iOS Apps

Posted by Mike Muscroft on June 15, 2015 at 3:07pm

Hello.

Can someone tell me which is the best app for the iPad Mini, for doing flight planning/waypoints etc?

Thanks.

Muzzy.

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Replies

  • Erik Graham June 26, 2015 at 6:09am

    Well, I'm sure you made your purchase already, but I find that the best combo is to use both Tower and the Solo app at the same time.  I use an iPad mini for the Solo app (live streaming FPV view and access to smart shots, etc), while simultaneously running Tower on an Android smart phone.

    The phone form factor works well because you can position it between your iPad mini and the controller. Kind of like so:  https://api.ning.com/files/3QgTREgG9e99H-NSB9JOJMUFwzVDlXgQ2ln1XSrF1...

    Another thing is that the Tower app doesn't scale well onto a Tablet screen.  Meaning it doesn't take advantage of the additional screen real-estate.  Its a little easier to run Tower on a tablet, because you don't fat finger as much stuff, but a phone is not bad for Tower.

    • Richard Kennedy > Erik Graham June 26, 2015 at 2:49pm

      Erik do you know if it's possible to run the solo app with a regular Pixhawk? As mentioned earlier in this tread I have that little wifi device I connect with I was wondering if I changed the name of that network to solo network perhaps it would work. Then again the firmware on a solo is probably not the same as on my quad so probably not a good idea?

    • Erik Graham > Richard Kennedy June 26, 2015 at 3:00pm
      I doubt it. I'm sure the Solo app relies on, and is in constant communication with the "Linux computers" in the controller and on the quad.
    • Richard Kennedy > Erik Graham June 26, 2015 at 3:53pm

      Yes... I suspect your right. Thx

  • Richard Kennedy June 24, 2015 at 1:53pm

    I've been though the whole array of options and I find myself doing that very thing. Tower is REALLY nice and seems much more stable since 3dr officially adopted it and created 3dr services. One big advantage is being able to access [ and edit! ] all parameters including ch 6-8 options [ ch 6-9 in 3.3 I think ] so you can change what modes you can do in the field. I also REALLY like the way the params are explained. For instance 1 is this mode 2 is this mode etc.  Or 1 = turns this on 0= turns this off. In other words there is some explanation, via a pop up, that explains what the options are in each param.  Anyway I don't think you will be disappointed!! Good luck :] 

  • Richard Kennedy June 24, 2015 at 4:33am

    Yes it snaps in there pretty good but I wouldn't want to bump it! I don't love that either but it hasn't been a problem so far

    I just bought a $60 7" droid tablet just for running Tower. Best thing about this is how cheap it is. 

    This guy makes some really nice mounting options http://evolution3d.com/default.asp

    I'm sure you are aware of APM Planner? The Mac based ground station.. http://ardupilot.com/downloads/?category=35   I have a MacBook Air I run that on there too. iDroneCtrl is nice but no way yo access parameters etc just yet. 

    Another option is this http://www.event38.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BTB which works with my MBA. You just have to pre-load the maps before you switch to that network. I actually built one myself so I could use a RFD900 which has better range. But.. this would not work on your mini aka iOS device. 

    3702705871?profile=original

    • Eric Sheehan > Richard Kennedy June 24, 2015 at 5:38am

      What is the brand of the $60 droid device that successfully runs Tower?

       

      thanks.

       

    • Richard Kennedy > Eric Sheehan July 6, 2015 at 2:20pm

      I did get that droid tablet. It does run Tower however I am sending it back because it does not have gps like it said it did. 

    • Richard Kennedy > Eric Sheehan June 24, 2015 at 1:43pm

      I just ordered this I haven't actually gotten it yet. But I have used other cheap Chinese  droids before with success. As long as it runs google play and google play services and or the new 3dr services it should be just fine. But.... I will report back after I get it and confirm it runs tower and the OTG / 3dr radio. I have another cheap droid it works great but it doesn't have gps so couldn't do follow me so that's why I bought this new one. 

      http://www.ebay.com/itm/391177477061

  • Richard Kennedy June 23, 2015 at 8:18pm

    I use iDroneCtrl [ fighting walrus ] with my iphone. It will work with an iPad as well  as long as it has the lightning connector. It will not work with the older style even with an adapter fyi. The mission planning works fine. It has a long way to go however to have the features as Tower aka anandroid compatible app. But I know they are busy and I suspect within a year or two they will be a competitor. They are working on several new features such as follow me. I have been pleasantly surprised at the range of iDroneCtrl too. 

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