Of course the default G500 doesn't contain Nav/Com functions and wasn't implying that it does. Only made a quick observation as to the differences between the G500 and the RXP or any other GPS for FS9:-)There are of course many other differences but do not have the time to list them all.A quick look at the Garmin Trainers available free from Garmins site or a list of features at the RXP site should help novices to see ALL the differences.While we do not run Win 98SE we can say that the FS9 GPS is far from a piece #$^#$# that some may think it is.:-)In fact the FS9 G500 does what it was designed to do very well:-)

Josh, The default FS2004 GPS is a much simplified representation of a Garmin GNS500 GPS (obviously it takes positional reference from Satellites, that's what a GPS does).All IFR-aproved GPSs allow you to execute GPS approaches (which BTW are non-precision approaches for now, meaning, there's an MDA as opposed to a DH, or in other words, there's no Glide Slope reference).But I digress.Many functions of the real Garmin units were not written/programmed on the default FS2004 GPS to keep things simple. Starting with the Menu button which on the default FS2004 simply brings out a little window that says "no options", whereas on the real unit it brings a menu which allows you among other things, to configure individual preferences in many areas, including which information to display in many of the screens. Other example is the NAV screen, which the default FS2004 only has 2 views and the real unit has 4. Waipoint screen has 6 or 7 views and the real unit has 10, and so on.The Reality-XP product, on the other hand, is an accurate representation of a real Garmin GNS-530 (which include a Nav/Com that the 500 does not).Reality-XP does this by utilizing GARMIN's own 530 simulator software (which you can download for free from Garmin's website as the "Garmin Trainer") and "wrapping" their code around it somehow. There's a drawback to that : the Garmin Trainer is a 16 bit application that doesn't exactly behave very well under Windows-XP.I find it brings a certain level of instability and slow-behavior to my computer, hence, I do not own the Reality-XP products.I've used the Garmin simulator for YEARS now to keep my skills sharp on the utilization of the GNS530, that's why I know how this software behaves. I always use it just by itself and reboot afterwards.There is another company that competes with Reality-XP called Simflyer (www.simflyer.net) which ALSO has a realistic representation of the Garmin GNS-530 and many other products, and they wrote the code themselves all in 32 bits, which is potentially much better.I just don't know if they wrote 100% of the functions (that's a lot of programming!!!).Simflyer also simulates the Apollo MX-20 (now Garmin MX-20) MFD. They look like a better value to me. Cheers,Arnold

Hello Arnold,While you are technically correct that GPS approaches are defined as "non-precision" the GAMA III WAAS approaches that have come into certification for some time now have "decision heights" down to 250 ft. agl which is essentially as low as most ILS DH's.With respect to Reality XP, the DreamFleet Bonanza imbeds the RXP into the model (for no extra charge) and I have never experienced and "instability" or "slow behavior" nor do I think that DF would include that software if it was prone to do so.Your experience might well be system-related. Who knows??Regards,Jim

Hey Bob, (all in fun now)As an AOPA member (after I renew...lol) and real world PPL myself I have to tell you a story that was told to me by someone attending an annual AOPA conference (one of the KPSP conferences I think) years ago.A pilot asked a GPS vendor if these things really worked. The vendor told the pilot that if you get lost with one of the things then you're so lost you ain't never coming back and you need to land immediately and consider if you should really be flying at all.You remind me of that pilot.Now you can say just because Garmin is based here in the KC area, is why I should know about the functions of the Garmin, but I think everyone knows that most Garmin panel mount units also have tranceivers (Comms) in them.I think you may be jumping these posts a little to early sometimes.To the poster about the default GPS: When FS9 came out, it was actually not a bad unit. You have to realize that there has been a lot time in between then and when Reality launched their units.I haven't used Jean-Luc's new stuff yet, but I'm sure his and his crew's stuff is very good.I should call him tonight and tell him congrats on his new release. Well, it's little later where he's at, but maybe he'll read this and ring me on the phone tomm..As always, thanks for playing :-)

I have not had any noticeable performance issues, either with the A36 or the stand alone 530 I purchased. Everything runs very smoothly for me.Tony

Just to chip in here, it seems Simflyer is now offering a Garmin 480 GNS, opinions anyone?As an observation it seems to me that FSNavigator does all the things the Reality XP garmins do BUT and this is a big but not via a realistic interface. There is no such thing as an FSNavigator gauge you can install in your real life Cessna 172, Beech Baron or whatever. As others have observed in the Garmin forum if there was such a thing then Garmin would be out of business.So it depends on just how close to reality your want your virtual flying to be. The reality XP Garmins are said to be very close to the real thing but I found learning to use the one that came with the Dreamfleet A36 extremely frustrating - much harder to get to grips with than say the FMCs that come with the PMDG 737 or the LDS 767. The other big problem with the reality XP garmins is that nav the database is something like four years old and unlikely to be updated.Bruceb

Does the real unit have VNAV and waypoint hold capability?Shez

Not sure Shez, I would imagine that would also get into the actual autopilot and aircraft certification standards regardless of what the GPS can actually do. That's a little out of my area of knowledge. I don't think I've heard of small or even medium sized GA aircraft having VNAV capability.Send me an email would ya?

