which Ipad to get?

orange

orange

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Orange
I would like to buy an IPad to use when flyings, GPS, Foreflights, charts, etc.

Do I need the one with a cellular subscription or Wi-Fi only good enough? I know very little about this stuff.

Any preference over Ipad 1 2 or 3?

thanks.
 
I have managed with wifi only, however I carry a cellphone that serves as my wifi hotspot. Without Cell service, you have to use an external BT GPS which doesn't bother me as I have a unit, and will likely pick up anther that also has ADS-B and AHRS functions to get full function and value from the technology also giving me a back up SVT to fly when everything else has gone to hell.

If you are only using it for aviation, you may consider a Mini, it is much better sized for use in a GA Cockpit and fit nicely on most yokes.
 
I'd echo the recommendation of the mini. I have a mini and use it every flight in the 172. It's a perfect fit.
 
I much prefer my mini vs the old full size ipad i used to use.
 
My IPad is getting aged, but it is 3G + WIFI. The 3G has never been subscribed, but gives me an internal GPS receiver that has never failed to have a fix IN MY AIRPLANE. I understand that in some aircraft, the internal GPS receiver does not give a reliable fix. The wifi is not mandatory, but is very convenient. I have been amazed at how many airports, even with a tiny, ragged, unmanned terminal have wifi access.

I really like the full size unit, but if the mini had been available then, it is probably what I would have purchased.
 
I just got an air 2 to replace my old ipad 2. Very happy with it. Since I've been using the stratus for a while I decided I didn't need a cellular capable ipad just for the GPS and I don't need it for data either as I can use my iphone as a hotspot when I need that.

I got the 64GB version as I previously had only 32GB and found that sufficient. If you want to have tons of apps or media then consider getting the 128GB instead.
 
In my opinion, a full sized iPad is too large for yoke mounting. The mini is the perfect size for that. I carry two iPads and am completely paperless. I have a mini on the yoke in an iPro Navigator mount and an iPad Air in my iPro Air Commander kneeboard for backup.
 
About the only place my iPad's internal GPS has not been reliable is in the center seats of a wide-body jet, and I've used it in a very wide range of light aircraft without any problems at all. So, I suggest getting a cellular-capable model but not activating the cellular service -- you'll find WiFi at pretty much any FBO you visit.

I agree with going the mini route -- I had a full-size for three years, but based on watching others use minis, I switched to a mini when my iPad1 became obsolescent about a year ago, and I have no regrets and only good feelings about having made the change.

Even though ForeFlight says 16gb is sufficient, I think 32gb is the minimum you want unless you don't ever load more than a few states worth of data. If you use the iPad for other things requiring large storage capacity (movies and such), get the 64-gig version. Since my iPad is purely for aviation use, I have 32gb, and it seems to be enough for my purposes.
 
I'm thinking of switching from the iPad Air 2 to the iPad Mini 2. I think if you like just having something on your lap, the Air is great, but for yoke mounting, you need the mini to have proper visual of the instruments.

Also, be careful with price: the mini 2 vs mini 3 is an idiotic ploy by Apple to charge more for virtually nothing other than the thumbprint scanner. Aside from that, the two models are EXACTLY THE SAME. They did add a larger capacity to the 3 but the capacities for the 2 are perfectly usable for aviation purposes.

I checked today that my ForeFlight only uses about 6 GB, but I only keep VFR charts for California in it since I don't fly outside of the state much, and even then, I can still just load/unload as necessary.

Ron, so you have a cellular version that you use without paying for an actual service? The GPS itself works fine without paying??
 
jcepiano said:
Ron, so you have a cellular version that you use without paying for an actual service? The GPS itself works fine without paying??
Click to expand...
I do, and it does, although the kid at Best Buy did his best to convince me otherwise. Fortunately, I knew more about it than he did, and did not buy the cellular service he was trying to sell me along with the device.
 
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I was using a Gen1 iPad with 3G and GPS.
I just switched to the Air2 wifi only.
I'll pick up an external GPS reciever like the bad elf pro or Stratus 2.
I can use my phone as a hot spot if I need data, rarely one cannot find a wifi connection.

