Stratux - KindleFireHD - EFB

Ed DeLaCantera

Filing Flight Plan
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Apr 28, 2017
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Ed DeLaCantera
Hi everyone - I just joined.

I just built my Rasberry Pi 3/Stratux ADS-B in box (bought the parts through Amazon) and so far it seems to work. I have the 1090ES, UAT, with GPS on long cable. I'm not ready to spend $$$ for an iPad, so I'm using my Kindle Fire HD 8 (with 128GB microSD - 119GB usable) with FltPlan Go.

If you have a similar setup, Stratux w/Kindle, I would like to hear from you; which app you are using and so forth.

Thanks for sharing!
 
Not addressing your setup directly, just using fltplan go on a Samsung Tab A. Easier to set up and seems more stable than Avare. Have found one oddity with a single approach procedure not being geo-referenced. No big deal. The frequencies referenced on the airports page can be a little wonky. It's only a problem if you're unfamiliar and can't be bothered to look at the AF/D or chart supplement or whatever it is being called these days.

For the price it is hard to beat fltplan go. I like most of it's features better than Foreflight.
 
I've been using FltPlan Go with Stratux on a Surface Pro for a few months. Now the Surface Pro is going to college with my daughter. Just bought the new Fire HD 8 (on sale for $55 for the next few days), and I was hoping it would work well. I also just bought the AHRS for the Stratux. Everything arrives Friday. How do you like your Fire HD/Stratux/FltPlan Go setup?
 
My backup EFB is, like Clark's primary, a Galaxy Tab A. I have multiple EFBs on it but my current go-to is IFlyGPS. Although I generally like open source stuff, for some reason Avare has left me cold, and, while I have used a FltPlan.com for more than a decade for planning, while I have Go! I rarely use it. I think I never got over the continuous crashes early on. I wouldn't care for VFR, but I want more confidence in reliability for IFR.

I recently sold my Stratus, replacing it with a Stratux.

I'm actually a bit surprised to hear about running this stuff on a Fire. I thought it was a bit too Amazon-centric for wider use, so I will be very interested to hear you and others experience.
 
I played around with Avare, and it is a nice program. However, after messing with a couple others, and watching their videos, it seems quite unpolished, for lack of a better word.
Haven't delved into FF at all yet, but watched a couple vids (basic). I watched some FlyQ videos, and they are excellently done in the sense of concise, clear, and to the point. The EFB itself looks great and seems easy to use.
They have a beta online program that you can mess with. Not sure it's ready for prime time, but can give you a general overview.

I believe these offerings are still valid (about to find out).
Students 1 yr VFR for $19.95
CFI's 1 yr IFR/VFR for $19.95
Otherwise, $69 yr VFR and $139 yr IFR
Includes pretty much everything except maybe Jepp

Surprised also to hear about the Fire running these too.
 
Wow does a Kindle Fire actually run these EFBs smoothly?
 
If you have a stratux(or wifi device du jour) the EFB app would get position from that.

The main problem I've had with kindles is the tie in to their app store. You have to use alternative means to load anything outside of their app store. (unless they've changed things recently). FltPlan Go is the only EFB I see in their app store.
 
I played around with Avare, and it is a nice program. However, after messing with a couple others, and watching their videos, it seems quite unpolished, for lack of a better word.
Haven't delved into FF at all yet, but watched a couple vids (basic). I watched some FlyQ videos, and they are excellently done in the sense of concise, clear, and to the point. The EFB itself looks great and seems easy to use.
They have a beta online program that you can mess with. Not sure it's ready for prime time, but can give you a general overview.

I believe these offerings are still valid (about to find out).
Students 1 yr VFR for $19.95
CFI's 1 yr IFR/VFR for $19.95
Otherwise, $69 yr VFR and $139 yr IFR
Includes pretty much everything except maybe Jepp

Surprised also to hear about the Fire running these too.
Neither FF nor FQ EFBs will work on a Kindle Fire or any other Android device.
 
