I have had it with the XM on my 496, and want to go to an ipad mini with foreflight. What do I need? Do I need the Wifi, 3G, 16, 32, etc? What kind of antenna works well?

Thanks for the help!!

if you just want GPS and nothing external, you will have to get the 3G model (data plan not necessary) as it is the only model with internal GPS. If you just want GPS and are OK with an external GPS (which usually is more accurate anyway), then get the Wifi model + Dual GPS150 or Bad Elf GPS (around $100 for the GPS).

If you want ADS-B weather (and you can receive the signal in your area), the Wifi model + APRS/GPS will do. Like the Dual GPS170, or if you are using Foreflight you will need the Stratus box as they have chosen that one as the only supportable model.

16GB iPads are adequate for Wingx Pro or Foreflight. The entire US's sectionals and airport diagrams only use about 3GB.

If possible, however, try out an IPad in flight in the cockpit first. I have a mini, and have used it and a full size IPad in the cockpit in a couple of airplanes, and I find that glare makes them very difficult to use in the cockpit. Great devices, and the mini is the way to go over the full size, but I'd take the 496 any day.

It's still going to be a while till we have "full" ADSB coverage, and even then, you'll have to be pretty high for coverage in the mountains.

If you're really looking for something primarily in the plane, look at the Garmin 696 or 796.

FWIW

MTV

I echo MTV's comments. My 696 went with my plane when I sold it, and have been using my iPad mini (non 3G, but I have a 4g wifi hotspot) w/ the Bad Elf GPS pro.

I have an anit glare which helped, but it is VERY difficult at times to see with the glare. Granted, I've been flying RV's a lot and they get a lot of light, but you might try one first as MTV says.

Also, it may be an issue with the Bad Elf (although all firmware/software is up to date), but I lose GPS fix on occasion even thought the GPS shows a fix (on its built in screen) and the iPad shows connected via bluetooth. Have to turn the iPad off/on to get it back. Happened once while navigating the SVFR airspace over LAX - not the opportune time.

Which brings me to my third observation - its REALLY hard to replace the reliability and purpose-built usability of a dedicated flight GPS - like the 696/796. I really consider buying a used 696. I was really spoiled.

That said, as PLANNING tool, the ipad is a fantasic device!

I just can't seem to find room for the full size Ipad in our planes. I have been using a 496 for about 5 years, but am sick of dealing with and paying for xm when I can get all the same info on my smartphone. The last straw is them shutting it off after it sits for a while, then having to reactivate the service I am already paying for.

In my RV8, everything is tough to see, and space is at a premium. Is the 696 or 796 about the same size as a full size ipad?
Does the stratus provide weather and traffic on the 6-796? What cost would there be to that?

Thanks

Sorry, I didn't address the size issue. The mini is, in my opinion, the perfect size for the cockpit. I had the full size in my S7 and it was just too big. Its great in the RV's as well.

The 696 is closer in X x Y dimensions to the ipad mini, but it is a lot thicker and heavier.

I hear you on the XM. That company is borderline criminal in its customer "service" practices. I don't miss that.

The ipad works, its just got some downsides. But I think the ipad paired with a ADS-B/AHRS has a lot of utility - if you can put up with the downsides (which I do because its what I have now) and will cost about the same as just a used 696.

I think there are ADS-B's that will work with the newer 796? Not sure.

Yeah, thought so - the garmin unit
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/gdl39.php

Stay away from Apple if you can. Android, Garmin... Mo beta Brah!

$00.02

Im an android fan, but decided to get an ipad because there are WAY more aviation apps on apple. I'm running a 4g iPad mini 32gb. The built in GPS is accurate enough for my needs, and doesn't require another electronic item, hence, another battery to recharge.

If I want data on the go, I simply pair it with my android phone for Internet connectivity. I'm planning on getting a cheap data plan with a different carrier for the ipad (some starting at $5), that way if I lose reception on my cellphone, I may have a chance at reception on the iPad.

FarmerFranck wrote:Im an android fan, but decided to get an ipad because there are WAY more aviation apps on apple. I'm running a 4g iPad mini 32gb. The built in GPS is accurate enough for my needs, and doesn't require another electronic item, hence, another battery to recharge.

If I want data on the go, I simply pair it with my android phone for Internet connectivity. I'm planning on getting a cheap data plan with a different carrier for the ipad (some starting at $5), that way if I lose reception on my cellphone, I may have a chance at reception on the iPad.

The technology of Apple is great! But, they "bait and switch" to much (opinion). Kind of like Steve Balmer and Bill Gates on steroids.

