Probably lost in the 'restore'. I remember it was at a 4shared.com site and is the 6 MB bin file. You should be able to find it with a forum search.

 

Ray

 

Found it, thanks. But sadly it's only an American database. Nothing for the rest of the world. oh well.

I just saw that Ray tries to reinstate the older thread. Good effort! Well, I think I wrote the following.

 

The mem files at own docs\rxpGnsSim\Nonvol seem to store the preferences and also the flight plans the user has put in. Try it, if you remove them, the gauges revert to the initial (empty fp) state.

 

Since the GPS units allow for some 20 plans (one active) to get stored, one can edit the mem files and put in whatever he wants. FSX plans or just native Garmin ones he had in use some weeks ago. The syntax is unknown to me, but there surely is one. Coder stuff. :smile:

 

Tricky thing is that the gauge does not support this while running. So one would have to kill the trainer.exe, edit the mem files and start the trainer again. By this, your GPS gauge in the sim will reboot, so to speak.

 

There's another limitation in place. The waypoints a flight plan can contain are limited. So the long routes with plenty of enroute waypoints and a detailed SID and STAR may be able to trigger a 'FPL is full - remove unnecessary waypoints' message. One may not see this very often though as I guess most will stick to shorter routes or divide them into segments. However, I had this when running my nice P-180 on some long-ish things. The limit are 31 waypoints. http://www8.garmin.c...ns530/spec.html

 

Another limitation may arise if the FSX route contains waypoint names which aren't featured in the Garmin data base. But since all waypoints can be referenced by their coordinates, a clever conversion tool could create user waypoints like USER001 with the proper coordinates. So the flight plan would still show a proper routing, just not the same names.

 

The limit for the amount of user waypoints is 1000 and the mem files should contain those.

 

I'm adding that I could also live with a nice 'keyboard mode' entry tool. You know, converting the key presses into those darn mouse wheel movements. By this, entering a five letter waypoint would be fast. A rw unit offers a haptic feedback while we are looking for the right spot and then turn the mousewheel. Hmpf.

 

Ok, we totally need this. :Big Grin: Skip to 02:00 if you like. Note how the system converts airways to the waypoints for the GNS. The GNS itself does not feature airway entries.

Doing this with RXP Garmins is a major hassle.

 

So how do the standard issue FS9, FSX, Carenado, etc. GPS iterations work out for you in this regard?

Thanks CoolP. Many of the things you mention are no longer limited or when desired in now available in the G1000 (real world) and partially in the Flight1 sim version. The keyboard is a real time saver and is habit forming for sure. Do you have the Flight1 Cessna Mustang add on?

 

All this talk about real world vs sim in so one-sided. Take a look at the FMS for any of the really good add on and you will find a hot spot or click spot to enable keyboard entry for the FMS.

 

I can certainly see where the conflict would arise if the database between the two have too many variations but I think it would be mostly intersections and we can live with a few less or correct them in the GNS just like we correct the FMS routing on practically every long route.

 

For Geofa,

 

Got to remember the STARS are not really for the pilots benefit, they are for reduced workload for ATC and to keep the chatter down on the busy frequencies. You probably don't get many holds because you probably take the clearance seriously and are at your checkpoints on time and on altitude.

 

What came out of the training was only input the SD and sometimes a destination Runway if you like because you may get it if you have asked for it if it is a toss up. They recommended only adding the STAR when it is given and if you actually need to. Many times you end up flying an abbreviated STAR of sorts anyway. Lots of directs if it aids the traffic flow.

 

 

Gear Up and Off,

 

That is still a lot of new data. Maybe one of our foreign (non Americas) friends will post Europe/Asia/Africa one day soon.

 

Ray

 

 

 

So how do the standard issue FS9, FSX, Carenado, etc. GPS iterations work out for you in this regard?

 

They work fine for bringing in the default flight plans and flying routes. The largest drawback in the total absence of WAAS capabilities and LPV approaches. Not to mention the lack of updated nav data for 6 or 7 years or so. Most of the Carenado units, and I think I have them all, have a sort of squeezed or reduced size font that I don't care for but can zoom up on a second monitor so I can read it.

