometimes unplugging it and putting it in cool outside are is all that's needed.

I've flown with ipad 1 and 2 for over 6 years pretty extensively and I don't think this is a problem or a design flaw in any way. 95 degrees inside the device is hot as hell. the shutdown feature keeps the hardware from being permanently damages. Only time it's every really happened to me is if I leave it in the plane or car in direct sunlight with no airflow.

I have a mini in the plane, put it there for a backup, and now the garmin is the backup and the mini + bad elf pro are my main navigation devices. Anyhoo, I got an ipad pro 9.7" 128gb model a week or two ago, and I haven't had a single issue out of it yet... but it won't end up in the plane as I got it through work and it has another purpose. I haven't noticed any overheating issues with any of them unless a device is left in a car / hot day / windows up / with a case on the device etc. Kind of have to work at it in my experience...

Man they are proud of those air vents!

Barnstormer wrote:

wagonflyer wrote:

Barnstormer wrote:I point the co-pilot Precise-Flow Air Vent at it.

Phil, separate question: did you install your Precise-Flow vents in the 185 while the V-Brace was installed? Did you install them when doing a windshield replacement. I've heard different stories about these working with the V-Brace.

Matt.

Yes they can be installed without removing the V-brace. Looking at it you might not think they will make it past, but they do, just barely. Haven't replaced the windshield.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/precise-flow-air-vent-kit.html

Same here.....in 2011 I was issued a full size IPad by the school, with Foreflight. Worked flawlessly in several flavors of plane: 172, PA28 and 28 R, Top Cub, etc. All on my kneeboard.

When I retired from the school, I had to give the IPad back.....rats......so first thing I did was buy an IPad Mini, and installed Foreflight. I fly with it on my knee, with a strap fastened to loops glued to a Life Proof case.

It shut down due to heat once enroute to OSH. A couple minutes later it was back...very short shutdown. I realized I'd had it in direct sun. So I moved it to my other knee and paid closer attention.....no more issue.

I'd go with a Mini again in a heartbeat. Just make sure you buy at least a 32 gig one.

MTV

I will probably spring for an iPad Mini, and tried to find out when the "NEXT" iPad Mini is due



It seems that the next Mini 5 will probably be introduced in the Fall of 2016, likely in September.

Link: http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/ipad/ipad-mini-5-release-date-launch-march-event-specs-features-price-wishlist-3593689/

" iPad Mini 5 release date, specs, new features & UK price rumours: Why the new iPad mini won't appear at Apple's 21 March event | iPad mini 5 new features wishlist "

Possible rumored updates which have been mentioned include:

Its processor will likely be improved to the newer A9 chip so that users can enjoy a considerable bump in performance and graphics.

At 5mm, both the iPad Air 3 and iPad mini 5 will be even thinner than the models they will be replacing.

For instance, the iPad mini 5 could don a different chassis, this time made with 7000-series aluminum like the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus in order to make it more durable and help prevent the tablet from bending.

Also, as MTV mentioned, a decent iPad Mini configuration will need at least 32GB.

I have been using iPads for years now, both in personal planes, and more recently a bunch in work planes. Never had any issues what so ever, just make sure that you get at least 32 gigs (all of mine are 64+)and a cellular capable model so it has the internal GPS. I like them so much, that I recently replaced the old KNS80 Nav box in the 180 with a mini 3.

RKTX wrote:I have been using iPads for years now, both in personal planes, and more recently a bunch in work planes. Never had any issues what so ever, just make sure that you get at least 32 gigs (all of mine are 64+)and a cellular capable model so it has the internal GPS. I like them so much, that I recently replaced the old KNS80 Nav box in the 180 with a mini 3.

How do you like the Garmin G5?

I also have an Ipad mini 3. They are a very good buy now. They have stopped making them and the only difference between the 2 and 3 mni is the fact the 3 had a fingerprint ID feature.
I got mine on ebay new with 64gb with wifi for $360.

The mini is the way to go due to its size over the full size ipad.

Tom

NoCOpilot wrote:

RKTX wrote:I have been using iPads for years now, both in personal planes, and more recently a bunch in work planes. Never had any issues what so ever, just make sure that you get at least 32 gigs (all of mine are 64+)and a cellular capable model so it has the internal GPS. I like them so much, that I recently replaced the old KNS80 Nav box in the 180 with a mini 3.
[img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7124/26266663694_94de49b5e8_h.jpg/img]

How do you like the Garmin G5?

That one is just a paper cutout, but so far the size and readability look like there going to be really good the application. I don't get the real one until the 18th of this month.

The latest mini has anti-glare which the old mini ones did not. Worth it in my book.

Although I have not seen one myself I read a report about that "Antiglare" screen and the author did not think it added much from the older versions.

I have been running the iPad mini 3 with foreflight for about 2 years. No problem. Love it. One of the best gadgets I have purchased for the plane. I like it more than my Garmin 430

Cheers...Rob

RKTX wrote:

NoCOpilot wrote:How do you like the Garmin G5?

That one is just a paper cutout, but so far the size and readability look like there going to be really good the application. I don't get the real one until the 18th of this month.

Where are you getting it from?
I checked aircraft spruce recently, just says not available yet.
That G5 looks like the best of the bunch of the 3-1/8" hole-mounted EFIS's for many reasons, not the least of which is that it's a Garmn-- THE name in portable GPS's IMHO.

I'm also curious as to how you are going to document the installation in your 180?
An IA friend of mine considers it a minor alteration, and says he'd be willing to sign one off for me with a simple logbook entry. Another IA friend feels differently, he says he wouldn't even be comfortable signing it off as being IAW last fall's FAA policy statement #PS-ACE-23-08 re installation of electronic attitude indicators. Someone else told me that he might sign it off via a 337-- even though there's not an STC for it (yet). So even informed opinions differ pretty widely.

hotrod180 wrote:

RKTX wrote:

NoCOpilot wrote:How do you like the Garmin G5?

That one is just a paper cutout, but so far the size and readability look like there going to be really good the application. I don't get the real one until the 18th of this month.

Where are you getting it from?
I checked aircraft spruce recently, just says not available yet.
That G5 looks like the best of the bunch of the 3-1/8" hole-mounted EFIS's for many reasons, not the least of which is that it's a Garmn-- THE name in portable GPS's IMHO.

I'm also curious as to how you are going to document the installation in your 180?
An IA friend of mine considers it a minor alteration, and says he'd be willing to sign one off for me with a simple logbook entry. Another IA friend feels differently, he says he wouldn't even be comfortable signing it off as being IAW last fall's FAA policy statement #PS-ACE-23-08 re installation of electronic attitude indicators. Someone else told me that he might sign it off via a 337-- even though there's not an STC for it (yet). So even informed opinions differ pretty widely.

Got it from Pacific Coast Avionics. Pre ordered in early April right after the release. Both me and my IA both view it as a minor alteration, and since the plane is not IFR certified, it is not replacing any required instrumentation. Really the same way I view panel mounted iPads that are hooked up to a cigarette lighter plug.

When it comes down to it, the FAA really doesn't have much authority to regulate things that fit into this category IMHO. All the FAA is doing by trying to regulate the use of iPads, and G5 type things is allowing more people to die because of the failure of old unreliable "certified" systems. Even though I am relatively young and low time, I have already had a several real life vacuum and/or gyro failures. I have never had any troubles with any form of electronic flight aid, from an iPad, to full blown old style Primus 1000 system.