I have read a lot of good things about the Reality GNS 530 and am condidering purchasing it. My question is, how touchy are the knob click spots. I really get frustrated trying to find the right spot on the knobs on other GPS displays. Some aren't too bad but others are an exercise in patience and continual clicking to hit the right spot.

Help me decide. Thanks

 

Jim

They work well - to use you just mouse over and roll the scroll wheel.... but be aware that customer support is virtually nonexistent.

 

I own five products and had some serious issues, and never heard from them even after trying to reach them multiple times. Caveat Emptor.

They work well - to use you just mouse over and roll the scroll wheel.... but be aware that customer support is virtually nonexistent.

 

Totally agree. No worries about knobs. I sorta wish other companies would do something similar. I've started to get CTDs when switching aircraft after flights since I installed it but that could be just my system. Not a huge deal to me since I'm not in flight when it happens.

 

Gregg

True the developer isn't really active in the forum but there are a lot of experienced users there that usually know most of the answers.

 

Don't let that stop you from buying it

 

Lee

 

 

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Knobs are actually easier to work with than any other GPS I've noticed....so that's not a problem.

 

However, keep in mind that the RXP 530 WAAS is sold with an old and outdated database from 2007. This becomes an issue only if you are buying the unit in order to use it for WAAS LPV approaches. Why?...well, since WAAS LPV approaches are still quite new in the real world, there were not too many available back in 2007 which means the RXP unit (since it uses a real world 2007 waas databse) doesnt have too many included.

 

Theorettically you cannot update it, although if you dig around youll find a way to manually update it to 2009 and even 2011...but it requires installing additional training applications and moving some files around.

 

In my opinion a $50 gauge that promotes its WAAS capabilities as a huge selling point should at least be sold with up to date WAAS LPV data as it's added in the real world so that way you'd have a better chance at getting to use this feature at your local FSX airports or where you do most of your flying. As of 2012 I think there are probably around 2,000 or so WAAS approaches worldwide...but back in 2007 there were much less of course.

 

Another issue is that once/if you figure out how to update it to 2011 then you may have to deal with some of the approaches not being properly aligned with the runways in FSX, but that's another can of worms.

 

The gauge is nice but it's over priced for what you really are getting in terms of it's database...unless you are a real world pilot and can keep it updated via your real world Jepp subscription.

unless you are a real world pilot and can keep it updated via your real world Jepp subscription.

I think Ryan asked the same lately and the answer from Garmin was that it's not possible to update the trainer soft with any rw things. Means even if you had some Jeppesen subscription or whatever, there is no way.

Well, the thread left a bit of a :unsure2: mood for me. Open question on how to get past that current mid 2011 state and no rw+sim flyer jumping in explaining how they actually do that.

 

As for the gauges itself, they are nice. On the support. Well, what the others have said. Either the other users help you (which they do) or you can try reaching out to the company. Stressing the word try as I didn't succeed on the things the users can't fix. There are quite some threads in the RXP forums reporting unanswered tickets. Just saying.

 

However, the stuff is sold via the F1 system, so you can test them for 30 days and then ask for a refund if you are not happy. The added GPS detail alone is worth a thought, but Dave's points on the nav data are valid in my eyes. Judge their weight by yourself.

Bought it a few weeks ago. Love it. So real!!! I like the Terrain few a lot for my low and slow flights. And the WAAS option is great too. BTW About what hangar said: there are more RNAV approaches then just LPV... (V/LNAV, LNAV+V, LNAV). But anyway, I did update my database to 2011: it was very easy to do. I have been thinking about buying this GNS for years and years and I now regret I didn't get it sooner.

 

Take note that you can't import FSX flightplans: a lot of people who don't own the addon don't seem to know this.

 

And yes, knobs are no problem at all. You see rather big icons when you can do something and it's impossible to miss a function.

Hey guys, is it necessary to uninstall the default GPS before installation?

But anyway, I did update my database to 2011: it was very easy to do.

 

Can you elaborate on how you did this?

