iPad 4?

[Duster]

Apple is rumored to have a smaller, 7" iPad in the works to compete
with the Kindle Fire which would make it more accomodating in the
cockpit for a nav aid than the 11" version. (There may also be a touch-
screen in development with realistic tactile feel from a company in
Sweden). Anyone have an opinion as to whether to wait until a smaller
iPad is available? There was a discussion awhile back that the Kindle
pixel refresh on a moving map is too slow. Is this an issue with the
iPad? Alternatively, what's the best smartphone or PDA (with internal
GPS) available now; the Dell Streak 5?

[Darryl Ramm]

On Friday, June 29, 2012 8:29:52 AM UTC-7, Duster wrote:
> Apple is rumored to have a smaller, 7" iPad in the works to compete
> with the Kindle Fire which would make it more accomodating in the
> cockpit for a nav aid than the 11" version. (There may also be a touch-
> screen in development with realistic tactile feel from a company in
> Sweden). Anyone have an opinion as to whether to wait until a smaller
> iPad is available? There was a discussion awhile back that the Kindle
> pixel refresh on a moving map is too slow. Is this an issue with the
> iPad? Alternatively, what's the best smartphone or PDA (with internal
> GPS) available now; the Dell Streak 5?

And what software do you want to run - that seems the first issue to broach. There is no compelling software AFAIK that run on iPads for in cockpit use.

Apple product rumors are likely a waste of time to chase. But I kind of expect they are flat out on focusing on getting iPhone 5 out, ideally for them by Christmas.

Darryl

[Sean F (F2)]

On Friday, June 29, 2012 11:29:52 AM UTC-4, Duster wrote:
> Apple is rumored to have a smaller, 7" iPad in the works to compete
> with the Kindle Fire which would make it more accomodating in the
> cockpit for a nav aid than the 11" version. (There may also be a touch-
> screen in development with realistic tactile feel from a company in
> Sweden). Anyone have an opinion as to whether to wait until a smaller
> iPad is available? There was a discussion awhile back that the Kindle
> pixel refresh on a moving map is too slow. Is this an issue with the
> iPad? Alternatively, what's the best smartphone or PDA (with internal
> GPS) available now; the Dell Streak 5?

Dell Streak 5 has been outstanding for me this season running XC Soar 6.3x. I keep my oudie (sunlight readable version) in the pocket to be honest. My next choice would be my phone (droid bionic). The interface for the SeeYou software is just painful once you try XC Soar (modern interface, modern device).

[David Reitter]

On Friday, June 29, 2012 11:29:52 AM UTC-4, Duster wrote:
> Apple is rumored to have a smaller, 7" iPad in the works to compete
> with the Kindle Fire which would make it more accomodating in the
> cockpit for a nav aid than the 11" version.

iOS won't run XCSoar (or anything else).

I use an iPhone daily, but for cockpit use, I have and recommend the Dell Streak 5 (available for less than $200 on ebay). Its transflective touchscreen improves sunlight-readability.

If you rwant 7", you have a variety of options among Android devices, none of which have a transflective screen (to my knowledge).

I keep my Ipaq 310 as a backup (and for car-nagivation). (It is tricky to power and charge and is no longer recommended.)

[Duster]

On Jun 29, 12:26*pm, David Reitter > wrote:
> On Friday, June 29, 2012 11:29:52 AM UTC-4, Duster wrote:
> > Apple is rumored to have a smaller, 7" iPad in the works to compete
> > with the Kindle Fire which would make it more accomodating in the
> > cockpit for a nav aid than the 11" version.
>
> iOS won't run XCSoar (or anything else).
>
> I use an iPhone daily, but for cockpit use, I have and recommend the Dell Streak 5 (available for less than $200 on ebay). *Its transflective touchscreen improves sunlight-readability.
>
> If you rwant 7", you have a variety of options among Android devices, *none of which have a transflective screen (to my knowledge).
>
> I keep my Ipaq 310 as a backup (and for car-nagivation). *(It is tricky to power and charge and is no longer recommended.)

All these comments are helpful in decision-making, thanks. I take it
that the internal GPS in the Dell Streak 5 works well? Are there other
PDAs that compete favorably with the Dell that also have an internal
GPS?

[[email protected]]

On Friday, June 29, 2012 10:29:52 AM UTC-5, Duster wrote:
> Apple is rumored to have a smaller, 7" iPad in the works to compete
> with the Kindle Fire which would make it more accomodating in the
> cockpit for a nav aid than the 11" version. (There may also be a touch-
> screen in development with realistic tactile feel from a company in
> Sweden). Anyone have an opinion as to whether to wait until a smaller
> iPad is available? There was a discussion awhile back that the Kindle
> pixel refresh on a moving map is too slow. Is this an issue with the
> iPad? Alternatively, what's the best smartphone or PDA (with internal
> GPS) available now; the Dell Streak 5?

