Which iPad do you use?

jd21476 said:
With the mount on the windshield does the iPad overheat? My iPhone will sometimes say its shutting down because of the heat when I put it on the windshield mount in the summer.
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I’ve always used a window mount and had success pointing one of the ball vents at the back of the iPad to prevent this. Seems to provide adequate cooling. On a DA40 and SR22, the pilot’s side vent points just the right direction. Might not work on others, but there are aftermarket iPad cases with cooling fan available.
 
How big do you want your I Pad screen in the cockpit? I have an I Pad Pro 9.6 inch. Old, but still works. Almost too big. For me, the size of the newer I Pads would be too large. When I get a replacement, it will be a mini.

Cellular - sure the cellular is handy, but the benefit is that that version comes with its own internal GPS. Very helpful when you loose connection with your transponder or Garmin - and it will happen for some reason.

Cost - I always buy from Gazelle / used, and it's worked out well for me so far. Here is a cellular unlocked I Pad mini for $300

https://buy.gazelle.com/products/ipad-mini-5-64gb-wifi-4g-lte-unlocked
 
iPad 6th gen 9.7" cellular with a RAM Yoke mount. I have the 128GB version with all maps downloaded from Foreflight and still have 70GB available... I also keep an Apple Pencil real closeby and use the Foreflight scratch pads heavily (of course with paper and pencil within arms reach for backup).

I'll also mention that I have the headphones audio out of the iPad hooked up to the headsets which is great for traffic, terrain, and runway alerts. I also love using the spoken audio checklists in Foreflight, especially for pre-landing as the workload starts to increase.
 
Sators said:
iPad 6th gen 9.7" cellular with a RAM Yoke mount. I have the 128GB version with all maps downloaded from Foreflight and still have 70GB available... I also keep an Apple Pencil real closeby and use the Foreflight scratch pads heavily (of course with paper and pencil within arms reach for backup).

I'll also mention that I have the headphones audio out of the iPad hooked up to the headsets which is great for traffic, terrain, and runway alerts. I also love using the spoken audio checklists in Foreflight, especially for pre-landing as the workload starts to increase.
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My iPad and phone just connect via bluetooth to my A20 headset. I get reporting from iPad and also can talk on the phone

I've not had trouble with overheating, but I've read where some people have. On the Cessna it mounted on the lower left corner of the windshield, on the RV9 it mounts on a suction cup to the instrument panel.
 
I use a 11" pro. I hate it, but Garmin supports iPad better than Android. It is the one Apple product I own.
 
I use the mini 5 on pilot side and mini 4 on copilot side if they want it.

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I didn't know the wifi-only models did not have gps. IMO that's a deal breaker. I would gladly pay the extra$$ just for that feature alone even if I didn't plan on using the ipad on a cell network.
 
I’ve long opined here that the iPad Mini would be my preference in the limited space I have in my plane. I’ve been patiently waiting for years for a Mini sans bezel/home button to upgrade from my Mini 2.

With the release if the iPad Air 4 I just got tired of waiting. In truth, 99% of my iPad use is outside the cockpit. The larger screen size and latest iOS version - unable to run on the Mini 2 - and faster A14 processor all make for a significant improvement. I bought the cellular model with 256 of storage. Probably more storage than I need, but I upgrade so rarely it makes sense to “future-proof” as much as possible.

The ability to multitask on the larger screen is great. Here is Safari and Twitter running side-by-side:

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Though it won’t capture in a screenshot, I can simultaneously have a video running in a floating window as well.

Sitting in the plane with a RAM mount, it’s just too bulky for where I normally mount the Mini or iPhone. With my sidestick, I think my lap will be perfect. But I’m wary of anything that large unsecured in the cockpit - the wrong “air pocket” at the wrong time can be a real distraction and it’s not impossible to imagine it getting wedged in somewhere dangerous. I’m working on a solution where a bungee to the floor could secure it comfortably.

Anyway, pleased with my purchase. Convenient is that Apple gives the option of 12 months of interest-free payments, in my case an easily affordable $73.25/month. If I were flying more extensively, it might make sense to eventually get a Mini just for cockpit use. But in reality with most of my flying local VFR, most often WingXPro on my iPhone works just fine.
 
