Alternative EFBs: FlyQ vs WingX vs FltPlanGo

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neilw2

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I have been a iPad in cockpit user since I got my instrument rating around 6 years ago. I use it mostly for approach charts, AFD info to brief on frequencies and local procedures, and of course en route maps, etc. I like to keep my eyes outside or on my certified instruments so I don't play that much with all the bells and whistles. Although I am quite capable with electronics, for me simplicity is key- in the plane I want to fly, not play with my iPad.

I started with Foreflight, which works great. However, after their pricing structure kept going up I got a little disenchanted with them and moved on to Garmin Pilot. Again, good app, lots of nice features.

I am now ready to move to using a low cost ADS-B in since all these cheap solutions are becoming available. In that quest I noticed Garmin Pilot doesn't play nice with some of the non-Garmin products that are coming out (ie. Stratux, Merlin, etc). As someone who always champions the little guys in business I figure I want to move to one of the lesser known EFBs.

I'm looking for PIREPS for the alternatives to Garmin Pilot and Foreflight. I know there is FlyQ, WingX, and FltPlan Go, maybe others I'm missing.

Here is the features I want/care about:

1. Current IFR/ VFR charts that update easily (preferably automatically)
2. Ability to get a legal brief and file directly with flight service for IFR flight from the app. ATC confirmation with routing sent back to the app is a huge plus.
3. Taxi Diagrams showing my plane on the diagram
4. Ability to pull up the AFD easily and airport info.
5. Compatible with iPad and Andriod (not a deal breaker if only 1 but I'd like the choice to use Apple or Droid)
6. Stable- again I don't want to be playing with it the whole flight, so stability is a big deal for me
7. Plays nice with mostly all ADS-B in solutions
8. Has synthetic vision- I've never used it but since I'm getting a ADS-B in id like that option
9. Price- I'd rather pay for a extra flight or 2 then pay more for an app because it is the market leader.

So with that- what do you guys recommend.
 
AggieMike88 said:
TANSTAAFL. If you want one of the best solutions, and fly frequently, the price paid for best solutions are more than reasonable.
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Agreed, but I'm not a fan of following the masses. I'll pay for better functionality if I need it. I wont just buy and continue to use the standard bearer if there are other options that are better for my simple uses for them. Maybe I'm wrong and Foreflight/ Garmin Pilot is head and shoulders better and more stable than the others, but maybe I'm not.

....Hence the reason for this thread :)

And to bring it back to it's purpose - have you used any of the alternative apps? Any PIREP on em?
 
WingX. The only one that's not great is item #2. It may work, but I used Fltplan.com for that, so I don't know about that feature in WingX. You do have click on a button to download the data, but it does it after that. I've used WingX for years and it's great. I fly IFR, so I love having all the arrival and approach data. The GPS enabled taxi diagrams is very helpful on airports that one doesn't go to often, or your first time there.



Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
Fltplan go. No synthetic vision if that is really a requirement.
The interface isn’t as well designed as foreflight. With that said most of the info we need is there.

I wish it displayed height above terrain. The 430w and Aspen give HAT indications which is good but I miss foreflight giving me an actual number. We are taught to plan our altitudes ahead of time when headed into the mountains. Sometimes plans change while en-route and I don’t like being head down reading terrain elevations.
 
I use FlyQ EFB and love it. I do only fly VFR, but I will say this, it has the option to file VFR, IFR and DVFR. You can also set flight plan routing for None, Wind/Fuel only, Victor Airways, Jet Airways, Terrain Avoidance, search and Rescue. It will provide you with a legal brief and gets weather from DUATS (as long as you have a login).

When I purchased it I got the lifetime version with all VFR and IFR charts for $600 (they run a special once a year or at least that has been the case.

Charts will alert you when they need updated and it is one button update.

I use mine with a homebuilt Stratux and AHRS works perfect and they support it.

Only works on iPad as far as I know.

Taxi diagrams and approach charts show your aircraft on them.

FlyQ has been very stable for me and any tech support questions I usually receive an answer in less than a day, unless it is over the weekend (I ask lots of questions, because I am new to flying as well as new to EFB's)

Getting airport info is normally 2 touches as I think about it almost everything can be done in 2 touches or less.