I have been using my iPad mini on the yoke, using this yoke mount: http://www.forpilotsonly.com/iPro-Navigator.htm Honestly, the only glare problem is reflecting off my shirt if I wear a white or light-colored shirt, as the cover really does a good job otherwise. I have run power to the yoke, so that if I haven't remembered to fully charge the iPad, it will still work fine. Fully charged, it's supposedly good for 8 hours, but I've never tested it.

I have the 4G 32Gb model, and Foreflight Pro (that gives the extra of geo-referencing on all of the charts, including enroute, approach, and taxi diagrams). I have Verizon's share-everything data plan, the lowest data version, and that's been plenty adequate so far. I think it's 2 Gb worth, and even using my smart phone and occasionally the iPad on it, I have yet to run over about a quarter gig in a month. Most of the time, I have the iPad on wifi.

I just got my Status II, and used it for the first time 2 days ago. When I first left Greeley in the morning, I stayed low and didn't get any radar (just a message on the chart saying "no radar available"). I barely climbed high enough to clear the ridge on the way to Laramie. We don't have much ADS-B coverage around here yet, supposedly, but when I left Laramie and climbed only to 9500', I began to get radar on the charts. So apparently if I get high enough, the ADS-B radar will work a lot better.

Incidentally, because it's white, the Stratus II puts an annoying glare on the windshield. I may invest in a suction cup mount put it on the side of the windshield instead.

Comparing my location on the charts on the iPad to my Garmin 430W panel mount and my 96C hand-held, all 3 were identical. I haven't yet shot an approach for real, but I've flown several approaches, and the airplane icon tracks exactly on the approach charts.

All this hi-tech in a 50 year old P172D--what would Clyde Cessna think???? He'd probably ignore all the doo-dads and repeat what he already said, "If the engine stops for any reason, you are due to tumble, and that's all there is to it!"

Cary

I am not an apple fan, and have an android phone. But it seems like everything is geared toward the ipad/iphone crowd.

Thanks for the info, keep the ideas coming!

Has anybody used the link that emsflys posted with a 496?

As to the original question of WHICH iPad mini to get, this was my personal experience:

The extra $130 for internal gps and cellular service seemed worth it to me. Only the cellular ipad has built in GPS. Remember, you don't need to purchase a data plan if you don't want to, the internal GPS will still function. I like that I can add a data plan if I wish to.

As for which size, I'm at 13gb used on my ipad, I don't even keep music, videos or pictures in mine. Come to think of it, I have no idea how I've used that memory. All I can say is I'm glad I got the 32gb version.

One good thing about the mini is the new lightning connector. Any accessory you buy should remain current with iOS devices for quite some time.

lancef53 wrote:I am not an apple fan, and have an android phone. But it seems like everything is geared toward the ipad/iphone crowd.

Thanks for the info, keep the ideas coming!

Has anybody used the link that emsflys posted with a 496?

I use Apple to type on this forum (for the last 9 months). But, Apple blocks me purposely at times of things that the Andoid does not. Hopefully ForeFlight management sees the true Apple and gives Android a try!

Android reminds me of the song "Freedom Ah.. Freedom..." a BIG relief to use THE Android Operating System! It simply was not butchered. But, not everyone supports it.

lancef53 wrote:I am not an apple fan, and have an android phone. But it seems like everything is geared toward the ipad/iphone crowd.

Thanks for the info, keep the ideas coming!

Has anybody used the link that emsflys posted with a 496?

You can get traffic, but not weather and it must be hardwired to the 496. Some Q&A here http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/gdl39.php

emflys wrote:Sorry, I didn't address the size issue. The mini is, in my opinion, the perfect size for the cockpit. I had the full size in my S7 and it was just too big. Its great in the RV's as well.

The 696 is closer in X x Y dimensions to the ipad mini, but it is a lot thicker and heavier.

I hear you on the XM. That company is borderline criminal in its customer "service" practices. I don't miss that.

The ipad works, its just got some downsides. But I think the ipad paired with a ADS-B/AHRS has a lot of utility - if you can put up with the downsides (which I do because its what I have now) and will cost about the same as just a used 696.

I think there are ADS-B's that will work with the newer 796? Not sure.

I'm confused....not a challenge, mine you. I have used XM Weather on a Garmin 396 for six years now. I have the Aviator "Lite" version....doesn't give winds aloft or lightning strikes. It shows weather and METARs/TAFs, about all I need. I've never had an issue with XM, like never. Including one time when my credit card rolled over to a new one and I forgot to give XM the number on the new card. They sent me a nice email message to that effect, but I was on the road. XM still worked two weeks later, when I did give them the new number.

