iPad mini 4 or iPad Pro 9.7 or iPad Air?

Phantom Pankus · Jan 7, 2017

Hi all,

I know there's been a few threads on this already, but I'm looking for a few specific answers and hope you can help! I would like to upgrade from using my iPhone 6 as the screen on the remote to something a bit bigger where I can see more details and frame my shots better.

- Which would be a better choice in terms of screen glare, screen size and clarity and processor speed when using outdoors: iPad mini 4 or iPad Pro 9.7 or iPad Air?

- I definitely want to have GPS available so do I need to get the cellular version or not? If yes - would I need to get a data sim and activate it?

Thank you for all your help!

robinb · Jan 7, 2017

If you want GPS you must have the cellular version.
You do not need data (sim) for that to work.

I use a non cellular iPad mini 4, works well but I do have to cache maps first.
I dont want follow me which is the only reason to have GPS.

Numone · Jan 7, 2017

I have an iPad Air 1 wilth cellular and it works perfectly. I'm a bit older and the larger screen is great.

shockwave199 · Jan 7, 2017

Ipad air 2. Get a sun screen for it to use while flying. All of your choices would need that anyway. The air 2 is the perfect size for really seeing the app and framing well. I wouldn't go smaller or larger.

robinb · Jan 7, 2017

Does the air fit in the holder ?

msinger · Jan 7, 2017

robinb said:
Does the air fit in the holder ?

Yes.

msinger · Jan 7, 2017

Phantom Pankus said:
Which would be a better choice in terms of screen glare, screen size and clarity and processor speed when using outdoors: iPad mini 4 or iPad Pro 9.7 or iPad Air?

You can compare the tablet specs in detail here.

You'd need to determine which screen size is best for you. Maybe check them out in person somewhere so you can see what they look like up close.

While no tablet is easy to view in direct sun light, the iPad Pro is going to be the easiest to see outside. You can see a comparison between the iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 screen here.

Phantom Pankus said:
I definitely want to have GPS available

FWIW, unless you're going to use the Follow Me feature or need to be able to reset the home point to your tablet's location after taking off, you won't need GPS on your tablet to fly your Phantom.

Richard R · Jan 7, 2017

msinger said:
You can compare the tablet specs in detail here.

You'd need to determine which screen size is best for you. Maybe check them out in person somewhere so you can see what they look like up close.

While no tablet is easy to view in direct sun light, the iPad Pro is going to be the easiest to see outside. You can see a comparison between the iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 screen here.

FWIW, unless you're going to use the Follow Me feature or need to be able to reset the home point to your tablet's location after taking off, you won't need GPS on your tablet to fly your Phantom.

I agree, my mini 4 wifi only has been working great for me. Couldn't see paying more just to allow for features that I really won't use.

DocDiggler · Jan 7, 2017

Ipad 9.7 pro 256 g cellular fits perfect works great good for editing on to go as well

Sent from my iPad using PhantomPilots

P4PPSussudio · Jan 7, 2017

My iPad Pro 9.7 is perfect and that's the absolute largest size that will fit in the holder. I've never once had any lag or any issue whatsoever. It will not however charge daisy chained with the controller like other smaller phones do but it is rocksolid.

Sent from my iPad using PhantomPilots

LoneDrone · Jan 7, 2017

msinger said:
You can compare the tablet specs in detail here.

You'd need to determine which screen size is best for you. Maybe check them out in person somewhere so you can see what they look like up close.

While no tablet is easy to view in direct sun light, the iPad Pro is going to be the easiest to see outside. You can see a comparison between the iPad Pro and iPad Air 2 screen here.

FWIW, unless you're going to use the Follow Me feature or need to be able to reset the home point to your tablet's location after taking off, you won't need GPS on your tablet to fly your Phantom.

In the market for a tablet but might wait for the Apple refresh iPhone, iPad, Mac Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy
For now the 6S will have to do.
As always, your posts are some of the most helpful to this new flyer. Thanks!

Richard Walker · Jan 7, 2017

If you happen to get or have an iPad without cellular service, get a Garmin Glo. It links to your iPad via Bluetooth and provides GPS and Glonass service that is better than the GPS service provided by the cellular functionality. I use it with iPad Air 2 and it works great.

Sent from my iPad using PhantomPilots

30harry · Jan 7, 2017

or need to be able to reset the home point to your tablet's location after taking off said:
Depending on circumstances, resetting home point could be a REALLY important feature.

Sent from my iPad using PhantomPilots

Phantom Pankus · Jan 9, 2017

Thank you everyone for your insightful tips! I guess screen glare would be the most important issue to consider. I am also tempted to now wait a month or two to find out if the rumors of iPad Air 3 being unveiled in March will come true...

Any other thoughts on screen glare from iPad users?

Llorenc2001 · Jan 28, 2017

P4PPSussudio said:
My iPad Pro 9.7 is perfect and that's the absolute largest size that will fit in the holder. I've never once had any lag or any issue whatsoever. It will not however charge daisy chained with the controller like other smaller phones do but it is rocksolid.

Sent from my iPad using PhantomPilots

The iPad Pro fits in a Phantom4Pro remote contol?

Sent from my iPhone using PhantomPilots

msinger · Jan 28, 2017

Llorenc2001 said:
The iPad Pro fits in a Phantom4Pro remote contol?

Yes -- only the smaller version though.

chazz · Jan 28, 2017

For the people with the cellular Pads you can get free data for life (200mb a month) from T-mobile...Just enough to get the maps...Free Data for Life | T-Mobile Support

nssdrone · Jan 28, 2017

chazz said:
For the people with the cellular Pads you can get free data for life (200mb a month) from T-mobile...Just enough to get the maps...Free Data for Life | T-Mobile Support

Do you need to have a phone thru them? It looks like you need at least a prepaid line. Any clarification?

chazz · Jan 28, 2017

nssdrone said:
Do you need to have a phone thru them? It looks like you need at least a prepaid line. Any clarification?

Quote from the link "In order to get the 200 MB of free data per month, you need to activate a Mobile Internet account and register your tablet on our network. You don’t need to pay for an additional data plan."

Just set up an account and register...My IPad Pro had an internal sim so I didn't even need to get one...