Android for EFB instead of iPad?

T

Treblesum81

Well-Known Member
I'm currently in the market for a tablet to use as an EFB and I'm torn between an Android table, specifically the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, and an iPad of the 10 inch variety. My personal preferences lean heavily towards the Android, partly because my last three phones have run the OS, and because I like the open source nature (I'm a tech geek, so I tend to root my devices the minute I get them home), but I've heard rumors that an Android tablet is limited in its usefulness in the cockpit due to a lack of available applications. The iPad, on the other hand, seems to be where a lot of the industry is located when it comes to EFB apps and also what most employers provide (at least from what I've heard) when they hand out tablets as EFB's to their pilots. Aviation is about half the reason I'm buying this tablet, which is why I'm pretty set on the larger screen, and also why I'm loathe to buy the iPad over the Android.

Anyway, the question is would I be unduly limiting my new device's usefulness in the cockpit if I went with my personal preference for Android over an iPad? Also, as a follow up, how important is a cellular connection on a tablet you're using as an EFB? The tablet I'm looking at does come with a 3G/4G option, but not on my current carrier, so unless it is a "must have", I'll probably get the wifi only version.

Thanks for your input.
 
Treblesum81 said:
I'm currently in the market for a tablet to use as an EFB and I'm torn between an Android table, specifically the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, and an iPad of the 10 inch variety. My personal preferences lean heavily towards the Android, partly because my last three phones have run the OS, and because I like the open source nature (I'm a tech geek, so I tend to root my devices the minute I get them home), but I've heard rumors that an Android tablet is limited in its usefulness in the cockpit due to a lack of available applications. The iPad, on the other hand, seems to be where a lot of the industry is located when it comes to EFB apps and also what most employers provide (at least from what I've heard) when they hand out tablets as EFB's to their pilots. Aviation is about half the reason I'm buying this tablet, which is why I'm pretty set on the larger screen, and also why I'm loathe to buy the iPad over the Android.

Anyway, the question is would I be unduly limiting my new device's usefulness in the cockpit if I went with my personal preference for Android over an iPad? Also, as a follow up, how important is a cellular connection on a tablet you're using as an EFB? The tablet I'm looking at does come with a 3G/4G option, but not on my current carrier, so unless it is a "must have", I'll probably get the wifi only version.

Thanks for your input.
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Make sure the wifi only version comes with built in GPS. I think on the iPads it does not.
Instead of foreflight there is Avilution and Naviator. Both look like they work pretty much the same for less money(just like android). One of them supports Geo-referenced maps, but those do cost more.
I've been considering it to.
 
The Note 10.1 definitely comes with built in GPS, not sure about the iPad, but then again, I've never actually shopped for an iPad.

Foreflight is one that I've heard mentioned in this discussion before. The rumor I heard was that, even though they are one of the top apps, they won't be making an android app for various reasons. Again, it was a rumor, but that was an argument against android. From what it looks like, there are at least a few good options for the android to replace it though.
 
I've got the ipad mini and love it. I works great in any cockpit, though I've only used it in the Stinson a few times, I've used the mini over 300hrs and another 400-500hrs of regular sized iPads in the Lear 45. The iPads come in wifi or 4g. The 4g versions have a GPS the wifi only does not. There are several external ipad gps's that you can get for under a hundred bucks. If I were in your position I would probably lean towards the ipad. The main reason being, every one has one. If I need to use ForeFlight/Jeppesen apps on some one else's ipad I know exactly how to do it. In fact, I can't think of one operator in the corporate pt 91 world that use an android product. I know there's some great apps out there for android and the hardware has come a long way in the lat few years, but right now they're the Apple to a late 90's Microsoft. Way out numbered in the aviation sector when it comes to apps and external hardware options. I think the ipad still has a 30 day return policy. Most apps like ForeFlight have free 30 day trails. So try it out for a few weeks risk free.
 
Treblesum81 said:
The Note 10.1 definitely comes with built in GPS, not sure about the iPad, but then again, I've never actually shopped for an iPad.

Foreflight is one that I've heard mentioned in this discussion before. The rumor I heard was that, even though they are one of the top apps, they won't be making an android app for various reasons. Again, it was a rumor, but that was an argument against android. From what it looks like, there are at least a few good options for the android to replace it though.
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Not that much of a rumor. ForeFlight has said it has no plans to make an Android app.
 
PositionAndHold said:
I've got the ipad mini and love it. I works great in any cockpit, though I've only used it in the Stinson a few times, I've used the mini over 300hrs and another 400-500hrs of regular sized iPads in the Lear 45....
Click to expand...

We're thinking that the mini will work much better in our Lear 40/45 fleet than the full size iPad. I take it you agree with that?
 
I've been using a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 for a year as an EFB and I really like it. I use Avilution's Aviation Maps. Data and updates are $5/month non-contract. www.avilution.com.

