iFly 720 GPS - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-29T09:24:25Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/ifly-720-gps?feed=yes&xn_auth=noAnother little enhancement ..…tag:zenith.aero,2013-06-04:2606393:Comment:2883632013-06-04T16:30:17.471ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p>Another little enhancement ...</p>
<p>As we all know, the 750's tremendous visibility from the cabin also allows plenty of direct sunlight <em>into</em> the cabin and panel! Although the iFly 720 is quite legible in sunlight (especially with a screen glare protector and wearing a dark shirt), I found a cheap way to further enhance the legibility. I discovered on Ebay that the cheapo (<$5 delivered!) generic sun visors intended for 4.3" to 5" wide automotive GPS' fit the…</p>
<p>Another little enhancement ...</p>
<p>As we all know, the 750's tremendous visibility from the cabin also allows plenty of direct sunlight <em>into</em> the cabin and panel! Although the iFly 720 is quite legible in sunlight (especially with a screen glare protector and wearing a dark shirt), I found a cheap way to further enhance the legibility. I discovered on Ebay that the cheapo (<$5 delivered!) generic sun visors intended for 4.3" to 5" wide automotive GPS' fit the 720 <em>perfectly</em> in the vertical orientation! Although it would be even better if the shades on the sides extended further down, it really helps quite a bit - especially with high sun angles. Just clips right on - no tape, velcro, etc:</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170988364?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170988364?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>John</p>
<p>N750A</p> Thanks again for the updates…tag:zenith.aero,2013-05-12:2606393:Comment:2837412013-05-12T00:40:48.595ZRick Georgehttps://zenith.aero/profile/RickGeorge10
<p>Thanks again for the updates - much appreciated</p>
<p>Thanks again for the updates - much appreciated</p> Update:
I did the remote in…tag:zenith.aero,2013-05-11:2606393:Comment:2838162013-05-11T20:38:08.327ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p>Update:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I did the remote install of the SkyRadar L today. I velcro'd it (it's extremely light) to the right inner sidewall under the glareshield and fabricated a RG400 male/female extension cable and attached the original antenna to that. Ran it up through the left slot for the windshield brace and zip-tied the antenna into position almost parallel to the brace tube:…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Update:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I did the remote install of the SkyRadar L today. I velcro'd it (it's extremely light) to the right inner sidewall under the glareshield and fabricated a RG400 male/female extension cable and attached the original antenna to that. Ran it up through the left slot for the windshield brace and zip-tied the antenna into position almost parallel to the brace tube:</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170977662?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170977662?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170977925?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170977925?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"/></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Since the antenna is almost parallel to the tube and on the back-side relative to the pilot, the pilot can't even see the antenna. I know this looks like an awful position for the antenna since it is "laid-back" and has that big tube next to it, but I had seen a picture of a similar installation that worked well and this one does, too! I flew some 360's and even directly away from the approximate direction of the closest ADS-B ground transmitter and never lost signal. Just to be on the safe side, however, I did position the hinge in the antenna so that the antenna can be flipped almost vertical in case I ever had a marginal signal, thinking a more vertical position might just make the difference:</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170995575?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170995575?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"/></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>No wiring is necessary between the SkyRadar and the 720 - they "talk" via wi-fi. I had a nice line of weather displayed on the 720 today, but unfortunately, I forgot my camera for an in-flight pic, but take my word, it works great!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>John</p>
<p>N750A</p> Update:
I scored a just-like-…tag:zenith.aero,2013-05-07:2606393:Comment:2830252013-05-07T20:32:03.637ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p>Update:</p>
<p>I scored a just-like-new SkyRadar Model "L" ADS-B receiver on Ebay for $321 delivered! It's a very painless installation since it talks to the 720 by wi-fi. Just set it on the glareshield, plug the cord in a 12V outlet, a few menu choices on the 720 to connect by wi-fi and you're good to go!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The L model I bought is the previous model that utilizes an external GPS "puck" and an external antenna. (I don't need the external GPS since the 720 continues to use its…</p>
<p>Update:</p>
<p>I scored a just-like-new SkyRadar Model "L" ADS-B receiver on Ebay for $321 delivered! It's a very painless installation since it talks to the 720 by wi-fi. Just set it on the glareshield, plug the cord in a 12V outlet, a few menu choices on the 720 to connect by wi-fi and you're good to go!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The L model I bought is the previous model that utilizes an external GPS "puck" and an external antenna. (I don't need the external GPS since the 720 continues to use its own internal GPS even when communicating with the ADS-B box.) The current model L has the GPS and antenna internal, however, since mine comes with an external antenna, I actually find that preferable since that allows the unit to be remotely installed and the antenna can be relocated with a RG400 cable. I'm going to either install it behind the panel and run the antenna up through the glareshield hole where the windshield braces pass through, or, if that antenna location doesn't work well, I'll probably install it under my seat and use a TED mini-pole transponder antenna externally on the fuselage bottom.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I flew it for the first time today with the unit just sitting on the glareshield. I'm in a 1000' deep valley, but the moment I climbed above the valley rim onto the Cumberland Plateau, the weather data instantly popped up! Apparently, I'm line-of sight on the Plateau with a ground transmitter so I'm getting excellent reception. And although having an ADS-B "in only" unit is not very reliable for local traffic, I could even see the traffic going in and out of Chattanooga Class C and Nashville Class B airspace.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The best part - no subscription, all the data is "free" - which of course means we taxpayers are definitely paying for it! HA!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>John</p>