I compared the air 2 to the mini. I use my iPad for more than flying and decided the mini was too small.
 
Unfortunately, the highest performance processor for the iPad is only available in the Air 2. I carry a mini-equivalent Nexus 7, but find myself gravitating to the iPad. If you go mini, I concur you might as well go with the 2 since the 3 didn't up the performance.

You DO want the cellular version. It's way more convenient.
 
Mini seems best IMO. But never mind that, my real recommendation is don't go cheap on size. 32G minimum! I'd highly recommend 64G or 128G if you like media. Go big or go home.

16G is un-useable.
 
I use an iPad mini with the retina display. I have a 16 gig and it's more that adequate. I run foreflight pro, I live in new England and have downloaded ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, NY, and RI. Still plenty of space left but I only use the iPad for flying. Mine is 4G enabled and has a built in GPS but I still find myself using the Bad Elf up on the glareshield. I bought the mini over the full size because it fits nicely in the yoke and still leaves both handles reachable.
 
Can you buy the cellular version without a contract? Best Buy says new 2 year contract required.

Thanks
 
orange said:
Can you buy the cellular version without a contract? Best Buy says new 2 year contract required.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Every provider will sell it to you without a contract but you can bet the price is going to go up.

Just remember if it's not 3G or 4G capable than you will need an external GPS. I have a Bad Elf as well as the xGPS150A which both work fantastic and are less than $100.
 
I would also recommend the iPad Mini RAM Mount from Sporty's. It's tough as nails and can be adjusted for just about every cockpit.
 
itsjames2011 said:
I would also recommend the iPad Mini RAM Mount from Sporty's. It's tough as nails and can be adjusted for just about every cockpit.
Click to expand...


Just a side note, Sporty's like in most other products they resell, is higher priced on Ram mounts than most other online vendors. I'm partial to GPSCity out of Nevada or whoever is cheapest including shipping on Amazon, but Ram sells through tons of dealers. The aviation dealers don't price match and are always higher.
 
orange said:
Can you buy the cellular version without a contract? Best Buy says new 2 year contract required.

Thanks
Click to expand...

They either don't know what they're talking about or trying to rip you off. Find another supplier. I bought my 3G with no contract, no problem.
 
denverpilot said:
Just a side note, Sporty's like in most other products they resell, is higher priced on Ram mounts than most other online vendors. I'm partial to GPSCity out of Nevada or whoever is cheapest including shipping on Amazon, but Ram sells through tons of dealers. The aviation dealers don't price match and are always higher.
Click to expand...

Is there a source other than Sporty's for the Stratus?
 
I have an I pad 3air ,use it with fore flight and stratus2. Have it on a ram mount. Have both lte and wi fi. Personally like the larger screen better than the mini.
 
Badger said:
I much prefer my mini vs the old full size ipad i used to use.
Click to expand...

Yep same here, I did wonder if I would find the mini too small in the plane after using my full size iPad, but just the opposite, I find the mini is a much better option in the restricted cockpit space.
 
For those of you using the mini but aviation is only a minor role, how do you feel about the comparison while using other functions like watching videos or using forums?
 
orange said:
Can you buy the cellular version without a contract? Best Buy says new 2 year contract required.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes, but it costs much more. The cellular contract subsidizes the price. I bought a mini 2 with retina display Verizon last Christmas. It was more than $700.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Henning said:
For those of you using the mini but aviation is only a minor role, how do you feel about the comparison while using other functions like watching videos or using forums?
Click to expand...

The only thing I don't like about the mini is the edges are so small it's hard to handle in the plane without touching the screen and turning something on or off. For non aviation it's fine.

I think with a mount (which is my intention) it will be fine in the plane as well.

John


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Henning said:
For those of you using the mini but aviation is only a minor role, how do you feel about the comparison while using other functions like watching videos or using forums?
Click to expand...


