When you order the MyClip Multi, it comes with the legstraps and a pair of extra rubber caps. What are the extra rubber caps for? If we look closely at the Clips (the 2 plastic claw-like pieces attached to the elastic band), the 'ends' of the Clips are rubbery. The purpose is to provide a soft grip on the iPad's screen when the Clips are holding on to the iPad. So I guess if the ones stuck on the Clips fall out or wear out, we can replace them with the extra ones.
Using the MyClip legstrap is really straightforward. It is basically a strap that we can loop around our leg and we secure the strap in place using the integrated velcro. Here's a short clip showing how it works:
The Clips have a very clever shape and they somehow can hold an iPad mini on its own or when it is in the cooling case, comfortably. It is easy to put on and take out and change the orientation of viewing (landscape or portrait). Here's how in the video below:
There are a few unique features of the MyClip that makes it really versatile and usable:
The MyClip is a really simple and functional legstrap that works easily with iPads of different sizes. There are no extra adapters or attachments required and it is very compact and portable. Most importantly (in my opinion) is that it works perfectly with our cooling case.
Do check out the video version of my review and if you have any questions, feel free to drop us a comment or reach out to us on our contact page:
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If you have found this article, chances are you have had your iPad overheat and possibly freeze up (gone all black) with the warning icon that says "iPad needs to cool down before you can use it". Or maybe it was the less severe message - "Charging will resume when iPad returns to normal temperature".
Apple's support page tells us that we should use the iPad where the ambient temperature is between 0 - 35°C and "Low- or high-temperature conditions may cause your device to change its behaviour to regulate its temperature."
The same Apple support page states that your iPad could get warmer when you:
Any of the activities below will also cause the iPad to warm up and a combination of any 2 or more (of all the listed activities) will likely lead to the "temperature warning" icon that prevents us from using the iPad till it cools down:
Here's what we know >>
Ultimately, as we all know, when the temperature of the iPad goes past a threshold (~ close to 50°C), it stops functioning.
In the long run, letting the iPad get too hot and too often, affects (shortens) the battery life and overall performance of the iPad.
I believe we all kinda know it but here are our options:
But if you are reliant on it for work or navigation, then this option is out. Although you could try to close some background apps or turn off background app refresh. That should reduce any excessive processing on the iPad.
But if you can't avoid the sun where you are then its not really feasible. The next best thing might be to use a sunshade to shield the iPad from the sun.
Charging the iPad generates some heat. So if there is enough power on the iPad, you should unplug the charging and let it cool for a bit. It is also worth checking that your charging source (or charging adapter) is good. You can download an app like Amperes to check the charging speed which shows if your charger and cable are optimal.
Some iPad cases could retain heat and should be avoided if that is a concern. But at the same time, the choice of an iPad case is really subjective and is a balance of personal preference and what suits your application. Also avoid leaving the iPad in a bag or sleeve because there is no air circulation in there.
Lastly, we come to active cooling products. In situations where you need to keep using your iPad, while in the sun (or in warmer conditions) and running navigation apps or apps that require intense processing, an active cooling solution might be what you need.
Besides our cooling cases, there are a number of products out there that will do the job. In case you haven't, you should go check out our comparison of the different cooling solutions in the market here - link.
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If you have followed us for a while, you will know that we like to make our cooling cases adaptable to different options of mountings. It all starts with the universal AMPS 4 hole pattern. From there, it can work with some of these mount solutions:
One other mounting system that many people have asked if our cooling case could work with, is Pivot Case Mounts.
Pivot is a company that has been making iPad cases for pilots for about 10 years. They have a very unique mounting system where the iPad case is mounted by sliding a mounting plate into the back of the iPad case. A mounting channel is built in the back of the iPad case which allows the mounting plate to slide in and a clip secures the plate. Pressing that clip then releases the mounting plate. If you use a Pivot Case, then you would totally understand what I mean.
But because of this unique way of mounting, it is quite challenging to create an adapter for the mounting plate.
Still, I took on the challenge. After a few iterations (i.e. design, 3D print, test, repeat), I came up with an adapter that does the job. Basically it has the AMPS 4 hole pattern so that it can be attached to the cooling case. It incorporates the mounting channel to allow the Mounting plate to slide in. Then, to secure the Mounting plate in place, instead of the clip that holds the Mounting plate, I designed a "spring" stopper that blocks the "exit". Pushing the stopper down will allow the Mounting plate to be "released".
Here's a video of how it all works:
No. This is purely experimental and I haven't tested it heaps. But if you are a hobbyist or maker and want to make this for your own use, feel free to reach out to us. I am happy to send you the STL file so that you can 3D print it for yourself.
Just an added note: because the intention was experimental and open source, I have designed this with an open source CAD program called FreeCad instead of my usual software.
If you have any questions or thoughts, do leave us a comment or a note on our contact page. You can also subscribe (here) to our newsletter to get more content like this or be updated on new product releases and offers.
]]>For users of the iPad mini 4 or 5 which still has the audio jack and need access to that, our Cooling Case will not work for you. That's because we did not include access to the audio jack in our design.
Our Cooling Case has LEDs to indicate:
They are meant to be helpful indicators BUT they can be a pain if you fly at night and use night vision goggles (NVG). It is also (apparently) not great if you are flying your drone at night and don't wish to be seen. We are not sure about the latter point but that was just one feedback we received.
Image source: flightsafetyaustralia
There are some beautifully designed kneeboards that secures the iPad, a notepad and other accessories (cables, powerbank, cards, stationary etc) that are useful to a pilot. The only thing is when the iPad is secured onto some of those kneeboards, the back of the iPad is fully covered. So if we are using the Cooling Case, the Cooling Case vents would be mostly covered up which prevents airflow and the means for cooling the iPad. That could pose a problem.
