Just a quick update on two hot topics regarding the iPad 3 (aka the new iPad); heat and battery life.
Hotter not necessarily Better
Engadget has passed on some work done by Tweakers.net. Using an infrared camera, they photographed the iPad 2 and iPad 3 side-by-side. After five minutes of running the GLBenchmark app, the iPad 3 was about 5˚C warmer at 33.6˚C (92.5˚F) than the iPad 2.
Heat is certainly an issue for pilots using an iPad EFB in non-airconditioned cockpits in hot weather, but it's too cool in my neighborhood to provide any empirical data on the iPad 3 just yet. I can say that I've flown with both the iPad 1 and the iPad 2 in some hot weather and I saw my iPad 1 display the "Help me Spock, I'm too hot!" message, but only once. The outside air temperate at the time was over 100˚F. I simply turned the iPad 1 off, moved it to the shade, directed an air vent toward it, and it a minute it was operating again.
I've flown in similar temperatures with the iPad 2 and have never had it overheat, perhaps because I was more conscious of the possibility. The iPad has no internal fan and all the heat is radiated by the outside case, so the techniques I recommend for keeping any iPad from overheating are:
- Don't run the display continuously
- If possible, run the display slightly dimmed
- Turn off 3G or 4G
- Avoid cases and kneeboards that completely enclose the iPad
- Avoid dark colored cases and covers
- Keep the iPad out of direct sunlight
- Direct an air vent toward the iPad
- Don't leave your iPad inside a parked car or aircraft
If your iPad does overheat, turn it off and wait.
Battery Life
The iPad 1 and iPad 2 have demonstrated a solid battery life of at least 8 hours under intermittent use, but the iPad 3 with 4G appears to be a different story. It takes more juice to drive that high-density display and the latest 4G hardware. I flew with a pilot last night who purchased an iPad 3 with 4G and we tried an experiment. He started the flight with 97% battery capacity and he left cellular data and LTE turned on. I had 99% capacity on my iPad 3 WiFi.
After 35 minutes, his battery was down to 85% capacity while mine showed about 97%. He turned cellular data and LTE off which leaves the internal GPS on and functioning. After flying for another 45 minutes, his battery showed 78% capacity while mine showed 94%.
I should note that we were approaching dusk, we had both dimmed our displays about halfway through the flight. Another difference was that the 4G iPad's display was running pretty much continuously. My various app display options were set to sleep, so my iPad 3's display was probably on less that 50% of the time.
My recommendation for getting the most out of the iPad's battery (regardless of model):
- Don't run the display continuously
- When possible, dim the display
- Use an external power adapter (charging will undoubtedly generate heat)
- Use an external battery
- Turn off LTE and Cellular Data while in flight
In ForeFlight Settings, turn on the option Allow Device to Sleep.
For Jepp MobileFD, go to iPad Settings, select JeppFD, and turn Sleep Mode on.
For SkyChartsPro, go to iPad Settings, select SkyChartsPro, and turn off Display always on.
If you are traveling and plan to use 4G while on the ground, you'd be well advised to carry an AC power adapter and use it.
Cost of Change
These two iPad 3 issues are not necessarily deal-breakers for those wanting to upgrade, but they will need to be managed. What, you thought you'd get razor-sharp graphics and fast wireless data for nothin'?
