Iliad vs eFlybook

rainsux · 11-25-2007, 10:38 AM

I like the concept of the eFlybook, but the annual subscription is
kind'a pricey for the pleasure flying that I do ... especially when
the PDFs are free to download from the FAA/NACO website.

I am wondering if the FAA/NACO PDFs are truly usable using the
Iliad's *standard* PDFviewer? Here is a link to a small bundle:

http://rainsux.dyndns.org/approach/MD.pdf

- Are all the small fonts truly readable?
- Does the PDFviewer display the bookmarks?

-doug

abluesheep · 11-26-2007, 11:13 AM

Hi Rainsux,

Greetings from the other side of the world, where hazesux is more the problem!

Unfortunately, I am a VFR PPL only, so am not too familiar with the conditions you would expect when using the approach plates you included in your PDF. In a static test at about yoke distance for a C182, I would say that the text is just about readable - however, in turbulent conditions, I wouldn't want to rely on it.

Why don't you try printing out a scale replica? The contrast of the device is really pretty good, so would be comparable to trying to read off a laser printout. For your reference, the box on the first approach plate ends up being 2.5" wide, and about 5" 1/16 long.

Happy flying!

firekat · 11-29-2007, 07:15 AM

I loaded your file. At first the margins took up a fair amount of screen real estate and made readability not all that great. I cropped the file in Acrobat by just removing blank margins. This made it slightly better - but not that good.

You can zoom in and the detail is there with no smearing of the text. The thing is then you can't see some of the details of the plate.

I would not say that it would be all that usable. It's going to be pretty hard to beat the paper plate. It's just carrying them all around that's a hassle and that's where the idea of the iLiad/eFlybook is appealing, unfortunately the implementation is just not up to the task just yet. I have an iLiad so I don't know how good the presentation or display is on the eFlybook. Go to their website and peruse their forums. The last time I looked there were not a lot of happy campers.

The bookmarks are not supported. This is one of my biggest complaints as it makes navigation of large PDF files cumbersome at best.

IMHO the iLiad/eFlybook would/could be a major distraction in the cockpit if you are flying any approaches at 120 knots or greater. Stick with the KISS school in this situation.

If you are willing you could always check out EFB solutions. The prices seem to be coming down on systems that are much more capable than the iLiad/eFlybook.

Take Care, Good Luck & Fly Safe!

rainsux · 11-29-2007, 07:56 AM

Thank you for the replies ... I'll pass on the Iliad.

For any other pilots here; I republish the FAA NACO plates & the A/FD
in easy-to-download bundles. (FAA NACO requires that you download
each page individually.)

http://www.NACOmatic.com

-doug

firekat · 11-30-2007, 11:42 AM

rainsux,

Thanks for the linky. I have a friend that would probably like your download site a lot. He is constantly whining to me how much he has to spend on plates. He has a Mooney that he commutes with and uses for occasional trips. He is a gadget hound and has more stuff loaded in that aircraft than he would ever need.

Here's where I use my iLiad. This was posted in the picture thread a while ago:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/att...0&d=1155705964

Have fun with that C-205.

Fly Safe!

triq200 · 08-26-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainsux

I like the concept of the eFlybook, but the annual subscription is
kind'a pricey for the pleasure flying that I do ... especially when
the PDFs are free to download from the FAA/NACO website.

I am wondering if the FAA/NACO PDFs are truly usable using the
Iliad's *standard* PDFviewer? Here is a link to a small bundle:

http://rainsux.dyndns.org/approach/MD.pdf

- Are all the small fonts truly readable?
- Does the PDFviewer display the bookmarks?

-doug

I have an Iliad and was disappointed with the EFlyBook software. I experimented with the native PDF viewer and found it works great. The Iliad content lister and PDF viewer are completely reliable in my experience. I spent some time massaging the NACO pdfs so they look good on the Iliad and now publish them as a package. Check out http://www.flypaperless.com You can see screenshots at http://www.flypaperless.com/screenshots.htm

If you have an Iliad and want to give them a try we offer a single chart cycle option so you can see if you like them.

Oh, and are the small fonts truly readable? Yes, you can read every piece of text on the charts.

David Chalmers
David@FlyPaperless.com

Boris · 08-26-2008, 04:56 PM

All very well, but the iliad is a pain in the arse to fly with. I've had it turn on in my flight case and drain it's battery twice and it's about to go back for repair for the second time this time due to a problem with the power connector.

If you're going to fly IFR with it I'd still recommend taking some form of hard copy with you.

Happy landings

triq200 · 08-26-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boris

All very well, but the iliad is a pain in the arse to fly with. I've had it turn on in my flight case and drain it's battery twice and it's about to go back for repair for the second time this time due to a problem with the power connector.

If you're going to fly IFR with it I'd still recommend taking some form of hard copy with you.

Happy landings

Wow, I've never heard anyone complain about accidentally turning it on before. With the recessed sliding power switch most people say it's too difficult to turn on. You do have to be careful with the power connector. I slide mine into it's storage bag when not in use and have never had that problem.

Boris · 08-27-2008, 07:01 AM

A rare event certainly, only started after it went away for repair. Nothing worse than opening up the cover to see the screen has turned black and the thing won't startup. Just have to see if it comes back with this annoying habit

DigiDirk · 08-27-2008, 07:23 AM

Check out this thread.