I'll give a review of FltPlan Go, Fire HD 8, Stratux (w/ AHRS) on Saturday.
I'm excited to try it out.

FltPlan Go is available for Kindle, but if you want any Android app, it's really easy to add the Play Store:
 
So it looks like everything is working just fine. I installed FltPlan Go! from the Amazon app store, and then loaded up all the sectionals, Victor low, AF/D, etc. for all the US and Caribbean. I did not load Alaska or HI. It all fit on the 16GB model with about 4GB to spare. I do have a micro SD card, but for whatever reason, it loaded into the internal storage instead of the card, and I can't seem to make it go on the card. That's OK. Everything I need fit, so I should be fine. It connected to my Stratux just fine, and I could see planes in the area right away. The only issue I found, and I shot a quick email to FltPlan Go! tech support was that I just installed the AHRS module for my Stratux and wanted to try it out, but the option for Flight Instruments doesn't seem to be available on the Fire version of the app. They will be getting back to me on that. So for ~$100 Stratux parts and $55 Fire HD 8, it's a pretty good deal.
 
Update: just heard from tech support. Only iOS version of FltPlan Go supports AHRS. Will have to wait for Android.
So Fire HD works perfectly
 
Update: just heard from tech support. Only iOS version of FltPlan Go supports AHRS. Will have to wait for Android.
So Fire HD works perfectly

Which GPS module did you use on your Stratux? Mine have none since I was using iPads with cellular that had GPS, so I need to add the GPS to the stratux to play with Android tablets, I guess.
 
Update: just heard from tech support. Only iOS version of FltPlan Go supports AHRS. Will have to wait for Android.
So Fire HD works perfectly
Did you take a peek at the your stratux web portal from the kindle web browser? It seems there is a rudimentary indicator on that page:
"The attitude indicator and G-meter on the GPS/AHRS page will also be enabled if you don't have an EFB that uses AHRS information."
 
So it looks like everything is working just fine. I installed FltPlan Go! from the Amazon app store, and then loaded up all the sectionals, Victor low, AF/D, etc. for all the US and Caribbean. I did not load Alaska or HI. It all fit on the 16GB model with about 4GB to spare. I do have a micro SD card, but for whatever reason, it loaded into the internal storage instead of the card, and I can't seem to make it go on the card. That's OK. Everything I need fit, so I should be fine. It connected to my Stratux just fine, and I could see planes in the area right away. The only issue I found, and I shot a quick email to FltPlan Go! tech support was that I just installed the AHRS module for my Stratux and wanted to try it out, but the option for Flight Instruments doesn't seem to be available on the Fire version of the app. They will be getting back to me on that. So for ~$100 Stratux parts and $55 Fire HD 8, it's a pretty good deal.
I am running the same setup and found it works well, although it has crashed a few times. Car tested it a few times and it worked well. Battery life is good.

I still haven't flown with it because Avare on my Android S7 is easier (smaller) to setup in the tow plane.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
Top reviewer on this link says Amazon is somehow blocking downloads of the map data from WingX to his Kindle device as of Oct 31st, even though you can buy WingX through the Amazon App Store.

Not sure I completely believe it, but it's interesting. He says Hilton told him to go get a refund on the device, and not to bother with the Fire devices.

https://www.amazon.com/Hilton-Software-LLC-WingX-Pro7/dp/B0172GQJE0
 
Did you take a peek at the your stratux web portal from the kindle web browser? It seems there is a rudimentary indicator on that page:
"The attitude indicator and G-meter on the GPS/AHRS page will also be enabled if you don't have an EFB that uses AHRS information."
Good to know!
I did not try that!
 
Maybe I misunderstand...but dont (most) android tablets have GPS ?

It’s variable. I’m finding a lot of “budget” tablets that don’t have any GPS in them at all.

I’m not seriously looking at using it other than as a novelty because it’s a highly subsidized device made specifically for Amazon to sell media, but the Kindle is DEFINITELY one of those.