Some examples of kneeboards that our Cooling Case potentially might not work well with. (Note: we haven't tested it ourselves, but based on what we can see and some feedback, it is potentially an issue)
Saying that, there are lots of kneeboards that we know would work with our Cooling Case. Some examples include the MyClip kneeboard and the Dream Pilot Kneeboard (which I reviewed recently).
IF you are affected by any or all the three points mentioned above and you still need a cooling solution for your iPad Mini, there are two options available:
1. Consider other iPad cooling solutions on the market. I have mentioned some of them in an earlier article here: "A Look at Different Cooling Cases In The Market".
2. Reach out to us to have a chat. We might be able to come up with a workaround solution for you. OR if there is a viable business case (i.e. win-win for all), we could consider working on a custom solution for you.
There are probably other scenarios that make our Cooling Case unsuitable. If you can think of one, feel free to comment below or message us. As we learn about them or gather more feedback from users, I will aim to report it and add to our list of "Things to improve" where possible. Thanks again to those who have shared their feedback.
Also, if you like what you are reading and you are not on our mailing list, do sign up here - subscribe. We only send out a newsletter once every fortnight and its easy to unsubscribe when its too much for you.
]]>Packed into a small (135 x 95 x 50mm) box is a small fabric pouch, an adjustable knee strap with a magnetic pad, and a couple of metal discs with adhesive on one side. There is, of course, a user manual included explaining how it all works.
The set up is really straightforward.
The user manual page 1 & 2.
We are meant to stick a metal disc either directly in the back of our device (iPad or smart phone or tablet) OR if our device has a case (e.g. an iPad Cooling Case), we could stick the metal disc on the inside of the case.
So since I want to use it with our Cooling Case, I peeled off the adhesive backing and stuck the metal disc on the inside of the Cooling Case. The only thing is, the disc can't fit in the middle of the Cooling Case. So I placed it just above.
iPad Mini 5 Cooling Case + Dream Pilot Kneeboard
Once the Metal disc is stuck inside the Cooling Case, the next thing is using it with the knee strap. The adjustable knee strap quite long and stretchy and relatively easy to put on. We just have to make sure the Magnetic pad is facing up when wearing the strap on your leg. Once the knee strap is on, we can just attach the Cooling Case.
Since the whole premise of securing the iPad (and Cooling Case) is relying on the magnetic pad, I decided to try alternative ways to make it work (instead of using the Metal disc)
Since the screws are basically steel and magnetic, we can leave the screws on the Cooling Case and attach it to the kneeboard magnetic pad.
The coin cell battery is a lot smaller (in diameter) and fits the centre of the Cooling Case easily. I just need to use a bit of double sided tape to secure the coin cell to the Cooling Case and it basically works the same.
The Dream Pilot Kneeboard is a really simple to use kneeboard solution that utilises a magnetic pad. They provide Metal discs with an adhesive side so that you could stick that onto your iPad directly or within a case. I have found that the disc is a bit too big to fit in the middle of the Cooling Case but it could still sit slightly higher. Alternatively, there are alternative ways to attach the Cooling Case to the Dream Pilot Kneeboard (i.e. screws or a used coin cell).
Also, they do give you more than 1 Metal disc. So you could have at least 2 devices that snaps on easily on the Kneeboard. Plus if you use a MagSafe device, you could use it directly with the Kneeboard. Which makes it a really versatile Kneeboard strap.
Prefer to watch a video? Here's one where I unbox the Kneeboard and set it up with the iPad Cooling Case:
If you have any other questions about the Dream Pilot Kneeboard, our Cooling Case or anything related, feel free to leave a comment below.
Also, you can subscribe (here) to our newsletter to get more content like this or be updated on new product releases and offers.
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So we took the plunge and ordered some MGF stuff from one of the biggest pilot store in Australia (Flight Store AU) - the MGF Sport Mount GPS Adapter & the MGF Sport Mount Flex Suction.
Overall, it was pretty straightforward to adapter it to our cooling case and we take you through how it can be done below.
Starting with the GPS Adapter, undo the big screw right in the middle. That separates the 2 components - the actual MGF connection and the AMPs pattern adapter. Then remove the 4 screws that come with it. We can't use those screws with our cooling case because it is too long and the threads are imperial while the nuts in our cooling case has metric threads.
Using the M4 screws that would come with the cooling case, secure the AMPs pattern adapter to the cooling case. Make sure to use the side with the counterbore holes instead of the countersunk holes.
Next, secure the actual MGF connection back with the original middle screw. Then it is good to go!
Simply secure the MGF flex suction mount to where you need it (usually any glass windshield or smooth surface), adjust the flex joints to your desired orientation and it is a simple click and securing of the cooling case with the GPS Adapter. That's it!
If you prefer to watch a video, here's one where I set it all up from packaging to the iPad with the cooling case secured on the MGF mount:
Hope that helps! Feel free to leave a comment or drop us a message if you have any questions about this.
]]>The rechargeable battery when fully charged (which takes about 1-2 hours) can power the fans for up to 5 hours. That means we can use the cooling case without having it plugged in. So pilots can fly for 5 hours without needing to worry about their iPad overheating. Although some pilots have said it's usually their bladders that don't allow them to fly for 5 hours.
The rechargeable battery can be found between the 2 fans.
So we should charge the cooling case when the Red LED is fully lit up (not just flashing).
If you have a spare 5V output on your plane and you want to plug in the cooling case, you can totally do that. The cooling case will still work (i.e. the fans will come on when the temperature is over 32°C or 90°F) and it means you might never have to worry about whether there is enough power in the cooling case battery.
But if you only have one 5V output, it is still possible to charge both the iPad and the cooling case if you have a splitter cable like this one:
If you are interested in a cable like this, keep a lookout because we might stock some in our store in the near future.
