Better than an expensive hand-held GPS
I recently decided to try ANP as a replacement for my AirMap 500 when it died (instead of buying a new handheld costing at least $800). I had already learned that the built-in iPhone GPS reception is not adequate for use inside the cockpit of my Piper Warrior. However, following the advice of the ANP author, I purchased a TomTom iPhone mount. This resulted in excellent GPS reception with the iPhone mounted on the yoke (I kludged my old AirMap mounting bracket to hold the TomTom mount). But the really good news is that ANP is very well designed and well supported. Even with the need to buy the TomTom mount (about $90), it is a bargain.
In my past GPS experience I have always preferred to use map mode, so I wont comment on the simulated instruments. Using ANP I tried map mode both with free downloaded background maps and with a sectional map, which cost only $.99. Although I thought I would like the sectional best, I actually found that it was too cluttered and busy for the background on a small device. However, with the free background map installed, and ANPs airport and airspace markings enabled, I find the screen much more readable, especially when you only have time to glance at it. In this mode the airplane mark and the airports and airspace markings stand out nicely over a muted background with towns, roads, shorelines, etc. I like the map scale marker that is displayed in the upper right, and it is very useful to be able to zoom in and out either by the usual two fingered pinching, or by stretching or shrinking the scale marker.
I tried ANP in both North up and Course up modes. North up mode has the advantage that the background map legends are horizontal if you are looking for a landmark. But I prefer Course up mode, so that keeping the route vertical is a good visual indicator for being on course. The airport and airspace labels are nicely rotated in Course mode so you can read them as well. With the TomTom mount the reception is good enough that the map rotation is very smooth during turns. The only minor disappointment is that there is no N arrow on the map, so you need to look at the numerical course indicator to find out the actual direction you are heading.
I found ANP to be a very worthy successor to my departed AirMap. It is easy to setup, easy to use, and the hi-res color display is a big improvement. I was also pleased that I had problem with glare or too much sunlight (probably helped by the anti-glare sheet stuck on my iPhone screen). ANP is perfect for VFR flying, and would also work for IFR routing. And the fact that it is installed on my iPhone and always in my pocket is very handy!
gwbburg about
Air Navigation Pro