ForeFlight’s IPad Buying Guide For Pilots
Short advice:
buy the 32GB iPad 4G+WiFi on Verizon
Long advice:
First, choose between the new iPad (aka “iPad 3”) or the iPad 2. The iPad 3 is basically the same speed as last year’s iPad 2. However, it has double the screen resolution, which will make instrument procedures display sharper. If you’re buying an iPad for the first time, we recommend the iPad 3 – you’ll appreciate the faster performance in apps and sharper display. If you’re still running the original iPad, it’s time to think about upgrading – ForeFlight Mobile runs significantly faster on either the iPad 2 or iPad 3, especially the moving map.
Then, choose between iPad WiFi+4G or iPad WiFi. Only the 4G* model contains the GPS chip that can be used to activate the moving map capabilities of ForeFlight Mobile. However, the WiFi model can be paired with an external GPS like the Dual to provide location fixes in flight. Read here to learn more about external GPS’s, which provide better location fixes than the built-in GPS.?(* If you’re buying a used iPad 2, you’ll want the WiFI+3G model.)
Finally, choose your size: 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB. We strongly recommend the 32GB or 64GB models. ForeFlight Mobile can require over 16GB for all of the U.S. airport diagram, A/FD sheets, instrument procedures, documents, VFR sectionals, and IFR enroute charts. Canadian data can total 3GB. However, those requirements are reduced if the entire country is not downloaded at once. For example, downloading US states east of the Mississippi would require around 5GB. Those size estimates account for having 2 “cycles” of data loaded at the same time (the current and next cycle). We recommend the 32GB or 64GB iPad, but the 16GB will work if you download data for less than 20 states and do not plan on downloading other apps, movies, or music.
Important Notes
• The WiFi-only models do not include a GPS chip but can be? used with external GPSs (see accessories list)
• An AT&T or Verizon data plan is not required to use the? iPad WiFi+4G model or its GPS capabilities. However, we’ve found a data plan to be very handy for getting weather reports? on the go and have had the best luck with Verizon.
Recommended Accessories
GPS Receivers
• Dual XGPS150 Bluetooth GPS receiver
• Bad Elf GPS receiver
XM Weather Bundles
• XM Weather Package for iPad
• Baron WxWorx Bundle
iPad Accessories
• iPad Anti-Glare Film by Powersupport
• iPad 12-24v charger by Scosche
• iPad Kneeboard
• MyClip leg strap
• Knee Dock
We’re always looking for more accessories. If you have something to recommend, please send us your experience!
Please note: these are accessories that we use ourselves. We don’t accept any paid product placements.
Pricing and Where to Buy
• 32 GB iPad 3 WiFi – $599 (USD)
• 32 GB iPad 3 4G+WiFi – $729 (USD)
• 64 GB iPad 3 WiFi – $699 (USD)
• 64 GB iPad 3 4G+WiFi – $829 (USD)
Buy online at http://store.apple.com, or at your local Apple Retail Store, Best Buy, or Apple Reseller