Do you have any other charging or power related question? Leave a comment below or drop us a message here.
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Early on when I started working on the cooling case for the iPad mini 6, I did a survey asking pilots for their input. Things like how they use their iPads when in the plane and what they would like to see in the cooling case. I didn't receive many requests for additional features. There was one about mount compatibility, another about case material and one about having universal charging (which we do for the iPad mini 6 cooling case).
One slightly different comment was the request for an integrated stand. The person who asked for that is a flight instructor and having an integrated stand lets him/her stand up the iPad during ground sessions with students.
We did not manage to integrate a stand into this version of our cooling case but we recently came across this Universal Hand-stand by RAM that will support the iPad mini in a standing position. I decided to get one recently and see how it will work with the iPad mini and our cooling case.
The RAM Universal Hand-Stand comes in a bag and it consists of 2 parts that need to be put together - a rubber tether and the actual Universal Hand-stand. Locate the 4 holes on the tether and hook them onto the back of the Universal Hand-stand. (Note: Be careful when stretching the holes on the tether because I found that the one I got started to tear when I pulled it too hard)
Instructions on attaching the Tether to the Universal Hand-Stand
1. The Stand - which supports the iPad mini to stand upright either in portrait or landscape mode.
2. The Hand strap - which lets users insert their palm and hold their iPad securely while working on it.
Here's a RAM video explaining how it works:
Attaching the UHS to the iPad mini involves wrapping the 4 loops around the corners of the iPad mini. If I am not using the Apple Pencil, it is still OK. I do need to adjust the tether to have the Pencil attached to the iPad mini.
I found that the fit of the tether is quite loose on the iPad mini by itself. So when I tried to use the hand strap, it is not ideal because the iPad mini moves a lot because of the loose fit. It also means the back of the iPad mini can get scratched by the Hand-Stand itself.
The stand works alright in this setup. It is better in portrait mode and I can get it to stand quite upright. But in landscape mode, the stand needs to go 'lower' else the iPad mini will fall forward.
Here's a quick video showing how I went with it:
Similarly, attaching the UHS to the iPad mini cooling case is the same as before. The difference being with the cooling case, it is slightly bigger so the tether needs to be stretched to fit in. This means it is a better fit compared to just the iPad mini on its own. I still need to adjust the tether so that I can access the Apple Pencil but it is more straightforward.
Everything else (Stand and hand strap) works as it should. Generally, because the cooling case dimensions are bigger, the tether is a better fit and it feels more secure when holding it with the hand strap. The Pencil holder on the cooling case also helps with accessing the Apple Pencil.
I think the RAM Universal Hand stand is a pretty cool and useful accessory. I don't recommend using it directly on the iPad mini without a case. It was a very loose fit and the iPad mini could fall out easily. Not to mention the hard plastic of the Hand-strap could scratch the back of the iPad mini.
On the other hand, having the UHS wrapped around the cooling case was a much better fit. The only thing is, it does add more bulk to the iPad - the overall thickness is about 50mm with the cooling case. So again, this accessory is really for people who:
1. work with their iPad mini at different locations and they need a stand when they use it.
and/or
2. if they move around while using their iPad mini for work and they need the hand strap to keep it secure on their hand.
Hope this review was helpful. Leave us a comment if you have used the RAM UHS and let us know how you went!
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The iPad cooling case will protect your iPad from scratches at parts where the case covers and if there were some small drops and bumps, it will keep your iPad safe. But it will definitely not do well in a higher than 3 feet or 1m drop. We are looking into ways that could enhance protection and we are doing some trials at the moment. In the meantime, its best to have a screen protector on your iPad.
Carrying the iPad cooling case while walking in a drizzle or gentle rain should be fine. Please don't dunk the iPad cooling case into a pool. We haven't tried it but I am pretty sure it will not end well.
There is a small rechargeable battery in the cooling case that powers the fans. But unfortunately, that is all it does. It can't charge the iPad. Maybe later on we might design a cooling case that can charge your iPad. For now it's best to carry a power bank especially for longer trips.
Currently we only support iPad minis with our cooling cases. At some point in the near future, we are planning to develop cooling cases (sleeves) for the other iPad models. But even then, each iPad sleeve only fits a certain iPad model. The only universal thing is the cooling body which can fit different iPad sleeves. You can read more about that here: "How Our Design Is Upgradeable To Future iPad Models"
Nope. The fans only cool the iPads. You might feel a cool breeze on your hand when you are holding the iPad cooling case. But that's as much cooling you will get from the cooling case. Unfortunately, there aren't any plans in our product roadmap to address cooling the user (sorry!) so you will need to find an alternative cooling for yourself.
You can order one of our iPad mini cooling cases here (product page) or subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when we release cooling cases for other iPad models!
]]>Here's another hack for all those who are Quad Lock fans - using the Quad Lock armband as a kneeboard.
I have previously demonstrated how we could use the Quad Lock mount to hold our Cooling Case. That involves sticking the Quad Lock universal adapter to the back of the Cooling Case. You can check that out here: "Quad Lock Integration".
For this Kneeboard hack, there are basically 2 parts to it:
1. Adding the Quad Lock universal adapter to the iPad Mini Cooling Case
2. Adjusting or modifying the Quad Lock armband
These are all the "ingredients" we need for this hack:
1. Quad Lock Universal Adapter (Original)
2. Quad Lock Armband
3. Or DIY hook and loop strap
Optional:
- power drill
- Quad Lock Universal Adapter drilling jig (3D printed)
- 4 x M4 screws (will come with your iPad Mini Cooling Case)
Clean the surface of the back of your Cooling Case where the 4 hole pattern is. That is where we will stick the Quad Lock Universal Adapter.
