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Ken Stoltzfus
Apr 18, 2023, 9:06:34 PM4/18/23
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I'd like to use AVARE for Sectionals, airport info and navigation in a J-3 Cub (non-electric) and need some advice on a lower-end tablet with gps that would work for this, with decent battery life. This is the family J-3 that I soloed in 1958 (now belonging to my son) so I'm obviously a senior. Reasonably computer savvy for my age but not like my kids or grandkids of course. I have an iphone and use Verizon if that makes any difference. Thanks for any help!
Michael Bamberg
Apr 18, 2023, 11:30:37 PM4/18/23
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How large of a tablet are you wanting to use? How much time per flight? many tablets will run with the screen off for many hours, but only 2-4 hours with a bright screen.
Are you willing to use an external battery pack to extend the useful time?
Is this going to be mounted with something like a RAM mount or is it on a kneeboard?
Mike
john...@gmail.com
Apr 19, 2023, 3:37:56 AM4/19/23
to Apps4Av Forum
need some advice on a lower-end tablet with gps that would work for this, with decent battery life.
Are you already using Avare on a phone? If not, and you have an Android phone, it would help you to start there. Presuming you've done or will do that, maybe take the phone up as a passenger if possible to explore mounting position and light options. I made a mount for my phone that clamps onto my kneeboard and use it as backup to my tablet that's mounted in different locations based on which of the club planes I'm flying. I've found that any of the phones & tablets I've used are fine, once issues like direct light or reflections on the screen are managed. Keep in mind that the way lighting factors change with aircraft orientation and sun angle, so flexibility and maybe even multiple mounting options can be very helpful. I believe some pilots even make or buy removable or adjustable sun shields for their screens. You might also consider an ADS-B receiver like a StratuX or the "Avare ADSB" 3rd party app that uses an inexpensive thumb drive style TV receiver with that app. I still use mine occasionally and since it's so small and light it's in my flight bag.
I have an iphone and use Verizon if that makes any difference.
If as suggested above, if you haven't already used Avare (on phone or tablet), that's certainly Job One. I've tried to help exceptional experienced senior pilots get comfortable with Avare, and they've found it just too difficult. Those who have iPhones are completely lost with Android. As for tablet, I've found the Samsung line to be good. I think the last
one I got new at Costco was maybe $150 on sale. Any used tablet may
present battery life issues, though an external battery would help.
I hope you stick with it, continue seeking help when needed, and report back on your progress & chosen solutions.
Jim Roberts
Apr 19, 2023, 2:56:40 PM4/19/23
to Apps4Av Forum
Galaxy Tab A 8.0 SM T380
Long bat life and has worked for years.
Long bat life and has worked for years.
Beach Geek
Apr 19, 2023, 3:53:45 PM4/19/23
to Apps4Av Forum
My friend bought one of these for his kid, then after looking it over decided to buy another for flying.
He's tried it on 2 flights so far and it's worked well but he's still trying to get it mounted just right.
No stuttering or GPS loss (not tied into aircraft).
Think the brightness could be a problem depending where it's mounted. His is mounted overhead and he pulls the shade when sun's overhead.
There's also tablet cases with built-in battery. That's what I use.
Simon Roberts
Apr 19, 2023, 4:40:17 PM4/19/23
to Apps4Av Forum
I'm using the Samsung Galaxy A, 8" version (not the same thing as the A8, so far as I can tell):
This one is $99, and has a T-Mobile sim card, but you should be able to simply leave that unconnected.
I fly a supercub, pawnee, and others, and this sits on my thigh with velcro straps wonderfully well. Battery lasts more than 6 hours, gps has been good, though I use a Stratux with it these days so I get traffic too, and the screen is entirely adequate even in the intense sun of Colorado.
Lots of modern options from Samsung will only be better still, I'd bet, but there are off brands a'plenty that are rubbish.
