Comments on: Flight Review: Falken Avionics iPad-based EFIS

By: Steven Sokol

Steven Sokol — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 15:44:50 +0000

Good questions. I’ll do my best to answer…

The iPad base model, Air, and mini are all about 600 nits, which is bright enough. They get a bit washed out if the sun is shining directly on them, but you can still clearly read the information on the screen. The new iPad Pro models with their 1000 nit OLED displays are amazing (if a bit on the pricey side). They’re every bit as daylight readable as any purpose-built avionics screen.

On the pricing…

A single screen system with just the Falken gear and iPad typically runs around $5000 when all is said and done. That includes the Flight Data Computer, Engine Monitor, iPad, FlightDock mount, FlightBar controller, charger and wired data interface, engine probes and installation hardware.

A fully loaded dual screen system with a Trig COM radio, uAvionix TailBeaconX transponder / ADS-B system, and BendixKing xCruze two axis autopilot runs about $13k. If you want to go full IFR you can add a GPS-175 and our ARINC-429 interface box for roughly $5500.

You can use the “Compare” option on our pricing page (https://www.falkenavionics.com/pricing/) to see how that stacks up to the competition.

By: Marc Cook

Marc Cook — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 16:42:30 +0000

In reply to Ed Storo.

Well, I’ll try to give you an almost really good answer!

I flew with both the 10.9-inch and iPad minis in the same airplane and the brightness was more than sufficient in the RV-6. That said, we had a high overcast and so I wasn’t able to test perhaps the worst case, when the sun is behind you and shining directly on the display. I can say from experience in my own airplane that the iPad mini (current gen) does just fine with sun on the display without any kind of anti-glare option.

Falken has all its prices listed here: https://www.falkenavionics.com/pricing/

The base is $2495 without engine monitoring, $2995 with the EMS module. Then add your probes. Looks like about $870 for all the common probes—EGT, CHT, oil temp and press, fuel press, amps and fuel flow.

By: Ed Storo

Ed Storo — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:42:08 +0000

An almost really good review. Missing: what was the outcome of the 10.9″ iPad????? Could you see it okay???? Does it need a screen “glare” reducer?? Did you use one ??? Are there better options in the Apple units ???
I am tired of purchasing avionics to find out AFTER the fact that I now own another boat anchor. (Blue Mountain, VM 1000, Lowrance GPS) ((All fine instruments that have died and gone to the ether.))

Another great piece of information that would help would be the price of a typical 4 banger VFR Vans lunch wagon. With and W/O engine instruments. I have tried contacting Falken but left with more questions than answers.

But….I still enjoy KITPLANES.