iFly GPS Forum

I tested both USB/Serial adapters in-hand against both the iFly 700 and 720. Both show up as NMEA Output Controller in the Nav app under Menu> About> Connected Devices. Both USB/Serial adapters are made by Sabrent. One is brand new and the other 2 - 3 years old.

Dynamically recognition of the adapter seems a bit spotty. It is better to have the adapter plugged in before powering up the iFly. Patience is also a virtue, as the iFlys respond to hardware changes slowly, particulalry the iFly 700. This is not a criticism, just an observation.

On the iLevil front I borrowed an iPad and tried to program the device today. However, the AHRS app refuses to hold a connection to the iLevil, so programming wasn't feasible. The icing on the cake is now the iLevil will not work with the 720. The network connection works, but the AHRS refuses to communicate. A conversation with iLevil is in my future.

I have returned the iLevil SW to iLevil for repair. I sent along all of the cables I have been using as well. The serial cable I used turns out to be incorrect. It is a 3 pin audio jack to serial cable. The iLevil requires a 4 pin audio jack to serial cable, available from iLevil. The 3-pin cable may in fact damage the iLevil.

Is it safe to assume that everything I am learning about using the iLevil with the iFly 700 applies to the iFly 520?

Having now lived with the ilevil SW for 8 months it is time for an update.

- I obtained the appropriate serial cable from iLevil. Their support is first rate, as is Adverture Pilot's.

- I have never been able to get the iLevil to work with the iFly 700. It will sync up for 30 seconds to a couple of minutes, then go offline. It is completely unreliable.

- The iLevil works as advertises both wirelessly and via the serial cable with the iFly 720 with one important caveat. The unit never syncs up on the first try. I have tried the iLevil on first, iFly on first, and both on together with no impact on behavior. I always have to power the iLevil down and back on to achieve communications. It's now part of my pre-takeoff checklist. Note: I have the unit connected using the serial cable.

- Active weather is great. It has proven useful on several cross country flights.

- ADS-B In is very useful when it works. One is dependent upon other aircraft having ADS-B Out to make the ADS-B In feature relevant. This is not a critisim and I was fully aware of the limitation when I purchased the unit.

- The HSI works well and is useful for instrument training. I like having the iFly and iLevil as an emergency backup panel.

Would I buy the unit again? No, I would upgrade to a unit that includes ADS-B Out capabilities.