You can also hand write notes on any diagram or approach plate as needed.
 
wayne said:
WingX. The only one that's not great is item #2. It may work, but I used Fltplan.com for that, so I don't know about that feature in WingX. You do have click on a button to download the data, but it does it after that. I've used WingX for years and it's great. I fly IFR, so I love having all the arrival and approach data. The GPS enabled taxi diagrams is very helpful on airports that one doesn't go to often, or your first time there.



Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

#2 for WingX may be addressed in version 9.0 expected soon, it is switching over to use LockMart for filing/briefings

In the meantime take a look at http://bit.ly/2cvFoQB
 
I use FlightPln on a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and am happy with it, especially the price. Don't have synthetic vision and don't know about "plays nice with most ADS-B in solutions".
 
Challenged said:
iFly hits all of those and runs on Android, iOS and Windows: https://www.iflygps.com/Features
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Challenged, I agree for the most part but I was not aware iFly did the second half of #2 - "ATC confirmation with routing sent back to the app..." Does it? I haven't seen that and the inability to use copy and paste to emulate that is one of the very few drawbacks I see to the app.

neilw2 said:
5. Compatible with iPad and Andriod
Click to expand...
iFly, Garmin Pilot and the free FltPlan Go! are the only viable choices meeting this particular criterion. WingX Pro's Android version is still an infant with lots of promise but limited functionality.
 
DoubleD said:
I use FlightPln on a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and am happy with it, especially the price. Don't have synthetic vision and don't know about "plays nice with most ADS-B in solutions".
Click to expand...

Is Fltplan's app really free? That's what it looks like according to their website

I'll have to play around with it but I'd imagine it be much less polished than the $ apps. Am I correct? That alone doesn't mean it's not to right solution from me, but just wondering.


midlifeflyer said:
iFly, Garmin Pilot and the free FltPlan Go! are the only viable choices meeting this particular criterion. WingX Pro's Android version is still an infant with lots of promise but limited functionality.
Click to expand...

Mark, I know from previous posts that you have used a bunch of different apps over the years. Have you found stability issues with any? Or are they all pretty reliable?
 
neilw2 said:
Is Fltplan's app really free? That's what it looks like according to their website
Mark, I know from previous posts that you have used a bunch of different apps over the years. Have you found stability issues with any? Or are they all pretty reliable?
Click to expand...
I haven't tried Garmin Pilot or Naviator in years, so I won't comment. I know FltPlan Go (and yes, it really is free) has had stability issues in the past but I long ago decided it wasn't an in-flight app for me. I use it periodically, but only on the ground so, again, I can't comment. I also have a bias against free apps for IFR flight; completely unreasonable, but I don't trust them. In the Android world, I love the AvNavEFB interface and it but, it's current iteration has some stability issues. I already commented on WingX's Android version. It's solid, as far as it goes.

In my current iOS world - ForeFlight, WingX, FlyQ, iFly GPS, and Aerovie - I think they are all solid performers and it's all about which interface you like and which bells and whistles you get used to.

In my current Android world - iFlyGPS and DroidEFB - again, pretty solid and I haven't seen any stability issues that would make me hesitate using one of them.

If you are looking and thinking, I'll give my usual recommendation: take advantage of free trials.
 
midlifeflyer said:
Challenged, I agree for the most part but I was not aware iFly did the second half of #2 - "ATC confirmation with routing sent back to the app..." Does it?
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I've actually never used it to file, so I'm not sure. I know it has online filing, so that's specifically the part I was referencing; sorry for any confusion.
 
neilw2 said:
Is Fltplan's app really free? That's what it looks like according to their website
Click to expand...
Yes. But careful, as they say, you get what you pay for.
As others have pointed out, it is not a stable/reliable app and the UI is pretty slow and poorly designed with plenty of bugs. Compared to FF (just as an example) which seems to work very intuitively without much training. Probably because all FF team members are pilots, including management which makes UI and UX decisions. Vs FltPlan where the programmers are in charge of how they want to implement something (which should be dictated by users instead).
Don't get me wrong, FltPlan Go isn't a very bad app, it's just not too good. I admit I use it but only as a backup since I really do not trust it.
So yes, it is free, of course with ads.
 
