iPad mini/iGlide

On Monday, July 21, 2014 10:43:44 AM UTC-7, Glidergeek wrote:
Anybody using the Iglide software in an Ipad or iPhone that can comment as to it's usefulness?

Yes.

I have used iGlide on an iPhone 5s and 4s. My comments:

* It is by far the most advanced user interface of any available software, nicely integrating the full iOS user interface in every aspect. Swipes, pinch to zoom, touch panning, ease of editing fields and tasks, etc. puts most of the others to shame. Nearly everything you do is substantially quicker, easier, and more intuitive than the others. I own and have run SYM, XCSoar, GlideNav, Winpilot, Winpilot iOS.

* An iPhone is *nearly* sunlight readable at around 500 nits. An iPad mini falls enough short of that (350 nits) to make it unusable for me except under dense clouds. The iPhone and iPad screens are all glossy finish, making reflections a problem. When hand held you naturally tilt the display to minimize these, but in a mount you are cannot.

* The resolution of the display somewhat compensates for the small size (iPhone), however you must mount it closer to you, and then deal with the focus issues (if you are older than 45 ).

* The display is very configurable through both the navbox choices and the XML file specifying display choices.

* The connectivity of the iPhone means that a full update of airspace, FLarm database, maps, whatever is just a click or two away.

* The Flarm display only supplies details on one chosen target. It will display a target icon and identifier for all of them, but details on only one at a time.

* The iPhone is a little power hungry (more draw than an Oudie). It will operate maybe three hours on internal battery. I have it fed from the ship's instrument battery, it draws around 0.35 - 0.4A even when fully charged. An Oudie is about 0.25 - 0.3.

* In sunny and warm conditions the iPhone may overheat and shut down until it cools. I found that to be nearly a killer for me. I fly in the high desert, on the ground it quickly warms up if in the sun. Once at altitude you can direct a cool air blast and keep it cool, but this limits where you put it.

If and when we see a 5" iPhone 6, then it could be perfect. However the display brightness and warm shutdown may remain an issue.