I have had a mini 2 with cellular for about a month. I still haven't gotten into the habit of using it in flight. I use it more for planning in advance of the flight. It's fine for forums, reading ebooks and watching video. I looked at both sizes in the Apple store and decided the Mini would be easier to carry around. To add it to my existing AT&T cellular plan is only $10/month no contract.
 
For my smallish cockpit a mini is perfect. I have it in a leather (pleather) case so it's folded up between the seat and wall or side of the glare shield* when not in use. Quick and easy to pull out and the size works well for foreflight and perfect for Jepps.

I used a full size iPad for years and didn't think I'd like a mini. Then I played around with one in the Apple Store and it grew on me. Using it in the plane I'm sold and wish I'd switched sooner.


(* yeah, I know people frown on this. I don't really care as I've been doing it for years and have never seen even a hint of a perceptible scratch. Just watch the heat aspect and you're fine in my plane)
 
Captain said:
perfect for Jepps.
Click to expand...
Which program do you use for Jepps, Jepp FD or Jepp TC? I tried Jepp TC then switched to Jepp FD because I heard it had more features. However I couldn't stand the interface so I went back to Jepp TC which I think displays the charts much better. I use FltPlan Go for the enroute charts since it is free. We don't have an approved EFB program where I work so whatever I do is just supplemental. We only have Jepp licenses because the airplane has Jepp charts (termimal, SIDS and STARS) in the panel.
 
Captain said:
For my smallish cockpit a mini is perfect. I have it in a leather (pleather) case so it's folded up between the seat and wall or side of the glare shield* when not in use. Quick and easy to pull out and the size works well for foreflight and perfect for Jepps.



I used a full size iPad for years and didn't think I'd like a mini. Then I played around with one in the Apple Store and it grew on me. Using it in the plane I'm sold and wish I'd switched sooner.





(* yeah, I know people frown on this. I don't really care as I've been doing it for years and have never seen even a hint of a perceptible scratch. Just watch the heat aspect and you're fine in my plane)
Click to expand...


Are you considering getting some kind of mount for the mini?
 
Everskyward said:
Which program do you use for Jepps, Jepp FD or Jepp TC? I tried Jepp TC then switched to Jepp FD because I heard it had more features. However I couldn't stand the interface so I went back to Jepp TC which I think displays the charts much better. I use FltPlan Go for the enroute charts since it is free. We don't have an approved EFB program where I work so whatever I do is just supplemental. We only have Jepp licenses because the airplane has Jepp charts (termimal, SIDS and STARS) in the panel.
Click to expand...

I too couldn't stand FD and went back. Then Jepp updated FD and its a lot better. Mostly quicker...so now I'm back on FD. I don't really like the map interface as much as ForeFlight but the charts are better.


To the mount, it's 135 so a mount make for another approval headache so we just use leg straps.
 
My iPad mini fits perfect on the yoke and also on tiny commercial airplane tray tables the full ipad is way too big and I like holding iPad mini better while on the couch in one hand. I'd get a panel mount for full size ipad.
 
Captain said:
To the mount, it's 135 so a mount make for another approval headache so we just use leg straps.
Click to expand...


There's a bad joke about 135 folk and strap-ons hiding in there, but I'm not going to go there. Oops. Maybe I did. ;)
 
According to the Foreflight website, having a plan for the cellular allows you to "get weather information on the go". But if most airports have WiFi, it wouldn't be necessary to have a plan with Verizon, etc. would it?

The cellular is required if you want to be able to use the moving map function of the iPad.
 
Henning said:
For those of you using the mini but aviation is only a minor role, how do you feel about the comparison while using other functions like watching videos or using forums?
Click to expand...

Personally my mini stays in my flight bag and I use my full size one for regular web browsing.
 
Here are some photos of the mini in my 172H
 

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You can get even more rotation if the middle piece is rotated 90 degrees.
 

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orange said:
Can you buy the cellular version without a contract? Best Buy says new 2 year contract required.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Get it at Best Buy or target, say now to the data plan if you never plan to use it. But the GPS internal will still work.
 
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