Hi everyone. I've been flying many GA aircraft recently and I enjoy most very much especially the Cessna 172. The only problem I have is with the steam gauge instrument panels. I like to use my GPS sometimes when I do IFR flight plans, or when selecting an approach, and other things, and it is very cumbersome to open the GPS, resize it all the time, move it around, and then have it take up space of your screen.Is it possible to add the Garmin GPS500 or even the GPS295 to the virtual cockpit? I want to be able to just look over my shoulder to see it, just like in real life. That way I can have an easy quick reference of my position, make the plane realistic, and other things...Thanks

Yes, just edit the [VCockpit01] section of the panel.cfg for that plane. I have the gps in the 737 VC.I replaced the line:gauge24=B737_800!eicas, 704,541,260,260withgauge24=fs9gps!gps_500, 704,541,260,260Use that line, fs9gps!gps_500 and replace a gauge you don't use.It's a lot easier using Panel Studio but you can replace any gauge using notepad, you just have to keep selecting the plane again from the menu bar in fsx every time you change something in order to see what happened.I also fixed the autobrake in the 737 VC so it now works, added a reverse thrust light and changed the flap indicator so it's now clickable instead of using the function keys and the flap lights light up but that's for another thread. ;o)

You can always add a gauge to the vc by making a popup.

Just to be absolutely clear, you can replace an existing gauge of the same approximate size and shape...In most cases though, you can NOT add any gauge where none exists already...

Can this work the same in FSX?

Just to be absolutely clear, you can replace an existing gauge of the same approximate size and shape...In most cases though, you can NOT add any gauge where none exists already...

Thanks! If only the Cessna 172 didn't have 3D knobs... :(

Can this work the same in FSX?

The screenshot was FSX

I have been looking for some kind of work around similar to this. I have a payware plane without a Nav/Gps switch. They say this is because the model is a true replica of the real thing. Only problem is the real thing was designed way before GPS came along and although this is a "made from scratch for FSX" plane you have to assign a keyboard entry to switch to the GPS. Like a need one key for one plane and can remember it!What I have managed to do so far is get the Garmin500 to pop up and I added two simicons to the corner of the GPS, GPS and Map. This way I have to use SHIFT+2 to get the GPS up the can click on the simicon to kill it or go to the Map. The plane have NO simicons either.What I need is a way to add a switch or something, maybe on the face of the popup to switch from Nav to GPS so I don't have to use up a Keyboard key and I won't have to remember that key.Any ideas? Oh, this plane only has VC panels. Thanks. Ray

I have been looking for some kind of work around similar to this. I have a payware plane without a Nav/Gps switch. They say this is because the model is a true replica of the real thing. Only problem is the real thing was designed way before GPS came along and although this is a "made from scratch for FSX" plane you have to assign a keyboard entry to switch to the GPS. Like a need one key for one plane and can remember it!What I have managed to do so far is get the Garmin500 to pop up and I added two simicons to the corner of the GPS, GPS and Map. This way I have to use SHIFT+2 to get the GPS up the can click on the simicon to kill it or go to the Map. The plane have NO simicons either.What I need is a way to add a switch or something, maybe on the face of the popup to switch from Nav to GPS so I don't have to use up a Keyboard key and I won't have to remember that key.Any ideas? Oh, this plane only has VC panels. Thanks. Ray

Try adding the Beech Baron switch: Beech_Baron!Nav GPS SwitchBTW.. what plane are you trying to add this to? Maybe someone has already done thisand can share their solution..

Try adding the Beech Baron switch: Beech_Baron!Nav GPS SwitchBTW.. what plane are you trying to add this to? Maybe someone has already done thisand can share their solution..

This is a payware plane and it is a VC panel. The gauges are not listed as is 2d panels, so I can't add one. I added the popup window for the Garmin500 then added two more lines for the simicons but a third line with a Beech baron, cessna 208, etc nav/gps switch doesn't work. I don't think is has a proper location either on the popup or the vc panel. But, I know the least about this of anyone. Thanks for the tip. It is the SF-260 for FSX from RealAir.

