we wanted to give a thumbs up on the review. we have done our own research on this topic. what we’ve found in terms of features is the following:

1. georeferenced maps. the SkyCharts pro are a good compromise of all maps [sectionals, low/high IFR, and approach plates] with en route aspects using a good, switchable moving map. clearly the big expense is moving map software that georeferences on the approach plate itself, which SkyCharts hasn’t done. so if all one wants is a moving map, SkyCharts is it for the price: $20.

2. georeferenced maps PLUS georeferenced IFR approach plates. only two app developers do this, Beacon: North America and WingX, both using Seattle Avionics package to georeference the approach plates [$99 for one year subscription]. Beacon: North America gets terrible reviews of clunky, poorly adapted software for the iPad, with loads of complaints on crashes and slow updates. The company released an update on 12/17/10, but I’ve not seen it reviewed since that update. However, it does have some neat 3D features beyond the maps and their own proprietary view, so it has potential. WingX also has the georeferenced plates but does NOT have standard VFR or IFR maps, focusing only on its own proprietary view. rumor has it that it will come out with VFR/IFR maps soon. however, both of these app sets are pricey: compared with the SkyCharts Pro program at $20, these are ~$80/yr and $100/yr *just* for the updatable moving map, *plus another* ~$100/yr to seattle avionics for the georeferenced approach plates. And these are are annual fees compared with SkyCharts one time payment.

3. other apps. there are other apps out there as well, ForeFlight being the most famous. although foreflight does a god job for planning, has a moving map, it does not have any georeferenced approach plates. For $75/yr for the basic program doesn’t go beyond standard Duats or other planning software you might be used to. Foreflight does get kudos for a good user interface, but again, if you are used to other planning software programs you like, and because Foreflight doesn’t do georeferenced approach plates, we didn’t feel it was worth spending the extra money.
Other programs like AvCharts ($20) don’t give you anything but non-georeferenced IFR charts. AeroCharts ($25) uses it’s own proprietary maps, not standard charts (although things look pretty clear), and has IFR plates but no georeferencing, iChart with VFR and IFR ($50 for the service, don’t get fooled by the “free” app), is just terrible, no one likes it, and it crashes all the time, and has no georeferencing.

4. notes. Finally, jotting down notes on your approach plates is a standard thing we all do. instead of using Foreflight’s terrible scratch pad (which doesn’t allow you to write on the plate itself) or going with an inferior program that ONLY allows writing on plates but provides nothing else (AvChart), we use the AOPA or FAA site on the ipad to get the plates we want, then use PDF Notes app to open them and mark them up. using the ipad multi-tasking feature, we use SkyCharts en route, then as we get vectored for the approach, switch over to the plate/PDF Notes.

have a great time flying! CAVU and give our best to the folks at KMWA! [lee is the guy we used to know in the tower there].

bryan and shannon

There is no reason you have to turn off the WiFi and 3G radios before flying. Officially, the FAA requires those radios to be turned off — don’t ask me for the exact reg. You’ll also save some battery by leaving the radios off. Same goes for the bluetooth radio.

What strikes me about the 696 is how tall it is, and how heavy. I can actually feel the difference in control pressures when my CFI has his mounted to the right yoke. This has never been an issue when flying, but it amazes me how different the controls feel on the ground. In my plane, if my 496 were any taller, I believe it would begin to cover the DG, and were it to extend below the yoke too far, it would hit my knees.

I suppose to sum up, I don’t see a need for the 696. I get my plates on my iPad for free, and the 496 is already in the inventory, so financially it makes sense to me not to go to the 696. I also don’t find myself wanting more screen space on the 496, I have the information I need, easily accessible.

That being said, the dial on the 696 is a HUGE UI improvement over the D-pad on the 496. Were Garmin to make a 496 with the dial, I’d probably be pretty tempted to upgrade.

Hope this helps.

Colyn

The Quadra is a good unit that was released way before it should have been and that is probably why I give it a bad rap. The developers are working diligently to correct the faults that should have not been there upon release. It does have promise for sure. They also have an EFB version with geosynched approach plates, taxi diagrams, enroute charts and sectionals, but the Quadra screen is too small for sectionals. Maybe OK for approach plates and enroute charts. It’s basically a PDA.

I think you have a good plan. Use the Ipad and Sky Charts strictly for EFB and leave the GPS to something else. I’m strictly VFR….for now, so I have a different need than you have for sure.

BTW…nice web page and nice blog. Keep ‘em flying.

To replace the Quadra, I’d need the 3G modle w/GPS. Do you have a GPS that you use seeing you have the WiFi version of the iPad. I’ve read reviews on the Sky Charts using the iPad GPS and I have some concerns there.

I guess I have to decide on keeping the Quadra for GPS and maybe using the iPad for my EFB. What do you think?