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HomeHomeDiscussionsDiscussionsiFly Wish-ListiFly Wish-ListMock up of smaller Vertical Profile WindowMock up of smaller Vertical Profile Window
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9/9/2015 1:04 AM
 

So, I know I've asked about this before. Since that was back in November and since the external elements of the VP window remain unchanged, I'm asking again.

I like the size of the full up VP window in Tablet Mode. It's large enough to see the detail you need to see when you're dodging rocks.

But as you can see in the screen shot, the elements take up a lot of room, even on a big, high res tablet. (More than 50% of the horizontal.) Sometimes it's not a problem, in that you can still see your flight. Other times it is a problem, in that it blocks your flight. Especially for those pilots who have two rows of Instruments. (Yeah, I know I've got the VP in a dumb position. After I took the screen shot, I moved it to the upper left. But the bottom right corner still obscured an important section of my flight.)



So another proposed mock up. Basically the idea, as before, is text to icons to get the box down to 50% of screen.

As for icons, we already know what "+" and "-" do from the +,- zoom buttons on the chart proper. The third button would use the ubiquitous "gear" icon for "settings/configuration" (which some pilots here wanted to keep with the window, even tho settings for terrain are found in Setup). "X" is close.

The window itself would have to be draggable to move around the screen without a Title Bar, which it already is. (Obviating the need for a Title Bar. But since "Vertical Profile" might be important from a trade mark/marketing perspective, perhaps the words could could be put in vertically aligned on the right side of the VP map?)

If there's a compelling reason why the text buttons need to stay, then Plan B is a request that 1) the window is changed so that it can be moved off screen a bit, past the button boundary, so that the VP can be slid even further to the right if it needs to be. And 2) that the buttons automatically jump to the left side of the window when the VP is on the left half of the screen so that, similarly, the buttons can be "cheated" off the screen on that side too. This would allow a little more room to see the flight.

If neither of the above, then Plan C: shrink the whole thing just a bit?

 
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9/9/2015 6:12 AM
 

Interesting idea. Keep in mind the VP exploded view is for quick reference. It can be moved around the screen by tapping and dragging it. The comcept behind it was to tap the small instrument for the exploded view, reference it, then tap again or tap the Close to minimize it. Sounds like you are more looking for a split screen function to keep it up all the time. This would be address in the Split Screen feature planned later this year. Maybe some exploded view size options, I know some larger tablet could use a larger exploded view. I'll add that to the wishlist.

As as for the text buttons. I tend to agree with more "app standard" function icons, example +, -, gear, X, etc., but we've always used more text buttons from day one to be more user-friendly. While many of our existing customer might handle the change, there is a considerable of room for misinterpretation in several areas for new non techie users. The +/- could be mis-construed as changing the altitude perspective of the VP, or toggling to the next airspace, we do similar to these in the planning and vertical flight planning mode. We've even considered removing the Close on some windows as a simple tap in another area could exit that window. Good feeback, we'll keep looking at it.


Shane Woodson
Vice President | Adventure Pilot LLC.
 
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9/9/2015 1:58 PM
 

... Keep in mind the VP exploded view is for quick reference. It can be moved around the screen by tapping and dragging it. The comcept behind it was to tap the small instrument for the exploded view, reference it, then tap again or tap the Close to minimize it. Sounds like you are more looking for a split screen function to keep it up all the time....

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The VP might have been intended for quick reference, but I leave it up while descending at night in mountainous terrain. I prefer the current window as opposed to split screen. Too much loss of real estate - I never used split screen on Garmin Pilot.

As for buttons - okay, I see your point that icons wouldn't be consistent between the VP and the Flight Planning Vertical Profile tool. I'm a big fan of consistency. Having said that, I think it would quickly become obvious to users what "+," "-" do on the VP screen.
 
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