About a month ago there was a thread on the new Simflyer GNS480, the consensus seemed to be that this was another repackaged default GPS unit without the full WAAS functionality of the real unit. However, at the time I don't think any of the posters had any direct experience with this gauge - has anyone now bought this unit and if so what do you think of it?Bruceb

I own the GNS480, and it is pretty cool. They look really good in my Flight 1 PC-12, Carenado's Cessna 210 and 182, and also in the Dreamfleet A36. I have plans to put them in more aircraft later. :DThey are great on frame rates as they use the same software as the default GPS. No other programs running in the background. The texture quality is very good in both 2D and VC panels. Well worth the price in my opinion.Of course if I could change one thing, it would be to have the ability to switch back and forth between COM 1 - NAV 1 to COM 2 - NAV 2. At this point you are only able to change the COM 1 - Nav 1 frequenceies. You have to ad or keep a COM 2 - NAV 2 to be able to select those frequencies. Which is no problem, except trying to find space on the panel to place it.Other than that the forums are very good, and support is fantastic. If you get them, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. If you are looking for more indepth GPS gauges, RealityXP might be the way to go, although more expensive. :DKev

>...without the full WAAS>functionality of the real unit.Until and unless MS adds WAAS emulation to the sim, you aren't going to see "full WAAS functionality" on any unit, regardless who markets it... ;)Now, that's not to say that "someone" might cobble together something that sort of looks like "WAAS functionality," but it wouldn't be authentic. :-smile12 :-smile12

Well if i might rephrase my query, has Simflyer "cobbled together something that looks like WAAS functionality"? In other words a convincing illusion like the rest PC flight siming.Bruceb

Tried it, liked it! As others mention...No sim WAAS fuctionality is available from any vendor that we are aware of :-)

Thank you, that seems to answer my initial query. Never-the-less as you say you liked the unit what features attracted you?Bruceb

For all:Learn about WAAS here:http://www.garmin.com/aboutGPS/waas.htmlYou see, it is not a world-wide system, and is currently USA only, and FS does not simulate WAAS. The GPS in your plane is not the system itself, just the means to take advantage of it.It will take MS to simulate WAAS within FS, then developers can make receivers that are compatible with it.Regards,http://www.dreamfleet2000.com/gfx/images/F...R_FORUM_LOU.jpg

Hi,Maybe I'm a bit dense, but why do we need WAAS in FS anyway? (Other then for 'as real as it gets' reasons)Isn't the GPS 'signal' in FS not already 100% accurate, i.e. it is not subject to all kinds of interferences.Or does the GPS in FS also has an simulated error margin?

Is this a naive question, but does FS actually model GPS at all?I ask, because presumably FS KNOWS where the aircraft is to the accuracy of its own (FS) modelling. It can surely drive the aircraft modelled GPS systems from the modelled aircraft position?

Egbert has the right idea. The only thing needed for simulated "WAAS" in FS is a screen on your GPS unit telling you it's being simulated. We have perfectly accurate position information in our GPS units in FS...unless you are using a unit that is throwing in a random position error (none that I know of do this) you already have WAAS accuracy and then some. IOW, the GPS position used in FS is simply the known position of the aircraft. If a gauge maker wants to simulate WAAS, all he need do is throw in a random position error, the magnitude of which would be affected by activation of WAAS in the gauge's simulation. That's a gauge programming function, not a feature requirement in FS.RegardsBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300