Would any of you "Golden" boys (and girls) please offer some info as to how well modeled the MS versions of the Garmin GPS 500 and GPSMAP 295 are compared to their real world counterparts? Are the manuals that can be had at garmin's web site applicable (in broad terms) to the operation of these units in FS2k4?Thanks!sg

Hi SgI cant really comment as to their likeness to the real thing, but they are pretty good! Within the sim, there is quite a large section discribing in detail thier operation. They work in conjuction with the Flight Planner to load a flightplan. I dont know if you have been using the Sim Systems Garmin 430 and 530, but if you have been, then the 295 and 500 depicted in FS2004 are a small step backwards. I have the 530 loaded into my Fs2004, and find it far better. Now, having said that, its a personal preference of mine, and not be-littling the built in 500. Might want to pop over the Garmin 430/530 forum and see a few posts that have appeared there.http://forums.avsim.com/dcboard.php?az=set...d=42&mesg_id=42http://www.vfr-flightcenter.com/avsim_sig.jpg

I am not a Golden Boy.Nevertheless, the Garmin 500 and 295 are not only modeled wonderfully, the tutorial for using them is the best yet. In fact, it may make FSNavigator (which I bought) less necessary for me.Buy FS9 you will like it. Of course this is all just a guess. . . .

Preordered at amazon to help PAI... Can't wait! I downloaded Garmin's PDF manuals. Wondering how complete the sim is in comparison to the real things. Thanks for the tips!

Some additional details in:http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/re...-4/fs2004-4.htm

No permission for that link...