Portable DVD players for kids?

[Jay Honeck]

All of the sudden the last three fly-in guests (with kids) we've had at
the inn have had those slick little portable DVD players attached to
the backs of the head-rests, for viewing in the plane. Two of the
three had two of them -- on on each seatback, for separate viewing.

I've watched as the price of these little gizmos has dropped to around
0.1 AMUs, and have considered installing them in Atlas for my kids to
enjoy.

For those who have them, how do you get power back to them? Has anyone
here installed a cigar lighter in the back seat area of their plane?
Would this require a 337, or just an A&P sign-off?

Can anyone recommend a specific brand? How 'bout mounting them -- any
special tricks?

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jim Burns]

Are you talking about those that are actually built into the head rests and
are hardwired for power and sound or those that come with cases that strap
onto the seats?
Jim

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> All of the sudden the last three fly-in guests (with kids) we've had at
> the inn have had those slick little portable DVD players attached to
> the backs of the head-rests, for viewing in the plane. Two of the
> three had two of them -- on on each seatback, for separate viewing.
>
> I've watched as the price of these little gizmos has dropped to around
> 0.1 AMUs, and have considered installing them in Atlas for my kids to
> enjoy.
>
> For those who have them, how do you get power back to them? Has anyone
> here installed a cigar lighter in the back seat area of their plane?
> Would this require a 337, or just an A&P sign-off?
>
> Can anyone recommend a specific brand? How 'bout mounting them -- any
> special tricks?
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[Jim Carter[_1_]]

We bought one of our daughters a set for Christmas last year to keep her
two occupied on her frequent car trips between Rogers and Tulsa. The kit
came with a six foot power cord to the player and another six foot cord
between the player and each display. I'd expect that to be enough for
the cabin of most light aircraft.

I hate to say it, but we got the pre-packaged set from the local
Wal-Mart and it seems to be working just fine. I think it was less than
0.2 AMU.

The have elastic and Velcro straps on the displays to hold them to the
typical automotive headrest. They are meant to be portable so there
really isn't any installation to worry about. All you need is an
available 12V cigarette lighter outlet.

Wouldn't it be great if we could get these set up as remote displays for
a GNS4/530 and start teaching them about navigation early on? But then
we don't really need another "you're chasing the localizer" in the back
seat do we?


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jay Honeck ]
> Posted At: Sunday, July 02, 2006 21:30
> Posted To: rec.aviation.owning
> Conversation: Portable DVD players for kids?
> Subject: Portable DVD players for kids?
>
> All of the sudden the last three fly-in guests (with kids) we've had
at
> the inn have had those slick little portable DVD players attached to
> the backs of the head-rests, for viewing in the plane. Two of the
> three had two of them -- on on each seatback, for separate viewing.
>
> I've watched as the price of these little gizmos has dropped to around
> 0.1 AMUs, and have considered installing them in Atlas for my kids to
> enjoy.
>
> For those who have them, how do you get power back to them? Has
anyone
> here installed a cigar lighter in the back seat area of their plane?
> Would this require a 337, or just an A&P sign-off?
>
> Can anyone recommend a specific brand? How 'bout mounting them -- any
> special tricks?
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

[John Doe[_1_]]

My son just watches it on his lap and it runs off the battery. Best $150
I've ever spent.


"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> All of the sudden the last three fly-in guests (with kids) we've had at
> the inn have had those slick little portable DVD players attached to
> the backs of the head-rests, for viewing in the plane. Two of the
> three had two of them -- on on each seatback, for separate viewing.
>
> I've watched as the price of these little gizmos has dropped to around
> 0.1 AMUs, and have considered installing them in Atlas for my kids to
> enjoy.
>
> For those who have them, how do you get power back to them? Has anyone
> here installed a cigar lighter in the back seat area of their plane?
> Would this require a 337, or just an A&P sign-off?
>
> Can anyone recommend a specific brand? How 'bout mounting them -- any
> special tricks?
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[Newps]

I had my mechanic install another lighter socket. Copilots side, under
the panel for my satellite radio. This one is wired right to the
battery so it is always hot, makes it useful to charge cell phones or
other betteries without the master having to be on. These are a minor
alteration so just a logbook entry.

Jay Honeck wrote:
> All of the sudden the last three fly-in guests (with kids) we've had at
> the inn have had those slick little portable DVD players attached to
> the backs of the head-rests, for viewing in the plane. Two of the
> three had two of them -- on on each seatback, for separate viewing.
>
> I've watched as the price of these little gizmos has dropped to around
> 0.1 AMUs, and have considered installing them in Atlas for my kids to
> enjoy.
>
> For those who have them, how do you get power back to them? Has anyone
> here installed a cigar lighter in the back seat area of their plane?
> Would this require a 337, or just an A&P sign-off?
>
> Can anyone recommend a specific brand? How 'bout mounting them -- any
> special tricks?
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[B A R R Y[_1_]]

Newps wrote:
> I had my mechanic install another lighter socket.

One could even get a $13 Radio Shack lighter "splitter" until getting
around to having the extra installed.

<http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062271&cp=2032056.2032136.2032154&pg=2&y=7&x=10&numProdsPerPage=20&parentPage=family>

[Jack Allison[_1_]]

Jim Burns wrote:
> Are you talking about those that are actually built into the head rests and
> are hardwired for power and sound or those that come with cases that strap
> onto the seats?

If we're talking built in units, I want to be adopted. :-) Thinking
AOPA's win-a-twin setup.



--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane
Arrow N2104T

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

[Jim Burns[_1_]]

One of the players that we bought for our kids came with a seat back holder,
the other we bought a caselogic seat back holder. Both work fine.

