Garmin 296 Or Ipad Mini App?

[donnybrook]

The iPad mini with Foreflight works great for ferry flights, crappy weather, holding current CFS, canadian and US charts, etc. However I found it was not as user friendly (unwieldy?) when working in a smaller area with multiple drop points, drill job and moving geos for example. If you are working only in canada and don't mind paper charts I would say get the 296. Of course, an iPad mini is also smaller and lighter than a CFS and a bag full of maps for western Canada....

[flingwinger]

Foreflight is great for charts. There are other gps navigation apps (non aviation) which work better for way points and topo. Try Motion X gps

[45PSI]

Honestly this is still a debate? Touch screens don't work with gloves. Global warming hasn't made canada that warm... That's why pros all use the 296 series.

[Saifan Pilot]

For bush pilots the iPad can not replace a standard GPS.

 

Garmin Pilot App does not support importing waypoints.

ForeFlight app can import waypoints, but is incompatible with Garmin Base Camp Software.

[Saifan Pilot]

Honestly this is still a debate? Touch screens don't work with gloves. Global warming hasn't made canada that warm... That's why pros all use the 296 series.

 

Gibson Barnes make touch screen compatible Nomex Flight Gloves: http://www.gibson-barnes.com/prod-296125/Touch-Screen-Compatible-Flying-Gloves.html

[kiefk]

If you want free charts try Fltplan.com and its' app.

 

I would agree that the portable GPS is better for bush and charter work (I used a 396 and topo maps) but Foreflight is better for the complete package, Maps, Charts, CFS, weather and planning (especially if the company is paying, or get them to sign the tax paperwork saying its a requirement for your employment and claim it back from the feds!).

 

I would also agree with the premise buttons are better than touch screens

 

Horses for courses...