DocRon Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 In the February 2016 edition of AOPA Pilot is an article titled "On Fire" (page 41). It describes how for about $200 you can have a good back-up GPS using the Amazon Fire tablet with WingX software. While I love my Garmin 696 it would be better to have an inexpensive and effective GPS back-up unit. What the article does not cover is a recommendation for a good GPS receiver/antenna to hook up to the Amazon Fire. An initial search on-line shows units from $30+ to over $100. My question is, do any of our forum members have a recommendation on a good GPS receiver for this tablet? I'd appreciate your input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Bozo Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Don Ron, For $69 a year you can have a full fledged EFB on your smart phone, either Android or I Phone. It makes a great backup with all charts etc and exactly emulates the full sized I Fly unit in every respect. And the GPS is already in the phone. It also receives traffic from my ADSB in receiver so traffic is also presented. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Bozo Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Doc Ron, You can download the software for your phone for free and use it for 30 days to try it out on your phone. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Cesnalis Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 When I got a new samsung phone it came with a free 8" tablet. Awesome for EFB apps and it has GPS and G4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 You missed the question. Ron is asking about a GPS receiver/antenna for the Amazon Fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Bozo Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Doug, no I did not miss the question. His query implies that he does not have the "fire" yet. I pointed out that if he has a smart phone he needs nothing more than the download for a 30 day free trial and if he likes it then $69 a year for a fully functioning unit since he already has the antenna in the smart phone. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocRon Posted January 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Gentlemen. I certainly appreciate the input. I do really want a GPS antenna to add to a Amazon Fire tablet. It would certainly have a larger (and in my case: more readable) screen than my smartphone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Doug, no I did not miss the question. His query implies that he does not have the "fire" yet. I pointed out that if he has a smart phone he needs nothing more than the download for a 30 day free trial and if he likes it then $69 a year for a fully functioning unit since he already has the antenna in the smart phone. Larry I was going by the "My question is..." and the question mark.???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT4ME Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 I'd suggest that you spend the money on a tablet with GPS built-in. Having the separate GPS is just another battery to charge and another connection to go wrong. If you use a cabled gps connection it becomes an awkward mess and I've seen them get broke. My 2 cents... yes it's possible.... but. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Cesnalis Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 I'd suggest that you spend the money on a tablet with GPS built-in. Having the separate GPS is just another battery to charge and another connection to go wrong. If you use a cabled gps connection it becomes an awkward mess and I've seen them get broke. My 2 cents... yes it's possible.... but. I went from a tablet with built in GPS (Nexus 7) to a tablet that has built in GPS and G4 (Samsung Tab8), much more convenient then depending on WIFI all the time. Very bright tablet offered to me for free by AT&T Mobility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocRon Posted January 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Gentlemen, I really appreciate the suggestions. I have a larger Samsung tablet with GPS but won't keep the signal, even in the plane. A smaller screen with a good GPS signal is exactly what I need. (I do have it on my phone but the screen is too small for detail.) I need a Goldilocks unit. Your suggestions should solve the problem. Thanks very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeflygps Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 IMHO, the IPad Mini 4 is perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 I use a full sized iPad Air 2. There is plenty of room in the CT, and my eyes enjoy the larger screen. I also like having a full sized tablet when I'm sitting around an FBO or hotel room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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