As best I can tell from the documentation, you can link the standalone unit to FSX and go fly..

 

The Garmin Trainer will not do that.

 

Does it link into the autopilot? You'd still have the original VC I assume, or does it link into the VC like e.g. RXP does?

 

Will have to look at their page some time...

Does it link into the autopilot? You'd still have the original VC I assume, or does it link into the VC like e.g. RXP does?

 

Will have to look at their page some time...

It has an integrated Garmin autopilot

The Mindstar G1000 is the exact unit used in the RedBird simulator. For $50, it's a darn good purchase. Plus, Mindstar upgrades it constantly. In fact a new update was just released (just redownload the installer from their website). It integrates nicely with the default C172 and C182, and one license is good for FS9, FSX, P3Dv1 and v2.

 

Todd

Almost forgot, if you want to keep the Mindstar G1000 navdata current you have the option to purchase an annual subscription from RealNav for $40. It's not required, though.

 

Todd

First of all, I have tried neither the Flight1tech, nor the Mindstar version.

 

I do have the Flight1 C182T and Mustang installed, however, and am very impressed by the functionality.  The Flight1tech is the "professional version" in the Flight1 line.

The Flight1 units support WAAS approaches and have extensive flight planning capabilities, like the real unit.

 

A quick comparison of the screenshots will show that the Mindstar MFD shows the FSX map, whereas the Flight1 MFD is custom coded.. 

 

How the flight planning functions stack up, and whether the Mindstar units support WAAS approaches, I do not know.. but that might be worth looking into before purchase..

Thanks again, for all of the thoughts, my friends.  I feel better equipped to research and  choose!