 

My favorite is the 530W look alike. I only fly in FSX and have written several reviews for the Carenado add ons for Avsim.

 

Ray

 

CoolP

 

That voice recognition system is slick. I want one. It sure makes it a simple procedure.

 

Ray

 

Here is the needed keypad for data entry.

Yes, I think that extra keypad also saves a few minutes for the rw G1000 users. The Mustang has it while the C182 needs the dials. But since both can import FSX plans, it's no issue of course. Nice planes by the way.

 

Well, the RXP units really shine on the feature set. Just like the real thing, thanks to that Garmin trainer 'hack'. Every other sim gauge comes with somehow reduced features. On the Flight1 renditions, VNAV and airway entries come to my mind.

 

But, back on topic, what do we have now? We can dial in the waypoints with the mousewheel, right? So I guess you have a point, Ray. An import feature of some kind, and may it be a workaround, would be nice. I've got used to dialling, but this doesn't make me like it. ^_^

 

Well, we could also wish for a nice sim rendition of the latest Garmin GTN units. They feature about everything. :wub:

Yes, I think that extra keypad also saves a few minutes for the rw G1000 users. The Mustang has it while the C182 needs the dials. But since both can import FSX plans, it's no issue of course. Nice planes by the way.

 

Well, the RXP units really shine on the feature set. Just like the real thing, thanks to that Garmin trainer 'hack'. Every other sim gauge comes with somehow reduced features. On the Flight1 renditions, VNAV and airway entries come to my mind.

 

But, back on topic, what do we have now? We can dial in the waypoints with the mousewheel, right? So I guess you have a point, Ray. An import feature of some kind, and may it be a workaround, would be nice. I've got used to dialling, but this doesn't make me like it. ^_^

 

Well, we could also wish for a nice sim rendition of the latest Garmin GTN units. They feature about everything. :wub:

 

The new hopped up Corvalis 400tt has a hybrid system but the basic one is the Garmin 2000 that adds a lot of touch screen capability. The iPad with touch should be useful for whomever comes up the the next big Garmin sim add on.

 

I have 3 or 4 reviews in the queue of addons using the iPad and iPhone. Some are super slick and quite handy.

 

Ray

As I mentioned earlier in the lost thread, I'm not against the idea, it's just way down my list of things I'd like to have and I honestly doubt I'd use an enhancement like this because - see below:

 

Ray, you mention the WAAS approaches as about the only reason you stick with the 430/530 and I'm a bit surprised. I love that ability as well, but the major benefit to me is that they work as close to the real things as you can possibly get. What that means is that if/when I step into a plane equipped with one I WON'T be one of those pilots who only uses "Direct To", because I know how to make the unit work for me in a variety of flying scenarios and with a minimum of required attention. And yes, part of that is being intimately familiar with how to work those dials to make quick changes while still maintaining good focus on the primary job of flying the plane. After almost a year and a half with them, I can put in a fairly complex flight plan in very little time - it's almost second nature, which is what I want. About the only thing that would make it better for me would be to add one of the hardware devices - something I'm about that close to doing.

 

The default units look a bit like the real ones, but they work nothing like them. These are the real deal. WAAS PLUS a true in-sim trainer, rather than just a generic "GPS" unit.

 

Scott

Scott-exactly. I never had a Garmin ( kln94 for me) but I knew more about its operation and how to use it than my friend did who had one-and he chose to direct to most of the time because when you are a weekend flyer you just don't get that much practice using it.

and there were several times in flight where he pushed a wrong button or got on an unexpected page and had to abandon it and go back to a vor. Button twiddling while flying is a very hard skill-especially in busy airspace and I thanked my lucky stars when reality xp came out with their product-and though not a kiln similar enough that it helped me there. I still remember flying into busy New York airspace with the dreaded "amended clearance" every 2 minutes or so, my copilot just getting all the data dialed in, and then a new clearance requiring all the dialing again-and thinking if I hadn't had a copilot on that flight it would have been rather overwhelming and the other pilot on the freq getting a tongue lashing from act could be me. It is very tedious on fs due to the mouse stuff but with a hardware interface that can be quite inexpensive (see the other thread about that) one can have complete reality.

