ForeFlight vs Garmin Pilot

Fearless Tower

Fearless Tower

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Fearless Tower
Anyone used both and care to comment on how they compare?

I currently use a Garmin Aera 510 with XM weather and an iPad with Foreflight. I was considering either ditching the XM subscription and getting Stratus for use with FF or ditching FF and getting Garmin Pilot and a GDL 39.

Thoughts?
 
ForeFlight has the better, more intuitive interface, but Garmin Pilot has been developing new, innovative features at a rapid rate, so you won't go wrong with either. FF has an edge in weather gathering (in my opinion), but it's a minor advantage. Support has been stellar for both. It's a really tough call. I wish both supported more ADS-B options, but that will probably take awhile for some uniform implementation standards to evolve.

Good luck with whichever you choose. I currently have and use both!
 
Make sure you are comparing the latest of each, as they've had major updates in the last few days (GP today). Also GP has Android and ipad versions, which have different features.
FF is more mature and has great tech support. GP is coming on strong. Some like the familiar interface from other Garmin products. Make sure the tablet/ADS-b interface is a good combo, there have been some problems.
 
Is there a good Foreflight type app for android tablets. I don't have a tablet yet, but was considering getting one. I've been waiting on a foreflight equivalent for android before I buy one because I don't like Apple products.

Pardon the hijack.
 
OkieFlyer said:
Is there a good Foreflight type app for android tablets. I don't have a tablet yet, but was considering getting one. I've been waiting on a foreflight equivalent for android before I buy one because I don't like Apple products.

Pardon the hijack.
Click to expand...

Garmin Pilot is excellent on Android. I use it on a Nexus 7. There are slight differences in the feature sets on iPad vs. Android but they're working on unifying their feature set across platforms.
 
I wish both supported more ADS-B options, but that will probably take awhile for some uniform implementation standards to evolve.
Click to expand...
Both Garmin and Foreflight will probably resist standards for as long as they can. Proprietary interfaces are a fairly common tactic for market share leaders.

I have ditched my iPad and gone to a Nexus 7, but if I were still on the iPad I would try very hard to like WingX. They are interfacing to multiple ADS-B boxes and to other devices, so give the user the most options and the price benefits of competition among the box manufacturers. Hilton hangs out on the red board; you can get an idea of his philosophy there.
 
I'm playing with Garmin Pilot 5.0 which arrived today with an impressive array of new features, not the least of which are the new vector-based VFR and IFR charts. I could definitely see gravitating to these...sort of the same "look" you'd have on a GTN 750 display. Lots of other little enhancements. Very impressive update.
 
Last edited:
LDJones said:
I'm paying with Garmin Pilot 5.0 which arrived today with an impressive array of new features, not the least of which are the new vector-based VFR and IFR charts. I could definitely see gravitating to these...sort of the same "look" you'd have on a GTN 750 display. Lots of other little enhancements. Very impressive update.
Click to expand...

This must be on the iPad?
 
LDJones said:
Garmin Pilot is excellent on Android. I use it on a Nexus 7. There are slight differences in the feature sets on iPad vs. Android but they're working on unifying their feature set across platforms.
Click to expand...

Excellent! I much prefer android stuff, and I sure didn't want to buy an ipad just for flying. I have thought about the Nexus 7 for my first tablet. Thanks for the info.
 
Vector-based sectionals is one of the main reason I prefer to run Anywhere Map on my Nexus 7. It sure would be nice to have an app on Android that supported vector maps and ADS-B hardware though.
 
Challenged said:
Vector-based sectionals is one of the main reason I prefer to run Anywhere Map on my Nexus 7. It sure would be nice to have an app on Android that supported vector maps and ADS-B hardware though.
Click to expand...

Vector based charting is one of the issues I am having with Garmin Pilot. I much prefer the raster based charts of FF. As a Navy Navigator, I have learned to loathe vector based charts. I have seen way too many errors/inaccuracies in vector charts.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Fearless Tower said:
Vector based charting is one of the issues I am having with Garmin Pilot. I much prefer the raster based charts of FF. As a Navy Navigator, I have learned to loathe vector based charts. I have seen way too many errors/inaccuracies in vector charts.
Click to expand...

Garmin Pilot 5.0 on iPad gives you the choice of either. I think it's impressive. Hope it makes it to Android soon!
 
LDJones said:
Garmin Pilot 5.0 on iPad gives you the choice of either. I think it's impressive. Hope it makes it to Android soon!
Click to expand...
So you can have view the traditional sectional charts with GP 5.0?

That is a big plus
 
Fearless Tower said:
So you can have view the traditional sectional charts with GP 5.0?

