The Quest Continues!

Having completed 3 reviews on GoFlight products already released (see GoFlight GF-LGT Cockpit Control Module), it was only a matter of time until I would get the chance to bring you the next instalment. So what do I have to write about this time? As with most products we see being designed for the various flight simulations, they go through various stages, each time getting better and better. After the ever popular GF-45 units which graced our presence at the back end of 2000 (See GF-45 Avionics Review), Doyle Nickless has done some refining and produced a more "real-life" Comms/Nav radio unit. For those of you who have had the pleasure of using the existing GoFlight products, the GF-166 is a unit that will almost certainly appeal to you. Read on to hear my impressions of the new units and software.

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Installation & Documentation

As with all the products in the GoFlight range, this unit uses USB to make the physical connection to your PC. It's a simple case of plug it in, turn on your PC and it will auto detect and install. The GF166 comes with a completely new software interface which greatly enhances the configuration of not only the GF-166 but the other GF range of units. As always Doyle keeps the GoFlight website updated with the latest software and also supplies a setup floppy disk with each GF unit purchased. Once the software has been installed, any units both new and old will be displayed which allows you to configure to your liking. Within the software, there is a very comprehensive online help document. It explains in detail all the functions it has on offer and how to configure the units.

The GF-166 Unit

The GF-166 has been designed to fit into a a rack. If you only intend to buy the one unit, it would be advisable to get the compact rack which allows for 2 units of the same size to be installed. If you are planning on building on your range of GF products, it might be beneficial to buy the larger of the racks which will allow up to 7 of the GF-166 size units to be installed. Now having said that, if you're the sort of person who is really dedicated, how about having two 2 unit racks for all your Comm/Nav requirements, and a 7 unit rack for all your other needs!

You can clearly see in the picture how the GF-166 looks. Starting from the right of the picture you can see the stepped rotary dial. The dial extends out from the unit about an inch, and incorporates and inner and outer dial. The outer dial in its primary function allows you change your frequency in 1Mhz stages (in Nav mode 108-117Mhz, in Comm mode 118-136). The inner dial changes the frequency in .5khz steps. (.00 - .95). The white button to the left of the dial allows you to switch to the secondary function of the dial.

There are a number of functions you can assign to this button within the configuration software. The Centre button between the two frequency windows is used to switch between the active and standby frequency you have selected. The final button lower left, is again configured within the software for various commands.

Once you have configured the unit to your liking, you'll find included within the package a magnetic sheet with the various commands. It's a simple case of cutting out the labels you require and placing them in the indentations on the GF-166.

Configuring the GF-166

As I stated earlier, the software has gone through quite a major update since its concept. The new interface is much more refined and easier to use. One of the major innovations is how the GF units are associated with the aircraft in your FS folder. With lots of complex aircraft now being released for FS2002, it was necessary for Doyle to re-write the software that makes the GF units interact with the sim. Where as before it was necessary to recompile every time you added a new aircraft, it is now done automatically. Where as before the GF software would create an entry in the panel.cfg, it now works in the module environment, much the same as FSUIPC or Wideserver... (Doyle's explanation was much more complex than mine!)

The Software Interface and GF-166 Configuration

The new GF software interface

As with the previous software interfaces for GF, again version 1.23 is very easy to use and you can very quickly program your units to the various tasks you wish for them to do. You can place the units by dragging and dropping them in relation to how you have them setup in reality. This makes manipulation of the units much easier. When you select the unit you wish to configure, it will be shown with a red border around it, and also show in the right hand window with drop down boxes so you can choose what you want the unit to achieve. Click here to download latest GF Software.

Configuration for the GF-166

As already mentioned, the GF-166 is capable of being used for either Comm radios or navigation aids. After having selected the GF-166 unit it shows on the right and the relevant drop down menus are displayed. The window above the unit allows you to select the mode of operation. In this case I am using the 166 for my Navigation (you can also set it to work with ADF and Xpdr). The two drop-down windows below the GF166 picture allows the configuration of the two lower white buttons. There are a number of choices available in these two drop-down boxes.

Test System AMD T-Bird 1.44 GHz Windows XP Pro 512 Mb RAM GeForce2 GTS Ultra 32mb Creative SB Live! 1024 CH 3 Lever Yoke CH Pro USB Pedals GF Avionics 3x 17" monitors Navigation: FSFlightMax Flying Time: Don't ask!!

Having flown 100's of hours using the GF-45 units, the switch to the GF-166 was a real treat. Being able to preselect your frequency for the next leg of your journey and then be able to make it active at the press of a button really enhances the experience. It's very easy to use and only takes a matter of minutes to become totally at home with it. The use of the two buttons below the displays are also very handy indeed. I currently have my right button set Nav1 OBS. By pressing the button I can dial in the heading for the ILS I am about to intercept, and not have to worry about it nearer the time. If you are an FS2002 ATC user, these buttons will prove very useful as well. They can be programmed to display/hide the ATC window, and make the various numbered selections that would normally have to be done via the keyboard.

Conclusion

With Flight Sims becoming ever more realistic, the environment that surrounds you is also a consideration that is being looked at more and more these days. Since the birth of the GF range the units have gone from strength to strength. The GF-166 is a unit that recreates the feeling of how a real world radio unit works. It gives you reality in the 3rd dimension and not from just the screen in front of your eyes. The software interface after this revamp is very easy to use, and makes the configuration a breeze. A very well done to GoFlight for yet again another superb product!

If you are planning to attend the AVSIM Conference & Exhibition at Lake Tahoe September 13 - 15, Doyle will be attending the show. If ever you have wanted to ask those burning questions, then the AVSIM Conference couldn't be a more suitable time!

GF-166 unit retails at $129.95. This includes software and a USB connecting cable. You can order the GF-166 and other GoFlight units from the AVSIM Store, GoFlight's exclusive distributor for North America; or you can shop for GoFlight products at many of your favorite online stores, specialty shops, and major retailers worldwide (see the GoFlight website for locations).