 

Ray-in my 21 years of ifr flying I had at most 8-9 stars-none of which were ever flown as vectors were given before the first waypoint.

 

I can count on 3 fingers the assigned SIDS-and only had to fly one once ( from Long Beach).So unexpected to do so it completely escaped both me and my copilots mind that ite Sid was in the kln94 database-did it all by vor and manual entry.Maybe if I had had a kln94 sim as excellent as the reality xp that would not have happened! Sid/stars/holds m ay happen in the commercial airliner world but in the Ga world just never saw them.

Scott-exactly. I never had a Garmin ( kln94 for me) but I knew more about its operation and how to use it than my friend did who had one-and he chose to direct to most of the time because when you are a weekend flyer you just don't get that much practice using it.

and there were several times in flight where he pushed a wrong button or got on an unexpected page and had to abandon it and go back to a vor. Button twiddling while flying is a very hard skill-especially in busy airspace and I thanked my lucky stars when reality xp came out with their product-and though not a kiln similar enough that it helped me there. I still remember flying into busy New York airspace with the dreaded "amended clearance" every 2 minutes or so, my copilot just getting all the data dialed in, and then a new clearance requiring all the dialing again-and thinking if I hadn't had a copilot on that flight it would have been rather overwhelming and the other pilot on the freq getting a tongue lashing from act could be me. It is very tedious on fs due to the mouse stuff but with a hardware interface that can be quite inexpensive (see the other thread about that) one can have complete reality.

 

Ray-in my 21 years of ifr flying I had at most 8-9 stars-none of which were ever flown as vectors were given before the first waypoint.

 

I can count on 3 fingers the assigned SIDS-and only had to fly one once ( from Long Beach).So unexpected to do so it completely escaped both me and my copilots mind that ite Sid was in the kln94 database-did it all by vor and manual entry.Maybe if I had had a kln94 sim as excellent as the reality xp that would not have happened! Sid/stars/holds m ay happen in the commercial airliner world but in the Ga world just never saw them.

 

 

I did most of my flying in Florida and the close by islands. When I went 'up North' usually flying a twin commander loaded with lawyer wives and kids it seemed to always be bad weather and I feel lucky I actually didn't plow into a mountain or another airplane wandering around the crowded skies.

 

I'm that guy they were forever asking if I were experiencing navigational difficulties. It sounds like a joke you have probably heard a dozen times but it really did happen to me in Washington Center when they usually vectored me to fly from one thunderhead to the next or if they could they seemed keep me in the middle of the squall line. This was before we had onboard radar or real GPS. I think we had Loran or whatever the point to point thingy was called, I can't remember for the life of me. It was made by Trimble or something close to that name.

 

Anyway, after admitting I am having difficulty maintaining a heading within a degree or two, I was directed to correct my heading 2 degrees. I asked Left or Right. Really pis##ed them off. Then correct heading 2 degrees right comes back. I tell them that is a needle width and the needle is bouncing around so much I don't think I can comply with last. Short pause. Roger, immediately correct 15 degree to your right and just as I am coming up on the new heading, I get the almost expected Now, correct 13 degree to you left. You just want to say bullhockey but bite your tongue and keep your license.

 

Miami Center was almost like non-controlled airspace compared to those guys in Washington and Boston. I really hated to fly up there.

 

I don't think they had introduced SIDS and STARs back then. I do remember changing out about a million pages of updates to approach plates that I never ever used. I think Jeppesen changed something every month just to keep the the printers and mailman employed.