Rich Klarich
Apr 19, 2023, 7:56:56 PM4/19/23
to Apps4Av Forum
I took the advice on here recently to try the higher screen brightness Nexus 7 Gen 2 off eBay- so far, so good. I could see it on a kneeboard in a cub with or without a Stratux. Solid $40. Brighter than my 2019 Tab A SM-T290 or 2013 Tab S2 7 inch.
Strikes my like a iPad mini 4th Gen. I'm spoiled at work with an Ipad Air Pro Gen something new 10 plus inch.
In a Cub even a used phablet might do well, no sim/cell needed, and brighter yet S9 Plus or similar with a good battery life remaining. Swappa is a popular site, too.
If you dont have ADSB-In, you can get a cheap sim card plan and get metars texted to you.
SMS Text Message Service
Terms of Service
Leidos Flight Service provides weather conditions via SMS Text Message. Message and data rates may apply.
The following capabilities are available by messaging them to 358-782 (FLTSVC):
METARs and TAFs at an airport Request current weather and forecast information for any airport. Examples:
Text "METAR BWI" and you will receive the latest METAR for Baltimore Washington International Airport.
Text "METAR BWI PT" and you will receive the latest METAR for Baltimore Washington International Airport in plain text.
Text "TAF BWI" and you will receive the latest TAF for Baltimore Washington International Airport.
Text "MT FDK PT" and you will receive the latest METAR and TAF for Frederick Airport in plain text.
Note: the requests are case independent.
Adverse Condition Updates This service allows you to check if there are any new Adverse Conditions or TFRs since you filed your flight plan. This content is recorded and can be used to provide confirmation that you received the most up-to-date adverse conditions for your flight.Text "ACU" and you will receive a summary of any new conditions detected for your upcoming flight or you will get a positive indication there are no new conditions reported.
To request information about the text message options text"Help" to 358-782
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azch...@juno.com
Apr 19, 2023, 9:54:58 PM4/19/23
to jnj...@gmail.com, apps4a...@googlegroups.com
I agree. I have on and it works great!
On Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:56:39 -0700 (PDT) Jim Roberts <jnj...@gmail.com> writes:
Galaxy Tab A 8.0 SM T380
Long bat life and has worked for years.
On Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 2:37:56 AM UTC-5 john...@gmail.com wrote:
need some advice on a lower-end tablet with gps that would work for this, with decent battery life.
Are you already using Avare on a phone? If not, and you have an Android phone, it would help you to start there. Presuming you've done or will do that, maybe take the phone up as a passenger if possible to explore mounting position and light options. I made a mount for my phone that clamps onto my kneeboard and use it as backup to my tablet that's mounted in different locations based on which of the club planes I'm flying. I've found that any of the phones & tablets I've used are fine, once issues like direct light or reflections on the screen are managed. Keep in mind that the way lighting factors change with aircraft orientation and sun angle, so flexibility and maybe even multiple mounting options can be very helpful. I believe some pilots even make or buy removable or adjustable sun shields for their screens. You might also consider an ADS-B receiver like a StratuX or the "Avare ADSB" 3rd party app that uses an inexpensive thumb drive style TV receiver with that app. I still use mine occasionally and since it's so small and light it's in my flight bag.
I have an iphone and use Verizon if that makes any difference.
If as suggested above, if you haven't already used Avare (on phone or tablet), that's certainly Job One. I've tried to help exceptional experienced senior pilots get comfortable with Avare, and they've found it just too difficult. Those who have iPhones are completely lost with Android. As for tablet, I've found the Samsung line to be good. I think the last one I got new at Costco was maybe $150 on sale. Any used tablet may present battery life issues, though an external battery would help.I hope you stick with it, continue seeking help when needed, and report back on your progress & chosen solutions.
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Tzanko Tzanev
Apr 20, 2023, 7:27:06 PM4/20/23
to Apps4Av Forum
I use AVARE on my LG "G Pad 5 10.1" with NooElec ADS-B dongle for traffic and weather. After 4 hours flight, the battery is at 60%.
On Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 8:06:34 PM UTC-5 kensto...@gmail.com wrote:
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