> > Did any of you ever buy the iFly 700? If you did, I was just wondering > > what your thoughts were after flying with it. > > Mark Jones (N886MJ) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I recently turned loose of my wallet and purchased a reconditioned unit ($499) and have made two flights with the unit. I think it is GREAT for the money paid. The single feature I thought I would not like after receiving it was the sectional overlay. When flying any direction other then north, the map is rotated from 0 to 180 degrees (upside down when flying south) and the print is upside down. It functions exactly as if you were holding a paper map. However, a single press of the button "North up" will rotate the map for reading. I called the Airventure Pilot company and they explained that it would be impossible to digitalize all the info contained on the sectional to have it work otherwise. Turns out it really is not a problem. I always flew with my maps upside down when flying other then North to give me a better reference to the geography anyway. The basic package is really all you need. They offer a GPS antenna and external battery pack but there is no need for the external antenna. I can pick up 6 satellites in my house. The unit does require external power but I hooked it up to aircraft power and with the flip of a switch I have backup power for my avionics from my small fuel pump backup battery. With the amount of information you can get in flight and all the capabilities the unit has, I'm amazed it doesn't sell for twice the price. I continue to use my seven year old Lowrance 500 as backup and the two agree within 1 mph, 1 degree on heading, and 15 to 20 feet altitude. I do occasionally experience the unit locking up and have to reboot if I do a lot of screen switching at a very fast rate. If that happens, any flight plan I have programmed or other data comes back up on the reboot. I do find the "Table of contents" in the manual a bit lacking and I'd like to see an "Index of terms" in the back but, all in all, I give it a 9.9 on a scale of 10. Hey, even my KR is not a perfect 10. :-) Larry Flesner