Most folks are just hoping to play with a sub-$100 table as a flight gadget. Some people have found combinations of Kindle, software, and accessories that make it work, but Amazon really doesn’t intend the device to be used like a “normal” Android tablet.

(And maybe are actively blocking some things according to that one review on Oct 31st, but there’s something odd about that report. I can see Hilton saying the device sucks for Aviation use but not see how Amazon would block the devices from downloading map data.)

But yeah, there’s all sorts of Android tablets (especially oddball brands) that don’t have any GPS chipset on board. Most of the big names have it, but you have to carefully read the specs. It’s not like a simple formula like Apple where if it’s a cellular version it’ll have it, and no cellular it won’t.

Samsung, ASUS... looks like most of their models have GPS plus GLONASS as a minimum and some have even more inputs, but even well known brand Lenovo and many others, their “kid friendly” or budget Android tablets often don’t.

There’s other things to look at besides just this, also ... what version of Android is available for it, etc... if you’re going to use it for other “tablet stuff” as a daily driver. Many tablets are stuck at Android 6 and haven’t offered a 7 update yet.

And of course only Google devices have 8 yet, as usual in the Android world. They’re great about allowing upgrades on their older devices way back into the Nexus branding even, but if you’re buying new they only have one tablet and it’s way too big and way too expensive to take it seriously since it’s more than a similarly spec’ed iPad.

It’s just a little “messier” is all. Just like buying a Windows laptop for example. Specs to look at because they can all be different.
 
Yeah, I just updated my Nexus 6P to Oreo yesterday. So far seems to be stable and not too much different.
Actually just got done a few minutes ago replacing the battery in it. Right at 2 years and was not holding a charge, then shutting down at about 30%.
I suspect using it for GPS in the car many times was the reason. It gets pretty hot on long trips (keeping it plugged in while navigating).
Other than that it's been a stellar phone.
I do indeed dislike the Apple world for all the reasons you have mentioned in other posts. I went ahead and bought the Mini 4 on sale just to run some EFB's until maybe the Android versions become more mature. (which I do think will happen eventually).
As soon as I booted up the iPad Mini 4, it started barking about 11.0.3
No way I'm doing that from all the complaints I've heard.
I run a network of about 200 workstations, 50 iPads, 25 Chromebooks, 9 servers....and 1 MAC. (yes the Graphics design guy)
MAC and iPads are by far the most troublesome.
Ok maybe tied with Windows 10 :p
 
What do they get used for? They seem so underpowered and useless...
Online documentation for direct care/medical staff. It has to be almost real time for regulations. They work very well for that due to the portability and battery life. They also can be locked down pretty easily using cloud based administration.
So much cheaper and easier than windows laptops.... definitely better than iPads, especially with the attached keyboards.
 
Online documentation for direct care/medical staff. It has to be almost real time for regulations. They work very well for that due to the portability and battery life. They also can be locked down pretty easily using cloud based administration.
So much cheaper and easier than windows laptops.... definitely better than iPads, especially with the attached keyboards.

Cool use.

I’m half tempted to see if one could keep up in our call center. They make any that’ll drive a second monitor? (Asks the lazy ass who didn’t even google it yet... ha!)
 
I haven't tried a second monitor setup, but I think there are some solutions if you do want to use one with a docking station maybe.
Some employees travel with them also. They prefer them for email and note taking at trainings etc., over iPads/tablets.

to add:
ASUS makes a pretty nice grippy Mil Spec one for like $199
We also used the Dell Mil Spec ones as we get a non-profit discount with them, and they toss in 3 years complete protection packages...which is nice as they get used heavily.

Chromebooks are coming in larger options, and laptops are coming in smaller options....finally. Nice to have the options when needed.
 
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A little update. I noticed that the Amazon version of FltPlan Go! hadn't been updated since January.
Whereas, the Google Play version was just updated at the end of October.
I emailed them, and they recommended using the Google Play version.

