mini ipad VS android tablet for cockpit (GPS & IFR)

[Z28]

Hello aviators,

I have been using my iphone for general GPS flying in the cockpit (4-6 seater general aviation airplanes).

I want to upgrade to a larger screen for better usage, what do most of you guys recommend the mini ipad or an android tablet which runs apps like Garmin Pilot, FltPlan.go and Direct To navigational apps.

Price is important as well as I know the Ipad products are more expensive but work better.

Looking forward to recommendations

Fly Safe

[Barn-stormer]

I have used both. It is a question of value. Will the tablet be used for other stuff? Which every you decide on make sure it has internal gps.

[Z28]

I have used both. It is a question of value. Will the tablet be used for other stuff? Which every you decide on make sure it has internal gps.

Thank you for the suggestion,
Just for flying in the cockpit , not for other stuff for the most part.

[Eric Janson]

Price is important as well as I know the Ipad products are more expensive but work better.

I'd look into a reconditioned iPad - save a lot vs. a new one.

For Aviation Apps apple is the way to go. Jmho.

My company uses FD Pro/airbus flysmart. We need to make our own loadsheets fairly often.

[CpnCrunch]

I find a regular sized ipad best. You can just put it on your lap, and the size is perfect. The mini is a bit small when viewing approach charts, documents IMO. Some people use yoke mounts, but that can be risky. There have been a number of accidents caused by yoke mounted ipads. Someone almost crashed into my plane after starting up, as he claimed the ipad yoke mount somehow caused him to not be able to stop. There might have been other factors...

In terms of reliability, it really just depends on the device. These days google pixel phones are incredibly reliable. I think anything recent from google or samsung should be fine. However, if you want to use Foreflight you'll need an ipad.

[‘Bob’]

I find a regular sized ipad best. You can just put it on your lap, and the size is perfect. The mini is a bit small when viewing approach charts, documents IMO. Some people use yoke mounts, but that can be risky.

I’m curious how you were able to read paper approach plates which were the same size as an iPad mini.. but without the ability to zoom in?

Personally I like the mini and every company I worked for has provided me with one.

Ram suction mount eliminates the yoke mount hazard.. which I agree is one of the biggest latent hazards in aviation

If I didn’t have someone paying for it I’d just use my phone. My iPad sits unused when I’m not flying.

[CpnCrunch]

I’m curious how you were able to read paper approach plates which were the same size as an iPad mini.. but without the ability to zoom in?

I've never used paper Jeppesen charts, but apparently they are 8.5 x 5.5. When I measure the CAP approach charts on my 10.5in ipad, they are 8.5 x 5.5, so exactly the same size. On an ipad mini they would presumably be smaller. When I zoom out on my ipad to make the charts about the size they would be on an ipad mini, they are indeed still readable.

The regular ipad also provides more space for the map, giving more traffic/airspace info without having to zoom or scroll. I've used a smaller Samsung tablet in the past (which was about the same size as an ipad mini), and I much prefer the 10.5in ipad size.

[7ECA]

The iPad Mini, while a lovely "handheld" size is both expensive and somewhat underwhelming in performance. For less money, you can get a full sized iPad, with a better chipset and the attendant increase in performance. For some reason, Apple has decided to make consumers pay a premium for a smaller tablet...

Sure, a full size iPad is a bit more of a pain to be carting around and depending on the size of the aeroplane it may be a hassle - but it's cheaper and better performing. Get a kneepad mount for it, like the MyClip for around $50 and you're good to go.

[I WAS Pez]

The iPad Mini, while a lovely "handheld" size is both expensive and somewhat underwhelming in performance. For less money, you can get a full sized iPad, with a better chipset and the attendant increase in performance. For some reason, Apple has decided to make consumers pay a premium for a smaller tablet...

Sure, a full size iPad is a bit more of a pain to be carting around and depending on the size of the aeroplane it may be a hassle - but it's cheaper and better performing. Get a kneepad mount for it, like the MyClip for around $50 and you're good to go.

My take- I've used an iPad Mini with ForeFlight at work for a few years now. It's great. Currently on a Mini 7. For iPads, the biggest that'll fit well in the airplanes you're flying is what I'd look at for size - then get one with sufficient space and with the antiglare coating (ie, not the base full size one). Also not a bad idea to add an antiglare screen protector. For smaller airplanes, the Mini tends to just fit better. If you have the space, bigger is better, but the Mini is generally the right size for smaller airplanes.

[CpnCrunch]

I'm getting a new ipad and comparing specs. One point to bear in mind that neither the regular ipad, nor the ipad mini have hardware video decoding. Only the ipad air and ipad pro have this. While it's not an issue for foreflight or fltplan go, it does mean that your battery will drain a lot faster when watching videos (or, these days, browsing any news website or avcanada without ad blocking).

The battery on my new M3 Pro Macbook Pro drops about 3-5% after watching a full length movie, and M3 ipad air likely has similar efficiency.

The M chips really are a game changer in terms of performance and efficiency.