Mindstar GPS

[jrhoads 6]

Neither of those aircraft are using default FS autopilot or default FS gauges for display. They can make it function 100% like the real deal in that case.

 

Actually, that is not correct. In those two named products we do indeed use the default FS Autopilot as the AP engine.

We do some thinking outside of the box to get things done, but the AP engine is the FSX AP.

 

Regards

 

Jim

[Bob Scott 7,721]

Ed Wilson (WarpD) has been in the FS world for a long time...I know he was doing gauge programming for Eaglesoft for a number of years.

 

Mindstar has been around for a few years too, with their G1000.

 

Can't say that a spiffy website is the mark of reliability or credibility--many old timers might remember the old Papa Tango website that served up pigs with lipstick to many an unsuspecting victim errrrr I mean customer...  And then Ernie Alston's FSBuild and IGS website is pretty spartan, but the software he sells and supports there is nothing if not reliable.

 

Regards

[JRBarrett 3,080]

It sounds like a pretty valid evaluation of this thing. The little bit of info that has been pulled out of this guy make it seem as though it has less functions than the default units. Does any of the mods or anyone else know anything about this guy or the company. I looked at their website and it seems pretty "flight by Night" to me. I am not sure I would want to chance putting their stuff on my computer at this point. Can't say I have seen a new product come at in this way before. Really kind of strange.

Mindstar is absolutely a legit company. Their software is used in the Redbird FAA-approved flight simulator, found at dozens of flight schools.

 

As for "that guy" (WarpD), he has been a developer of FS add-ons for many years. I believe he was one of the lead developers of the Eaglesoft Citation X, (among others)

[KingGhidorah 209]

The only reason why Milviz is able to drive the CDI and GSI needles in their aircraft is because the gauge logic and the model are set up to allow for this.

 

Some products are able to do so only because some developers don't feel bound to adhere to Microsoft's EULA prohibition about reverse-engineering. :blink:

 

 

If the Mindstar gauges are not able to drive the gs needle in FSX without some EULA violation, then is there a way that well known developers such as you and Ed, knowledgeable of what needs to be done, could work this issue with the developers of P3D, so that at some point in the future WAAS capability can be brought into play with these units?

[WarpD 824]

If it doesn't drive a Gsi/CDi gauge let alone a autopilot coupling, its basically a moving map and not a Nav device?. I have plenty of them.

It can't drive the vertical component for an LPV approach because the sim provides no method to input a vertical signal to drive the glideslope needle on a default FS nav instrument. Everthing else you concluded is incorrect.

 

It sounds like a pretty valid evaluation of this thing. The little bit of info that has been pulled out of this guy make it seem as though it has less functions than the default units. Does any of the mods or anyone else know anything about this guy or the company. I looked at their website and it seems pretty "flight by Night" to me. I am not sure I would want to chance putting their stuff on my computer at this point. Can't say I have seen a new product come at in this way before. Really kind of strange.

It is not even remotely accurate as an evaluation, actually. As for "pulling" info, I answer questions asked as best I can. This is not a new product. It's been in use for real world training for a few years now. While it does not have every single "bell and whistle" that the Garmin Trainer provides, it has everything you honestly need to learn to fly and as time goes on, it will continue to be enhanced. As for enhancements, we almost never charge for them but rather add them to the existing product at no additional charge (would depend on complexity and cost of development).

 

Actually, that is not correct. In those two named products we do indeed use the default FS Autopilot as the AP engine.

We do some thinking outside of the box to get things done, but the AP engine is the FSX AP.

The actual point was that your G1000 isn't a default FS display by any stretch and the fact you provide vertical guidance is because it's your own gauge and not a default FS Nav gauge. I probably should not have said autopilot... but, we all type things a bit quickly at times that make sense until later. :wink:

 

If the Mindstar gauges are not able to drive the gs needle in FSX without some EULA violation, then is there a way that well known developers such as you and Ed, knowledgeable of what needs to be done, could work this issue with the developers of P3D, so that at some point in the future WAAS capability can be brought into play with these units?

I absolutely intend to work with Lockheed-Martin for the ability to drive the glideslope needle from an external source. Lockheed-Martin is quite eager to provide as much flexibility in their sim platform as possible, so I suspect this might actually happen.

