Who pays for more than one? EFB

CT4ME

CT4ME

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CT4ME
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I've seen many discussions on EFB software go down the tube of WX vs FF vs GP, etc. I just wonder how many of you pay for more than one subscription? Or have paid for one then switched? Maybe I'm weird, but I like to compare them. I've paid for at least 5 different products over the last few years, and currently pay for two. WingX is my favorite, but after playing with a trial of iFly, I'll probably pay for that for a year, too. My long-standing sub for FF just expired, and GP not long ago.
My fascination isn't just with the EFB software, but the platforms as well. As an IT guy, I play with a bunch of different tablets and always changing phones. So I've been looking for products that might best run on our current devices.
iFly looks interesting because it runs on both platforms with identical functionality.
 
I use it for work, so I really just stick with one product.

Currently running foreflight on my iPad mini & iPhone, I also use it to store the AFM, GOM, OPSPEC, etc

Also running ASM's FAR/AIM and a EFM from the planes manufactor.

Between the phone and the ipad (primary) I don't really have a need to have the software on anything else.
 
I paid for FF and GP concurrently for two years while trying out WingX, myWingman and other apps using their 30 day trials. I also have fltpln app loaded. This summer I dropped FF and stuck with GP and bought a GDL-39.

It is a matter of getting an app that you like the GUI.
 
I currently have WingX for the SAR grids/patterns and Garmin Pilot(and a GDL-39 3D) on an iPad Mini for my actual flying and Garmin will run on my Android tablet(which I use for pretty much everything except flying) as a backup.
 
I started with a subscription to ForeFlight. When WingX offered a 30 day free trial I loaded it and did a head to head comparison of WingX and FF on a trip from Augusta Ga to Colorado Springs and back. I liked the extra features WingX had to offer at the time and found it easier to read and use in the air. FF was great flying the Lazy-Boy in the den, but not as nice in a bouncing plane with poorer iPad visibility. I let my FF subscription lapse and have been using WingX with Synth Vision ever since. I think WingX, FF and Garmin apps are all great, it's just a matter of personal preference. I'm glad there is competition between them because it provides a better product for all users. I have no experience with any apps beyond these three and can't comment on them.
 
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I had WingX when it came out on the iPhone. They transferred that subscription to the iPad app when they came out with it. I let it run out and have been paying for ForeFlight for the past few years.
 
I carry a full up (with registered plates) Foreflight subscription PLUS since I have ChartView on my MX20 I have an Jeppesen subscription on the iPad as well.
 
I have the IFR subscription for Foreflight, WingX and FlyQ Efb. I will be dropping Foreflight when my subscription runs out. I use it primarily for weather on the ground at FDK. I do not like its propertary ADS_B In interface nor do I like the way it handles approach plates. I depend upon Wing X Pro was my primary app (did not realize that when selecting regions [East, central and West] that only the last region was stored. That bit me on my approach into London Ky on my Flight from Dallas TX. My FlyQ Efb saved the day for that approach (back up of course is the Garmin 430 or my Reader plates on my Kindle DX). The FlyQ Efb did stop 4 times on the trip nor does it display the status of the ADS_B In device (iLevil SW) which had stopped and needed to be rebooted (twice) (Yes I have three: iLevil SW, Dual 170, and skyradar.) I appreciate what FlyQ EFB is trying to (make things intuitive for the user) however that goes against my grain. In addition to north up, I prefer to see the speed and altitude displayed where as FlyQ EFB shows a line in front of the aircraft (Where it is going) and the altitude above or below your altitude in feet rather than the msl altitude. FlyQ EFB had all the approach plates where as Wing X only had the central US plates. That said they all are changing for the better and select the one(s) you prefer for its features and ease of use (and in my case prefer more than one ADS_B In device support.) This is from someone whose iPad3 overheated on a below freezing approach into Erie PA 10 miles out and turned off - hence my iPad mini backup device for the iPad3. I also have the approach plates dialed into the Garmin 430 and Kindle DX before I start the approach so I have all the frequencies.
 
I guess I'll also point out my other backup(s) are charts downloaded from my website and loaded into Galileo Offline Maps on iOS(sectional+ifr) and GoodReader(plates+afd) and OruxMaps on Android(phone and tablet). Android is a much slicker solution since I use an app called FolderSync to auto-download and keep the charts and plates and afd updated. (I think GoodReader will do that, but no non-aviation map app I've found)
 
CT4ME said:
I've seen many discussions on EFB software go down the tube of WX vs FF vs GP, etc. I just wonder how many of you pay for more than one subscription? Or have paid for one then switched? Maybe I'm weird, but I like to compare them. I've paid for at least 5 different products over the last few years, and currently pay for two. WingX is my favorite, but after playing with a trial of iFly, I'll probably pay for that for a year, too. My long-standing sub for FF just expired, and GP not long ago.
My fascination isn't just with the EFB software, but the platforms as well. As an IT guy, I play with a bunch of different tablets and always changing phones. So I've been looking for products that might best run on our current devices.
iFly looks interesting because it runs on both platforms with identical functionality.
Click to expand...

The last year I've had three paid subscriptions...FF, GP and FlyQ EFB. Currently debating renewals.
 
I was running Garmin Pilot and Avilution AviationMaps (now FlightPro) but let Avilution go once I was confortable with the GP UI and saw progress with bringing the Android product closer to parity with iOS from Garmin.

I just bought a GDL 39 3D, and since I plan to do some cross-country flying will be getting IFR current and therefore adding the geo-referenced approach plates - so I am kinda committed now and watching anxiously for Garmin to release the SVX and terrain/obstacles data to Android.

'Gimp
 
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