So, I've saved my pennies, now I'm going to buy Reality-XP GNS530 this weekend. But I've got some questions for any of you who know:1.) How useful is the apollo package (eg should I get the bundle)?2.) How difficult is it to alter panels to replace the original gps with the reality-xp one?Thanks in advance (jean-luc)!sg

The Reality Gauges are excellent!!1. I would buy both the Apollo and the Garmin .. you can use both in one aircraft if you want or use them separately .. they are compatible. Waiting on the Apollo for FS9.2. On the Reality site, there are many "user edits" for download which add the Garmin to most of the aircraft you would like ... If you have a little understanding of the panel.cfg it is very easy to add the Garmin gauges. If you use FS Panel Studio or similar .. it's a snapExcellent forum and techincal support.You CANNOT go wrong here. Be prepared, however, for a learning curve, both of the gauges require some learning activities, to say the least.

I can't tell you anything about the Apollo GL50, don't have it (yet, maybe after they release the FS2004 update).The 530XP is one of my favorite addons, and I have integrated it into a number of panels. I don't know if you have ever taken a look at a panel.cfg file, but the syntax is quite easy to understand.On panels that already contain a GPS of roughly the same size as the 530XP, you can simply replace it with the 530XP gauge. On other panels the job is a bit trickier, as you need to re-arrange the radio stack layout. One possibility is to replace the usual two NAV/COM units with the 530XP.If you are content with the 530XP in a popup-window, RealityXP's EZConfig can do the job automatically for you. There are also a number of modified panels available on RealityXP's homepage.VOlker :]

What are the advantages of the RealityXP 530XP over the default GPS device in FS9?

Hi,1.) I have purchased both and truely am equally happy with them. The Apollo package can be used either as a standalone package or in combination with the GNS530. One advantage over the GNS530 is the ability to import flightplans in FS format, and a somewhat easier integration in some panels (due to size of the GNS530). It really completes the Cardinal in FS9, for example:http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/dcforum/Us...7206625390c.jpghttp://www.flightsimnetwork.com/dcforum/Us...7a666771a39.jpgIt depends on how much variety you need or want. The attractive price of the bundled version allows to consider both.2.) To replace the default GPS is quite easy and requires only two steps of copying and pasting lines in notepad. If you don

I bought the "bundle" when the GNS530 was upgraded for FS9. I thought the Apollo package would be upgraded too. However, I see NO plans or intentions on their site to upgrade the Apollo package for FS9 as it was made exclusively for FS2K2. I could be wrong but again, there is nothing on their site stating the Apollo package will be upgraded for FS9. Be careful unless you're running FS2K2 too. The Apollo is great in FS2K2 though.Jim Young

Yes, you are wrong!Hi, no offense meant! The Apollo is in the process of being upgraded (see pic above). I

Hi, I have answered the same question by another potential user yesterday in the RXP forum, it

Thanks for the response, but that thread didn't quite have what I was looking for. Basically, I just want a short list of reasons why I should plunk down cash for the RealityXP GPS. I think your thread was addressing what you lose by replacing the default GPS with the RXP one. I want to know what you lose by not buying the RXP one in the first place.

Hi, you lose a bunch of realism...The default GPS doesn

Hum, yes I guess I've read this somewhere too, either in the Reality XP forums, the Reality XP press releases, the Avsim forum, the screenshots, the Reality XP newsletter, the ...WOW!!Several advantages to the bundle and/or Reality XP solutions. A few:1) the price for the most complete GPS simulations available to Flight Simulator.2) can retrofit any kind of aircraft thanks to the differences in sizes between the larger GNS530 and the slimmer Apollo3) fully supported4) perpetual enhancements to the solutions to protect the customer investment5) no "gaming" rendition of a GPS: with both the 530XP and the Apollo, you get the real stuff.and many more! You may consider the Reality XP forum here to ask questions to Reality XP's customers:http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_topics.asp?FID=12to answer the same question:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...&mesg_id=135354Also, there are some more information here:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...&mesg_id=140952Hope this helps!

If you are short on cash you should perhaps skip the Apollo. It is an extremely nice suite, but the Garmin is the one I would like to own if I had a plane in real life, and it is the one I have most fun using in the sim.If on the other hand money is no object you should go for the bundle. It won't be money wated. I use the Apollo in the simpler aircraft that wouldn't have a 530 in real life. It also has some extremely useful functions for transferring frequencies from the GPS to the radios that makes radio tuning a breeze. The GPS map is a joke compared to the Garmin, but is probably closer to what an amateur pilot would encounter in real life.- Oyvind

Thanks for the answer. It was very helpful. I'll have to check out the manuals.

The GNS530 (see you last question) cannot IMPORT a FS9 flightplan, it is only able to EXPORT a plan to FS9 (and thus e.g. the FLA GL50). I am thinking about RealityXP too. but does this mean if I make a plan in fs9 with the flight planner I can't use it with the GNS530?This doesn

Thanks all - I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions come monday!sg