Any pilots out there with a playbook? - Garmin Pilot

**jonasbeaver** · 05-23-2012, 02:20 PM

Currently I'm loading all the pertinent charts and approach plates i need from direct sites (airnav, faa, so on) in pdf format and using it as a digital piece of paper.

I have to admit I'm slightly jealous of the isheep with their foreflight app, but I did manage to convert an APK to BAR of Garmin Pilot and am experimenting with their app. It does work in its 30 day trial form for the playbook, actually quite well. I was able to download all the sectionals, approach plates, Lifr charts that I need and the GPS locks on quite well and seems to hold it.

My current problem is, I updated my PB to 2.0.1.358 so I can't root anymore (stupid me) and to get beyond the trial is an in app purchase (which apparently cannot be accomplished unless Garmin was on app world). I sent a request for Garmin Pilot to be converted to blackberry, but I'm not holding my breath! Does anyone know a way around making in app purchases or has anyone tried any other in flight navigation apps with any success? Feedback would be very welcome!

**gjoseph14** · 05-23-2012, 08:59 PM

I'm waiting on the Android version of JeppView to come out and hopefully sideload it. Other than that, my company allows us access to Jeppesen's website and I managed to export the charts to one big pdf file. Works like a charm with Repligo as each airport its bookmarked and all the charts organized by the usual Jepp numbering. Unfortunately I have to do this every 28 days to get the updates. Takes a while too, but it works.

**jazson** · 05-23-2012, 09:40 PM

Foreflight would be awesome. A friend of mine was showing it to me on his ipad. I just load approach plates as pdf. Works good. Wish I could do more with the PB in the cockpit tho. I use epilot log to keep track of my flight time on the go. Needs an update tho.

**jonasbeaver** · 05-24-2012, 12:57 PM

Definitely give garmin pilot a shot with their trial version, pm me with your email and I will send you the bar.

**jsm180** · 05-25-2012, 07:28 AM

PM sent for the .bar file.

Maybe we can convince Garmin to support PB with enough emails, Flightsoft isn't interested with Express.

**G550Pilot** · 05-25-2012, 08:46 AM

IMHO you won't come close to an iPad with the playbook.

Foreflight, XM weather, Jeppview...etc.

I tried a playbook and couldn't even open the damn PDFs ARINC sent me as flight plans. The native pdf reader is an Epic failure on BlackBerrys part. No, I don't want to download them then try and organize them in repligo that was side-loaded from Android...GoodReader does all that with one touch.

I liked the idea/size of the Playbook but it went back and the iPad is back in the cockpit. Foreflight makes it worth it all by itself.

**jsm180** · 05-25-2012, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by G550Pilot

IMHO you won't come close to an iPad with the playbook.

Couldn't agree more, that's why I bought the Playbook.

I have no problem with the native .pdf reader, works fine.

**Brianflys** · 05-28-2012, 12:45 AM

G550 was a complainer who announced he was returning the PlayBook without seeking any help and having problems that others could not duplicate.

I have the PlayBook and am communicating with Control Vision to get the AnywhereMap android version converted, mo progress so far. May try the Garmin Pilot app.

Where did you get the apk or bar?

**G550Pilot** · 05-28-2012, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Brianflys

G550 was a complainer who announced he was returning the PlayBook without seeking any help and having problems that others could not duplicate.

I have the PlayBook and am communicating with Control Vision to get the AnywhereMap android version converted, mo progress so far. May try the Garmin Pilot app.

Where did you get the apk or bar?

Try opening a pdf from an OEM vendor like Gulfstream, Dassault, Bombardier, Boeing or ArincDirect on a playbook. Yeah, thats why the worthless unit went back.

Complainer? - yeah, it is a lot to ask for PDFs to work easily on a tablet huh? I should have to "side load" goofy Android apps hoping one works, adding even more steps to save/view a simple PDF that gets emailed to me? Ever use Goodreader? Should I have to seek help all over the internet to make a device do something iPads did years ago? Thats not a "complainer"....thats the definition of "massive failure" in the tech world.

I'm not talking about joe Private Pilot tooling around on a sunny Saturday with a Garmin app, Im talking about professionals who need a functional device in the cockpit. No vendor makes a playbook app, nor will they ever. I was just hoping to open and store useful PDFs as I love by BBerry, loved the pB size, and the price. I wanted it to work, it failed for my needs. OEMs are issuing iPads with preinstalled apps/docs already. How about playbook?

The numbers speak for themselves - overpriced $500 iPads flying off the shelf yet play books can't be given away for $139 at BestBuy.

Yeah, I know - blame marketing, blame the "apple sheep" etc etc...we all know the 34 people in the world who actually force themselves to use a playbook really know the deal...

**Brianflys** · 05-28-2012, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by G550Pilot

Try opening a pdf from an OEM vendor like Gulfstream, Dassault, Bombardier, Boeing or ArincDirect on a playbookats why the worthless unit went back.

Complainer? - yeah, ... blah, blah, blah...we all know the 34 people in the world who actually force themselves to use a playbook really know the deal...

Go enjoy your ipad. Go enjoy the apple garden. Have some applesauce.

We will get along just fine with our PlayBooks without your vitriol.

**jsm180** · 06-05-2012, 05:19 AM

Never heard from the OP, but I did get an email back from Garmin and they are not interested in supporting the PB.

Avilution said they have had several requests and are looking into it.

For the time being I'll stick with using the PB for charts and the 496 for moving map.

**Brianflys** · 06-05-2012, 10:49 PM

Unfortunately, the current environmental with negative attitudes towards RIM is affecting these developers providing their apps. With the pilot nav user base relatively small to start with (thousands of potential customers, versus millions), the vendors seem to be focusing on the big dogs, initially Windows, and now crapple and scamdroid.

I spoke with Control Vision and they tried the AnywhereMap system with the PB, but it is not compatible with the development platform CV is using. I also tried a sideload of a recent beta of the AnywhereMap android version and the app shuts down when it tries to run. They are a small company, as are most except maybe Garmin and Jepp, so not a huge development department. And with the large number of marginally compatible android devices with the many versions and hacks, they are probably pushed hard to keep their apps compatible.

So I'm forced to use an android tablet for now with the AnywhereMap system (pretty good system and I have the lifetime subscriptions from my Windows version). I would burn my plane before using an apple product.

**kchebz** · 12-12-2012, 12:35 AM

So I've created my own bar for garmin pilot but no joy on getting it to work. I hope you had more success then myself. Let me know if you were able to get it to run and if you experienced any glitches or drawbacks with it. I'm quite interested in a functional in-flight software rather than downloading all my PDFs as I've been doing.

Thanks a bunch,

Kal