Looking for H/W recommendation for Fltplan Go

[Lycosaurus]

I've been with Fltplan Go for about 7 years or so, and it works really well on the iPad (mini 2). The mini has been slowing down over the years and OS is has been limited to iOS 12 for some time. I will need to upgrade the hardware likely within a year or so. I might make the jump to Android tablet, but hesitating on which would be the best model for this application.

1. Anyone have any recommendation for which Android hardware (preferably 8" tablet format... don't have room for anything larger)?
2. How are the OS and security updates?

Thanks.

Please Note ... I AM NOT INTERESTED in recommendations for another application (i.e. FF, Garmin Pilot etc). This thread will be more useful if it focuses on the questions asked. Thanks.

 

[Walboy]

I've been using a Samsung Galaxy Tab A going on seven years now using FltPlan Go. No issues what so ever. This device is pretty much dedicated for aviation use only, so I bought it with the smallest amount of installed memory and use the expandable memory card. I cannot update the operating system anymore but I've not had any trouble connecting to update databases or any other connection to the internet for any web based application. I spent $175 all in with expandable memory card included.

I have a strip of Velcro attached to the back so I can mount it to an old Garmin 196 yoke mount. Works great!

I plan to buy another cheap Samsung next time I update. I don't know what size the latest models are but I believe the Tab A is an 8" screen. It's basically the size of an approach plate which is perfect for me.

I have FltPlan Go on my Samsung cell phone too, which works just as well as the tablet. Makes a great primary when the tablet isn't needed. Just take it out of my pocket and it attaches to the yoke with Velcro and a cell phone belt clip holder.

 

[hindsight2020]

I recently had the unpleasant scenario of having my 8 inch lenovo tablet become fltplan go bricked due to the software not supporting/playing well with certain chipsets according to their tech dept. I don't have a use for an 8 inch tablet otherwise, it was purchased specifically for the form factor. I posted about it on reddit, but here's their response when I inquired:

This issue with some Android devices is the Mediatek chipset. We have not recommended Lenovo devices for a long time. We recommend Samsung mobile devices running Android 5.0 and up. We do not recommend Kindle Fire tablets or ASUS ZenPad devices running OS 6.0 and below due to a mapping software incompatibility.

And since July of 2021 we do not recommend any Samsung device utilizing the Mediatek chipsets. We know that Samsung Galaxy a21 and Galaxy Tab a7 will not run FltPlan GO. Neither is something called AT&T Calypso.

So caveat emptor. These days I run it on my main tablet (lenovo P10) which apparently is still supported, and just accept the larger form factor. When I went looking, there wasn't much on the 8 inch tablet market that wasn't laden with the mediatek chipset. It's a nice free app, so I can't complain that much, but I won't pursue another tablet purchase without the assurance it won't remain compatible with the EFB of my choice.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

This thread will be more useful if it focuses on the questions asked.

Killjoy.

 

[Adam Weiss]

I’d stick with the iPad mini. The new ones are fanstastic.

 

[Lycosaurus]

Thanks everyone for their inputs so far. Substantial cost difference is one of the main reasons for moving away from Apple.

I also had a Nexus 7 (2013) as backup, and that worked well also... until wifi security/compatibility diverged with what is common today. It was a nice little workhorse.

Too bad that design for smaller tablets have been left to the wayside. I really thought Android tablets would finally catch up to the mini over time. I guess the market decided otherwise.

 

[Matthew]

Thanks everyone for their inputs so far. Substantial cost difference is one of the main reasons for moving away from Apple.

I also had a Nexus 7 (2013) as backup, and that worked well also... until wifi security/compatibility diverged with what is common today. It was a nice little workhorse.

Too bad that design for smaller tablets have been left to the wayside. I really thought Android tablets would finally catch up to the mini over time. I guess the market decided otherwise.

I’m following this thread, too. My old Nexus is about worn out. I only use it for Avare and VFR flying, but now I’m making the transition into the IR world and want something more up to date. It seems to run FltPlan Go well enough, although I have managed to crash it twice, I think. I’m thinking a Samsung Tab of some flavor is next. I’ll have to check into the chipset issues

 

[chemgeek]

It will work great on any reasonable recent Android tablet with a good screen and enough memory. I'm running both FltPlan Go and Droid EFB on a re-purposed Samsung S5e, 64 GB. Plenty of memory and processor power, and this thing is light. It has the EFBs and the bare minimum of apps to get weather, email, etc. Without all the usual stuff I put on a tablet for personal use, it is lightning quick. The nice thing about Android is that they pretty much all come with internal GPS in the wifi-only model.

