I am thinking about getting the Reality XP GNS 530 WAAS XP

I am using the GNS430 and 530 on Windows 7 64-bit without any problems. FPS impact is very small, if any. In the past I've noticed a slight stuttering during turns when using both the 430 and the 530 in an aircraft, but this was a few updates ago, and I'm not sure if this problem exists any more (I use FPS Limiter now, so stuttering is a thing of the past). I've never had this stuttering when only one of the two were installed.Make sure you understand the limitations of the product before buying, I've seen some angry posts from users who clearly didn't. I.e. it is up to you to install it in the panel (unless you want to use it in the Realair Duke or the Lotus L-39 that are preconfigured for the RXP units), and integration with addon aircraft may not always work 100%. Do you have a specific aircraft in mind that you want to use with the GNS530?

Impact is minimal. It uses the Garmin trainer program which runs externally from FSX, therefore if need be, you can assign it to its own CPU core keeping it from your main FSX thread.Steve

Be very clear on one further point. This is not a true WAAS system. You still have to fly the descent manually, the (so called) WAAS will not fly it for you. This is because of limitations within FSX. FS-9 will be no different. Otherwise it is an excellent add-on. Don't leave home without it.

This is not a true WAAS system. You still have to fly the descent manually, the (so called) WAAS will not fly it for you.

Manually, but with vertical guidance on LPV and LNAV+V approaches.

Hm, no real WAAS... thanks for the information. I was thinking about using it at first with the default FSX 172 (because it's so easy on the fps), but I now realise that one doesn't have the kind of HSI I am used to, which makes following the GS tricky (for me).

Be very clear on one further point. This is not a true WAAS system. You still have to fly the descent manually, the (so called) WAAS will not fly it for you. This is because of limitations within FSX. FS-9 will be no different. Otherwise it is an excellent add-on. Don't leave home without it.

Maybe I am misunderstanding-but WAAS is a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, giving you even better position accuracy.The autopilot you have is what will make the difference of whether you fly the descent manually or not. WAAS does not fly it.One can have a WAAS enabled gps on their aircraft and no autopilot, and still fly WAAS approaches.

Your autopilot has to support WAAS as well... since a WAAS approach is not an ILS signal.

Your autopilot has to support WAAS as well... since a WAAS approach is not an ILS signal.

Er...? So that means you also have to buy an autopilot in order to use the GNS530 to the fullest...?

Er...? So that means you also have to buy an autopilot in order to use the GNS530 to the fullest...?

What it means is that the autopilot will not fly a LPV approach for you. You will have to hand-fly, or manage your descent using the V/S option of the autopilot.Think of it as an ILS approach where the autopilot can follow the localizer but not the glideslope. The glideslope needle is still there for you to follow.

Nope.However you appear to think that because the RXP gauge doesn't connect with the autopilot (you have to fly manually) that it's not true WAAS. WAAS isn't about the autopilot. They already have autopilots with full autoland that's every bit as accurate, perhaps moreso, as a WAAS guidance system.For an autopilot to follow a WAAS approach in vertical mode, the autopilot would have to recognize vertical navigation commands from the GPS. Most GA aircraft do not have such an autopilot.

Be very clear on one further point. This is not a true WAAS system. You still have to fly the descent manually, the (so called) WAAS will not fly it for you. This is because of limitations within FSX. FS-9 will be no different. Otherwise it is an excellent add-on. Don't leave home without it.

A minor correction if I may. The simulated WAAS is authentic in that there is vertical navigation component available.That is why a pilot can hand fly the vertical component.What is missing is an autopilot which can handle the vertical component much like it handles an ILS.To our knowledge no one has yet accomplished this in the sim environment. :(

While the things all of you say may be true, I stand by my original post. I remember following the RXP forum when the GNS WAAS units were first introduced some time ago. There were more than a few posts--some verging well into the anger category--when it was found that the WAAS did not couple to the auto pilot and it was necessary to hand fly the descent profiles for landing.

While the things all of you say may be true, I stand by my original post. I remember following the RXP forum when the GNS WAAS units were first introduced some time ago. There were more than a few posts--some verging well into the anger category--when it was found that the WAAS did not couple to the auto pilot and it was necessary to hand fly the descent profiles for landing.

Well, you can always ask ACES to provide a patch to FS that allows this to happen. Because it's the FS autopilot that is the limitation in this regard.So, if you want to be angry... direct it at the correct party(s).

So, if you want to be angry... direct it at the correct party(s).

I don't think Woodhick is being angry at all - merely pointing to a limitation. Maybe read the thread again, from the beginning.