Has anybody tested ForeFlight or WingX Pro on an iPhone 6+?

[Wm.Ince]

I am due for a new phone to replace my aged iPhone 4 and would appreciate any comments from users who have first hand experience using the iPhone 6 or 6+ with either ForeFlight or WingX Pro.

[theskunk]

What do you want to know? Since ForeFlight hasn't made any major updates to support the 6+ I can't say that it looks much different than higher resolution, a bit higher performance, and the GPS resolution drops to 5m in a few spots near my house that it normally said 10m.

If you've got specific questions let me know, otherwise for now it's exactly the same as on a 5.

[Wm.Ince]

What do you want to know? Since ForeFlight hasn't made any major updates to support the 6+ I can't say that it looks much different than higher resolution, a bit higher performance, and the GPS resolution drops to 5m in a few spots near my house that it normally said 10m.

If you've got specific questions let me know, otherwise for now it's exactly the same as on a 5.

Is it practical to use for air navigation?
In my opinion, the iPhone 5s does not provide enough screen real estate to make practical use possible. Other users mileage may vary.
Also, I would like to know if the screen is any better than the iPad in direct sunlight.
What about the resolution? Is it easy on the eyes reading sectionals?
Instead of purchasing an iPad mini as a backup, perhaps the iPhone 6+ would do a satisfactory job.
A better comparison would be betwen the iPad Mini and the iPhone 6+. If there isn't much difference in the usability between the two, I would probably go for the IPhone 6+ as a backup.

[drseti]

Not exactly iPhone 6 related, but...

Hilton Software is now making WingX Pro 7 available for free to all CFIs. As a longtime user, I have no hesitation to recommend this EFB to my students. Beyond that, I salute Hilton Goldstein for his marketing acumen. He knows that anything a CFI uses, his or students are likely to try. Good move, Hilton!

Here's the link for all the CFIs out there: http://hiltonsoftware.com/cfi/

[BrianL99]

I am due for a new phone to replace my aged iPhone 4 and would appreciate any comments from users who have first hand experience using the iPhone 6 or 6+ with either ForeFlight or WingX Pro.

Yes.

I got an iPhone+ to replace my iPad Mini, running Foreflight.

Some features of ForeFlight won't run on an iPhone, but only on an iPad. For example, the "documents" function only works on iPad, no iPhone. When they designed the program, it was designed for iPad, as the larger iPhone didn't exist. I'm fairly certain I read that they have no intention of making the complete program compatible with the iPhone.

[FastEddieB]

I think the 6+ is just big enough, especially since it can be mounted high and close.



(No iPhone 6+ in the bracket, since I needed it for the photo)

I have not tried it on a cross-country yet, but hope to soon.

One glitch for WingX7Pro is that it still only works in iPhone mode. That means:

1) INFO takes over the whole screen.

2) You can't seem to click on a waypoint or airport in your route to pull up info on it.

I have asked for "iPad emulation mode" both via email and at the Sport Aviation Expo. At the Expo, after defending their choices, did offer some hope that other options were being considered.

[BrianL99]

What are you using for a mount, Eddie.

I agree, it's the perfect size. Even the iPad mini takes up too much space in a tiny LSA cockpit.

[FastEddieB]

What are you using for a mount, Eddie.

I agree, it's the perfect size. Even the iPad mini takes up too much space in a tiny LSA cockpit.

My iPhones all go into OtterBoxes for their own protection!

The mount is just the belt clip that comes with the Defender series.

I just stick a RAM ball mount on the back using 3M SuperLok tape, the shortest RAM arm and, in my case, a RAM suction cup mount.

Seems to work reasonably well.

In a pinch, you can just clamp it down thusly and it seems to work as well:



If that was my permanent solution, I'd probably dip the jaws of the RAM arm in PlastiDip or equivalent.

[FastEddieB]

This may help with the concept:







That's an old, porous suction cup that I can't bring myself to throw away - I use a much better locking one in the plane, along with a shorter arm.

I also have a Moshi iVisor AG Anti-Glare screen protector on the iPhone which helps a lot in the sun - which is hard to escape with my canopy.