 

Hey guys, is it necessary to uninstall the default GPS before installation?

 

No, you don't have to - I didn't even know you could!

Can you elaborate on how you did this?

 

See this thread for more info. http://www.simforums...39731.html The second post from "LERS" has the details. Works great.

 

Another issue is that once/if you figure out how to update it to 2011 then you may have to deal with some of the approaches not being properly aligned with the runways in FSX, but that's another can of worms.

 

Of course, but that's an issue with any navdata update, not unique to RXP. I've been using the 2011 data since last fall and the pluses far outweigh the minuses.

 

The gauge is nice but it's over priced for what you really are getting in terms of it's database...unless you are a real world pilot and can keep it updated via your real world Jepp subscription.

 

Value is in the eye of the user. I have various combinations of the 530 and 430 in 9 different aircraft and wouldn't be without them. Amortized over those aircraft and the hours I've flown with them I think they're a bargain. Would I like them to be a) cheaper, B) have update-able data, c) more direct support? Sure, and those are all things to be aware of, but I still highly recommend them for anyone who flys GA IFR. They're fully functional Garmin trainers integrated into FSX, mine work flawlessly (after some initial teething pains mostly due to my inexperience when I first got them), and the community does a good job of "support" filling in where the vendor falls down a bit. I love mine and highly recommend them to a knowledgeable buyer who understands the caveats.

 

Scott

Hey guys, is it necessary to uninstall the default GPS before installation?

 

As turner112 already said: no. I don't even think you can uninstall the default GPS...? I have even added the default GPS to my Legacy that uses the GNS as a 'backup device' to load my flightplans in. :wink: Works like a charm.

 

but I still highly recommend them for anyone who flys GA IFR.

 

Or VFR...! The Terrain page is great for flying low through valleys. :wink:

 

BTW So far I only used the GNS530 in my Legacy (for which I bought it) and installing was just a one click job. Incredible easy. However, most planes don't have that kind of great support for the GNS and then it may become a bit more complicated to add the GNS to the panel.

 

See this thread for more info. http://www.simforums...39731.html��The second post from "LERS" has the details. Works great.

 

That's the link indeed. BTW After getting the database out of the program, I uninstalled the entire trainer because you don't need it anymore. Just make sure you backup the bins for future use. It's just 12.8 Mb (EDIT O wait, I forgot about the Terrain.bin, which is another 4 Mb). Unfortunately the installer is a whopping 1 Gb or something like that...! Another reason why I uninstalled that trainer and even deleted the downloadedfile. The bins are all I need.

Thanks fellas...

Good info here. Thanks for your inputs.

Another question. Will this install in most planes or is it restricted to a few. I have quite a few addons that I would like to install it in.

 

Jim

As a popup, it works in any plane, even the MD-11, lol. In the VC, you need a spot to place it where no 3D model interferes. For those planes which don't come with a pre-set config, it may take a few minutes to tweak and fiddle, but some users like Bert may already have posted this or that config to just copy and fly. :smile:

 

Do you have any particular plane in mind which you would like to run with the RXP?

I've retrofitted all my darlings, so perhaps I can tell (from memory) about the success or difficulties when it comes to the VC integration.

 

Some autopilots may not accept external steering commands from addon gauges, but those are very few.

Will this install in most planes or is it restricted to a few. I have quite a few addons that I would like to install it in.

 

Not too long ago, there was a thread which listed every plane which directly supported RXP integration - "directly" meaning there was some level of aid to automated integration. If I can find the link...

 

All of Carenado's planes since the 210 have integration (except, of course, the new 1000-equipped 182), RealAir's Dukes and Lancair Legacy have terrific support, and the Milviz B55 also integrates. Older planes with 2D panels can usually be retrofitted with a bit of panel know-how, it's the 3D panels that can be dicey if the vendor doesn't directly support integration. As CoolP notes, you can use it as a popup (not panel integrated) in just about anything. That's how I use it in my V35B, as I don't want to turn off the 3D knobs.

 

Scott