Remove the backing on the 3M VHB adhesive and stick it over the 4 hole pattern. Use the line markings on the Adapter to align it so its upright. It is recommended to wait 24 hours to allow the 3M bond to take full effect before using the Adapter. [Check out Quad Lock's installation guideline]
Adjust the strap on the Quad Lock armband and see if it will fit around your thigh close to your knee. If it does, great! You can skip to the next step.
If the Quad Lock Armband strap is too short, you need a velcro or hook & loop strap long enough to secure around your thigh. You can either get a hoop & loop tape kit and make it yourself or use knee straps for runners.
With the Quad Lock armband on your leg, and the Quad Lock Universal Adapter on the back of the iPad Cooling Case, you can now easily secure your Cooling Case to your leg with the twist and lock action. You can also easily change the orientation of the iPad by pushing the blue lever down to release the lock and turn it from landscape to portrait or vice versa.
Even though our case is made of Nylon and is suited for the Quad Lock Universal Adapter, you may want it to be more secured to the iPad Cooling Case. Or if you want the option to remove the Universal Adapter and reuse it another time, either way this step is for you.
You can drill 4 holes onto the Quad Lock Universal Adapter according to the AMPS 4 hole pattern and secure it to the back of the iPad Cooling Case using the 4 x M4 screws that came with the Cooling Case. You will need to measure the position of the holes, mark them and drill the holes.
Alternatively, I have created a 3D printed jig with the 4 hole template that holds the Quad Lock Universal Adapter in place. Then all you need to do is hold/clamp the jig and drill through the 4 holes with a power drill. Personally I think it is a better way to do it, but it does require making an extra jig that you may not use again. Here's a short video of how I did it with the jig.
If you have a 3D printer at home, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to send you the STL files for the jig so you can make it yourself.
That's all to it! Please leave a comment if you think you would do this. Or if you have done this, let us know how it went!
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When you purchase the iPad mini 6 cooling case, it will come with the cooling case and a USB-C charging cable.
We usually make sure the battery is fully charged before we pack it and send it out. But if you want to make sure that it has a full charge, plug it in with the USB-C charging cable with the other end plugged to a regular 5V 1A/2A charger adapter. The green LED at the back should light up. Then once it is fully charged, the green LED will go off.
I know some people might think there's no need to explain this but I think it can't hurt to put it out there. We insert the iPad mini into the case on the charging port end first then push in the top corners of the iPad mini. It should snap in securely. Then when you put in your Apple Pencil 2 (if you have one) into the holder, it should snap in magnetically and charge. If it doesn't show that its charging, give the Apple Pencil a slight nudge towards the iPad mini.
Then taking the iPad mini out is simply a reverse of the steps. Here's a short vid showing how we do it.
Turn on the cooling case by pushing the toggle switch (at the back) outwards. Or towards the edge of the case.
If the iPad or the environment is not too hot, nothing will happen. But the temperature sensor is now active and will monitor the back of the iPad. Once it gets above 32°C, the fans will get triggered and start cooling the iPad.
The cooling case gives you access to almost everything you need from the iPad mini. The touch ID button, the volume buttons, the camera, the charging port and even the speakers.
That's basically it. For those who are interested in the other iPad mini cooling cases (4th or 5th gen), it is mostly the same, except there isn't the holder for the Apple Pencil. If you have any other questions about using the iPad mini cooling case, please leave us a comment below or drop us a message on our contact page.
And if you are interested in getting the iPad mini 6 cooling case, you can pre-order it here: Pre-order link.
]]>Mounts (for iPads) perform a really important role in the cockpit. They hold on to the iPad securely in a position that allows the pilot to access information easily without getting in the pilot's way. If you are unfamiliar with this space, it can get a little bit daunting because there seem to be so many options and configurations out there.
But when we really break it down, there are usually 2 parts to it: there is the part that holds on to a stable part of the plane cockpit and then there is the part that holds on to the iPad. For example in the image above, on one end is the RAM X-Grip which is a universal holder for 7-8" tablets. Then on the other end is the Claw Yoke Mount which secures the whole mount to the Yoke.
Different RAM mounts.
So depending where you want to secure the mount in the cockpit, you would pick the right type of mount for it (Claw, suction cup, adhesive, or drill down etc). And if your iPad already has a case [maybe you use our cooling case ;) ], you would want to pick a universal holder like the RAM X-Grip or the RAM Tab-Tite holder. Besides RAM Mount, companies like MyGoFlight and Arkon also has mounting systems that work similarly.
Kneeboards are alternatives to mounts when pilots can't find a suitable spot for mounts in the cockpit; usually because there is limited space or it might just be a personal preference. Kneeboards can be simply velcro straps with clips (eg MyClip or AppStrap) or they can be elaborate with pockets and organisers that holds cables, notepads, pens and more. Just pick one that suits your needs.
Most of us would know that the screen on our devices (smart phones or iPads) can crack if we accidentally drop them or drop something on them. Compared to a crack anywhere else on the body of the iPad, a crack on the screen is the most annoying. The crack on the screen interferes with what we need to see.
That's why a screen protector is a must have for our iPads if we want to extend the (usable) life of it. In the event that the screen protector cracks, it is much cheaper to replace the screen protector than the iPad screen. As a bonus, there are screen protectors with anti-glare coatings so it reduces the glare/reflections when you are using it in the sun. But sometimes when the sunlight is too overpowering, the next accessory will come in handy.
As mentioned briefly in the last point, sunshades for iPads will block out sunlight, preventing it from shining on the iPad screen and reflecting it back to your eyes or making it hard (impossible) to read or see what is on the screen. There is the option to just use our hands to shield the screen but why not have a sunshade to do the job properly and save the trouble.