That is a big plus
Click to expand...

Yes...that's always been there. Your choice of WAC or Sectional plus Terminal charts when zoomed in. They just added the vector VFR and IFR charts with this version. Flip between them as desired.
 
What is a vector based chart?
 
ja_user said:
What is a vector based chart?
Click to expand...

It means that all the details of the chart are saved in layers....ie all airports are in one layer, all Nav aids / obstacles ...etc are in a different layers and you can turn the different layers on or off. Sounds great, but much more room for error in the different layers (this is exactly why USS GUARDIAN recently ran aground in the Philippines).

Raster charts are essentially a scanned copy of the paper chart. All detail is in one single layer and the individual details cannot be modified once the chart is made.
 
Oh yes, I remember that from Anywhere Map. I liked it, because I could setup various profiles for night/terrain, etc that were usefull. I can see how that would create errors though.
 
ja_user said:
What is a vector based chart?
Click to expand...

They're dynamically created on the fly and give you a lot of flexibility in what is displayed and how cluttered you want it. All your certified moving may avionics are based on vector charts, which is why the can always display things oriented correctly regardless of orientation or direction of flight.

There's really no basis for them being more prone to errors. I think the raster charts are actually created from a vector database, if I'm not mistaken. And you'll notice some georeferencing errors on the raster maps from time to time, as well as glitches where adjoining maps are stitched together.
 
LDJones said:
There's really no basis for them being more prone to errors.
Click to expand...
The errors come from within each layer. It is easier for a specific object to be out of place in the layer. So overall, the chart may look correct....except for that one item that bites you in the arse. That is what happened with the DNCs (Digital Nautical Charts) for the Philippines.....in one of the layers on the chart in use, the reef was entered 9 miles away from where it actually was.
 
Doing some more reading on the two.....seems like the big thing that you get with the GDL 39 and GP over FF and Stratus is ADS-B traffic.

Frustrating thing (for me at least) is that the GDL 39 either comes in a plug-in version (that works with the Garmin hand helds) or the Bluetooth version that works with the iPad. So, you can't use a single GDL 39 to provide the data to both.

Think I am going to stick with FF for the time being. Now I just need to decide whether I want to keep the wx on the Aera with XM or shell out the $800 for Stratus.

I think I am leaning toward Stratus for the iPad and start saving for a GTX 330.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Doing some more reading on the two.....seems like the big thing that you get with the GDL 39 and GP over FF and Stratus is ADS-B traffic.

Frustrating thing (for me at least) is that the GDL 39 either comes in a plug-in version (that works with the Garmin hand helds) or the Bluetooth version that works with the iPad. So, you can't use a single GDL 39 to provide the data to both.

Think I am going to stick with FF for the time being. Now I just need to decide whether I want to keep the wx on the Aera with XM or shell out the $800 for Stratus.

I think I am leaning toward Stratus for the iPad and start saving for a GTX 330.
Click to expand...

I'm planning on using the GDL 39 with my Aera 510 and iPad. According to Garmin's website, it'll work.

With built-in Bluetooth capability, GDL 39 can wirelessly send the data it collects to devices running Garmin Pilot, as well as the aera® 795/796. GDL 39 collects and stores all available traffic and weather data in your vicinity so it can be available as soon as you turn on your display. It's capable of simultaneously providing wireless data to 2 devices while hardwired to a third. As opposed to using a Wi-Fi link, Bluetooth lets you stay connected while on the ground so you can continually receive the latest weather reports as long as you have a data connection — no manual switching of networks required. Just set it up once and it will automatically remember and pair with your mobile device the next time you hop in the
Click to expand...
 
Fearless Tower said:
The errors come from within each layer. It is easier for a specific object to be out of place in the layer. So overall, the chart may look correct....except for that one item that bites you in the arse. That is what happened with the DNCs (Digital Nautical Charts) for the Philippines.....in one of the layers on the chart in use, the reef was entered 9 miles away from where it actually was.
Click to expand...

Not disagreeing there could be errors. Just saying the same errors can likely creep into the data used to generate the printed charts, as well, so I don't see that one is inherently more problematic than another.

In any case, with GP you have both at your disposal.
 