BigBadLou said:
Yes. But careful, as they say, you get what you pay for.
As others have pointed out, it is not a stable/reliable app and the UI is pretty slow and poorly designed with plenty of bugs. Compared to FF (just as an example) which seems to work very intuitively without much training. Probably because all FF team members are pilots, including management which makes UI and UX decisions. Vs FltPlan where the programmers are in charge of how they want to implement something (which should be dictated by users instead).
Don't get me wrong, FltPlan Go isn't a very bad app, it's just not too good. I admit I use it but only as a backup since I really do not trust it.
So yes, it is free, of course with ads.
Click to expand...

Yea, that's what I figured.

My primary is and will probably continue to be a iPad Mini- so Flt Plan Go may be a nice backup app on my phone or droid tablet. I think I'm gong to play around with trials of WingX, FlyQ, and iFly to see what I like best and go from there. I'll post a new thread with my comparisons for anyone interested.

Thanks everyone for their opinions thus far!
 
BigBadLou said:
Yes. But careful, as they say, you get what you pay for.
As others have pointed out, it is not a stable/reliable app and the UI is pretty slow and poorly designed with plenty of bugs. Compared to FF (just as an example) which seems to work very intuitively without much training. Probably because all FF team members are pilots, including management which makes UI and UX decisions. Vs FltPlan where the programmers are in charge of how they want to implement something (which should be dictated by users instead).
Don't get me wrong, FltPlan Go isn't a very bad app, it's just not too good. I admit I use it but only as a backup since I really do not trust it.
So yes, it is free, of course with ads.
Click to expand...
I have to point out that FltPlan Go has been more stable than ForeFlight. I have not had a problem with reliability at all in the past year. There are things I don't like about it, mostly its user interface design philosophy that expects the user to always start with flight planning on the website, but the software works well.
 
Joey4420 said:
I use FlyQ EFB and love it. I do only fly VFR, but I will say this, it has the option to file VFR, IFR and DVFR. You can also set flight plan routing for None, Wind/Fuel only, Victor Airways, Jet Airways, Terrain Avoidance, search and Rescue. It will provide you with a legal brief and gets weather from DUATS (as long as you have a login).

When I purchased it I got the lifetime version with all VFR and IFR charts for $600 (they run a special once a year or at least that has been the case.

Charts will alert you when they need updated and it is one button update.

I use mine with a homebuilt Stratux and AHRS works perfect and they support it.

Only works on iPad as far as I know.

Taxi diagrams and approach charts show your aircraft on them.

FlyQ has been very stable for me and any tech support questions I usually receive an answer in less than a day, unless it is over the weekend (I ask lots of questions, because I am new to flying as well as new to EFB's)

Getting airport info is normally 2 touches as I think about it almost everything can be done in 2 touches or less.

You can also hand write notes on any diagram or approach plate as needed.
Click to expand...
One more vote for flyq efb. I use it , vfr ops

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
wayne said:
WingX. The only one that's not great is item #2. It may work, but I used Fltplan.com for that, so I don't know about that feature in WingX. You do have click on a button to download the data, but it does it after that. I've used WingX for years and it's great. I fly IFR, so I love having all the arrival and approach data. The GPS enabled taxi diagrams is very helpful on airports that one doesn't go to often, or your first time there.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

+1 for WingXPro... Been using it almost exclusively for many years, and LOVE it! But lots of guys use FF...
 
FlyQ at their promo pricing and FltplanGo - you have an inexpensive and reliable solution that does everything you need. Including SVT.
 
thomasdr72 said:
+1 for WingXPro... Been using it almost exclusively for many years, and LOVE it! But lots of guys use FF...
Click to expand...

Same here, used them all at one point but WingX was the only one I kept renewing, especially the 3 year deal and now with the limited VFR only free version due soon, even better value
 
Scrabo said:
Same here, used them all at one point but WingX was the only one I kept renewing, especially the 3 year deal and now with the limited VFR only free version due soon, even better value
Click to expand...
WingX and ForeFlight, the original and at one time only EFB apps are, in iOS, probably the best examples of how two apps can cover 90% of the best functions but approach them in completely different ways.
 
Have never had stability issues with FlightPln over the past year I've used it but agree with negative comments on user interface. I only fly 50-60 hrs/yr so find it hard to justify a subscription service. FP fits my needs.
 
I use Orux, which is free, you have to update your own charts, (also free), and QRouting (cost $5 but free to use). It works quite well, I fly VFR so I don't need any IFR stuff, but the charts, and plates are available for free, and up to you to keep updated. But it isn't Foreflight, and doesn't cost anything to use or keep updated.
 