Kindle refresh rate seems to work just fine under XCSoar from my point of view. If it can display full motion HD video streams, it can certainly display an XCSoar moving map with no issues... The real issue with Kindle is that it doesn't have GPS nor bluetooth so you're left with WiFi to get logger data into the device.

The readability in full sunlight will also require max display brightness to be even close to acceptable.

It will be interesting to see how Google's new 7" tablet does in direct sunlight.

[Paul Remde]

Hi,

I can't help you with the first part of your post, but (in my opinion) the
best PDA option is the Oudie2. The original version was extremely popular
(I sold over 400.). The new brighter version is already proving extremely
popular. They will be available in August. You can see details using the
link below.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/seeyou.htm

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
______________________________________

"Duster" wrote in message
...

Apple is rumored to have a smaller, 7" iPad in the works to compete
with the Kindle Fire which would make it more accomodating in the
cockpit for a nav aid than the 11" version. (There may also be a touch-
screen in development with realistic tactile feel from a company in
Sweden). Anyone have an opinion as to whether to wait until a smaller
iPad is available? There was a discussion awhile back that the Kindle
pixel refresh on a moving map is too slow. Is this an issue with the
iPad? Alternatively, what's the best smartphone or PDA (with internal
GPS) available now; the Dell Streak 5?

[Mark Mocho]

I recently converted to a Dell Streak 5 Android device and I used a
RS232/Bluetooth adapter from usconverters.com ($51 with shipping) to
connect to the CAI 302. I built a cable to connect the adapter, as
both the 302 and the adapter had the same plug gender. It was no big
deal, even for an electron challenged guy like me. It was only four
wires, and I was able to power the Bluetooth adapter (pin 9) from the
302 power output on either pin 6 or pin 8. So far it works great. I
needed to get some help from a couple of people (Mike C & Mike A) to
get everything up and running, but I am very happy with it so far. I
also have to say that I am very impressed with the screen brightness
of the Dell Streak 5 and the power of XC Soar. Total cost for the
package was under $300. I am seeing the Streak 5 on ebay for around
$200.

Battery life is adequate, even at full brightness but I learned that
the Streak should be set to "Airplane Mode" so that the cell
searching
doesn't draw power. I flew 4.5 hours the other day and the battery
still showed 46%. Just in case, I installed a 12v to 5v USB plug
(soldered two wires to a cigarette lighter charge adapter from
Duracell) in my panel. Pretty cool alternative to systems costing
hundreds or thousands more. I will be comparing screen brightness to
the upgraded Oudie soon. The Craggy Aero Ultimate and ClearNav are
much better, but pretty expensive.


I am also able to download flight logs from the 302 and upload to the
OLC with a WiFi connection. Definitely a big improvement over my old
Compaq 1530 and GlideNav II, but there still needs to be a utility
app
for the Android to replace the Cambridge Utility 257. You can still
use a laptop if necessary, but an Android app would be better.


MSM

[kirk.stant]

On Friday, June 29, 2012 11:59:45 AM UTC-5, Sean F (F2) wrote:

The interface for the SeeYou software is just painful once you try XC Soar (modern interface, modern device).

Funny, I found it the exact opposite - XCSoar is interesting but tries too hard to do too much, while I can tailor SYM to do exactly what I want - and only what I want.

But then, I use an SN10 for the number crunching, and SYM for a tactical display.

I will admit that for the price, XCSoar (and LK8000) are fantastic.

Kirk
66

[Mike C]

On Jun 29, 8:42*pm, "kirk.stant" > wrote:
> On Friday, June 29, 2012 11:59:45 AM UTC-5, Sean F (F2) wrote:
>
> *The interface for the SeeYou software is just painful once you try XC Soar (modern interface, modern device).
>
> Funny, I found it the exact opposite - XCSoar is interesting but tries too hard to do too much, while I can tailor SYM to do exactly what I want - and only what I want.
>
> But then, I use an SN10 for the number crunching, and SYM for a tactical display.
>
> I will admit that for the price, XCSoar (and LK8000) are fantastic.
>
> Kirk
> 66

As with most computer programs once you snap, XCSoar is very easy to
understand, and very easy to tailor to ones needs.
I agree that there is a lot more being offered than most of us need,
but some folks do request certain features that the developers
patiently listen to and often implement.

Seeing that no one gets paid for their work and the continuing
development is done mostly through a spirit of cooperation in an
effort to support the soaring community, it is an amazing phenomenon.