Source: worldaerosky.fr
The iPads do have a decent battery life. In a test ran by a Youtuber, where he was streaming Youtube videos, playing games, rendering videos and recording videos, the fully charged iPad mini 6 lasted 6 hours 17 minutes. Even then, it is always safe to carry backup juice for your device. A 10,000 mAh power bank will allow you to charge the iPad mini 6 twice.
Power bank - source: powerbankguide.com
The Apple Pencil is a great accessory for the iPad. It is great for note taking, annotating on charts (on certain EFB apps) or simply sketching or doodling. And if you use the Apple Pencil 2, there are lots of useful shortcuts and features that will take your note taking and possibly your productivity to the next level. Check out this video by Stef Drury where he shares some cool features of the iPad mini 6 and Apple Pencil 2.
Lastly, [as a bonus :D ] if you fly in warmer weather and in the sun, you would definitely benefit from having an iPad cooling case!
Our latest iPad mini 6 cooling case works with lots of the mounting options and kneeboards mentioned above and it has its own battery (sorry can't charge the iPad mini with it though). Plus, it has got a slot for the Apple Pencil 2 so it won't fall out easily and it still gets charged!
P.S. if you think we left out any iPad accessory that is really helpful to pilots, please share with us in a comment below!
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X-Naut is probably the first iPad cooling mount that came into the market back in 2017 and they were clearly targeting pilots in general aviation. The mounts have either 2 or 4 axial fans - 2 for the iPad minis and 4 for the bigger iPads. They subsequently developed mounting adapters for DJI drone users and later on they developed ruggedised iPad cooling cases for the regular (or non-mini) iPads. (As of writing this, the ruggedised cooling cases are not available yet on their website)
Here's a list of pros and cons of the X-Naut cooling mounts:
MyGoFlight has developed iPad kneeboards since 2010 and they have their own suite of mounting ecosystem. It was around 2019 (estimate) that they released cool cases for the different iPad models. The MyGoFlight (MGF) cool cases utilises the same mounting ecosystem and has the same kneeboard support. They also use a blower fan as the cooling mechanism and have cool cases for the iPad Pro 11" (Gen 1 - 4), iPad Air (Gen 4 & 5) and iPad mini 6.
Here's a list of pros and cons of the MyGoFlight cool cases:
Qore Performance is a company that started back in 2015 to solve overheating among athletes, military and law enforcement personnel. They were focused on cooling and hydrating people who work outdoors. The key cooling mechanism is using water or ice. Later on, they adapted their cooling blocks (Icebloqs) to fit into their iPad case to cool down warm iPads. They do support a range of iPad models including the iPad minis, the iPad 9.7" 5th & 6th Gen and iPad 10.2" 7th-9th Gen.
Here's a list of pros and cons of the IceCase:
Given that they all have a cooling solution for the iPad Mini 6, we did a comparison between our cooling case for the iPad Mini 6 and their solution. Here's a table that summarises it:
Yes, it's true, I am obviously a little bit biased in the above comparison and only highlighted the strengths of our own cooling case design. And even the "Pros and Cons" can be a little bit subjective.
But to be fair, there are some really great qualities in each of the cooling solutions:
or you already have MyGoFlight mounts, then the MyGoFlight cool case will work well for you.
then the X-Naut cooling mounts will suit you best.
then the Qore Performance IceCase will be perfect for you.
There's probably more active cooling cases or solutions for iPads out there that we are not aware of. If you know one that is really good, please leave a comment below. Thanks!
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When we first looked into a cooling solution for iPads, the focus was first the cooling approach (which we decided on using fans), followed by deciding what other features will make it more usable. The idea of a "cooling case" was attractive as it provided some form of protection to the iPad while having cooling integrated within.
As we developed a few prototypes, we realised that since every iPad model has a slightly different dimension, we might need to create multiple toolings (for injection moulding) if we wanted to cater to the different iPad models. This means a huge startup cost with potentially huge wastage if the demand isn't there.
Thankfully, we were able to arrive at a design solution with suitable technologies and materials that mitigates the huge startup cost. It is a combination of modular design and additive manufacturing.
We designed the cooling case with 2 modules:
The iPad Sleeve with a "universal opening" that fits a specific iPad model (for e.g. the iPad Mini 6 Sleeve as seen below).
The Cooling Body houses the cooling fans and fits into the "universal opening" on the iPad Sleeve.
This makes the Cooling Body a universal part/module that fits any Sleeve with the "universal opening". Below is an example of the Cooling Body fitted on an iPad Mini 5 Sleeve and being swapped to an iPad Mini 6 Sleeve.
This means that when Apple releases the next iPad Mini, we would be able to design a new iPad Sleeve that fits the newer one. It will have the "universal opening" so it would fit the same Cooling Body.
So if someone already has the iPad Mini 5 cooling case or is getting the iPad Mini 6 cooling case, they can retain the Cooling Body for the next iPad Mini 7 Sleeve.
Additive manufacturing or 3D printing allows us to include design features that would be tricky to produce using traditional manufacturing methods. In this case, it is the attachment clips on the iPad Sleeve that secures the Cooling Body.
As mentioned in our recent post, amongst other advantages, additive manufacturing also allows us to produce the cases in small batches. While technologies such as Selective Laser Sintering, Stereolithography and Multi-Jet Fusion delivers high quality and precise parts that are suitable for our application.
If you would like to find out more, do subscribe to updates below or leave a comment if you have any questions about our design.
]]>Although we also 3D printed the early prototypes, the technologies that was used is very different and the quality of the case is also worlds apart.
Early prototype design 3D printed using FDM technology
The early prototypes were 3D printed using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology and the parts are not as strong or flexible and have a pretty rough finish. But the ones we made and sold are 3D printed using HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology and Nylon 11 or 12 materials. Cases printed from this technology and material are much stronger than the FDM parts while also having enough flexibility to bend and wrap around the iPads. They also have a much nicer finish than FDM parts.
