Comments on: iPad insanity

By: ipad2news.info

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By: Gerry Koehler

Gerry Koehler — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:38:01 +0000

What about the Android? I’ve been hesitant to make the move to iPhone/iPad because of AT&T’s less than stellar data performance. Are these apps, i.e. Foreflight, and other systems, i.e. SkyRadar, compatible and usable on Droid platforms? Is the performance and reliability, and availability of apps really better vs the iPad?

By: Marc Santacroce

Marc Santacroce — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:08:23 +0000

Wow, what great back-and-forth. I can’t afford an iPad right now, but plan to get one. As a CFI/CFII my only concern is having a backup in the rare event of iPad failure. As long as I fly G1000 or other TAA aircraft, the iPad is the backup. Then my only concern is dropping it, or dropping something on it. still looking for recommendations on the best way to carry it in the airplane.

BTW, do any of you use WingX. Seems like a good service, but less used that ForeFlight. How come.

Flay safe,

Marc

By: Gary Linsley

Gary Linsley — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:50:52 +0000

In response to Palmer Woodrow, you can’t wear polarized sunglasses with most of the screens including the Garmin G1000. That’s why they sell non-polarizes aviation glasses.
Palmer, buy a pair and enjoy the amazing IPad revolution.

By: Palmer Woodrow

Palmer Woodrow — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:34:37 +0000

I was going to get an iPad 2, with aviation use a big reason. Then I discovered that the screen is polarized in the wrong direction for mobile use; it’s invisible with polarized sunglasses in portrait orientation (which is what you’d use on a kneeboard or pretty much any other vehicle mount).

This is a problem that should not have made it out of testing, but Apple’s QA isn’t all that thorough (witness the headphone jack on the original iPhone, which 99% of headphones on the market wouldn’t fit). They’re not going to fix it unless you let them know about it.

Another major problem is Apple’s continued insistence on putting glossy screens on everything. By following the lead of second- and third-tier vendors at Best Buy, Apple is degrading both its computers and tablets by obscuring their screens with a sheen of reflections. Again, this isn’t going to get fixed unless people complain.

Endless fawning without criticism doesn’t help; it rewards bad design decisions. Let’s give constructive feedback!

By: James draper

James draper — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:17:19 +0000

I’m reading and replying on my ipad. Try doug that on your garmin.

By: Don K

Don K — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 05:35:58 +0000

PS. I needed a computer anyway, which justified the bulk of what I spent. Just like those folks who are out there buying iPads.

By: Don K

Don K — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 05:10:39 +0000

Reading these comments it seems most people feel the same way I do. I use an HP Touchscreen notebook with SA Voyager 4 and a Delorme bluetooth GPS. I have a friend who has an iPad and have compared both. My setup gives me a lot more functionality than the iPad but with some trade offs. Windows 7 with Voyager isn’t as stable as the Apple OS with Foreflight and it’s failed on me in flight more than once. My setup was a lot more expensive. The computer cost me $1300, $50 for the GPS, Voyager was over $100 for the modules I bought plus yearly chart purchases. The iPad OS interface is incredibly smooth. If you’ve never had a chance to use one give it a try. You’ll be impressed.

Garmin has been raking in the cash from sales of their aviation GPS units for years now. The core technology they use is from the other GPS markets but the aviation units cost many times as much. Likewise, the rediculous subscription charges for updating aviation units. Garmin can justify charging more for units that provide more, but if they fail to learn from what the iPad does well and don’t adjust their pricing structure they will eventually be marginalized in the GA market. I hope they learn because Garmin really does make a great product.

By: Sue ... again

Sue ... again — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:00:33 +0000

Consider :
The initial “investment” in an iPad with 3G, no matter what your end use, costs up to +/-$1,000
Add to that :
A monthly 3G Server subscription cost of upwards from $ 17
An annual ForeFlight subscription cost of $ 150.00 each for either the US or Cda ($ 300.00 for both) that include VFR & IFR, bring you auto upgrades (just be sure to use WiFi for large downloads !) … and all the other benefits that go along with this “generous” subscription.

Compare this expense to anything else available (paper included) on today’s market and I would hazard a guess that the costs work out about equal … or maybe even less … and without the aggravation !

So, to those of you who can obviously afford to fly… you should regard this new technologoy as a pretty “cheap” alternative that will enhance your flying experience/skills – especially when you consider the price of Safety that these innovations can but help to enhance !

Like it or not, EFB’s in one form or another are here to stay, can only improve over time in a very competitive market – so take advantage … and fly “Smarter” !

By: Steve Atkinson

Steve Atkinson — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:13:28 +0000

Personally what I would like to see is a really well done article covering the best of the app’s offered for the iPad.

I lost my medical for a few years due to cancer, but hope to have it back in a few more months and I am very interested in the advancements that have taken place while i was gone.