iPad in DA40

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midlifeflyer
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Re: iPad in DA40

Post by midlifeflyer »

Rich wrote: Wed Apr 21, 2021 3:45 pm
There are still rumors of a mini-6 this year. I'd hold off a bit on the pro 11. If it gets bad enough apparently a -5 is a big improvement. Like you, I've been using FF on iPad for s similar time. I've still got a mini and mini-2 that won't run iOS past 12.x lurking in my stash (along with 4 old samsung phones).
A Mini 5 is pretty far down the list in my choices. It would have to be really inexpensive for me to go there.
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jc7204
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Re: iPad in DA40

Post by jc7204 »

I have a new DA40NG being delivered tomorrow and I have been looking around for the the best way to mount an iPad. I personally prefer the tablet up high versus on my lap especially in IFR / shooting approaches. LOL - I, too, was hoping for the new iPad mini 6 to be announced! Diamond now offers the tablet mount provision in the DA40 but it is pricey. I have a diamond shape RAM mount and I am talking with my A&P about installing that (either on the pilot armrest in the same spot as the Diamond tablet mount or on the panel). I have also been told that others are working on using industrial strength velcro as a non-permanent but strong solution. I have a suction cup but not in love with the (albeit small) possibility of coming off in flight and hitting a switch. Our flying club also does not allow them in their planes.
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Rich
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Re: iPad in DA40

Post by Rich »

Right - you want it right in view but not interfering with flight controls or blocking out visibility to instruments/switches/indicators. It's a conundrum for all tablets of any manufacture and a very common problems for a great many airplanes, given the variety of placement of instruments across the decades, numerous models, and untold mods done over the years. I found mounting a mini on the stick worked for me. But it's not for everyone and absolutely doesn't work for the non-minis, such as my Pro 11. And you'll see my panel leaves no room whatsoever for panel-mounting it.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Rich
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Re: iPad in DA40

Post by Rich »

With my Wife now needing access to FF on my iPad, I fine-tuned my mount so we both have access to it. Hers becomes strictly a backup. It can also be canted to the left or right if desired for a somewhat more direct view. This mounting position preserves the characteristic of not letting sunshine hit it in a way that might cause it to overheat.
N40XE iPad Shared Mount.jpg
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Rich
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Re: iPad in DA40

Post by Rich »

I see lots of mounting techniques where the iPad is stuck in some corner of the cockpit, - even way over on the other side of the cockpit from the pilot. In contrast I strive to have mine readily in view - front and center, as it were - and to hand.

This stems from the fact that my use of Foreflight is more critically integral to my flight management. I'm really still a six-packer in spite of the recent Aspen E5 installation (though a major asset to be sure). The FF/iPad is superior to any reasonable options I would have for managing in-flight reroutes, traffic, weather, terrain, and instrument approaches.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
atmatthewat
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Re: iPad in DA40

Post by atmatthewat »

Anyone try the Pivot mounts, and if so, know whether the standard, low profile, or "shorty" is the best one for an iPad mini in the DA40?
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Shodan01
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Re: iPad in DA40

Post by Shodan01 »

All the Pivot products are awesome and it is what I use. I have a suction cup that mounts to the left of the pilot, on the canopy above the small window. I leave it there and have a pivot case on my iPad mini. The pencil is a bit of a challenge, but they make magnetic stick on holders that are to my left (but the pencil falls sometimes).
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Rich
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Re: iPad in DA40

Post by Rich »

Recently I came to have a requirement for my iPad to be equally visible and usable from both front seats. So I tweaked my center-mount approach. It allows ready repositioning and angling:

- Over the center console usable by either side.
- Over the center console, angled in a variety of positions
- Over the pilot stick
- Over the co-pilot stick

The iPad can be easily placed in portrait or landscape mode, though in some positions portrait for the Pro 11 isn't optimum.
N40XE Ipad Mount 2021-1.jpg
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Rich
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Re: iPad in DA40

Post by Rich »

The mini 6 is now available and yes, I ordered one. (iPad mini has long been my backup/alternate for the Pro 11.) One quirk is it does not share identical physical dimensions with any of the previous ones, so the custom-fit mounts I have for those won't exactly fit this new one. Until RAM comes out with a new EZ-ROLLR for it I'll have to improvise, using one of the older mounts :scratch: .
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Rich
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Re: iPad in DA40

Post by Rich »

Rich wrote: Wed Sep 15, 2021 2:34 pm The mini 6 is now available and yes, I ordered one. (iPad mini has long been my backup/alternate for the Pro 11.) One quirk is it does not share identical physical dimensions with any of the previous ones, so the custom-fit mounts I have for those won't exactly fit this new one. Until RAM comes out with a new EZ-ROLLR for it I'll have to improvise, using one of the older mounts :scratch: .
It looks like the EZ-ROLLR designed for the pre-mini 4 will work OK. the -6 will fit in there a bit loosely. A bit of adhesive shimming should take care of that. To accommodate the Apple Pen attachment when mounted will require a bit of Dremel work, as it was for the Pro 11 mount.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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