There are a bunch of pros and cons to 3D printing (vs Injection Moulding) and we will start with the pros (the benefits):
Tooling for Injection Moulding takes longer to design and fabricate and costs a lot more compared to 3D printing.
3D printing allows for greater design flexibility because it enables the creation of complex shapes and geometries that may not be possible with traditional manufacturing methods. It has allowed us to come up with the modular design of the universal cooling body and iPad sleeve.
3D printing allows for the creation of highly customised and personalised options that are tailored to specific customer needs. For example, we can personalise the iPad sleeves to include the owner's name.
3D printing is a more sustainable manufacturing method than traditional manufacturing methods because it can significantly reduce waste. This is because 3D printing only uses the exact amount of material needed to create the cooling case parts. This also means we can produce the parts as and when they are required, instead of having to shoot out tens of thousands of parts and store them.
is higher costs in the long run. Especially if the quantities produced becomes higher. 3D printing more than 300 parts (or more) is going to start becoming more expensive compared to Injection moulding. When the numbers go up, that's where economies of scale come in with injection moulding.
With our modular design (cooling body + iPad sleeve), we do have the opportunity to produce more of the universal module (cooling body) that can fit different iPad sleeves. So if we produce the cooling body using injection moulding and then 3D print the iPad sleeves, we can reduce some of the costs (if we are making at least 300 units). We can continue to design iPad sleeves to fit different iPad models and still reuse the cooling body. More importantly, we can still take advantage of the 4 benefits mentioned above with this hybrid approach.
Anyway, that is exactly what we are trying to achieve through the iPad mini 6 cooling case Kickstarter campaign. If you would like join us on this hybrid journey, there is still some time. Click on the link below and back the project and also get in on limited early bird and Kickstarter discounts. (-> LINK <-)
[Edit]
The Kickstarter campaign is now over. Even though we did not reach our funding goal, we will still be producing the iPad mini 6 cooling case in small batches. It should be available soon (in 2-3 months) on our website. If you would like to know more, sign up to our newsletter below to stay up to date!
]]>Some of this might be helpful to those who are considering a Cooling Case and some might just be fun facts. But here are 5 features of the iPad mini 6 Cooling Case and their design rationale.
The decision to use the USB-C connector for charging the cooling system is a forward thinking one. How many times have we tried to plug in a micro-USB connector and had to take several looks at the plug and the receiving end to make sure they align? But with the USB-C connector, we can simply plug it in without having to check if its the right side up.
Also, with the iPad mini 6 switching to the USB-C connector, it just means we can rely on just the USB-C cable for both charging the iPad mini and the Cooling Case. #onecabletorulethem
In early conversations with different pilots in general aviation, I found that most long flights tend to be close to 4 hours or maybe 5. That is also probably how long most fixed-wing single engine aircrafts can handle. Rotor wing aircrafts will typically do less than that per flight.
There might be exceptions, but that's what I have gathered base on the conversations I have had. So this led to the design decision of having enough juice to cool the iPad continuously for 5 hours. On top of that, adding a temperature sensor means if the condition isn't warm enough, the fans do not have to keep working and the battery lasts even longer.
Some people have asked why do we need a switch if there's already a temperature sensor. The decision to include an On/Off switch is simply to give users the option to keep it off when they know they don't need cooling for their iPad. It still requires a bit of battery power to monitor the temperature using the temperature sensor, so if someone wants to conserve energy when they know they don't need it (cooling), they can.
You might have heard us mention (a few times) about the fans used in the Cooling Case - how it is really powerful and slim. So for additional context, each fan is only 3mm thick and yet it can generate up to 18 liters/min of air flow. They are also rated to IP 55 which means it can survive some dust and water for up to 55 minutes.
More importantly, when we tested the fans with an iPad mini in the sun on a hot day, it kept the iPad cool. Here's a short video of the test: https://youtu.be/XBm9D7eyMwE
The Apple Pencil 2 is charged by attaching it to the right side of the iPad mini 6 and it charges by induction. It is also held on via magnets. There are some cases in the market that could hold the Apple Pencil 2 but would not allow charging because it creates too much gap between the Pencil and the iPad mini. We have designed the separating wall with a groove so the Pencil is close enough to the iPad for charging, won't get knocked off easily and yet still easy to access.
And that's the 5 different features of our Cooling Case. If there are some other features that you would like included in future Cooling Cases, let us know in our contact page.
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We have such a hot climate here in QLD, and the planes that I teach in have minimal airflow, and minimal shade. I was finding that no matter where I mounted my iPad, it was still getting really hot. It’s such an expensive device, and I was always stressed that it would one day overheat, and may not be covered by warranty. I couldn’t find a solution to the problem, so temperature management of our iPads became another thing to think about each flight, which just added unnecessary workload.
When I came across your product I felt it was a game changer. I thought it would be too good to be true! I hadn’t seen a product like it on the market, and the passion that you have for what you’ve created is truly infectious. The cooling case is able to be set up in a matter of seconds, and the beauty lies in its neat simplicity - finally, a product that does exactly what it claims to, without over complicating the process.
The moment that I realised the product was truly working was on a training flight I took with a student, which doubled as a true test of the product. A 2.7 hour nav with temperatures in the low to mid 30’s, and in full sun. Where I would usually be moving my iPad around and switching it off to try to keep it cool, i could leave it mounted without issue. I kept a close eye on it and was constantly feeling for rising temperature, but to my complete surprise it stayed noticeably cooler. Finally I had peace of mind!
Any product that can reduce pilot workload or stress is game changing in my eyes. Our devices are an integral part of flying in the modern world, and this has solved a problem that many of us experience when flying in a hot climate.
So what are some ways we can identify our iPad model? We found a few different approaches:
1) Looking at the back of the iPad.