KeepWatch said:
I didn't know the wifi-only models did not have gps. IMO that's a deal breaker. I would gladly pay the extra$$ just for that feature alone even if I didn't plan on using the ipad on a cell network.
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Each iPad model can be bought with or without cellular/GPS. Whichever model you want, if you pay $130 extra, you can have GPS (except for the Pro, which is $150 extra)
 
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MacFly said:
With all of the iPad models, if you pay $130 extra, you can have GPS.
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I chose not to spend the extra $130,
Because I have flightstream and if that fails:
Certified GPS, Aera 660, and iPhone, not to mention VOR capability.
It’s only a minor convenience to pair the ipad with the iPhone to get cellular and gps functionality.


Tom
 
Probably more than $130 for the cellular / gps version when you compare the same model, memory, etc. Apples to apples

BTW Tethering to an I phone or even hooking into wifi won’t give it GPS.
 
iPad Mini, 256gb, wifi only. I have a Sentry in the work airplane, and three different sources for a bluetooth GPS signal in the Bonanza, one of which is completely stand alone. I have every map and chart possible downloaded, along with worldwide Jepp charts, and FF takes up 43gb.
 
WDD said:
Probably more than $130 for the cellular / gps version when you compare the same model, memory, etc. Apples to apples
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No, it’s exactly $130. Reviewing the Apple Store iPad site and their pricing will clarify these things for you. https://www.apple.com/ipad/ . Pricing at other sites that sell Apple stuff might save you a few $$.
 
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Yep. You’re right. It is $130. Less than I thought. But hey - I get some points for using the phrase “apples to apples”.

As infrequently as I upgrade when I do, and as I buy used, the cost for the cellular gps option is fairly small spread out over the long time I own it.

but there are many options, sizes, features available - the OP can just pick one that works for his style
 
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If you’re looking for a deal, best place is to shop Apple refurbished.

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished

Stay away from the other sites that sell refurbished IMHO, like Amazon. An Apple refurb is completely refurbished and OEM re-packaged instead of sent to you in a plastic bag like Amazon. I’ve bought refurbs from Apple...they are indistinguishable from brand new.
 
WDD said:
BTW Tethering to an I phone or even hooking into wifi won’t give it GPS.
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Works for me, at least with Garmin Pilot and Apple Maps app:
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Maybe a FF or old IOS limitation?
Tom
 
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Hooking into a transponder will show what it is pinging out. I know f flight has an internet traffic function now. But it has a delay factor so it is informational only.

But tethering a non gps tablet doesn’t really give you the gps you think you are getting. At least that’s my understanding.

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Be aware that using a 'tethered' GPS signal from your phone will give 'intermittent' position updates (the position will update momentarily and the aeroplane 'present position' will appear on the map). At face value this can make people think tethering for a position signal is going to work. It won't though, and the position will drop back out in a few moments, especially if you start moving.

If you have a wifi only iPad, to get a GPS position you will need a dedicated external GPS for iPad. See companies like XGPS, Bad Elf etc from your local pilot shop.
 
Another factor to consider...

Some newer iPads use a single USB-C port as opposed to the traditional Lightning connector.

Downside is it renders all your myriad Lightning cables and accessories obsolete.

Upside is it’s the future and quite powerful. I bought a dongle that fits quite will over my cheapie ($12) case:

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It provides a USB-C through port for charging, a USB 3.0 port, a 4K HDMI out port, slots for SD and micro-SD cards, and a headphone jack! Conveniently drilled holes so as not to block the iPad’s speaker. Really well thought out.

So far, we’ve mainly used the HDMI port - we’re temporarily without home WiFi internet at our TN house* - and we use it to stream video content coming in via cellular to our big screen TV. Works a lot better than the old Lightning-to-HDMI adapter that only seemed to work intermittently.


*We are eagerly awaiting Elon Musk’s Starlink internet, already rolling out in Beta to some northern tier states. Latest estimate for us southerners is Jan 2021. Here’s hoping!
 