[Jack Tyler]

The key for me - and I use a full-size iPad suction-cupped to my side window - has been shifting to the truly shortest connection arm that RAM offers. It's 2" in length while most of the 'short' arms in RAM packages are 3" in length. It's remarkable how much difference 1" made.

[Edgefly]

Bill,
I hope this qualifies as "fist-hand experience". I have been flying with a full sized iPad mounted with a thigh strap and using an iPhone 5 as a backup and recently looked at an iPhone 6/6+ as a replacement for the iPad. At this point, planning on using the iPhone 5 as still being the backup. I also looked at an iPad mini as the primary unit for flying and for my iPhone 5 being the back-up. I never did actually have a 6/6+ to try in the cockpit but did have my ladies' new mini available for that purpose. My conclusion was that I was not satisfied with either of the newer devices for lack of graphical real estate for flying purposes. I would say that the mini is a possibility if you are making short trips and not wanting to be looking 200 sm ahead. Decided to stay with the full size display for my flying needs and therefore with the iPhone 5 as backup. When the time comes, I'll probably go with a mini or more likely an iPad Air for flying due to real estate reasons and because the Foreflight App keeps getting more useful mods. I'm flying high wing so glare is not a principal problem.

[SportPilot]

.......

[dstclair]

Bill -- what is on your panel?

A little background on my inflight navigation displays. My plane was originally equipped with a 496 and I flew with this plus paper charts on my kneeboard for a couple years and life was pretty good. I thought the display was great and worked well for a 120kt VFR airplane. Then the iPad 1 came out with Foreflight and I flew with the 496 + iPad for a couple years. Life was even better. My wife then asked if we could get a bigger panel display. And of course I could do this for her! This resulted in an install of a 795. Around this time, I also got an iPhone 5 and iPad 4. I found the 795 has plenty real estate and different charts that it became my primary navigation aid. I stopped carrying my iPad and used my iPhone 5 as a backup. This made life even better without having to find a place for the iPad. I upgraded to an iPhone 6 and this is an even better backup. Keep in mind the iPhone 5 has bigger display than the 496 and the iPhone 6 is much bigger. This works very well for me.

Is it practical to use for air navigation?
In my opinion, the iPhone 5s does not provide enough screen real estate to make practical use possible. Other users mileage may vary.
Also, I would like to know if the screen is any better than the iPad in direct sunlight.

I think the iPhone 6 would be OK as a primary but would be better as a backup. I played with the 6+ and would have no issue using this as primary. Plenty of real estate for LSA travel. No difference in glare in all the i-devices.

What about the resolution? Is it easy on the eyes reading sectionals?
Instead of purchasing an iPad mini as a backup, perhaps the iPhone 6+ would do a satisfactory job.
A better comparison would be betwen the iPad Mini and the iPhone 6+. If there isn't much difference in the usability between the two, I would probably go for the IPhone 6+ as a backup.

I find using WAC's as the basemap works pretty well on the iPhone 6 for the big picture and much of what I need as backup. Change to Sectionals for zoomed in details. For a backup, the 6 and 6+ are both very good and I wouldn't bother with an iPad.

[Wm.Ince]

Bill -- what is on your panel?

Primary is dual 7' SkyViews (left side displays SkyView map, right side displays VFR sectionals)
Secondary is iPad Air using WingX Pro.
Secondary is Garmin 396 (which can be used as a secondary source to SkyViews and autopilot).
Secondary is iPhone 6+ running WingX Pro.
Last backup, VFR sectional paper charts (during cross country, they are pre-folded for route to be flown).

[dstclair]

Bill -- what is on your panel?

Primary is dual 7' SkyViews (left side displays SkyView map, right side displays VFR sectionals)
Secondary is iPad Air using WingX Pro.
Secondary is Garmin 396 (which can be used as a secondary source to SkyViews and autopilot).
Secondary is iPhone 6+ running WingX Pro.
Last backup, VFR sectional paper charts (during cross country, they are pre-folded for route to be flown).

I think you might just barely have enough

I feel unprepared now since I only have a 795, iPhone 6 and paper WACs.