- Edited
A little review, now that I've used both of the top Bluetooth pedal brands. I've been using a PageFlip Firefly V4 for a couple of years, with a 2015 12.9" iPad Pro (Gen 1) and then a 2018 12.9" iPad Pro (Gen 3). I bought the PageFlip lightly used and am a basic user and have never tried any of its fancy functions. Switching to digital scores and being able to turn my own pages with a foot pedal has been a game changer for me!
Recently the PageFlip's Bluetooth connection started to get flaky and it didn't seem to connect as strongly and would take much longer than I remembered. I tried new batteries and it didn't help, so I assumed that the Bluetooth hardware was dying and I ordered an Airturn Duo 500. I removed the piece of cardstock with my name and contact info that I had taped to the bottom of the PageFlip (I added this after I kept leaving it in practice rooms at the chamber music workshop), and strangely enough it started to work perfectly again! Was that card somehow impeding the Bluetooth signal?! Super weird. But I had an Airturn on the way already and it took a while to get here and the PageFlip was definitely working well again.
Anyway, the Airturn Duo 500 arrived and I like it better! Here are the things I like more about the Airturn:
- does not go to sleep if you step away (I just read in the manual that it's a 2 hour timeout and then it'll turn off; PageFlip goes to sleep after 30 minutes to preserve the battery and you have to press it to wake it up and then it takes a second, which is annoying if you're in the middle of playing)
- rechargeable (claims 250 hours) and charges via USB-C, so no more dealing with AA batteries
- silent pedal with a very satisfying tactile response (both pedals are quiet, but if I'm in an unfamiliar environment I tend to stomp firmly on the pedal and the PageFlip's hard plastic seems louder)
Cons of the Airturn:
- it looks more DIY, like it was assembled from a bunch of parts, and it has cables plugged in at the top (though apparently if one part breaks it is replaceable, which is actually a good thing). The PageFlip is a single piece unit that looks more polished.
- the Airturn is more expensive
- it doesn't always manually reconnect to the iPad after you turn it back on, I think I'm going to have to hold it close to the iPad and check it every time I start a practice session. This was disappointing to me but I can just build that step into my routine.
I decided to keep the Airturn because it's quieter and has a better tactile feel, and it's rechargeable and doesn't go to sleep after 30 minutes once it's on. But I would also recommend the PageFlip Butterfly as a cheaper option! Hopefully this review helps anyone who is thinking of getting a Bluetooth pedal
Guess I'll see if someone in the piano playing group wants to buy my PageFlip! If anyone here (in the U.S.) is interested, send me a message.