OP is using Stratus, which provides WAAS GPS, so lack of internal GPS in wifi-only iPad is a non-issue.
 
Ed Haywood said:
OP is using Stratus, which provides WAAS GPS, so lack of internal GPS in wifi-only iPad is a non-issue.
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Yes you will. But if you want GPS when not using when linked to your transponder - or when you loose your link (which does happen) - you’ll like the internal IPad GPS.
 
WDD said:
Yes you will. But if you want GPS when not using when linked to your transponder - or when you loose your link (which does happen) - you’ll like the internal IPad GPS.
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That and the cellular capability is well worth the $130. For $10 month on my AT&T account, the iPad is added to my data plan. The iPad will natively access the internet for data anyplace there's a cell signal and no wifi. Such as...4500 feet altitude.
 
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I use an iPad Pro 9.7 with cellular and with GB memory. I use it with a Ramsey yoke mount and can see all the gauges over the IPad. I run Foreflight with all the US IFR and VFR data as well as all the high def 8mage files available. I’ve never had a problem.
Gary
 
My old 172 has a mini 5 dash mounted. 256 GB , wifi, cellular ,paired with Stratus. No Vacuum system,so the IPad is My "glass panel". Have Foreflight ,Shows ABS-D in.
The aircraft has been wrecked and rebuilt so many times in its 9222 air frame hours, 61 year life time. Not sure what's original other then the data tag. ;)
All that "been there done that experience " I don't need to give it. :)
 
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I have the mini 5 with 64. Wish I had gone with 256. Just end up putting more and more on the device. Great size for use in the plane.
 
FastEddieB said:
Another factor to consider...

Some newer iPads use a single USB-C port as opposed to the traditional Lightning connector.

Downside is it renders all your myriad Lightning cables and accessories obsolete.
Click to expand...

61UtOIzBOAL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 
Yeah, for us just buying a handful of USB-3 to USB-C cables takes care of most of our needs. And car and wall USB-C chargers are becoming commonplace. Still, others are more firmly attached to (sometimes very expensive) accessories that rely on the Lighting connector.

Not a complaint - just pointing out that while a step in the right direction of commonality, the switch to USB-C will be a speed bump inconvenience to a lot of users, and is something to consider and plan for.
 
If you just want it for foreflight - which is how I use mine - just get a mini 4/5 with whatever hard drive, WiFi only. That’s what I’m running and it’s perfect. No real need to pay for cellular version or cellular service; your phone is a fine backup if the Stratus ****s the bed. I have mine linked to a GTX345 and it has great GPS data.

I don’t like kneeboards, so if you’re going that route because you don’t think you can find a RAM mount that will work for your yoke, here’s a hint: if you buy direct from RAM or one of their authorized dealers, you can piece together the mount any you want and then send back whatever you don’t use, even if you break apart one of their pre-set “kits”. I was able to get a combination of mounts and arms that works perfectly so that I can yoke mount my iPad, not be in my lap, and not block my instruments. They have a lot of pieces like double-jointed arms that you don’t see if you only look at places like Sporty’s.
 
AA5Bman said:
If you just want it for foreflight - which is how I use mine - just get a mini 4/5 with whatever hard drive, WiFi only. That’s what I’m running and it’s perfect. No real need to pay for cellular version or cellular service; your phone is a fine backup if the Stratus ****s the bed. I have mine linked to a GTX345 and it has great GPS data.

I don’t like kneeboards, so if you’re going that route because you don’t think you can find a RAM mount that will work for your yoke, here’s a hint: if you buy direct from RAM or one of their authorized dealers, you can piece together the mount any you want and then send back whatever you don’t use, even if you break apart one of their pre-set “kits”. I was able to get a combination of mounts and arms that works perfectly so that I can yoke mount my iPad, not be in my lap, and not block my instruments. They have a lot of pieces like double-jointed arms that you don’t see if you only look at places like Sporty’s.
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I dont like yoke mounts. I tried it and it annoyed me having something stuck to my yoke.
 
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