Using FSX I have a payware plane without a Nav/Gps switch. This is due to the "Design is true to real thing" that was designed prior to GPS being invented, yet sold for a FSX aircraft. This plane only has VC panels. I have managed to get the standard Garmin 500 to pop up on top of the VC and added two Simicons on the face of the Garmin - one for GPS, one for Map. I can use SHIFT+F2 to pop up the gps and click on the simicon to hide it or switch to the default Map.So the question is - how can I add something to the face of the pop up Garmin500 that will function as a Nav/Gps switch? I tried just adding an additional gauge**=cessna 208 nav to gps switch with no success. Or anything to makes the gps active to feed the autopilot. Also tried the default C-172 push button Nav/Gps switch/annunicator with no success.The SF-260 has a few switches that one could possibly be reassigned as a Nav/Gps switch but that is way above my head. Like a beacon or strobe light switch. Not the best solution , but an idea. The designers are not interested at all in solving the problem. Their comment is if the SF-260 had a nav/gps switch it wouldn't be "true to form" of the original real plane. The fact they changed the panel dramatically for a fsx version to make the pilot seat the left seat rather than the european right seat version is somehow lost on them. Simple things like changing all the locations of the primary flight insturments are ok but yet they can't add a simple functional switch. Duh. This plane does not have any 2d panels. Up to date thinking but they just forgot about the gps.The SF-260 for FSX is marketed by RealAir Simulations. The plane flys OK but it not much fun after performing a few loops and rolls and then not being able to find your home airport witout cranking up the old VOR.Any ideas? I posted this about 10 days ago on the Flight1 boards where I purchased it, but, only a couple of nibbles and no help. Thanks.

If you can add the gps in a popup window, then you should be able to add the default C172 nav/gps switch to another popup window quite easily.Or, you could un-cab the fs9gps.cab file and add a hidden mouse point to the upper left corner of the G500 bezel.

If you can add the gps in a popup window, then you should be able to add the default C172 nav/gps switch to another popup window quite easily.Or, you could un-cab the fs9gps.cab file and add a hidden mouse point to the upper left corner of the G500 bezel.

Would you show me how to un-cab the fs9gps.cab file and add the hidden mouse point? That would be a lot better than bringing up a second window. Thanks for the quick response.

Would you show me how to un-cab the fs9gps.cab file and add the hidden mouse point? That would be a lot better than bringing up a second window. Thanks for the quick response.

1. ..\Gauges\fs9gps.cab2. Right-click on fs9gps.cab and select "Extract to fs9gps\" from the menu3. ..\Gauges\fs9gps\gps_500.xml4. Open gps_500.xml in notepad.exe5. Add the following immediately after the <Mouse Name="MouseRoutines"> tag:

<Mouse Name="MouseRoutines">	<Area Name="NAV_GPS" Left="0" Top="0" Width="30" Height="30">	  <Help ID="HELPID_GAUGE_NAV_GPS_SWITCH"/>	  <Cursor Type="Hand"/>	  <Click Event="TOGGLE_GPS_DRIVES_NAV1"/>	</Area>

This will place a hidden mouse spot on the top left corner of the G500 frame. You will see a Tooltip and a "Hand" appear when you move your mouse over the area.While you've got the file open, you might also wish to add the <TerrainShadow> and <Traffic> options:FS9/FSX GPS: Adding Terrain Shadowing http://forums.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?t=202117FSX GPS500: Adding Traffic Display http://forums.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?t=202121

Wonderful Bill, but I need a little hand holding to complete. I extracted the gps_500.xml file from the ../gauges/fs9gps.cab file and opened with notepad and inserted (copy and paste) your new hotspot text. Saved the xml file. Now I can't figure out how to get the revised gps_500.xml back into the the fs9gps.cabCopy and paste doesn't seem to work.Ray

Wonderful Bill, but I need a little hand holding to complete. I extracted the gps_500.xml file from the ../gauges/fs9gps.cab file and opened with notepad and inserted (copy and paste) your new hotspot text. Saved the xml file. Now I can't figure out how to get the revised gps_500.xml back into the the fs9gps.cabCopy and paste doesn't seem to work.Ray

You don't need to recab it. Just leave it in the ..\fs9gps folder.

You don't need to recab it. Just leave it in the ..\fs9gps folder.

But, its not in a fs9gps folder, it is in the ..gauges/ folder. In step 2 above, when I right click on the fs9gps.cab file, I do not have a choice to "Extract to fs9gps". If I double click on the cab file then I can see the individual files, mostly bmps, but two xmls. When I choose Extract I can follow the explorer paths as far as the ..gauges folder but no further, or create a new folder for the Extract. I chose a new folder and modified the xml file there and saved it. Then, I tried to move it back and replace the xml file in the fs9gps but I am unable to do this.I apoligize, but you are working with a real novice here. Thanks.

But, its not in a fs9gps folder, it is in the ..gauges/ folder. In step 2 above, when I right click on the fs9gps.cab file, I do not have a choice to "Extract to fs9gps". If I double click on the cab file then I can see the individual files, mostly bmps, but two xmls. When I choose Extract I can follow the explorer paths as far as the ..gauges folder but no further, or create a new folder for the Extract. I chose a new folder and modified the xml file there and saved it. Then, I tried to move it back and replace the xml file in the fs9gps but I am unable to do this.I apoligize, but you are working with a real novice here. Thanks.

Download and install WinRAR so that you will be able to right-click and "un-CAB" the file to a folder.http://www.win-rar.com/download.htmlYou can't simply replace the edited .xml file into a .CAB file. You must "extract" the entire contents. Trust me, explaining how to "re-CAB" the folder is rather involved, and really quite unnecessary... ;)

OK, I installed the win-rar, right clicked, followed your directions explicitly, added the hot spot text, also made the terrain shadowing fix. Saved it, rebooted, brought up the SF-260 and Voila. I now have a tiny hotspot just to the left of the Garmin name and IT WORKS - Not that I ever doubted it would.Bill, you are a true genius, no, Super Genius and I am extremely greatful for your efforts. I will now enjoy flying the SF-260 knowing I can find my way home without a chart.I just read last night that you are behind the Epic LT avionics. That new v1.8 AP sounds like a state of the FS art piece of work. Did you do that too?Thanks again, and have a great weekend. I know I will now.Ray

I just read last night that you are behind the Epic LT avionics. That new v1.8 AP sounds like a state of the FS art piece of work. Did you do that too?Thanks again, and have a great weekend. I know I will now.Ray

No problem! I'm delighted to share a bit of help to a fellow simmer. I didn't have any direct input into the v1.8 AP aside from answering an occasional question, which may or may not have anything to do with it... :( :( :(