Mike C

[Ian[_2_]]

On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:29:52 -0700 (PDT), Duster >
wrote:
> iPad? Alternatively, what's the best smartphone or PDA (with
internal
> GPS) available now; the Dell Streak 5?

http://xcsoar-i24.wikispaces.com/multi-channel-android-usb-serial-ioio-
adaptor

Only limitations.

Dell Streak is not made anymore and there are no official os updates.
Ioio adaptor is not yet commercially available.
XCSoar is still undergoing rapid development which is not cool if you
want something realy stable so you can focus on flying not learning
new features on the pda.

But for

daylight readability
live wind data
flarm radar
responsive touch screen
modest power consumption
practical 5 inch size for panel real estate use
no bluetooth and simple power harness
works fine with internal gps

There is nothing to match it for the price budget. And the Streak
works great in the car at home and for cycling too.

Ian

[akiley]

Just to mention iPad, there are two wildly competitive apps for POWER pilots. WingX and ForeFlight. These apps are fantastic for planning. For a reasonable yearly fee, they have seamless sectionals for the entire USA, weather, airport data with zoomable satellite images of the airports. WingX logs flights in a non IGC format. But these apps are very good for preflight planning, learning the area with seamless sectional, getting notams, TFR obstructions, moving weather on top of the sectional etc etc.

I bring my iPad in the cockpit and leave it off most of the time. But in areas I don't know as well, I check it once in a while to make sure I'm clearing airspace, or as a backup is XCSoar goes south. The built in GPS shows your location of course.

I love these apps/iPad for planning, not really a cockpit solution for lack of soaring specific apps and it's size. ... Aaron

[Max Kellermann]

Mark Mocho > wrote:
> but there still needs to be a utility app for the Android to replace
> the Cambridge Utility 257.

Are you aware that XCSoar 6.3 can do most of a CAI302 configuration?
(3rd Config menu, Devices, Manage)

If you think a feature is missing, don't hesitate to write a ticket,
and I'll implement it.

[Max Kellermann]

Ian > wrote:
> XCSoar is still undergoing rapid development which is not cool if you
> want something realy stable so you can focus on flying not learning
> new features on the pda.

XCSoar has two branches: a "stable" branch (that is 6.3.x currently)
and an "unstable" branch for those brave early adopters (6.4 alpha1
currently). The "stable" branch does not get new features, only bug
fixes. We do that because we are aware that many pilots just want the
most stable release possible without dangerous experiments on new
features.

Max

[Gras Albert]

While the Streak display is good for an LCD it does not compare with the best new technology for sunlight readability

For an Android device, the 5.7", 1024x768 Kyobo eReader (or any of it's Mirasol clones) available now for < $150 from ebay is unmatched, in full sun it's entirely reflective, i.e. no backlight is used at all, this link shows a comparison with an iPad2 in bright sun and yes, the iPad is on

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AK4OWQEZVE8/T8aOer1sFeI/AAAAAAAAAmk/YrCvHMGQsa8/s600/kyoboVipad.jpg

But the ultimate display uses Pixel Qi technology, here is a link to an image of a 7", 1024x600 Windows tablet (Win7 or 8) running LK8000 (or any other open source or commercial nav software including SkyDemon), this screen also uses no backlight at all in high ambient light but has the benefit of being as intense as the best LCDs when used with the backlight. It is however, MUCH more expensive.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-etarTZznBmw/UAHq3CAx1KI/AAAAAAAAAr8/qgRXl54f1iM/s600/solPixelQiLk8000Small.jpg

The Kyobo only has WiFi for connectivity but the does support USB host for IOIO boards for serial devices, the Cynovo has 2xUSB, WiFi, Bluetooth and internal GPS

[[email protected]]

In addition I understand a bunch of 5inch phones will be coming out soon. I think LG has one with a retina display and Lenovo may have one also with full HD screen. I was also thinking Samsung, which already has a large phone in the Galaxy s3 with AMOLED screen. For me still I'm still trying to decide if a Nexus 7 is too big.

[Vaughn]

On 6/29/2012 11:29 AM, Duster wrote:
> Apple is rumored to have a smaller, 7" iPad in the works to compete
> with the Kindle Fire which would make it more accomodating in the
> cockpit for a nav aid than the 11" version.

If you are weighing the rumored (ios) 7" IPAD against the (Android)
Kindle Fire, then the new $199.00 Google Nexus7 7" pad should also be
considered. Mine seems to have an excellent GPS built into it,
something the Kindle Fire lacks and also something likely to be left out
of the 7" IPAD. But as others have noted, it all depends on what you
want to do with it. My Nexus7 will be what I use for power flying in
rentals.