Garmin Pilot - Nexus 7 or Samsung Note 8

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TazzyTazzy

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Mitch
I'm just getting started as a pilot...but.... I have the first Nexus 7, and it's just slow. I find myself surfing the web on the couch on my Nexus 4 phone despite the Nexus 7 tablet within arms reach. I just can't stand how slow it is. I installed Garmin Pilot on the Nexus 4 and 7. The 7 takes a few seconds to switch screens, move around, etc. It's just slow. Anyways, I want a new tablet and but also use it in flight as well when at the stage to do so.

After a ton of reading, researching, I decided to get a new Nexus 7 32gb and use Garmin Pilot on that. However, I walked into Staples, and the Note 8 is on sale, $100 off.

Do I go for the Nexus 7 for $269 or the Note 8 for $299, both 32gb (the Note 8 allows for SD card to upgrade memory later). However, the screen resolution of the Nexus 7 is superb. However, the Nexus 7 only has 77% of the screen that Note 8 does.

Has anyone used the new Garmin Pilot scratch feature with the Note 8 + stylus? I would think this would be a huge bonus. Being able to jot down taxi notes, frequencies, etc, with a stylus instead of my finger - I could write more and it they would be much clearer notes. What about mounting the larger Note 8 somewhere in the cockpit versus the slimmer (Note 8 is thinner) Nexus 7.

Thoughts?
 
I wouldn't weigh the decision using screen rez too much. Same for Retina. Yes, technically, it is better... but I've never heard anyone with any tablet complain their screen didn't have enough resolution. It's like they "fixed" a problem that doesn't exist. Now, screen brightness and daylight readability.... there's a problem that needs fixin'.

BTW... I have Nexus7-1 (and a mini)... the Nexus negotiates the web really fast, as quick as the mini. If you Google the problem of slow browsing on the Nexus 7-1, it seems there are a few folks who have experienced the same thing. Try some of the things mentioned in those threads, as it seems to have resolved the problem for most users.
 
Last edited:
CT4ME said:
BTW... I have Nexus7-1 (and a mini)... the Nexus negotiates the web really fast, as quick as the mini. If you Google the problem of slow browsing on the Nexus 7-1, it seems there are a few folks who have experienced the same thing. Try some of the things mentioned in those threads, as it seems to have resolved the problem for most users.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Nexus 1 speed. It was always as fast as my iPad 2 or current 4. Something must be dogging it down.
 
Sunlight readability with 600 nits brightness = get the Asus TF700.
 
Ok. Good point. I guess it comes down to...

Putting the note 8 vs nexus 7 somewhere. Suction cups to window seems to be common on the nexus 7.. But, would the 8 block view and/or gauges?
 
TazzyTazzy said:
I'm just getting started as a pilot...but.... I have the first Nexus 7, and it's just slow. I find myself surfing the web on the couch on my Nexus 4 phone despite the Nexus 7 tablet within arms reach. I just can't stand how slow it is. I installed Garmin Pilot on the Nexus 4 and 7. The 7 takes a few seconds to switch screens, move around, etc. It's just slow. Anyways, I want a new tablet and but also use it in flight as well when at the stage to do so.

After a ton of reading, researching, I decided to get a new Nexus 7 32gb and use Garmin Pilot on that. However, I walked into Staples, and the Note 8 is on sale, $100 off.

Do I go for the Nexus 7 for $269 or the Note 8 for $299, both 32gb (the Note 8 allows for SD card to upgrade memory later). However, the screen resolution of the Nexus 7 is superb. However, the Nexus 7 only has 77% of the screen that Note 8 does.

Has anyone used the new Garmin Pilot scratch feature with the Note 8 + stylus? I would think this would be a huge bonus. Being able to jot down taxi notes, frequencies, etc, with a stylus instead of my finger - I could write more and it they would be much clearer notes. What about mounting the larger Note 8 somewhere in the cockpit versus the slimmer (Note 8 is thinner) Nexus 7.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I have the Note 10.1 (the one from last year, I think Samsung announced a new Note 10.1 though I'm not sure if it's out yet or not).

Personally, I love it. I have never been able to write down a legible full-route clearance with a rapid fire clearance delivery controller using my finger or even the capacitive styluses available on the market. But the stylus on the Note series is different - it's a Wacom based (I think) active digitizer stylus, and works much better. You can even configure S Notes (the Samsung notes program) to ignore all finger touches & palm presses, and write ONLY with the stylus. This is what I do when copying clearances.

Keep in mind that asking 100 pilots will get you at least 101 opinions, so I'm not trying to convince anyone here. But for me, I would give up some screen resolution and brightness in order to get the active digitizing stylus feature, so in general, when I talk to people, I recommend to go for the Note.

My only caveat here is that you said you're just getting started as a pilot, which I presume means you'll be VFR only for a while. In that case, there is much less to write down, and when you do need to write a lot (ATIS weather information, for example), it's often repeated so you can take your time writing it. In that case, maybe the "Note" feature is less important for you than it is for someone flying IFR.
 
How's the Note 8's GPS performance? I did an IFR Xc with a student Friday and Saturday and his Nexus 7 first gen wouldn't lock on unless sitting on the panel. My second gen was slightly better, but struggled occasionally. My iPad, sitting on my lap, never had a problem. Curious how the Note 8 does.
 
LDJones said:
How's the Note 8's GPS performance? I did an IFR Xc with a student Friday and Saturday and his Nexus 7 first gen wouldn't lock on unless sitting on the panel. My second gen was slightly better, but struggled occasionally. My iPad, sitting on my lap, never had a problem. Curious how the Note 8 does.
Click to expand...

Maybe Santa will bring me an ADS-B for external GPS this year or next. :-)
 
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