 

[Matthew]

It will work great on any reasonable recent Android tablet with a good screen and enough memory. I'm running both FltPlan Go and Droid EFB on a re-purposed Samsung S5e, 64 GB. Plenty of memory and processor power, and this thing is light. It has the EFBs and the bare minimum of apps to get weather, email, etc. Without all the usual stuff I put on a tablet for personal use, it is lightning quick. The nice thing about Android is that they pretty much all come with internal GPS in the wifi-only model.

I just now powered up my Stratux, connected the Nexus, and then started FltPlan Go. It’s showing traffic.

I got the Nexus well before I started using it for flying. The internal GPS has always worked well.

 

[Lycosaurus]

... Samsung S5e, 64 GB.

That looks to be a 10" model. I am looking for an 8" or smaller model, and they seem to be scarce these days. I just don't have the room for a larger tablet, and much smaller, then it becomes tedious to read approach plates.

 

[Lycosaurus]

I just now powered up my Stratux, connected the Nexus, and then started FltPlan Go.

Nexus 7 is a great little machine, even almost a decade later.

If you find your Nexus a little slow or wonky, try wipe the system cache partition:
https://forums.androidcentral.com/g...e-nexus-7-2012-2013-cache-partition-wipe.html

I also found that under "developer options", select Window animation scale to OFF (you need to enable developer options first, if you don't already have that enabled).

 

[Matthew]

I’m starting to have some charging issues. Original USB C cable works fine. Replacement 6’ cable charges intermittently, I suspect the connector on the Nexus is wearing out. I tried a third USB C cable and couldn’t get that to work. I also used a 2’USB extension and that doesn’t work even with the original cable that does work on its own. I just found this out today.

 

[asicer]

I’m starting to have some charging issues. Original USB C cable works fine. Replacement 6’ cable charges intermittently, I suspect the connector on the Nexus is wearing out. I tried a third USB C cable and couldn’t get that to work. I also used a 2’USB extension and that doesn’t work even with the original cable that does work on its own. I just found this out today.

Nexus 7 2013? If so, it's micro-USB, not USB-C. Also, the 2013 has wireless Qi charging.

 

[Rich Holt]

I used the Galaxy Tab A for FLTplan Go. It just works. Plus it was small enough to use as a kneeboard. Plenty bright enough. I think I got it on sale for $150 from BB. I have a few complaints about that program, however. The first was the need to switch to the website to file. That became tedious. The other two problems may or may not be related to the tablet that I used (Tab A). The map would have to redraw every time I zoomed or switched over to an approach plate and back, and the redraw was SLOW. The other issue was UI is terrible, but it is free and works with Stratux.

So maybe the Galaxy S8 would alleviate some of the suck.

 

[Lycosaurus]

This is what limits the size of tablet for me:
What you see is an iPad Mini 2 (on the left). The RAM tablet holder manages to also accept the Nexus 7 (2013), which is my backup (along with my phone which also has fltplan go). Performance-wise the Nexus is holding its own but the Mini wins out. Not much out there as a replacement (in that form factor) except for a new Mini ($$$). As you can see, the panel is pretty full... and my wallet isn't anymore

 

[chemgeek]

That looks to be a 10" model. I am looking for an 8" or smaller model, and they seem to be scarce these days. I just don't have the room for a larger tablet, and much smaller, then it becomes tedious to read approach plates.

Lenovo, Samsung, and Huawei all make 8" tablets, but they are seriously out of date OS-wise, and the OS can no longer be updated. The Huawei M5 is a beast of a tablet with an incredible screen. Most of the currently available 8" tablets have fairly low-resolution (1200x800) screens. It's too bad, as the 8" screen is a very useful size. I really liked the old Nexus 7. The Huawei is very nice, but also dated.

 

[Matthew]

Nexus 7 2013? If so, it's micro-USB, not USB-C. Also, the 2013 has wireless Qi charging.

Ok - I probably said “USB C” and meant “Micro USB”.

The pic has the original cable (that works fine), the next one is intermittent, the bottom doesn’t work. All cables work on other equipment.

 

[asicer]

Ok - I probably said “USB C” and meant “Micro USB”.

The pic has the original cable (that works fine), the next one is intermittent, the bottom doesn’t work. All cables work on other equipment.

View attachment 106928

Meh. Don't worry about the cables and charge it wirelessly.

 

[Matthew]

Meh. Don't worry about the cables and charge it wirelessly.

I’m more concerned about keeping it topped off while flying. Granted, the battery lasts longer than my bladder. The last time I used it on a long flight was to and from OSH a couple years ago. That was 4 hrs to, 3.8 from. I don’t see anything like that in my future. But I do have a wireless charger, I haven’t tried the N7 on it until now. Hey, it works!

 

[asicer]

Hey, it works!

Nice!

As for charging in the cockpit, I suppose velcro'ing the wireless charger to the back of the tablet is an option.