I have a little input on this subject. First I am a big fan of android over apple but I will say I would buy which ever platform would best run whichever app is best. With that being said, I currently fly 9 different airplanes daily, as slow as a cubcrafters cub to a seneca and a twin cessna, and I like both Foreflight and Garmin Pilot. I am now starting to lean more towards Garmin Pilot over Foreflight. Obviously when Garmin Pilot came out the choice was clear everyone was leaning toward the company who had been running the app on tablets for some time and had more experience already. As of yesterday we started receiving TERRAIN on our ipad with Garmin pilot. If you have ever operated a GTN series gps the interface looks pretty much identical. lets keep in mind here who has the HUGE name in avionics. Also Garmin app now has the ability to write on approach charts, so whenever center tells me to report crossing XXXXXX IAP fix well i hit the annotate button and write a little R right on top of the fix. Also with Garmin one can set reminders, for example, report 50 miles northeast KMSP airport. I can hit tools, reminders, and then just like in the vnav function of the GPS I can set remind me, 50 miles, before, KMSP, and also add a message. This function could also be used for a fuel scheduler. I could set a reminder repeated for every 30 min before I take off and Vwallah ever 30 minutes it says, "switch tanks". We also use the Stratus, Stratus II and the GDL39 daily. If you update the firmware on the old stratus it too receives ads-b traffic now and the rumor that the gdl39 cannot bluetooth to multiple devices? well its a rumor. we usually have it bluetoothed to 2 on each flight. Personally we are questioning do we want Garmin or Foreflight? To me the choice is now clear. I think (and this is my opinion) that Garmin, by introducing the terrain feature yesterday, stepped out ahead of Foreflight. Also Foreflight is a standalone company in designing apps and stratus boxes. Garmin is your biggest name in avionics who is already even with, if not ahead of Foreflight, I think that will soon be all there is. The company is trying so hard to sweep all fields I think your service with them will be excellent. Now someone said that when running android they were asking what tablet made the best platform. Well for all you who have a good dose of the Apple Koolaide in you obviously the Ipad and Ipad mini are your only options. I would do mini for yoke mount and full size for everything else. keep in mind you must buy the 3G ipad to be able to use the built in GPS feature. The wifi only ipads have NO GPS CAPABILITY. Not a problem if you plan to use the GDL39 because that does have a gps receiver in it and it works great just have to change settings to "use gdl39 as gps" and good idea even if you do have a 3g ipad as it saves the battery immensely. Now for the androids. Fortunately every android tablet does have a gps so that is easy but some tablets support the program better than others. (I have used this on many) First I would say that the Nexus 7 is similar to the ipad mini and use it for a yoke mount but for everything else I would get the Samsung Galaxy tab 10.1 or the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. Also keep in mind that if you are to download everything for this app it will use up about 10gb so I would always get one with expandable memory IE. Micro SD slot or at least 32gb built in memory. Now you know how I feel about it and well this is my 2 cents. :wink2:
 
I'm still hung up on the fact that you fly NINE different airplanes daily! :cool: :D

So Garmin Pilot for iPad now has terrain? Kewl. I wonder how long until Garmin's red-headed step children (aka: their Android development team) have that feature ready for us?
 
Does Garmin have L/R traffic pattern info yet? Asked for this about 18 months ago and last I checked it was still not available. Right or Left traffic thats all I'm asking for.
 
I just purchased (and received) the Stratus II from Sporty's and Foreflight so I'm looking real forward to putting it through its paces. I did a quick flight this past weekend but left my iPad in my motorcycle saddle bags so only had my iPhone to diddle with. I looks like it'll be a winner for me. Weather, ADS-B, Approaches, and a bunch of other good stuff!
 