FlyQ here.
Just started though, so no real PIREP.\
I do like the wind optimizer and overlays that it provides, and the measuring tool which includes height.

 
I downloaded AVARE yesterday and have been playing with it a little. It is free, no ads, and seems to be VERY functional. I am impressed so far.
 
somorris said:
I downloaded AVARE yesterday and have been playing with it a little. It is free, no ads, and seems to be VERY functional. I am impressed so far.
Click to expand...
I use it and find it functional. But I haven't been spoiled by the pay to play EFBs. From what I gather on POA it isn't for the 'serious' magenta line driver and is to be scoffed at.

I think the guy who made it is a pilot who made it for himself and it has just evolved from there. Now everyone can download and compare it to their subscription services and criticize it. No good deed goes unpunished right.
 
exncsurfer said:
I use it and find it functional. But I haven't been spoiled by the pay to play EFBs.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat and have only used Avare. I flew a 2hr XC trip yesterday running on my Samsung S7, which is way smaller than ideal. Even small, it was our EFB with geo-reference approach plates for our C182 / G1000.
 
I'm using iFlyGPS for Android. Does everything I need for VFR, except for W&B. The maps are a little cruder than Garmin Pilot, but I like how Airport diagrams can be preloaded and then pop up automatically when you zoom in.
 
AlleyCat67 said:
I'm using iFlyGPS for Android. Does everything I need for VFR, except for W&B. The maps are a little cruder than Garmin Pilot, but I like how Airport diagrams can be preloaded and then pop up automatically when you zoom in.
Click to expand...
They also have "Real View" airport diagrams for airports with no official airport diagrams - they use snippets of what are probably Google Maps, but geo-referenced.

It also does a very good job for IFR. I've noticed its altitude alert system calling out step-downs on instrument approaches (probably optional-most of that stuff in iFlyGPS is).
iPadMini_Blk_RealView.jpg
 
I've been using DroidEFB for over a year and have been very happy with it.
 
+1 for the FltplanGo app used in conjunction with my IPad mini. I keep the airplane’s nav data base updated with a Jepps subscription. Happy and reliable IFR flyer here...
 
The base version of WingX does far more than the basic version of ForeFlight and is less expensive. +1 for WingX. I swapped from FF to WingX about six years ago and have been very happy with WingX. I think it will do everything you had in your list and much more.
 
Do we have many users of Connext within their efb app?

Does your app support Connext? Go and FF do. Is Connext support a requirement?
 
jsavage3 said:
+1 for the FltplanGo app used in conjunction with my IPad mini. I keep the airplane’s nav data base updated with a Jepps subscription. Happy and reliable IFR flyer here...
Click to expand...

Whoever figures out first that pilots with in panel GPS want a package deal on chart updates for both their in panel and EFB and sets a reasonable price, is going to have a huge leg up on the competition...

Cough, Garmin.... cough. They really should have gotten on this by now. One subscription, one login, gets you all your stuff in one place on one bill...

As far as EFBs go, I gave ForeFlight one more year at their top tier this year because I’m an old school ForeFlight fan, but I’m actively looking at replacing it with a cross platform app. Can’t see sinking any more money into the sinking ship of bad quality for higher prices than average at Apple anymore. There was a time they were better, but it’s over.

Problem is, the cross platform EFBs still haven’t quite caught up. The company that makes the best cross platform ( with no crippled version on either platform ) EFB is going to win eventually.

So another year paying ForeFlight, a six month trial on Garmin that went very well on iPad but isn’t quite right yet on Android, and the free WingX deal for CFIs are the ones played with so far.

Garmin is good on iPad. Liked it a lot. Wasn’t really any cheaper than ForeFlight though, and needs help on Android, but is close.

WingX has a pretty awful UI but most of the features are there, just not quite as intuitive as ForeFlight. Very basic UI and a little too basic.

But ForeFlight has added so many features over time that it’s a daunting app if you’re pretending you’re picking it up as a newbie today. It’s UI is getting very cluttered. It’s not a simple EFB anymore. For better or worse. ForeFlight has menus on the top, menus on the bottom, tabs, push and hold on charts, different screens, an entire multi page settings section, and is just getting weird. If you’ve used it a long time, the progression makes sense, but they’re bolting things on like the logbook and W&B and ... it’s kinda all over the place and you really have to sit down with the manual now, to find everything. It wasn’t that way to start. They’re losing their UI edge rapidly.