For those who have really good eyesight, the model number is at the back of the iPad (it usually starts with 'A' followed by 4 numbers). But you would still have to jump on the Apple website (link) to work out what model it is (e.g. A2124, A2125, A2126, A2133 are all variations of iPad Mini 5)
source: link
2) Go to Settings in your iPad.
If you have your iPad handy, you could also go to "Settings > General > About" and you should see the Model Name of the iPad.
If you want to be more precise, searching up the Model Number (e.g. MK7P3X/A) on Google will let you know whether the iPad is a Wifi or Cellular version.
3) Using your iPhone
If you use an iPhone (signed in using the same Apple ID as your iPad), you could also go to the settings in your iPhone, select the Apple ID at the top and it would list out other Apple devices you own and it usually shows you the model of your iPad.
4) Features that differentiates certain models
Sometimes, when Apple releases a newer generation of an iPad, it comes with major changes in dimensions and features. For example with the iPad Mini 6th gen, there are some big differences in external features. A few significant feature changes include: removal of the home button, USB-C charging, aluminum 'square' body and moving the buttons to the top of the iPad Mini.
The iPad Mini 6
Then of course by checking if the iPad has a sim card slot or not helps differentiate if it is a Wifi or a cellular model.
These are the few methods that we have come across. If you know any other methods, do drop us a message in the chat or contact page.
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The Quad Lock mountings could be on a running armband or bike handle bar or car suction cup mount or ball adapter (etc) but they all have these 4 locking tabs (hence the name Quad Lock). Then on the Quad Lock smartphone case, there is a matching locking recess. By pushing the smartphone case onto any of the mounts such that the locking tabs fit into the recess, and followed by a twisting action, the smartphone case becomes locked in and held in place. The quick release tab allows the smartphone case to be 'unlocked' and removed from the mount.
For people who use an iPad and want to use this Quad Lock system, Quad Lock has a Universal Adapter that can be attached to the back of the iPad directly or to the back of an iPad case. So we tried that on our iPad Cooling Case. The Universal Adapter can be secured on the iPad Case with specially cut out 3M double sided tape on its back. But the important thing to note is that the surface needs to be smooth and non-textured. It can be plastic or metal and not rubber or rubber like. This is to ensure that the 3M tape will stick on properly.
As our iPad Cooling Case does have a slightly textured surface and not smooth, there is a risk that the adhesive will not stick on 100%. From our initial use and testing (using just the adhesive), it felt pretty secure. But we did not run any tests for an extended period so we don't know how long the adhesive will actually last. Check out the demo video below where we secured the iPad Cooling Case with the Universal Adapter to a Quad Lock mount with ball adapter.
On the other hand, we do have the 4 holes on our Cooling Case and we thought we might try a little hack to better integrate the Universal Adapter. This little hack is basically drilling 4 (6mm) holes on the Universal Adapter at the exact locations as the AMPS pattern (38mm x 30mm). Then we can secure the Universal Adapter onto the iPad Cooling Case using M4 screws.
So now with the Universal Adapter secured using screws instead of the 3M adhesive, there are a few advantages to it:
1. The iPad Cooling Case can work with the Quad Lock system and can be secured onto Quad Lock mounts. In our example (see videos), we use it with the Quad Lock ball adapter and the RAM suction cup mount.
2. Securing with the screw would be more secure than the adhesive.
3. The Universal Adapter can be removed if not needed and placed back again when needed, all without having to rip off the adhesive.
The only big disclaimer is that once we modify (drill holes into) the Universal Adapter, the (Quad Lock) warranty becomes void. So this is a bit of risk we take.
Overall, we think this is a pretty cool hack (at least in our opinion). For people who like or already use the Quad Lock ecosystem, hopefully this is helpful for you. For those who are hearing of Quad Lock for the first time, you should go check them out too.
Lastly, here's another demo of the ease of using the iPad Cooling Case with a modified Universal Adapter:
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The idea of our iPad cooling case was conceptualised right here in Melbourne Australia. Some years ago, I connected with a sports scientist who uses his iPad for coaching and video analysis applications. On warmer days or sunny days when he is out on the field, he faced the problem of his iPad overheating & shutting down. He needed a cooling solution so he could keep using his iPad.
I came up with a conceptual solution at first and due to various reasons, we didn't pursue it further. The only thing I did was write a story about the process of coming up with a cooling solution. I also delivered a (slightly improved) prototype to him much much later on.
Fast forward a few years later, I was still receiving comments/messages through that blog post and they were all requests for an iPad Cooling solution. What blew me was that the requests came from varied applications - pilots, gaming, logistics, drones, emergency services, construction and outdoor sales people. But arguably the most number of requests came from pilots and drone users.
I went through a couple of starts and stops over the last few years and had gone through multiple design iterations plus extra testing to make sure that the cooling is effective. 3D printing had been a great help in all that process and it has brought this project further. Also huge thanks to great peers who contributed to different parts of the design process).
So with the final design, though most of the components are sourced from overseas (at the moment), I can at least proudly say that it is designed locally in Australia!
]]>One application where the iPad Cooling Case can be very helpful is in flying drones. Drones from brands like DJI and Holy Stone allow users to use their iPads (and other mobile devices) together with their Apps to work as a touch screen interface when flying the drone. The App on the iPad will show the footage from the camera and some vital stats such as remote control connectivity, GPS signal, battery life of the drone, etc.
Flying a drone with an iPad in warmer weather and under the hot sun is where it could pose a problem - that is the iPad could overheat and shutdown. But then that's where the iPad Cooling Case can become a lifesaver!
One of our early adopters (Jon) flies with a DJI Mini 2 and an iPad Mini 5th Gen. He has faced the problem of the iPad Mini shutting down previously when it got too hot and decided to give us a go.