schelling53 said:
I have a little input on this subject. First I am a big fan of android over apple but I will say I would buy which ever platform would best run whichever app is best. With that being said, I currently fly 9 different airplanes daily, as slow as a cubcrafters cub to a seneca and a twin cessna, and I like both Foreflight and Garmin Pilot. I am now starting to lean more towards Garmin Pilot over Foreflight. Obviously when Garmin Pilot came out the choice was clear everyone was leaning toward the company who had been running the app on tablets for some time and had more experience already. As of yesterday we started receiving TERRAIN on our ipad with Garmin pilot. If you have ever operated a GTN series gps the interface looks pretty much identical. lets keep in mind here who has the HUGE name in avionics. Also Garmin app now has the ability to write on approach charts, so whenever center tells me to report crossing XXXXXX IAP fix well i hit the annotate button and write a little R right on top of the fix. Also with Garmin one can set reminders, for example, report 50 miles northeast KMSP airport. I can hit tools, reminders, and then just like in the vnav function of the GPS I can set remind me, 50 miles, before, KMSP, and also add a message. This function could also be used for a fuel scheduler. I could set a reminder repeated for every 30 min before I take off and Vwallah ever 30 minutes it says, "switch tanks". We also use the Stratus, Stratus II and the GDL39 daily. If you update the firmware on the old stratus it too receives ads-b traffic now and the rumor that the gdl39 cannot bluetooth to multiple devices? well its a rumor. we usually have it bluetoothed to 2 on each flight. Personally we are questioning do we want Garmin or Foreflight? To me the choice is now clear. I think (and this is my opinion) that Garmin, by introducing the terrain feature yesterday, stepped out ahead of Foreflight. Also Foreflight is a standalone company in designing apps and stratus boxes. Garmin is your biggest name in avionics who is already even with, if not ahead of Foreflight, I think that will soon be all there is. The company is trying so hard to sweep all fields I think your service with them will be excellent. Now someone said that when running android they were asking what tablet made the best platform. Well for all you who have a good dose of the Apple Koolaide in you obviously the Ipad and Ipad mini are your only options. I would do mini for yoke mount and full size for everything else. keep in mind you must buy the 3G ipad to be able to use the built in GPS feature. The wifi only ipads have NO GPS CAPABILITY. Not a problem if you plan to use the GDL39 because that does have a gps receiver in it and it works great just have to change settings to "use gdl39 as gps" and good idea even if you do have a 3g ipad as it saves the battery immensely. Now for the androids. Fortunately every android tablet does have a gps so that is easy but some tablets support the program better than others. (I have used this on many) First I would say that the Nexus 7 is similar to the ipad mini and use it for a yoke mount but for everything else I would get the Samsung Galaxy tab 10.1 or the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. Also keep in mind that if you are to download everything for this app it will use up about 10gb so I would always get one with expandable memory IE. Micro SD slot or at least 32gb built in memory. Now you know how I feel about it and well this is my 2 cents. :wink2:
Click to expand...

Whew....think paragraph breaks!!

GP on iPad is a very compelling competitor to ForeFlight. But on Android it still lags quite a bit. They're working on it, but neither ForeFlight or the GP iPad teams are sitting on their hands, so it's a tough battle.

Competition is good.
 
I've used an iPad with ForeFlight for a couple years, and just switched over to using Garmin Pilot on it. My husband has a Google Nexus 7 and uses Garmin Pilot on it. I have the GDL-39, and really like that. The terrain is neat, the traffic is great, the weather is good, and it has a "looping" function, something somebody was bemoaning ADS-B not having somewhere I read recently. I haven't done it yet, but it IS supposed to connect to the iPad and to the hand helds/certain panel mounts as well.

Garmin Pilot does advancements for the iPad faster than they do the Nexus. When I first started using GP, I missed my ForeFlight, badly, but they have just rocketed through on advancements with every update, and at this point, I'm quite happy with them.

The GDL-39 works well, but it does not have the longest battery life. I keep it plugged into the airplane on long trip days.

Honestly, I don't think you'll go wrong either way.
 
ja_user said:
Oh yes, I remember that from Anywhere Map. I liked it, because I could setup various profiles for night/terrain, etc that were usefull. I can see how that would create errors though.
Click to expand...

I hate Anywhere Map with the passion of a thousand suns for charging me $1700 for a device that claims to pick up XM weather, but does not. And telling me it's all my fault and to do something up a rope.

I heard a rumor that they are out of business, I hope so.
 
I'm loving Avare for Android, it just keeps getting better and better. And it's free. Free charts, free IAPs, free geo-referenced taxi diagrams, free AFD. The latest version has a WX tab which pulls data from Aviationweather.gov.
 
from what i have seen the Android updates come about a month after the apple ones but remember this is due to supply and demand. More people use Android the faster our updates come out.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Uhhh... ForeFlight has had terrain for quite some time now.
Click to expand...

Foreflight has obstacles but if you look at GP their terrain function now looks just like the Garmin Avionics in other words when on the ground your map is red, when above ground to 1000 feet agl it is yellow and when above that it is normal. I do not believe foreflight has this capability yet or if it does I cannot find it.
 
schelling53 said:
Foreflight has obstacles but if you look at GP their terrain function now looks just like the Garmin Avionics in other words when on the ground your map is red, when above ground to 1000 feet agl it is yellow and when above that it is normal. I do not believe foreflight has this capability yet or if it does I cannot find it.
Click to expand...

No, ForeFlight has full terrain as well as the obstacle layer. Go to the map layers menu and turn on "Hazard Advisor."

yqe8ynaz.jpg


Note: This is a feature that requires the Pro subscription. That (along with it being called "Hazard Advisor" instead of just "Terrain" to avoid confusion with the terrain basemap) may be another reason why you don't see it...
 