Mine has 4G LTE service from Verizon which I pay $20/month non-contract, which is fantastic to have. I can pull up web sites, references, notams, aviationweather, duats, etc. I also pick up Nexrad and METAR/TAFS within AviationMaps.

The only problem I've had is that credit card readers that plug into the headphone jack from Square and Intuit do not work on the Galaxy Tab for some reason. Not really an issue since none of my students seem to want to use credit cards (which is all the better for me). I can still manually enter card numbers if I ever had the need.
 
SteveC said:
We're thinking that the mini will work much better in our Lear 40/45 fleet than the full size iPad. I take it you agree with that?
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I know your question was directed at me, but in my opinion I would definitely say a mini would be a little more friendly to use in an airplane. I have the full size ipad and it can seem to get in the way. The ipad mini is just about the same size as a paper chart and I feel like it would be excellent size to have inside of an airplane. The only down side to somebody getting an ipad mini for personal use is not having the larger screen for recreational-out of the airplane use. Which some people prefer a small screen even while using their tablet on the couch, so I know that part is just user preference. Looking at it in a strictly airplane use sense, I would definitely say ipad mini would be more convenient. Just my .02
 
Muff3n said:
I know your question was directed at me, but in my opinion I would definitely say a mini would be a little more friendly to use in an airplane. I have the full size ipad and it can seem to get in the way. The ipad mini is just about the same size as a paper chart and I feel like it would be excellent size to have inside of an airplane. The only down side to somebody getting an ipad mini for personal use is not having the larger screen for recreational-out of the airplane use. Which some people prefer a small screen even while using their tablet on the couch, so I know that part is just user preference. Looking at it in a strictly airplane use sense, I would definitely say ipad mini would be more convenient. Just my .02
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This is exactly my problem... If all I wanted to use this for was flying then there wouldn't be a question, I'd suck up my dislike of apple and the smaller screen and go straight for an iPad mini. Unfortunately, I'm going to be spending a lot more time using this as an entertainment device / productivity tool away from the cockpit than I am as an EFB, at least at this point in my life, so it makes sense to evaluate the purchase based on overall needs rather than aviation specific needs.

rframe: Do you find your cellular data connection to be a must have? Both Verizon and Sprint (my current carrier) only carry the low memory versions of their tablets, something which I'd gravitate away from if I can.
 
rframe: Do you find your cellular data connection to be a must have? Both Verizon and Sprint (my current carrier) only carry the low memory versions of their tablets, something which I'd gravitate away from if I can.
Click to expand...

I'd say it largely depends on your intended purpose. As an electronic chart and GPS display, not required.

The convenience to check weather, notams, TFR's throughout the day and pick up Nexrad is well worth the $20 per month in my opinion. Also, nice when you want to kill 15 minutes checking email, updating schedules, etc. However, I have students at multiple remote airports with no lounge computer handy and half the time it seems RCO's dont even work, since the FAA doesn't put money into basic infrastructure maintenance anymore. Of course you can use a cell phone and call Lockheed and get everything except for the graphical weather products.

I personally would not purchase another tablet without cell data available, I find that I use the data quite often even on local training flights.

As far as data plans, you can add any unlocked tablet to Verizon data plans without a contract. It might take talking to 3 different people (that's what I had to do) but it's totally acceptable to Verizon. So buy an unlocked or used Verizon tablet and you can get non-contract data by the month.
 
I have been using Garmin Pilot on an Asus Transformer wifi only tablet (the cheaper one). The app is great, the only disadvantage I see that is has from Foreflight is getting information on MOAs and Restricted/Prohibited areas. I hope eventually they will catch up. The GPS in my Asus is worthless above 65kts or so, so I had to buy and external GPS antenna. I bought a Garmin GLO which came with 6 months of Garmin Pilot for free. I would suggest that you look into the Nexus 10 for your tablet choice. It is also made by Samsung and lacks all the 3rd party software that Samsung installs on the galaxy. I have owned 2 Nexus phones and I will never buy another non-Nexus product. Android is much more stable in its native form. Hope this helps.
 
If you are going to root and play with the tablet grab the Nexus 10. The only reason I can see to get a Note is so you can use the Jepp app. The Jepp app does not work with rooted devices though.

You will likely need an external antenna for GPS.

If you don't need a fancy pants UI you can use the fltplan.com app and get all your charts for free.
 