 

Ray

As I mentioned earlier in the lost thread, I'm not against the idea, it's just way down my list of things I'd like to have and I honestly doubt I'd use an enhancement like this because - see below:

 

Ray, you mention the WAAS approaches as about the only reason you stick with the 430/530 and I'm a bit surprised. I love that ability as well, but the major benefit to me is that they work as close to the real things as you can possibly get. What that means is that if/when I step into a plane equipped with one I WON'T be one of those pilots who only uses "Direct To", because I know how to make the unit work for me in a variety of flying scenarios and with a minimum of required attention. And yes, part of that is being intimately familiar with how to work those dials to make quick changes while still maintaining good focus on the primary job of flying the plane. After almost a year and a half with them, I can put in a fairly complex flight plan in very little time - it's almost second nature, which is what I want. About the only thing that would make it better for me would be to add one of the hardware devices - something I'm about that close to doing.

 

The default units look a bit like the real ones, but they work nothing like them. These are the real deal. WAAS PLUS a true in-sim trainer, rather than just a generic "GPS" unit.

 

Scott

 

 

 

Yep, nothing can replace confidence and experience. I wish I knew a lot more about the 430/530 but I keep thinking the minute I spend $50 bucks on a 6 year old out of print book to learn the thing or $100 for a CD or two then it will be immediately replaced by something intuitive. Of course, if it is intuitive then it won't have Garmin's name on it. If anything was designed by committee, it has to the the GNS series. Just one more knob with 26 alpha character and a second knob with 0 -9 would have made so much sense.

 

Ray

I agree about intuitive-I always felt if you need instructions it isn't well programmed. I never found the 430/530 intuitive but as you said it is already history. A twin commander-the plane of my dreams!

Did some of you try those new GTN units? One can download the trainer for free at Garmin's. What a blast! It's all in that box and the thing is really fast. You can also receive the satellite radio and weather data, handle the 'paper' charts and the whole interface just is well done.

 

They fit into the space the 430 and 530 gives you, but feature a touchscreen. So when entering things you have a full keyboard and some smart selection.

 

I know the 530s are installed on a lot of planes and they are still very good and fun to use, but those new units. Well, a huge step.

A twin commander-the plane of my dreams!

 

Geofa

 

 

 

This one. Best part was someone else was paying all the expenses and paying me to fly it. I think they call that the good old days.

Ray

 

Did some of you try those new GTN units? One can download the trainer for free at Garmin's. What a blast! It's all in that box and the thing is really fast. You can also receive the satellite radio and weather data, handle the 'paper' charts and the whole interface just is well done.

 

They fit into the space the 430 and 530 gives you, but feature a touchscreen. So when entering things you have a full keyboard and some smart selection.

 

I know the 530s are installed on a lot of planes and they are still very good and fun to use, but those new units. Well, a huge step.

 

Unfortunately for the old fogeys like me that is all for the next generation. Might as well be a tie fighter, I will never get close to one. Fuel, oil and insurance costs today are about what the total cost per hour was when I was flying the little ones.

 

Ray

I do remember changing out about a million pages of updates to approach plates that I never ever used. I think Jeppesen changed something every month just to keep the the printers and mailman employed.

 

Those were the days, eh? :-) I only maintained a regional subscription, but I still felt like updating my charts was almost a full time job. Woe to the pilot who didn't fly for a bit and got behind on the task.

 

Of course, if it is intuitive then it won't have Garmin's name on it. If anything was designed by committee, it has to the the GNS series. Just one more knob with 26 alpha character and a second knob with 0 -9 would have made so much sense.

 

Yeah, but like anything else, once you lock into Garmin's (admittedly sometimes perverse) logic, it all comes together and works pretty well.

 

 

 

I know the 530s are installed on a lot of planes and they are still very good and fun to use, but those new units. Well, a huge step.

 

The new touchscreen units look great and should be a huge step up in integration and useability, but the installed base of 430's and 530's won't be going away any time soon.

 

Still, as I think Ray alluded to earlier - imagine a version running in your VC panel, with an integrated interface to a modern touchscreen tablet.

 

Scott