iFly GPS Forum

Dick,

Sometimes if the iFly is put away with something pressing against the screen, it can cause some issues. We've suggested for several pilots to try the below and see if it helps. Seems to help, the unknown is for how long, but it is definitely worth a try. If it works, I would definitely try to store your iFly without anything against the screen.

Try this: Power on your iFly GPS on the AC power and place it screen down on a flat surface like a desk or table. Leave it there overnight so it can build up some heat on the screen. Then in the morning, unplug it, leaving it face down for about 30min to an hour so it can cool completely. Finally, flip it over and power it on and try the calibration. (this basically helps to reform the touchlayer, as that might be causing the issue)

It's possible this could fix your calibration issue, but there is no guarantee that it fix it long term. If it does not fix it, it will most likely need a touch layer replaced. Give us a call at 888-200-5129 to get an RMA. I hope this helps.

The behavior you are experiencing (failure to recalibrate / stuck in recalibration loop) has, in fact, been experienced numerous times by others. It is a known hardware failure mode, and if other recovery options (like the overnight bit Shane described earlier) are unsuccessful, then a replacement of the touch layer may be required.

My screen touch accuracy gradually degraded over a long period of time to the point where recalibration could not be performed and the unit was no longer usable because I couldn't press certain buttons, like you are experiencing. I finally sent my unit in, and the touch layer was replaced, and the unit is back to good as new. (During the process, I learned that I have the first 720 shipped to a customer!)

I had similar issues with my Palm V and Vx PDAs back in the day, which used the same touch screen technology. I'm afraid it's an unfortunate drawback of the technology chosen for the touch capability. It seems the tradeoff is essentially sunlight-visibility in the cockpit (the iFly's resistive screen excells here) vs. touch layer stability (capacitive touchscreens used in other tablets do not have the calibration drift issues that resistive screens do).

I now fly with both a Nexus 7 and the iFly 720. I now generally prefer the Nexus, and typically keep it on my yoke, with the 720 on the co-pilot's yoke. If I'm going to be flying for a long time with the sun coming in my window and washing out the screen, I'll swap 'em and use the 720 on my yoke.