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him read the free manual. ;)
 
Fearless Tower said:
Vector based charting is one of the issues I am having with Garmin Pilot. I much prefer the raster based charts of FF. As a Navy Navigator, I have learned to loathe vector based charts. I have seen way too many errors/inaccuracies in vector charts.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...

But the only GPS navigation systems that are FAA approved use vector based charting. I myself prefer vector based charts because you can declutter them to enhance what you actually need. All the airliners Navigation Displays are vector charts, with no VFR charts. After all why would you need a VFR chart when you are using GPS for navigation.

José
 
Piloto said:
But the only GPS navigation systems that are FAA approved use vector based charting. I myself prefer vector based charts because you can declutter them to enhance what you actually need. All the airliners Navigation Displays are vector charts, with no VFR charts. After all why would you need a VFR chart when you are using GPS for navigation.

José
Click to expand...

I thought only permanently installed panel mounted GPS units were "FAA approved"? Has this changed?

Personally, I use a VFR chart with my GPS for many reasons. One is the number printed in each grid telling me the height MSL of the highest obstacle in that grid. I fly higher that that and helps to keep me out of trouble. The VFR chart also shows towns, water, some roads, rail roads, very useful for keeping positional awareness if the GPS should stop working. It's also nice to know what I'm looking at as well. One reason I like ForeFlight is the VFR charts. I'm not flying an airliner, so VFR charts work for me.

Vector charts work for you and that's fine, I won't say it reflects on your flying or skills, it's just your preference.
 
schelling53 said:
I have a little input on this subject. First I am a big fan of android over apple but I will say I would buy which ever platform would best run whichever app is best. With that being said, I currently fly 9 different airplanes daily, as slow as a cubcrafters cub to a seneca and a twin cessna, and I like both Foreflight and Garmin Pilot. I am now starting to lean more towards Garmin Pilot over Foreflight. Obviously when Garmin Pilot came out the choice was clear everyone was leaning toward the company who had been running the app on tablets for some time and had more experience already. As of yesterday we started receiving TERRAIN on our ipad with Garmin pilot. If you have ever operated a GTN series gps the interface looks pretty much identical. lets keep in mind here who has the HUGE name in avionics. Also Garmin app now has the ability to write on approach charts, so whenever center tells me to report crossing XXXXXX IAP fix well i hit the annotate button and write a little R right on top of the fix. Also with Garmin one can set reminders, for example, report 50 miles northeast KMSP airport. I can hit tools, reminders, and then just like in the vnav function of the GPS I can set remind me, 50 miles, before, KMSP, and also add a message. This function could also be used for a fuel scheduler. I could set a reminder repeated for every 30 min before I take off and Vwallah ever 30 minutes it says, "switch tanks". We also use the Stratus, Stratus II and the GDL39 daily. If you update the firmware on the old stratus it too receives ads-b traffic now and the rumor that the gdl39 cannot bluetooth to multiple devices? well its a rumor. we usually have it bluetoothed to 2 on each flight. Personally we are questioning do we want Garmin or Foreflight? To me the choice is now clear. I think (and this is my opinion) that Garmin, by introducing the terrain feature yesterday, stepped out ahead of Foreflight. Also Foreflight is a standalone company in designing apps and stratus boxes. Garmin is your biggest name in avionics who is already even with, if not ahead of Foreflight, I think that will soon be all there is. The company is trying so hard to sweep all fields I think your service with them will be excellent. Now someone said that when running android they were asking what tablet made the best platform. Well for all you who have a good dose of the Apple Koolaide in you obviously the Ipad and Ipad mini are your only options. I would do mini for yoke mount and full size for everything else. keep in mind you must buy the 3G ipad to be able to use the built in GPS feature. The wifi only ipads have NO GPS CAPABILITY. Not a problem if you plan to use the GDL39 because that does have a gps receiver in it and it works great just have to change settings to "use gdl39 as gps" and good idea even if you do have a 3g ipad as it saves the battery immensely. Now for the androids. Fortunately every android tablet does have a gps so that is easy but some tablets support the program better than others. (I have used this on many) First I would say that the Nexus 7 is similar to the ipad mini and use it for a yoke mount but for everything else I would get the Samsung Galaxy tab 10.1 or the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. Also keep in mind that if you are to download everything for this app it will use up about 10gb so I would always get one with expandable memory IE. Micro SD slot or at least 32gb built in memory. Now you know how I feel about it and well this is my 2 cents. :wink2:
Click to expand...
I tried really hard to read what you just wrote and simply couldn't get through it. I'd suggest you learn to use paragraphs if you're going to put that much work into writing something...
 
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