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Guys, I need your help!
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I want an iPad for Christmas, so Mom told me to go online and pick one out.

I went on amazon.com.... There were so many models, types, and accesories I just don't know what to think!!!! I mostly want to use it for navigation with Foreflight. Can any of you help me? What generation will give me the most bang for my buck? Should I get 16GB 32GB or 64GB? What's the difference in Wi-Fi / Wi-Fi AT&T 4G / and Wi-Fi Verizon 4G ?

Why do you need AT&T or Verizon? I didn't think you could use it as a phone.

Please help if you can guys. If I don't order one soon I won't get it before Christmas!!!!!

Amy,

If you can, suggest you go with the iPad Mini - much better size for use in the cockpit. Graeme started a thread on it recently.

Just started using one and suddenly the conventional iPad seems way too big and clunky.

Good luck with the search.

Warmest regards,
Rick

Amy,
AT&T or Verizon let you get on the internet via a cell phone tower. Otherwise you have to be in a WiFi location. Get as much memory as you can but the low memory is not a show stopper.
I don't know the options on the mini Ipad but I agree the size fits the cockpit better. I have an Ifly 700 and I think it must be about the same size as the mini Ipad.
My 2 cents.

Verizon tends to have better coverage than other carriers.

Even if you don't plan on using cellular-data (i.e. - Verizon service), get the Verizon model anyway, for two reasons:

1) Only the cellular-service models have a built-in GPS (Wifi-only models do not).
2) You can turn on the cellular service on a month-by-month basis - no multi-year contracts like cell-phones.

With the cellular-service turned off you can still use WiFi for data.

You also need a cellular model (either AT&T or Verizon) to have a built in GPS. Yes you can get after market GPS accessories, but for flight planning it comes in handy to not need another peice of hardware...and you'd be surprised how many apps use location services to work better too. I returned my WiFi only model after one week for this reason..and know others here that did the same.

Also because the databases can be somewhat large, and you'll want some space for great music and maybe a movie or two when you are out camping with your airplane....I recommend at least 32GB.

I love the look of the mini. Considering that for LuluBelle.

oops (Just saw Kirks post and totally agree)

Can't really recommend AT&T over Verizon but I believe AT&T allows surfing and phone calls simultaneously. Verizon does not, they tell me.

This is true...although we are not talking about a phone here.

OMG! YOU GUYS ARE SO AWESOME!!!
Thank you SO much!

You've just helped me from knowing nothing at all, to actually knowing enough to make my decision. (Not before an hour and a half of web surfing with the leads you guys have given me.) I would get an iPad mini If I already had an iPad and just wanted something more efficient in the plane. But hey, I want to use this thing for personal use too! So I like the advantage of the bigger screen. So I definetly want celluar service for built-in GPS and out of wifi-area coverage purposes. Verizon offers better coverage and 4x the data for $5 more than AT&T.

AT&T = $14.99/mo. & 250MB. Verizon = $20.00/mo. & 1GB.

But the data you use when you are in a Wi-Fi area is not taken out of your cell service data. And $5 is $5. I don't think I will never get close to 250MB per month because I'll be careful to do most of my heavy operation in Wi-Fi areas.


So:

-3rd generation (I would say black in color, because just an hour ago it was cheaper than white. I just looked again and they changed it. Now white is cheaper than black!!! )

-32GB

-AT&T (+ Wi-fi) $14.99 month & 250MB.

I'll sniff around at different places and compare prices. But right now Amazon is giving me the verdict,: $726.00
OUCH!

Amy,

I have ordered from the Apple store an iPad mini 16GB WiFi model for $329. They are currently offering free shipping and free engraving. Mine is suppose to be here by December 18th. I will be pairing it with a Garmin GLO that I already have. Since shoot a lot of photos and video, the only accessory I purchased with the iPad is a SD card reader at $29 (I think). So all total, with sales tax, less than $400.

I deliberately did not choose a 3G version because I don't really need a monthly data plan which with my currant provider, AT&T would cost me $360 per year. Also I have WiFi at my house and free WiFi is available at the airport.

I plan to adapt the iPad to my existing PC mount that I have on my yoke.

Amy,

If I may suggest. Buy the extra data. The 750 MB for $5 is something I don't think you'll regret. Some of the map updates for the aviation programs can be pretty heavy. Also a few Youtube videos and poof!! there goes your data.