I'm surprised that folks are complaining about XM service...I've had really good service from them. Lucky? That service is not cheap, but ADS-B is only guaranteed above 6000 agl in mountainous terrain....that's a guarantee, but there are a LOT of places I'd like to see what's around BEFORE I pop up to ridge level. THat's the goal for full ADS-B deployment, was my understanding. I'm sure it'll be better in many mountainous locations, but.....

I'll stick with XM, thanks. At $35 a month, and the ability to turn it off in winter at no penalty, I have found the service to be excellent, and hard to justify an ADS-B receiver instead. I'll let you folks experiment with that and report back.

MTV

mtv wrote:

emflys wrote:Sorry, I didn't address the size issue. The mini is, in my opinion, the perfect size for the cockpit. I had the full size in my S7 and it was just too big. Its great in the RV's as well.

The 696 is closer in X x Y dimensions to the ipad mini, but it is a lot thicker and heavier.

I hear you on the XM. That company is borderline criminal in its customer "service" practices. I don't miss that.

The ipad works, its just got some downsides. But I think the ipad paired with a ADS-B/AHRS has a lot of utility - if you can put up with the downsides (which I do because its what I have now) and will cost about the same as just a used 696.

I think there are ADS-B's that will work with the newer 796? Not sure.

I'm confused....not a challenge, mine you. I have used XM Weather on a Garmin 396 for six years now. I have the Aviator "Lite" version....doesn't give winds aloft or lightning strikes. It shows weather and METARs/TAFs, about all I need. I've never had an issue with XM, like never. Including one time when my credit card rolled over to a new one and I forgot to give XM the number on the new card. They sent me a nice email message to that effect, but I was on the road. XM still worked two weeks later, when I did give them the new number.

I'm surprised that folks are complaining about XM service...I've had really good service from them. Lucky? That service is not cheap, but ADS-B is only guaranteed above 6000 agl in mountainous terrain....that's a guarantee, but there are a LOT of places I'd like to see what's around BEFORE I pop up to ridge level. THat's the goal for full ADS-B deployment, was my understanding. I'm sure it'll be better in many mountainous locations, but.....

I'll stick with XM, thanks. At $35 a month, and the ability to turn it off in winter at no penalty, I have found the service to be excellent, and hard to justify an ADS-B receiver instead. I'll let you folks experiment with that and report back.

MTV

Actually MTV, I never had any issues the the service itself - it never failed me. The issue was that I had the service with my old 496, then when building my new plane, tried to cancel. Literally took MONTHS to cancel, endless calls, dropped, bounced around to agents - it just kept going, kept getting billed. It got to the point where it was borderline criminal, where it seemed no one cared and that I was convinced it was being done intentionally. Later, I renewed with my 696, and I would switch between the lite and aviator packages in the on/off season for winds. 1st time, took 2 or 3 months for them to finally actually switch me off the more expensive (I was ready to hire a lawyer after the initial experience, and that is NOT like me), and then later, they switched me off the more expensive plane, but I continued to get winds (cool, some compensation for my troubles).

While I may have just had bad luck, I don't think my experience was at all unique, based on research I did on the topic while dealing with all the bullshit.

But, like I said - the product worked great and I obviously wanted to have it despite the issues.

For what it's worth, I'm a big android supporter and wanted to use an android tablet. The reality is the apps (WingX, Foreflight, AOPA FlyQ , and Garmin's app) are several levels higher in quality. Really wanted to use the Naviator app on Android but it has let me down many times, crashing, errant GPS reporting, etc. For the time being, an iPad is what you want. My favorite is WingX, but all the big IOS apps are very capable.

As for glare, see if you can borrow a friend's and try it out. I don't have any problem with glare but I guess that's the advantage to the dark and dreary cabin of a shortwing piper. Keep in mind to increase the screen brightness (not a default setting).

The worst thing about XM weather is the customer service. Otherwise, it's awesome. Much more dependable than cellular data, but XM/Sirius the company sucks.

It is the customer service that makes me unhappy. This spring when I got into the plane after it sitting for a few months, the subscription I was paying for was not working. Last spring, it was fine after sitting. The year before, it didn't work until I called.

I don't understand why an account paid for and in good standing gets turned off, and they continue to bill me. If they are purposely going to shut my service down, stop billing me for it. Or at least send me an email telling me it is disabled. I was getting emails every couple days about some stupid online concert, so I know they can reach me.

When you call customer service, you waste several minutes trying to get to where you need to be in there menu, and then they tell you they cant help you because it is an aviation product. Then the transfer and start all over again with a new operator.

Rant over

Thanks for the replies--I will borrow a friends ipad mini and see if I can find space for it in the RV8. In our C180, would the yoke mount work best? It has a center stack panel with a spot near the bottom with a gizmo dock for the 496.