Recommendations for in flight GPS?

Post by **bullojm1** » Wed May 04, 2011 2:54 pm

My RV has the Grand Rapids EFIS in it that works fine as a normal GPS. However, as I use my RV more and more, I want a more capable GPS mapping system. I have looked into the Garmin 496 and 696, along with the Aera systems. I have also been looking recently at the iPad based Foreflight packages. I am leaning towards the iPad type solution because it seems to be affordable and if a better App comes along, I can always just use it. Also, it has more functions than just GPS, such as in flight music. One item the iPad solution concerns me with the the lack of inflight weather. It is not available now, but ADS-B and XM solutions look like they might be offered this summer (Oshkosh time maybe?).

I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or recommendations.

painless · Post by **painless** » Wed May 04, 2011 4:03 pm

Hi Mike:

I have Foreflight running on an iPad. The biggest downside for me is screen readability in sunshine. Two things that help are a Koger sunshade, as well as an anti-glare cover for the iPad that was recommend by the guys at Foreflight. Other than that, Foreflight is awesome. They just came out with version 4. You can visit their website for all the features. No in flight weather..... Yet.

It us my understanding that the ipad2 does not have any brighter of a screen... A bit of a disappointment to me, but then again, there is no carrot dangling in front of my nose to go get a new iPad!

smittysrv · Post by **smittysrv** » Wed May 04, 2011 4:28 pm

I have a question about the foreflight ipad use. I bought an ipad and the foreflight ap and have used it a lot in my C172. Luv it! Last week, I was invited last week to fly with a friend of mine in his RV-7A. I had the ipad on a knee pad strapped to my leg. He told me that we probably couldn't use it because it get's in the way of the control stick, which seemed to me to be the case. Where are you guys putting the ipad?

painless · Post by **painless** » Wed May 04, 2011 4:54 pm

I just rest mine in my lap, or it is tucked between the seats while I am not viewing it. Actually, since I fly solo 90% of the time, it is on the pax seat.

Post by **bullojm1** » Wed May 04, 2011 7:25 pm

I really do like the Foreflight application from what I have seen on their website. I will have to grab one of the iPad's at work to give it a try one weekend. I'm sure that will seal the deal. I suppose I am a little concerned about the lack of in-flight weather, but I haven't used it for the past 8 years I've had a PPL. Hopefully there will be weather for the iPad soon, either via ADS-B or XM to make my RV a more cross country capable machine.

Thanks for the input everyone!

Post by **bullojm1** » Sat May 07, 2011 9:56 am

So I happened to of talked myself into a free iPad (3G and GPS) from work the other day. I loaded on the free ForeFlight app and all I can say is WOW. Even not in the air, it is a great app to do flight planning with. Weather, TAF's along route, you name it ForeFlight seems to have it all. There are a few areas where it is lacking some data, but my GRT EFIS's seem to cover that. I think I'll add the XM Weather to my EFIS and then I'll be set. I never thought I'd be an Apple fan, but this app makes it worth it.

lancef53 · Post by **lancef53** » Sat May 07, 2011 8:58 pm

Have you found an app for TFR's? I would love to dump the xm from the 496, but I like the TFR info.