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.................................................