iFLY 720 GPS

[Flybyjim]

I have the 720 and have been using it for 2 years and like it very much. The new update that just came out even makes it a better choice. All screens flow better from one to another and the selection buttons now are better identified and a bit larger. Although I have the 720 and it is okay in direct sunlight I still find it hard to see. If they had the same resolution as Dynon or Garmin the Ifly would be hard to beat for price and features.
Just my .02

Jim

[jrevens]

I have a new iFly 720 as well as a newer ("Retna screen") iPad Mini. I find the iFly screen at least as bright & readable in sunlight as my Garmin 196. The iPad is terrible in that regard, IMHO, even with the expensive anti-glare screen protector recommended by the folks with Foreflight. The VFR updates for the 720 are $69/year, which includes up to date Sectional, vector and WAC charts for the entire U.S., as opposed to $40 a shot (28 day cycles) for the Garmin updates, which is why I usually only update it once a year. The iFly data also includes Google Earth views of thousands of airports, fuel prices, etc., etc. It's a great unit, which stores it's data on an SD memory card, has built in WiFi (can be updated with that) which can connect it with other devices like an ADS-B unit, etc. It has a dual core processor that is much faster than the old iFly units. You can drive an autopilot from its usb port. I love it so far. I use my iPad for flight planning, & I use it in the cockpit to a limited degree, but the iPad has some serious flaws for use there - again, IMHO. Mine also is prone to overheating & shutting down. I've also experienced noise in the audio circuit that sounds like a stuck mic at certain frequencies when it's plugged into ship's power. I'll personally take the unit designed for aviation any day over an iPad, if I had to choose one over the other. Oh, & by the way, my iPad, with GPS & 32 GB of memory was more expensive than the iFly.

[jrevens]

In re-reading my post, I see I made an error talking about "fuel prices". You can access any of the sites (like AirNav) with the iFly's built-in browser, but fuel prices aren't part of the airport information in the database. However, iFly says that it is something they are thinking about for a future section in the database, which could be updated by users.
I know this all sounds like an advertisement, but I really like this unit so far.

[Paul Z]

Fuel prices are listed on the ForeFlight App if you are using an IPad.

[Paul Z]

I have been looking for a GPS since I dropped my iPad shattering my screen. The iFly720 looks very interesting. Having looked at the Garmin it looks nice but the XM weather runs about $50 per month, and the ADS-B antenna is $500. it is a little pricy for me!

[mtgsxr]

Thanks for all the info. I currently have a motorola xoom with avare. its pretty slow in the mapping mode and pretty much impossible to read in any sunlight. I'm trying to find the best bang for the buck and really wont need it very often.

[SkyPirate]

Another advantage to IFLY GPS , once you purchase today's model, they will take it in trade toward a newer edition, awesome service as well , I bought my unit used and called IFLY they hooked me up with the latest system download, actually mailed me a new SD with all upgrades pre loaded, and they next day shipped it

[Paul Z]

I went up to look at the iFly 720, in McKinney Texas. It's pretty nice but the actual picture quality of the display is not very good. The 720's display has a lot of artifacts, they use a low resolution image which causes the artifacts. I use to work at Texas instruments on the digital imaging displays, so image quality is something I am just little anal retentive about. The image quality of the maps on the Apple are far superior to that of the iFly 720.

They offer their mapping software for both an iPad's and other tablets. I went to the Apple store and bought myself another iPad, since mine was distroyed. I opted to buy the mapping software for the iPad to give their software a try. I really like some of the features on their software such as the warnings when you're entering class B, C, or D airspaces. They also offer, for an additional $20, the ability to have multiple platforms on which you use your their software. so you can use their software on both the iFly 720 and an iPad if you'd like to compare the two. We walked out the back door of their office with the iFly 720 to look at it in direct sunlight. If I use a glare filter on my iPad I believe the pictures just as readable. Also, the display of the iFly is smaller than an iPad Mini, for me that is way too small.

As soon as I use both ForeFlight and the iFly software together I'll do a comparison of each one of the softwares.