I'm looking at purchasing a 3pd GPS to get some additional functionality for my planes. I've done some reading and am looking at either the RealityXP GNS530 or the FSD GLV2000. I'm leaning towards the FSD product as (1) I like how it looks and (2) it offers LNAV capability. I'm unclear if the GNS530 offers this as the only reference to the autopilot I can find says "automatically fly your aircraft through holding patterns, procedure turns and other position-critical IFR flight procedures".

 

Both claim to offer a utility that makes installing them in different planes easy and I'd also like some feedback on this as well as potential issues I could face with either. This is especially important to me as I do most of my flying in the VC so it must work there. The price difference between them is about US$30 and I'm wondering what I'd be gaining by going with the GNS530

Anyone have any real world info on either of the products?

GNS530W hands down... it will do almost everything the real one does.... including lnav.... as long as you mean A/P following gps waypoints...it will follow RNAV DP's and STAR's yes... also has vnav planning, terrain, dme readout.

 

From looking at the picture the GLV2000 is another re-skinned default GPS with some extra ammenities.

The Reality XP is build on top of the Garmin trainer software, so it behaves like the real world unit. It also has a more up to date nav database and can be updated.

GNS530W hands down... it will do almost everything the real one does.... including lnav.... as long as you mean A/P following gps waypoints... yes... also has vnav planning, terrain, dme readout.

 

Thanks for the reply. The VNAV I'm referring to actually flies the plane up and down based on values I put in for way points. The GLV2000 says it can do this. If I understand your reply, the GNS530 can help in planning the VPATH but it won't actually execute it.

You are right... the RXP will tell you fpm required and per your paramaters (cross 15 mi at xxxx etc) and you will just fly the descent with VS mode. This is how the real one works.

I am still having trouble with the RXP GPS. It ran beautifully for a long time until the 1.6 update. Now it crashes every time. I have been to their forum many times and the last time I checked they did not have a fix.

 

Ed Farley

I am still having trouble with the RXP GPS. It ran beautifully for a long time until the 1.6 update. Now it crashes every time. I have been to their forum many times and the last time I checked they did not have a fix.

 

Ed Farley

 

I don't know why are when stopped working... But I am in the same state. I thought it was due to my AVG software.

 

I am yet to install the Reality xp gps in my new win 7 system and it does not have AVG. So from your post, its dicouraging that I would have the same problem.

 

Manny

What happens when it crashes? When does it crash? (on aircraft load? flight load? during flight?) What type of crash? Do you get an error? Can you view detials? Is there a dll it complains about?

the GNS530 can help in planning the VPATH but it won't actually execute it.

 

You are right... the RXP will tell you fpm required and per your paramaters (cross 15 mi at xxxx etc) and you will just fly the descent with VS mode. This is how the real one works.

 

Er...??? I can fly LPV and L/VNAV approaches completely on AP (well, I obviously won't let it autoland :wink: ). LNAV+V and LNAV approaches need you to fly the glideslope manually (LNAV+V) or figure that out yourself (LNAV) but not LPV and V/LNAV: AP including GS all the way until I decide I need to take control. Just like the real thing.

Er...??? I can fly LPV and L/VNAV approaches completely on AP (well, I obviously won't let it autoland :wink: ). LNAV+V and LNAV approaches need you to fly the glideslope manually (LNAV+V) or figure that out yourself (LNAV) but not LPV and V/LNAV: AP including GS all the way until I decide I need to take control. Just like the real thing.

 

What he's asking about isn't precision approach control (which the Garmin, and thus the RXPs have), but FMS style VNAV - being able to include vertical control in enroute and approach segments (cross xxx at or above x,000'). As Ryan mentions, this the Garmin/RXP units only provide guidance on - you'll have to fly the profile the GPS suggests.

 

Scott