So, without jailbreaking my Fire HD 8, I loaded 4 APKs onto it, and got the Play Store.
The whole process to 3 minutes, and now I have the latest FltPlan Go! app.
I also now have Chrome, YouTube, and all the other apps that Amazon didn't have.

I tried it out, and it still works perfectly with my Stratux, and I'll be using it on ~600nm XC on Thursday.

I still think the Fire HD 8/Stratux/FltPlan Go! solution is the best bang for the buck you can get...and it works great.
 
I use a Galaxy Tab A with my Stratux. Fltplan Go never has been very good for me for this setup. It would often not show traffic even though traffic showed on the Stratux web page. So yesterday I tried Avare and was pleasantly surprised how well it worked. At no time during the almost 3 hour flight did it screw up. Maybe Fltplan Go uses a lot more memory or something. But, at least now I know the Stratux is not the problem.
 
I sent FltPlan Go a message regarding my issue with Stratux and Tab A. They immediately responded back that they are aware of the issue and will have an update in the play store shortly. I was impressed with their response.
 
I sent FltPlan Go a message regarding my issue with Stratux and Tab A. They immediately responded back that they are aware of the issue and will have an update in the play store shortly. I was impressed with their response.

I find their support is quite responsive. Glad you see that as well. And it's all free - amazes me.
 
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Just looking for an update-
Does anyone know if the low end kindle fires (the fire 7 or fire 8) now supports ahars data and flight instruments on FltPlan go? Has anyone used it with the smaller screen? Reviews?

Thanks guys!
 
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Still no ADHRS...
But works and looks great on Fire HD8
 
Still no ADHRS...
But works and looks great on Fire HD8
Thanks for the update! I’d rather not spend a lot on a EFB and use the money towards gas!

As I understand it, the only way to get the instruments working is via iPad? Also is it like ForeFlight with synthetic vison or a basic 6 pack? Will any android tablet work for the ahars data? Speaking of which- how accurate is it? How close is the airpeed? Would you be able to use it as a solid backup?

Thanks!

Sorry for the crappy response- I’m typing this on a bumpy deadhead!
 
Hi Folks.
I wanted to share some of my learning me who don't know much about BlueTooth compatibility.

I've been doing some research on using the Kindle Fire HD as an EFB to save some money. I already have 2 handheld GPS's with BlueTooth (GPS Map 64s and Inreach Explorer) so I didn't feel I needed a tablet with a GPS installed. After coming across posts like this I decided to try the Kindle Fire HD 10.

I have tried Garmin Pilot and FltPlan Go.
Here's the issues I've had.
Just because you have a GPS that will pair with Kindle Fire HD doesn't mean it's compatible with the software! I have an Inreach Explorer Satellite communicator/locator. This is great to have for emergencies in the back country and would make a great rescue device for aviation. Since I want to carry it anyways, I might as well use it for my EFB GPS as well....WRONG....It won't work with Garmin or FltPlan. I have an app called Earthmate installed on my Kindle that the GPS works great with so it's not the GPS or the Kindle. It's the APP. Obviously I'm not tech savvy and thought any BlueTooth GPS would work with any APP but that's not true.
I downloaded FltPlan Legacy from the Amazon store and it works fine (except no GPS). I also read in this post how to get FltPlan Go from Google Play because it's probably more up-to-date. Everything downloaded just fine. However, when I try to access the maps page on the Google version it just kicks me back to my Kindle's home screen. It just doesn't work.
I contacted FltPlan customer service and they have told me my GPS's are not compatible with their app. They also told me that there is a known issue between FltPlan Go from the Google store and Kindle. They told me I have to use FltPlan Legacy from the Amazon store. This surprised me since others seem to be using it just fine.

So now I need to spend another $150 to build a Stratux to get my Kindle to work. It will be a great feature to have but I was trying to keep my spending down.

I hope this helps someone.

Jason
 
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