iFly GPS Forum

I've been searching for a solution 'my' requirements for a solution to the following: 1. Bright display 2. Touch screen 3. Fast 'boot' to use 4. Inexpensive SW and Map updates 5. VFR moving map sectional charts 6. IFR moving map Low Enroute Charts 7. Terminal area charts 8. Airport info data base 9. Airport diagrams.

Fast boot to use is amonst the first of my requirements.

I've owned several iPAQs and used (what was available) AnyWhere mapping SW. Great solution but the iPAQs were relatively expensive. Brightness varied with each years technological advancements in LCD displays.

The next solution to try (remember that I personally paid for each of my trial solutions and subscriptions) was AnyWhere Max NAv for a Windows machine. This worked well and the display was dim for each tablet PC I tried. So that caused more money for the trial and error method. Fujitsu tablets just didn't have the brightness or display size that I was looking for.

Remeber that each of my trials didn't allow for returns if not satisfied either. So...SOL if not satisfied.

The last computer that I tried and still have is the Motion Computing LS-800 which is wider and brighter that any thing I tried to date. I still hace the LS-800 with the view anywhere (extra expense) display. Motion computing displays are among the brightest I've seen (LCD) to date. The only problem is the boot to use time and the probibility of non use due to system lock ups for a variety of reasons. That would not be bad if the boot to use time were short. So, I wind up not using Voyage due to the boot to use time. Voyager has great features, much more so, than any other SW I've used to date. I preferred to not use Seattle Avionics HW solutions due to the extra cost (read cost as meaning use to value ratio).

Garmin isn't even in the running due to cost, size, and weight factors. So I won't go there.

The AV8OR Ace would probably a nice unit to use and they ucan use Seattle Avionics Map updates. But, again, no returns if not satisfied.

Just wanted to give a little backround of what I've experienced as far as hand held aviation devices and SW.

So, I've read the review, FAQs, and have had E-Mails from Adventure Pilot due my feelings of companies fame to game theories and adds. I must qualify the past few sentences by saying that Control Vision and Seattle Avionics have very good SW platforms and are worth investigation.

My opinion (if it's worth anything) Of the iFly is pretty much positive. They are very responsive to questions. I think that the iFly meets my most important 'use of in flight' requirements which are fast to boot to use and bright enough display. All of the other things that the iFly will do is just 'icing' on the cake. The cost to function ratio is improving and they've done a remarkable job answering and searching for answers to customer questions. So, as a company, I can say only good things (so far). We'll see what the future holds for them.

I also must say that I'm just an average, retired, commercial/instrument SEL pilot and only aviate for travel (fly) for pleasure. I own a Mooney located at MIE. The Mooney has a KLN-90B which I installed and is approved for IFR.

And so, the iFly is improving, it seems, and while I've bought lifetime updates from Control Vision and Seattle Avionics I'll be using the iFly in the cockpit (for now).

The iFly is very intuitive to use, has a bright display, and the boot to use time is very good. Price and weight and display size played major rolls in my decision. The current return policy was a buy in for me (if not satisfied then return and they pay the shipping and return the subscription cost). Once I paid for the Voyager lifetime subscription there was no turning back/ I'll be keeping my iFly. Great job.................................................

I would say that all of them (iFlys) have the same brightness. However, I cannot say that statement with 100% confidence.

My experience is that the iFly is just as bright as most GPS LCD displays except for Motion Computing tablets which uses their VA (view anywhere) display technology. My current Motion Computer has the view anywhere technology. I was able to compare the VA display beside anothe Motion computer without VA and there is a marked difference: the non VA display completely washed out in direct sunlight and the VA display didn't. You can visit their web site at www.motioncomputing.com for the details of their VA technology differences.

Now, back to your question: the iFly washes out in direct sunlight but is as viewable as most other manufacturers LCD touch technology. I would hope that OLED displays become availble with the same foot print as the iFly soon. There, also, is a type of LCD display that is easily visible in direct sunlight and is used in some types of radio displays. I also know that CRTs (such as used in the KLN-90 A/B (and Loran KLN-88) are very bright in direct sunlight. VF displays are also made for direct sunlight viewing. I cannot say how the Garmin or other panel mounted PFDs compare.

The iFly is priced very well, comparitively, though I suspect that the actual unit is OEM priced well below $100. But, the SW development is probably where the extra cost is for the iFly. The iFly meets most of my requirements.

Consider: An update for my KLN-90B is $75 every 28 days from Honeywell (with 1 year subscription). And more if the local avionics shop does the update. I wired my own KLN-90B update cable so that I could perform the downloads and update the unit myself.

The iFly subscription is very reasonable and I'm sure that more feature/funtions are in their near future.

And finally, yes the unit washes out in direct sunlight. Yes, there are personal dislikes about the unit. But, my LS-800 is too large (5.25" x 7") and is not very usable in my Mooney. The LS-800 covers up (interferes) pertainent instruments no matter where I position the LS-800 (except on my lap or in the passanger seat). The LS-800 is not yoke mountable due to the fact that it covers the DG and limits the view of the HI. So, the iFly IS yoke mountable. It is light enough (comparibly) to mount just about anywhere in my Mooney. Again, it meets my main requirements and objectives. I've found that the iPAQs were too small, LS-1400 way too large, LS-800 too large, and that all are heavy (except iPAQa) to lug around and/or no easy to mount requiring extra cables and an external GPS (serial or BT) receiver.

For me, the fast 'boot to use', weight, easy hook up (battery cable), and display size, outway the direct sunlight viewability (though they are bright). The AV8OR uses non standard symbology though the AV8OR is as usable as the iPAQs. I really don't care for the non standard symbology. If I were buying Honeywell again then it might be the Ace. But, again, the updates are expensive.

Bottom line is that the iFly meets most of 'my' requirements and the company is working on the software - trying to offer a great Avionics GPS for price ratio (comparitbely speaking).

My Mooney's instrument panel is full of instruments. The only electronic displays though are the KLN-90B, KN-62B and GPS/VOR switch panel (backlite incandescent). The iFly is a welcomed easily usable flight bag. It's like the quick reference guide in the plane so that I don't have to lug around lots of paper.

Hope this helps. It's great to be able try out the unit and return if not satisfied. Does any other vendor offer that?