Before having the iPad Cooling Case, he used the MavMount's Scout Adapter and clamp and he had a regular iPad Mini protective case. But the clamp wasn't able to hold the thicker iPad Cooling Case ( about 22m thick). So he had to look at bigger clamps. Unfortunately, the options out there, for e.g. this Heavy Duty Clamp (also from MavMount) shown below, wasn't ideal. He felt that it wasn't secure enough for his iPad Mini with the Cooling Case and his iPad could fall out quite easily.
So after some tinkering (with epoxy and a 1/4" nut), he came up with an adapter concept that fits into the 4 hole pattern on the back of the Cooling Case as well as the screw on the MavMount (which has a standard 1/4" camera mount screw thread). It worked really well - when the iPad + Cooling Case was attached to the controller, it felt really secure and gave him a lot of confidence when flying his DJI mini 2
From Jon's input, we designed and fabricated an adapter that works the same way and sent it out to him. He was really happy with it and he says the only little gripe he had was he would have preferred the adapter black. [Sorry Jon]. At the moment, we are just calling it the Wombat Ware MavMount Adapter or WWMM Adapter. If you think it should be named something else, please do contact us.
Drone user (Jon) flying his DJI Mini 2 with the iPad Cooling Case.
Lastly, if you would also like to get the Wombat Ware MavMount Adapter, let us know. Stay subscribed to us at the bottom of the page or drop us a message on our Contact Us page so that we can keep you posted when the Adapter is available.
[EDIT] The Wombat Ware MavMount Adapter is now available and you can get it here: link.
]]>As our iPad Cooling Case is thicker than the regular protective case or sleeve (~22mm thick), we have tried out a few products in the market that would work well for Pilots. Based on what we have tested and researched, here are some of those mounting options.
First up, we have the Ram Mounts. Ram has this tablet clamp or grip product (X-Grip Universal Holder for 7"-8" tablets) that will work perfectly with the iPad Cooling Case. The additional rubber tether that can be wrapped around the four corners of the iPad further secures the iPad so it doesn't fall out.
The X-Grip can be used together with Ram's suction cup with standard socket arm as pictured below.
For a cleaner looking option, we can use the Ram Round plate with ball. We just need to secure the Round plate to the back of the iPad Cooling Case using four M4x16mm screws. Then the ball can be attached to a standard socket arm and suction cup mount as seen in the picture below.
We made a short video demonstrating how the X-Grip and Round plate with ball will work with the iPad Cooling Case:
Although we didn't test this out ourselves, from what we can see, the best option for people who use MyGoFlight mounting systems is to get their Sport X-Naut Puck Adapter. The Puck Adapter has got the same 4 holes (AMPS pattern) that matches the back of our iPad Cooling Case. Once that is attached to the iPad Cooling Case, it should work on any MyGoFlight mounts. (link to MyGoFlight)
For Pilots who prefer the kneeboard options when using their iPads, there are a couple which we have tried that works well with our iPad Cooling Case.
MyClip is a very straightforward solution. It has a strap that goes around the user's thigh and there are two large clips that can be adjusted to hold the iPad either in portrait or landscape mode. The clips are designed such that users can still access the home button and plug in the lightning connector to charge the iPad.
The AppStrap 5(S) is another kneeboard option that works with the iPad Cooling Case (for the iPad Mini). It has one strap with clips that goes on the iPad Mini horizontally across the back and clips on the long edges of the iPad. There is another strap that goes around the user's thigh. Both straps have velcro, so the strap on the iPad can attach to the other strap secured on the user's thigh. They even come with little pads that you can place under the iPad Cooling Case to create a tilt for better viewing of the iPad.
We also put together a video showing how each of the kneeboard options work:
Hopefully that helps. If you have any further questions about mounting options either for aviation or other applications, please feel free to reach out on our Contact Us Page.
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There are a couple of ways to look at cooling: one is where we are putting something cold into an environment and causing it to cool down, and another is where we are removing heat from a warm environment thus also causing it to cool down.
The Wombat Ware Cooling Case operates on the second approach. Two blower fans inside the Cooling Case direct the air from the back/outside of the Case into the Case, channels it across and around the case and out again through the vents. This flow of air carries with it some of the heat that has been generated or coming from the iPad.
Side view of the iPad Cooling Case
In one of our tests, we placed the iPad and the Cooling Case under direct sunlight on a pretty warm day (30+ degrees C) to see how it would cope. We placed temperature probes inside the Case and on the surface of the iPad screen. After about 15 minutes, the fans were hard at work, the surface or top of the iPad screen measured around 49.2 degrees C but the iPad was still functioning. The temperature probe on the inside of the case was measuring 37.1 degrees. This showed that the Cooling Case was quite effective in keeping the temperature of the iPad lower and preventing it from shutting down. Here's a little video showing the test:
More recently, one of our users was testing the Cooling Case while flying his DJI drone on a really hot day and he was happy to report that his iPad did not shutdown. In his words:
"It was officially 116 degrees, that's 47 degrees Celsius for my friends down under. I can honestly report that my body gave out before your device did. I wanted to try and fly three batteries worth. At about 20 minutes a battery, I was looking at trying to fly an hour in that heat. I made it through two batteries before I thought I was going to pass out from heat stroke. I did not suffer any thermal shutdowns, or any problems due to overheating (except myself that is LOL!) I got to believe that qualifies as a worst case scenario, because no sane person would fly their drone in that kind of heat."
As we can see, the Cooling Case is rather effective in removing excessive heat from the iPad and allowing it to keep working. For those who are experiencing overheating in your iPad, the Wombat Ware Cooling Case will solve your problem.
If you are using an iPad Mini 5, you can purchase a Cooling Case now. Or if you are using a different iPad model and want a cooling solution, please leave us a note on our Contact Us page and we will be sure to follow up!
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