SteveC said:
We're thinking that the mini will work much better in our Lear 40/45 fleet than the full size iPad. I take it you agree with that?
Click to expand...
Yes. That's the thing with the mini. They got rid of the bezel of the larger ipad. So while physically its about 50% of a full size ipad, the screen size is only about 30% smaller. (I can't remember the exact numbers, the ones I use are to illustrate my point) As far as weight and thickness go, from the apple website, "iPad mini is 23 percent thinner, 53 percent lighter". For thoes reasons compared to a full size iPad, the mini is the perfect size for the 45. It just fits better. We do have a full size as our second ipad, the other guy seems to think route charts are better with more screen size. For me the extra space for route charts doesn't make up for the size and weight. I had my own 3rd gen ipad when I bought the mini for work. I used the mini so much at home I sold the full size. Once the 2nd gen mini with a higher res screen comes out, it will be just about perfect.
 
I have a mini that the company bought to play with, but haven't had it in the plane yet.
 
Our company has chosen the Samsung w/ 4g for our efb/communication device on the road. Ours still run honeycomb, and it shows. Jepp has the tc app developed and are supposed to roll out the FD app this year for us.
 
I've been using Avilution on the Galaxy 10.2 and loving it up until the last flight when I was in class C over the LA basin trying to stay VFR under some clouds and the app crashed and wouldn't load back up again. Fun time to pull out the paper charts.

Not sure if ForeFlight ever has problems like that; this was the first time I've had one.
 
rframe said:
I'd say it largely depends on your intended purpose. As an electronic chart and GPS display, not required.

The convenience to check weather, notams, TFR's throughout the day and pick up Nexrad is well worth the $20 per month in my opinion. Also, nice when you want to kill 15 minutes checking email, updating schedules, etc. However, I have students at multiple remote airports with no lounge computer handy and half the time it seems RCO's dont even work, since the FAA doesn't put money into basic infrastructure maintenance anymore. Of course you can use a cell phone and call Lockheed and get everything except for the graphical weather products.

I personally would not purchase another tablet without cell data available, I find that I use the data quite often even on local training flights.

As far as data plans, you can add any unlocked tablet to Verizon data plans without a contract. It might take talking to 3 different people (that's what I had to do) but it's totally acceptable to Verizon. So buy an unlocked or used Verizon tablet and you can get non-contract data by the month.
Click to expand...

Most of the airports that I spend any amount of time at offer free wifi access, but even with that being said, any airport I can think of that doesn't have free wifi is most likely going to be roaming for cellular meaning I'd get little or no service and it would cost extra to use. I'm not against the idea of getting a cellular connected tablet, I'm just wishing there were better options than the iPad, Galaxy Tab 10.1, and Galaxy Note 10.1, with both of the latter only being available in small memory versions. I also don't think I'd ever buy used electronics (never have, probably never will), which would mean a two year contract and probably some onerous monthly fee. I should also point out that my Galaxy S3 can function as a wifi hotspot, so if push comes to shove, I'll have at least some way to access the net.

greg1016 said:
I have been using Garmin Pilot on an Asus Transformer wifi only tablet (the cheaper one). The app is great, the only disadvantage I see that is has from Foreflight is getting information on MOAs and Restricted/Prohibited areas. I hope eventually they will catch up. The GPS in my Asus is worthless above 65kts or so, so I had to buy and external GPS antenna. I bought a Garmin GLO which came with 6 months of Garmin Pilot for free. I would suggest that you look into the Nexus 10 for your tablet choice. It is also made by Samsung and lacks all the 3rd party software that Samsung installs on the galaxy. I have owned 2 Nexus phones and I will never buy another non-Nexus product. Android is much more stable in its native form. Hope this helps.
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Maurus said:
If you are going to root and play with the tablet grab the Nexus 10. The only reason I can see to get a Note is so you can use the Jepp app. The Jepp app does not work with rooted devices though.

You will likely need an external antenna for GPS.

If you don't need a fancy pants UI you can use the fltplan.com app and get all your charts for free.
Click to expand...

For me the Nexus 10, while its got the best screen android offer, suffers from a major design flaw in that they chose not to give it an external memory slot in addition to being wifi only. This means that I'll probably fill it up with apps and media pretty quick and then be forced to manage memory endlessly. At least with the small memory Note and Tab, I could pop a 64Gb SD card in and quadruple my storage space.

Of bigger concern from what you've said is that the Jepp app won't run on rooted devices. I'm curious now if this is going to carry across to the other major pilot apps, or if its just Jepp since there is a 100% certainty that I will root (or jailbreak if I go apple) my device. If it turns out that none of them will allow you to run a rooted device, it may not be worth spending the money.

Bernoulli Fan said:
I've been using Avilution on the Galaxy 10.2 and loving it up until the last flight when I was in class C over the LA basin trying to stay VFR under some clouds and the app crashed and wouldn't load back up again. Fun time to pull out the paper charts.

Not sure if ForeFlight ever has problems like that; this was the first time I've had one.
Click to expand...

How long had you used the app before you ran into this problem, both on that day and overall? Also, you say Galaxy 10.2, are you referring to the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, or a different model?
 
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