For power we bought a three way splitter for the cigarette lighter and an
extension cord to get power into the "wayback" seats. It works in both the
airplane and the car. I wouldn't mind wiring in a couple aux power plugs
for the middle and rear seats. Maybe while the interior is out during our
annual.

Double check which circuit your cigarette lighter is on. Ours happens to be
on the heater combustion fan circuit, so we know if it starts getting cold,
the kids need to give back a few amps! :)

Jim


"Jack Allison" > wrote in message
...
> Jim Burns wrote:
> > Are you talking about those that are actually built into the head rests
and
> > are hardwired for power and sound or those that come with cases that
strap
> > onto the seats?
>
> If we're talking built in units, I want to be adopted. :-) Thinking
> AOPA's win-a-twin setup.
>
>
>
> --
> Jack Allison
> PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane
> Arrow N2104T
>
> "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
> with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
> you will always long to return"
> - Leonardo Da Vinci
>
> (Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

[Newps]

B A R R Y wrote:
> Newps wrote:
>
>> I had my mechanic install another lighter socket.
>
>
> One could even get a $13 Radio Shack lighter "splitter" until getting
> around to having the extra installed.

You can do that but those devices throw off a lot of noise that you will
hear in your headset. Try a short flight with the setup before you take
a long flight.

[Robert M. Gary]

Jay Honeck wrote:
> All of the sudden the last three fly-in guests (with kids) we've had at
> the inn have had those slick little portable DVD players attached to
> the backs of the head-rests, for viewing in the plane. Two of the
> three had two of them -- on on each seatback, for separate viewing.

My boys have been flying with me since they were 3 and 4 years old.
They bring their MP3 players and books. That's enough to get from
California to Florida. Not sure what the purpose of the DVD player is
other than an attempt to shorten their attention span. Not a good
device in this parent's opinion.

-Robert

[B A R R Y[_1_]]

Newps wrote:
>
>
> B A R R Y wrote:
>> Newps wrote:
>>
>>> I had my mechanic install another lighter socket.
>>
>>
>> One could even get a $13 Radio Shack lighter "splitter" until getting
>> around to having the extra installed.
>
> You can do that but those devices throw off a lot of noise that you will
> hear in your headset. Try a short flight with the setup before you take
> a long flight.


Excellent point, one that I had forgotten. The splitter we use in the
plane has no LED power indicators or internal electronics. It's a
simple hardwired split.

One of the splitters I have has a three LED "charge level" indicator
that is noisy.

[Jay Honeck]

> My boys have been flying with me since they were 3 and 4 years old.
> They bring their MP3 players and books. That's enough to get from
> California to Florida. Not sure what the purpose of the DVD player is
> other than an attempt to shorten their attention span. Not a good
> device in this parent's opinion.

I tend to agree (my kids currently read and listen to music while
flying, too) -- but we fly a LOT of cross-country flights, and for them
it's really no different than hopping in the van and driving.

They're teenagers now, and (I fear) my input on their attention span is
just about done -- and I must face the fact that sitting in the back of
a Cherokee every week, for year after year, just isn't really fun for
them.

Bottom line: If these devices let them enjoy an "in-flight movie" and
help make flying fun for them again, it will be money well-spent...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> For power we bought a three way splitter for the cigarette lighter and an
> extension cord to get power into the "wayback" seats. It works in both the
> airplane and the car. I wouldn't mind wiring in a couple aux power plugs
> for the middle and rear seats. Maybe while the interior is out during our
> annual.

Yeah, I don't want ANOTHER splitter off of my only cigar lighter. I've
already got two moving map GPS's plugged into that sucker.

If I install a "power port" in the back seat (under the guidance of my
A&P, of course), do I have to use any kind of a special "aviation power
port" kit -- or can this be any high-quality automotive equivalent that
my A&P will sign off?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[john smith]

> Yeah, I don't want ANOTHER splitter off of my only cigar lighter. I've
> already got two moving map GPS's plugged into that sucker.
> If I install a "power port" in the back seat (under the guidance of my
> A&P, of course), do I have to use any kind of a special "aviation power
> port" kit -- or can this be any high-quality automotive equivalent that
> my A&P will sign off?

Sounds like it's time to add a second battery and alternator with their
own buss. :-))

[Newps]

One from Radio Shack is fine.




Jay Honeck wrote:

>>For power we bought a three way splitter for the cigarette lighter and an
>>extension cord to get power into the "wayback" seats. It works in both the
>>airplane and the car. I wouldn't mind wiring in a couple aux power plugs
>>for the middle and rear seats. Maybe while the interior is out during our
>>annual.
>
>
> Yeah, I don't want ANOTHER splitter off of my only cigar lighter. I've
> already got two moving map GPS's plugged into that sucker.
>
> If I install a "power port" in the back seat (under the guidance of my
> A&P, of course), do I have to use any kind of a special "aviation power
> port" kit -- or can this be any high-quality automotive equivalent that
> my A&P will sign off?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[Blanche Cohen]

Jay:

If Atlas is anything like the putt-putt, there should be a lighter socket
between the two front seats, but on the floor behind the flap bar.

[Blanche Cohen]

Jay Honeck > wrote:
>Bottom line: If these devices let them enjoy an "in-flight movie" and
>help make flying fun for them again, it will be money well-spent...

So...gonna charge them $5 for the headsets?

[Jay Honeck]

> If Atlas is anything like the putt-putt, there should be a lighter socket
> between the two front seats, but on the floor behind the flap bar.

I don't think I would want a power port on the floor -- remember, we
fly with stuff called "snow" around here, and the kids track it in with
alarming regularity.

I'm thinking maybe up on the side panel(s)?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"