iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Any DA40 related topics

Moderators: Rick, Lance Murray

User avatar
Lou
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 370
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2015 1:39 pm
First Name: Louis
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: CGXLO
Airports: CZVL
Has thanked: 118 times
Been thanked: 115 times

Re: iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Post by Lou »

Hmmm. I am getting dashmount envy. Thinking I have to switch from the suction cup, but being a firm believer in the principle that if a solution can be designed, it should be preposterously over-designed, I have spent the afternoon figuring how I might turn a 1" ball on my lathe and fabricate a custom mount perfectly dimensioned for the space. :D
User avatar
La-ner
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 9:27 pm
First Name: Lane
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N500DH
Airports: KCEZ
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Post by La-ner »

I just purchased a two plug USB port charge unit at EAA from Mid Continent. It is TSO thus explains the $$$ price. Now where to put it??? Any suggestions? My panel has a nice spot next to the Cig lighter. ( My wife says its stupid for a plane to even have a Cig lighter)I just say that they call it that. See--there is nothing in it just a hole for a charger. The avionics guy gets a funny look when I point at the spot. And should the charge port have it's own breaker?
dwall
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2015 2:48 pm
First Name: Doug
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: N149WT
Airports: KEDJ
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Post by dwall »

I had 3 of those installed in my plane. 2 in the front and 1 in the back. They do need their own breaker. I have attached pictures of where mine were installed. I hope this helps.
Attachments
IMG_3714.JPG
IMG_3713.JPG
IMG_3712.JPG
IMG_3711.JPG
User avatar
La-ner
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 9:27 pm
First Name: Lane
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N500DH
Airports: KCEZ
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Post by La-ner »

Looks good! My DA40 is a 2002 with all the breakers along the bottom. The USB plug is lit for the dark fumbling that happens at night. Can't even imagine how to get past the tangle down that far. Looks like it has to be accessed from the glare shield down.
User avatar
MREICHL1019
1 Diamond Member
1 Diamond Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2016 4:53 pm
First Name: Martin
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N428DS
Airports: KLUK

Re: iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Post by MREICHL1019 »

I am using an iPad mini with a RAM mount from Sporty's, mounted with the suction cup to the left right before the side window, works great. Ipad's GPS is not suitable for aviation, you should use a Bad Elf ($99) which works excellent or upgrade to SiriusXM Weather, which is the absolute best in my book. I bought Sirius when they added the "Cloud Tops" to their service, so you can not only see ceiling but also tops and your Cross Country IFR flying avoids constantly asking for higher/lower.
User avatar
baldesk
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2014 11:26 am
First Name: Kevin
Aircraft Type: DA42-VI
Aircraft Registration: N521QA
Airports: KBLM
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 15 times

Re: iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Post by baldesk »

I wanted to share a tiny and effective iPhone mount I installed in my DA40 this past weekend. I already use a RAM mount for my iPad, but figured I could get additional utility out of my iPhone since it also pairs with my Stratus2. The mounting spot I chose compliments the PFD inset traffic map with ADS-B traffic displayed in ForeFlight on my IPhone without interfering with any other Panel buttons or switches. In one glance I can now mentally combine the Avidyne TAS 600 traffic with ADS-B traffic. This should be a decent stop-gap until I upgrade to native ADS-B in/out.

The mount is a bit pricey at $39.99, but I have no regrets after seeing it perform.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SW ... bw_c_x_1_w
IMG_0663.JPG
IMG_0661.JPG
User avatar
Colin
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 2006
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:37 pm
First Name: Colin
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: N972RD
Airports: KFHR
Has thanked: 319 times
Been thanked: 527 times

Re: iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Post by Colin »

I have two USB ports in the luggage area and one under the left knee of the pilot.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
User avatar
Colin
5 Diamonds Member
5 Diamonds Member
Posts: 2006
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:37 pm
First Name: Colin
Aircraft Type: DA42
Aircraft Registration: N972RD
Airports: KFHR
Has thanked: 319 times
Been thanked: 527 times

Re: iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Post by Colin »

I suggest sitting in the plane, mounting the iPad and other gear, connecting a cable, and then trying to think of where you want that cable to dangle. I didn't want it anywhere near the throttle quadrant, instrument panel, or between the seats.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
colin@mightycheese.com * send email rather than PM
http://www.flyingsummers.com
N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
User avatar
La-ner
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 9:27 pm
First Name: Lane
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N500DH
Airports: KCEZ
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Post by La-ner »

Not much room for any of my iPad stuff. The panel is quite crowded. Nice to have the screen so it can flip into position from the left vent spot. More to think about. I agree with not putting anything in the center console spot.
User avatar
gordsh
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 194
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:40 pm
First Name: Shawn
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: CCCCC
Airports:
Has thanked: 90 times
Been thanked: 41 times

Re: iPad Mini: mounts and GPS boosting

Post by gordsh »

This is weird question but would the magnet mount pose any problems for the compass or heading indicator?
Post Reply