This is a payware plane and it is a VC panel. The gauges are not listed as is 2d panels, so I can't add one. I added the popup window for the Garmin500 then added two more lines for the simicons but a third line with a Beech baron, cessna 208, etc nav/gps switch doesn't work. I don't think is has a proper location either on the popup or the vc panel. But, I know the least about this of anyone. Thanks for the tip. It is the SF-260 for FSX from RealAir.

OK, this can be done... and if you are interested in learning how to do this for future panels, this is as good a place as any to start :( First of all, just like many VC designs, there is very little space where you can actually add/change anything.So, the simplest thing is to put your additional gauges in the GPS popup panel, as you are doing.The GPS popup window is defined as:[Window01]size_mm=234,336position=0BACKGROUND_COLOR=30,30,30VISIBLE=0ident=GPS_PANELgauge00=gps!gps,0,0,234,336Replace this with:[Window01]size_mm=456,400position=0BACKGROUND_COLOR=0,0,0VISIBLE=0ident=GPS_PANELgauge00=fs9gps!gps_500,0,0,456,378gauge01=Cessna!Nav_GPS_Annunciator, 0,379, 24, 21gauge02=Cessna!Nav GPS Switch, 25,379, 24, 21This is essentially copied from the Cessna 172, but with a lower border added where you can put your icons / switchesThe popup widow is 456 pixels wide and 400 pixels tall.The top 456,378 is taken up by the GPS, and the bottom 456, 22 is available for your use..The gauge01 as an example is located at 0,379 which are the x, y coordinates.The gauges size is 24,21 which is width and height.Let me know how this goes and if there are any questions!

Yes' date=' just edit the [VCockpit01'] section of the panel.cfg for that plane. I have the gps in the 737 VC.[iMAGE OMITTED]I replaced the line:gauge24=B737_800!eicas, 704,541,260,260withgauge24=fs9gps!gps_500, 704,541,260,260Use that line, fs9gps!gps_500 and replace a gauge you don't use.It's a lot easier using Panel Studio but you can replace any gauge using notepad, you just have to keep selecting the plane again from the menu bar in fsx every time you change something in order to see what happened.I also fixed the autobrake in the 737 VC so it now works, added a reverse thrust light and changed the flap indicator so it's now clickable instead of using the function keys and the flap lights light up but that's for another thread. ;o)

@ hardcore: This suggestion is simple but effective; thanks! Just one problem: I did exactly as you said in a similiar plane (an Airbus A340-400; GPS replaced the MFD), but my GPS buttons are not clickable. However, the GPS functions can be used via keybinds (e.g., unable to click map zoom out button, but able to press CTRL + 1 to zoom out on the GPS map). Is there a solution to this problem please?

If you graphics card has two outputs you could consider a 2nd monitor, I picked up a 15 inch lcd for £20, it works fine alongside my 22 inch widescreen, I just drag the gps across to it.

@ hardcore: This suggestion is simple but effective; thanks! Just one problem: I did exactly as you said in a similiar plane (an Airbus A340-400; GPS replaced the MFD), but my GPS buttons are not clickable. However, the GPS functions can be used via keybinds (e.g., unable to click map zoom out button, but able to press CTRL + 1 to zoom out on the GPS map). Is there a solution to this problem please?

When you replace a gauge in a VC, the 3d model defines where click spots are possibleand where not. So, if you cannot click the buttons, you are likely out of luck..

When you replace a gauge in a VC, the 3d model defines where click spots are possibleand where not. So, if you cannot click the buttons, you are likely out of luck..

@ Bert Pierke: Ah, I see. That makes sense. Well, as awkward as that is, you're right - there's not a lot I can do to rectify that. Many thanks for the speedy reply though, much appreciated!