Garmin’s UI tends toward being much more simple to go to exactly what you want, honestly. They hide a lot of things and you still need a manual to get the most out of it, but they also make some assumptions about what the majority of pilots would want and just do it, without a giant menu of toggles making you decide up front. An example might be obstacles. I couldn’t tell you where to turn it on and off, but if you’re really about to hit something, it’s just going to pop up a warning and tell you, just like their panel mount stuff.

Will be trying out more. I read all of Mark’s stuff because the Aviation press is years behind on reviewing this stuff properly. They usually just parrot whatever the press release says from the software company and the last real stabs at reviews were two years or more ago. Everything changes quarterly in the EFB software space now, and Aviation press has no clue whatsoever on how to keep up with it like the tech press does on other software.

I’d speed up this process and grab a bunch of hardware and test stuff, if I weren’t just about to write a really big check for panel mounted stuff. Will have hands and brain full testing and flying that stuff for a while.

Won’t say I’m a Garmin fan boy, but if Garmin were to figure out updates via a single source, and make their EFB play nice with the new panel, such that it’s a relatively seamless experience? They’d win a lot of brownie points for just not wasting my damn time. Let alone, the money. We’re pooping a check larger than any other expenditure we’ve ever spent on the airplane, and gladly so, but they could throw a bone out on the data subscription stuff. That’d be an extremely smart move on their part.

“Since you wrote us a ridicoulsly large check for that nice certified IFR panel mount stuff, and you’re buying dats updates for it, we’ll toss in the updates for your EFB, too.” — that’d be a “goodbye ForeFlight” moment for me, other than keeping it around to teach it to students.

And ForeFlight’s CFI discount is pitiful.

WingX supposedly won some decent sized DoD contract last year. Garmin just needs to think harder about their world domination strategy and they’ve easily got some leverage nobody else can match if they integrate properly to their panel mounts and get the business units in line.

2018 might be a really tough year for ForeFlight, as much as I hate to say it, because I like those folks. They brought the EFB from crappy to great. But others who’ll do cross platform or integrate better with panel mounts, etc... are in their rear view mirror and flashing the brights...

I don’t see Aero maps saving them, and their disdain for stuff like Stratux and all their funky business partnerships don’t give me a warm fuzzy either. It all looks like flailing. Partner with Jeppesen for their charts out of the blue? Seems desperate to meet some contract bid for an airline or something. Team licensing stuff also reeks of that. Not that it’s bad they’re chasing those big accounts, but it’s got them off focus a bit for the average Joe pilot now.

If Garmin would get a strategy going, there’d be some bumping coming around turn three. I can’t tell yet if Garmin. “Gets it” as far as their EFB goes. They missed by a mile on the latest iterations of Aviation watches, that’s for sure. Garbage.

Looking forward to trying a few more. I wouldn’t have been just a few years ago. That’s how much progress all of the EFBs have made.
 
@denverpilot, about cross platform. You and I have a similar attitude. If I replace Ff entirely, it will be with a cross-platform app. If WingX fulfilled its promise, I’d probably have been using it for a few years already.

Have you looked at IFlyGPS at all? Its main downside is kind of its upside. It has an old looking interface and it seems to sit on top of the OS rather than being integrated into it (no copy and paste, for example), but i think that is mostly because it’s definitely multi platform. It’s own dedicated hardware (which competed with Garmin in the pre-tablet handheld markets), iOS, Android, and a very stable Windows beta, all of which seem to have the same features.

Hardly perfect. You know this - you get used to some bells and whistles you once thought unimportant - and some of those are missing. But it is the closest I’ve come to getting weaned away from ForeFlight, the main reason I got rid of my Stratus for a Stratux, and the only other EFB I use regularly, usually the Android one.
 
>> WingX has a pretty awful UI but most of the features are there, just not quite as intuitive as ForeFlight. Very basic UI and a little too basic.

Sure it's not eye candy but it works, doesn't require the latest and greatest iOS version, performance is still very good on older iDevices and uses the least amount of "disk space" on the iDevice. This allows older devices to still have some useful life.

I lot of people, including myself prefer the simple/basis approach, must features are not buried 3 levels down in some menu
 
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