<p>N750A</p> Thanks for the info - much ap…tag:zenith.aero,2013-04-26:2606393:Comment:2808952013-04-26T00:05:38.978ZRick Georgehttps://zenith.aero/profile/RickGeorge10
<p>Thanks for the info - much appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info - much appreciated.</p> Rick - the iPad and mini are…tag:zenith.aero,2013-04-25:2606393:Comment:2811592013-04-25T21:52:06.424ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p>Rick - the iPad and mini are extremely popular. The problem is, Apple has never promoted them for aviation use - they have a highly reflective screen and don't tolerate direct sunlight/high temperatures and are known to suddenly shut down due to heat. I think they're fine in an air-conditioned and shaded environment, but they really don't do well in canopied airplanes and the 750 is almost as bright with all the glass and the top window!</p>
<p>It really takes a dedicated/designed for…</p>
<p>Rick - the iPad and mini are extremely popular. The problem is, Apple has never promoted them for aviation use - they have a highly reflective screen and don't tolerate direct sunlight/high temperatures and are known to suddenly shut down due to heat. I think they're fine in an air-conditioned and shaded environment, but they really don't do well in canopied airplanes and the 750 is almost as bright with all the glass and the top window!</p>
<p>It really takes a dedicated/designed for aviation unit to surmount these problems. The iFly was specifically designed for aviation and the effective screen brightness is about twice that of an iPad. I've found it totally satisfactory with an anti-glare screen protector. The touch-screen uses resistive technology which the military and industrial applications require rather than capacitance technology that tablets use. The screen functions just as well with the protector and you can even be wearing gloves or use <em>anything</em> for a stylus, you don't have to have a capacitance stylus.</p>
<p>I would go with the iPad if I <em>really needed</em> another tablet and planned double-duty with flying, but if that's not the case, I think a dedicated aviation unit such as the iFly is far better. By the way, the VFR updates subscription is only $69/yr, which seems very reasonable. Apparently the iFly 720 is compatible with almost any ADS-B unit that has wi-fi, so you're not locked-in to just one ADS-B vendor. They also have unparalleled customer service.</p>
<p>I have no affiliation with iFly other than a customer, just obviously a happy camper!</p>
<p>John</p>
<p>N750A</p> Please keep up the reports. I…tag:zenith.aero,2013-04-25:2606393:Comment:2809622013-04-25T17:51:42.054ZRick Georgehttps://zenith.aero/profile/RickGeorge10
<p>Please keep up the reports. I am trying to decide between the I-pad mini with Foreflight and the I Fly.</p>
<p>Please keep up the reports. I am trying to decide between the I-pad mini with Foreflight and the I Fly.</p> Nice, I need to learn more ab…tag:zenith.aero,2013-04-24:2606393:Comment:2804962013-04-24T04:08:10.377ZRusty Kinghttps://zenith.aero/profile/RustyKing
Nice, I need to learn more about all this gps technology, it has been changing rapidly and I don't want to buy something antiquated...
Nice, I need to learn more about all this gps technology, it has been changing rapidly and I don't want to buy something antiquated... Tried the anti-glare protecto…tag:zenith.aero,2013-04-23:2606393:Comment:2804842013-04-23T19:11:02.792ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p>Tried the anti-glare protector today. It definitely mutes the reflections and did not seem to have an adverse effect on the sensitvity of the touchscreen. Also, fingerprints are less prominent! Here's a pic with the protector installed - you can use the EFIS screen for comparison and see that the light was pretty challenging:…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170979859?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170979859?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"></img></a></p>
<p>Tried the anti-glare protector today. It definitely mutes the reflections and did not seem to have an adverse effect on the sensitvity of the touchscreen. Also, fingerprints are less prominent! Here's a pic with the protector installed - you can use the EFIS screen for comparison and see that the light was pretty challenging:</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170979859?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2170979859?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"/></a></p>
<p>John</p>
<p>N750A</p> Another severe clear day toda…tag:zenith.aero,2013-04-20:2606393:Comment:2797462013-04-20T21:57:01.642ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p>Another severe clear day today - still windy but flyable for the 750! I found the iFly totally sunlight-readable as-is. There were some minor annoying reflections, but nothing I couldn't live with. I found both the Sectional and Vector maps - in "daytime" mode - perfectly legible. Just as with the AnyWhereMap I used previously on the tablet, I preferred the Vector map as it is relatively uncluttered (compared to the Sectional) - it'll be great for displaying Nexrad when I get an ADS-B…</p>
<p>Another severe clear day today - still windy but flyable for the 750! I found the iFly totally sunlight-readable as-is. There were some minor annoying reflections, but nothing I couldn't live with. I found both the Sectional and Vector maps - in "daytime" mode - perfectly legible. Just as with the AnyWhereMap I used previously on the tablet, I preferred the Vector map as it is relatively uncluttered (compared to the Sectional) - it'll be great for displaying Nexrad when I get an ADS-B receiver.</p>
<p>One sort-of amusing feature was the terrain alerts. My airstrip, TN66, is in the Sequatchie Valley, which is about 1000' deep and averages about 3-4 miles wide. Going in-and-out of the Valley gave the terrain alert fits! Fortunately, you can inhibit alerts (it'll still display conflicting terrain, but not alarm) for the duration of a flight.</p>
<p>Adventure Pilot (the manufacturer) does sell a "BodyGuardz" brand "ScreenGuardz" anti-glare screen protector. I ordered one, so I'll compare after I install it. I'm not so sure I reallyi need it, but it'll protect the touch-screen, anyway. I also ordered a 12vdc hardwire plug so I can run a dedicated power source to the 720 and not have to use the 12vdc accessory adapter plug and drape wires across the panel. I'll use the accessory plug in a car if I remove the 720 to use the street navigation feature at some destination.</p>
<p>John</p>
<p>N750A</p>