Dirk

Boris · 08-27-2008, 08:35 AM

Cheers for the link Dirk, the Iliad isn't trying to connect to IDS. It only does it when I'm flying, so it's either pressure changes, 'firm' landings or something completely different. I think I may just have a dodgy iliad and it may not be a normal issue. The only point I was trying to make was, do you want to be above or in the clouds with no instrument plates to hand?

triq200 · 08-30-2008, 01:49 AM

I don't think you need hard copy necessarily but you do need a backup. I carry a laptop with a copy of all the charts on it.

11-25-2007, 10:38 AM	#1
rainsux Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KPTK Device: BB Curve	Iliad vs eFlybook I like the concept of the eFlybook, but the annual subscription is kind'a pricey for the pleasure flying that I do ... especially when the PDFs are free to download from the FAA/NACO website. I am wondering if the FAA/NACO PDFs are truly usable using the Iliad's standard PDFviewer? Here is a link to a small bundle: http://rainsux.dyndns.org/approach/MD.pdf - Are all the small fonts truly readable? - Does the PDFviewer display the bookmarks? -doug

11-29-2007, 07:15 AM	#3
firekat Groupie Posts: 157 Karma: 314 Join Date: May 2006	I loaded your file. At first the margins took up a fair amount of screen real estate and made readability not all that great. I cropped the file in Acrobat by just removing blank margins. This made it slightly better - but not that good. You can zoom in and the detail is there with no smearing of the text. The thing is then you can't see some of the details of the plate. I would not say that it would be all that usable. It's going to be pretty hard to beat the paper plate. It's just carrying them all around that's a hassle and that's where the idea of the iLiad/eFlybook is appealing, unfortunately the implementation is just not up to the task just yet. I have an iLiad so I don't know how good the presentation or display is on the eFlybook. Go to their website and peruse their forums. The last time I looked there were not a lot of happy campers. The bookmarks are not supported. This is one of my biggest complaints as it makes navigation of large PDF files cumbersome at best. IMHO the iLiad/eFlybook would/could be a major distraction in the cockpit if you are flying any approaches at 120 knots or greater. Stick with the KISS school in this situation. If you are willing you could always check out EFB solutions. The prices seem to be coming down on systems that are much more capable than the iLiad/eFlybook. Take Care, Good Luck & Fly Safe! Last edited by firekat; 11-29-2007 at 07:21 AM.

11-29-2007, 07:56 AM	#4
rainsux Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KPTK Device: BB Curve	Iliad vs eFlybook Thank you for the replies ... I'll pass on the Iliad. For any other pilots here; I republish the FAA NACO plates & the A/FD in easy-to-download bundles. (FAA NACO requires that you download each page individually.) http://www.NACOmatic.com -doug

11-30-2007, 11:42 AM	#5
firekat Groupie Posts: 157 Karma: 314 Join Date: May 2006	rainsux, Thanks for the linky. I have a friend that would probably like your download site a lot. He is constantly whining to me how much he has to spend on plates. He has a Mooney that he commutes with and uses for occasional trips. He is a gadget hound and has more stuff loaded in that aircraft than he would ever need. Here's where I use my iLiad. This was posted in the picture thread a while ago: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/att...0&d=1155705964 Have fun with that C-205. Fly Safe! Last edited by firekat; 11-30-2007 at 12:06 PM.

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11-26-2007, 11:13 AM	#2
abluesheep Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: iRex iLiad	Hi Rainsux, Greetings from the other side of the world, where hazesux is more the problem! Unfortunately, I am a VFR PPL only, so am not too familiar with the conditions you would expect when using the approach plates you included in your PDF. In a static test at about yoke distance for a C182, I would say that the text is just about readable - however, in turbulent conditions, I wouldn't want to rely on it. Why don't you try printing out a scale replica? The contrast of the device is really pretty good, so would be comparable to trying to read off a laser printout. For your reference, the box on the first approach plate ends up being 2.5" wide, and about 5" 1/16 long. Happy flying!

08-26-2008, 04:56 PM	#7
Boris Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 23 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Tablet PC, a broken Iliad V2	All very well, but the iliad is a pain in the arse to fly with. I've had it turn on in my flight case and drain it's battery twice and it's about to go back for repair for the second time this time due to a problem with the power connector. If you're going to fly IFR with it I'd still recommend taking some form of hard copy with you. Happy landings

08-27-2008, 07:01 AM	#9
Boris Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 23 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Tablet PC, a broken Iliad V2	A rare event certainly, only started after it went away for repair. Nothing worse than opening up the cover to see the screen has turned black and the thing won't startup. Just have to see if it comes back with this annoying habit

08-27-2008, 07:23 AM	#10
DigiDirk Connoisseur Posts: 73 Karma: 156 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: iLiad	Check out this thread. Dirk

08-27-2008, 08:35 AM	#11
Boris Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 23 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Tablet PC, a broken Iliad V2	Cheers for the link Dirk, the Iliad isn't trying to connect to IDS. It only does it when I'm flying, so it's either pressure changes, 'firm' landings or something completely different. I think I may just have a dodgy iliad and it may not be a normal issue. The only point I was trying to make was, do you want to be above or in the clouds with no instrument plates to hand?

08-30-2008, 01:49 AM	#12
triq200 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Iliad IRex	I don't think you need hard copy necessarily but you do need a backup. I carry a laptop with a copy of all the charts on it.

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