[shivers9 1,174]

 

 

Ed Wilson (WarpD) has been in the FS world for a long time...I know he was doing gauge programming for Eaglesoft for a number of years.

 

Oh yes OK Eaglesoft. I think you guys are missing my point. Here is a new product which we have no real date about. No help for those interested other than "read the Garmin Manual". This is run by a updateable data base that as far as I know is not used by anyone else and no background info on that. I buy lots of stuff but this just is a lot different. I am sure based on your replies above that it is legit. Just sounds a lot like "You got to buy the product before we tell you what is in the product'. As a citizen of the US I have learned the hard way that that can bite you in the A__. :Peace:

[robert young 2,897]

Ok - I gladly accept that as an answer and retract my initial proposal if that's the case.

 

I was given the 6 months number by a aircraft addon developer for inclusion of the Reality XP gauges, that's why I was proposing that Mindstar do something to get this number down for their product. 

 

That might have been us, and yes it did take a long time. But that's because it was not a "6" day job (Bill !!!) of hacking a gauge into a 3d panel. It involved THOROUGH integration so that every aspect of the gauge, the knobs, the lighting, the surrounds, the style, and many other aspects were fully integrated visually, computationally, aesthetically, and in all other respects completely part of our Duke panel. We also had to do a lot of research about how the core gauge was designed and a great deal of coordination with RXP, who were not always quick to respond, on all sorts of tech stuff which we did not anticipate. (Ask Sean via email if you want the gory details!).

 

We then thoroughly tested over many weeks. We don't release stuff on a whim. These things have to be done carefully.

 

Rob - RealAir

[shivers9 1,174]

I absolutely intend to work with Lockheed-Martin for the ability to drive the glideslope needle from an external source. Lockheed-Martin is quite eager to provide as much flexibility in their sim platform as possible, so I suspect this might actually happen.

 

Ed you posted this while I was typing. This is great to hear and exactly the kind of thing I was looking for.

[Bob Scott 7,721]

Oh yes OK Eaglesoft. I think you guys are missing my point. Here is a new product which we have no real date about. No help for those interested other than "read the Garmin Manual". This is run by a updateable data base that as far as I know is not used by anyone else and no background info on that. I buy lots of stuff but this just is a lot different. I am sure based on your replies above that it is legit. Just sounds a lot like "You got to buy the product before we tell you what is in the product'. As a citizen of the US I have learned the hard way that that can bite you in the A__. :Peace:

 

I would agree that there's a dearth of info to go on for a buying decision right now, and that's a valid critique.  But the company and the programmer are known entities and do not belong in the "Johnny Come Lately" category.

 

And remember, if you like your Garmin, you can keep it.  Period.  :Liar:  

 

Cheers

[jimmy64 43]

So the unit will integrate into the A2A Cessna C172. Functions like a plain GNS 430. Has lateral WAAS guidance and vertical is being worked on. The unit has been used as a training device. Lockheed Martin is amenable. The developers are respectable and present. They have mentioned that upgraded features have been offered at no cost in the past. I'm gonna' give'm $49.

[tttocs 301]

 

 

I absolutely intend to work with Lockheed-Martin for the ability to drive the glideslope needle from an external source. Lockheed-Martin is quite eager to provide as much flexibility in their sim platform as possible, so I suspect this might actually happen.

 

Ed, that's excellent news, as P3D is the platform I would potentially use this in.

 

Scott

[RWFeldman 159]

Why is this an FSX topic?

[jimmy64 43]

One big happy family!

[n4gix 4,947]

Why is this an FSX topic?

Well it is not, strictly speaking, as these are the only non-default GNS units that will work in P3Dv1.x and P3Dv2 at this point in time...

 

...and also work just fine in FSX/A

 

I've been giving them a "test drive" in the pre-configured C172. FPS impact is quite minimal. With both 530 and 430 on screen, I'm seeing a drop of about 5-8 FPS, from a solid 65 FPS...

[RWFeldman 159]

 

 

n P3Dv1.x and P3Dv2 at this point in time...

 

i ask because the vast majority of post relate to P3D. Perhaps a Commercial developers forum.