<>As has been noted, the Reality XP "manual" is essentially identical to the real world Garmin manual. I don't fly the big iron so I can't compare to anyones FMS but learning the numerous functions of any real world GPS is no picnic. As the accident data suggests, way too many RW pilots use their GPS devices essentially as "Direct to" boxes and have no idea how to really use the equipment.<>I could be missing something, but the FS9 database isn't updated either so isn't it correct for add-on nav applications to be essentially frozen in time too?Regards,Jim

>Does the real unit have VNAV and waypoint hold capability?>>ShezHi Shez, the real world 430 and 530 GPS units have a VNAV function where you can program a target altitude at or near a waypoint, and the unit will give you the climb or descent rate needed to reach that point.For example, I use it on VFR flights to be 1000 ft. AGL at 4 miles prior to my destination airport. On IFR flights, if I get a crossing restriction (e.g. cross XYZ waypoint at 8,000 feet), I program the unit to tell me the climb or descent rate needed to meet the crossing restriction.The waypoint hold capability requires you to hit 'OBS' to suspend waypoint sequencing, allowing you to hold at the waypoint. If given a holding pattern (e.g. hold on the 180 degree radial) that can be programmed in as well.The posters who have said the FS GPS is nice but not full-featured are exactly right. It's not a piece of < >, but neither is it a full simulation of the real thing.Mike

>yea, I have a AOPA membership, so what does that have to do>with calling the fs9 Garmin 500 a nonfunctional design?I would think that an Aopa member would strive to see more realism in simulation, not less. Michael J.WinXP-Home SP2,AMD64 3500+,Abit AV8,Radeon X800Pro,36GB Raptor,1GB PC3200,Audigy 2http://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/747400.jpg

I found learning to use the>one that came with the Dreamfleet A36 extremely frustrating ->much harder to get to grips with than say the FMCs that come>with the PMDG 737 or the LDS 767. Did you download the official Garmin manual? I've been flying nothing but the PMDG 737 for a year or so before I bought the DF Beech A36 last weekend. I also thought the Garmin was tough. But after reading the manual's Take Off part once, I was using the unit already as if I had it for a year or so... (Let me repeat: I bought it last weekend!) Once you get to grips with the basic controls (just knowing which knobs to turn to get where you want to) it's pretty easy to use. And though I know the PMDG 737 FMC by heart now, I can honestly say the Garmin 430 is easier that the FMC (a lot more user friendly IMHO). As I said, at first (before really reading the manual and just trying to find it out all by myself) I also thought the Garmin was way too difficult. But just give the manual a look (it's a VERY WELL written and clear manual) and you will be using the Garmin in no time! You really are missing something when you don't use it in the Beech A36!I'm reading the rest of the manual now (read about half of it) and it's very good: you can also easily find any info you need. I can hardly believe the simulated Garmin has all those functions too! And for that price... the A36, the Garmin 430, the Weather Radar, that beautifull HSI... all for less than 25 bucks! Amazing! But I'm getting off-topic now... ;)BTW I also got Active Camera at the same time with the A36 last weekend (I use it in the VC: it gives my nice preset views with smooth transitions), and I haven't had so much fun with FS in a LONG time! Don't know if that's due to the A36, the Garmin 430 or Active Camera, but together they are giving me the best FS experience I've ever had! Honestly!

>Hello Arnold,>While you are technically correct that GPS approaches are>defined as "non-precision" the GAMA III WAAS approaches that>have come into certification for some time now have "decision>heights" down to 250 ft. agl which is essentially as low as>most ILS DH's.>>With respect to Reality XP, the DreamFleet Bonanza imbeds the>RXP into the model (for no extra charge) and I have never>experienced and "instability" or "slow behavior" nor do I>think that DF would include that software if it was prone to>do so.>>Your experience might well be system-related. Who knows??>>Regards,>JimJim, Thanks for the feedback on the Reality XP, I may consider it more closely than.In regards to Precision GPS approaches, that's why I said "For Now". You are correct in the sense that last year (in September, if I'm not mistaken) they officially came out with the first LPV precision GPS approach. I was fortunate to watch a presentation by a Jeppesen employee working on these first few approaches in July of last year, shortly before the official start date, in which he explained some of the challenges and solutions they came accross, and then what these approaches are and how they will work. There are still only a handful of these LPV Precision GPS approaches, if you want to see what they look like, searh AIRNAV.COM for the Frederick, MD airport (KFDK), and take a look at the "RNAV (GPS) Z RWY 23".You won't find any of this functionality in the Garmin Trainer or any simulation product that I know of. It's way too new.

Thanks for the replies. Jeff, email about?Shez

Yes of course I've waded through the Garmin manual; you can't pass go without doing this and if you persevere you can come to grips with the Garmin's arcane interface. I guess it is a legacy of being a 16 bit text based application that makes it so difficult (eg the method used to input waypoints). I'm actually astounded that Garmin hasn't updated its software to contemporary standards with a much more user-friendly interface. Re the database, yes the FS9 database is fixed in time but who uses that when you can get airac cycles every month from Navdata for just about all of the major third party aircraft addons?Now don't get me wrong I think the Reality XP garmins are great if you are a private pilot and need to practise real world procedures on your PC. The problem for me is that I've spent the last three month getting across the F1 ATR and the LDS 767 that I've forgotten most of what I gleaned from the Garmin manual just after I got the DF A36. But I would like to do a virtual flight around Australia in my DF A36 so I guess I will have to get back into that Garmin manual.Bruceb