I purchased and installed the GTN 650.  It behaved poorly.  It did not set the VOR/ILS indicator.  I was able to activate GPSS.  It made an initial turn towards the flight plan course but then discontinued tracking.  Instead, it annunciated the next turn.

 

I went back to the GTN 750 and it behaved correctly, completing a flight plan with GPSS followed by tracking the GS.

@rasander Can you please post the content of the RealityXP.GTN.ini file? (yes again because now it has both 750 and 650 entries)

I unchecked all the Panel Instrument boxes for the GTN 750 and checked all the Panel Instrument boxes for the GTN 650.  Upon placing the autopilot in GPSS mode the GTN 650 makes one correct turn but then continues straight and does not track the flight plan.

Here is the .ini file.

Spoiler

 

[GTN]
; comma separated list of gauges
gauges = GTN_650_2, GTN_750_1

[GTN_750_1]
; comma separated list of render targets.
drawto = WINDOW, PANELS
; is the master device if true.
MasterDevice = false
; aviation db: 0: nav_db2_grm, 1: nav_db2, 2: nav_heli_db2_grmn, 3: nav_heli_db2
NavDbType = 1
; connects to: 'PFC_GTN' or any '#PID' (#D067 for PFC_GTN)
; no value connects to first found, 'OFF' disables connection.
HardwareDevice = 
; hardware selector number or -1 to disable.
HardwareIdx = -1
PowerSource = BUS_2
LinkCrs = true
LinkOto = false
LinkHsi = false
AutoNavGps = false

[GTN_750_1.WINDOW]
; display window if true.
visible = false
; show screen only gauge if true.
nobezel = false
; display type: WINDOW,PANEL2D,PANEL3D,PANELS
frame.type = WINDOW
; display position and dimension (left,top,width,height)
frame.rect = 1496,1079,422,402
; screen only border size (pixels).
border.size = 0
; screen only border color (#RGB or #RGBA).
border.rgba = #000000
; enable mouse clickspots if true, disable if false (use SHIFT to override)
usemouse = true
; left mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires SHIFT+left mouse button).
popleft = false
; right mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires XP11.1).
popright = true
; VR mode position and dimension (left,top,width,height) (requires XP11.20)
vrmode.rect = 0,395,415,395
; display as popout window if true (requires XP11.1).
undocked = false
; display mouse tooltips if true.
tooltips = false
; freeze display position if true.
locked = false
; auto hide in external view if true.
autohide = false

[GTN_750_1.PANELS]
; display window if true.
visible = false
; show screen only gauge if true.
nobezel = true
; display type: WINDOW,PANEL2D,PANEL3D,PANELS
frame.type = PANELS
; display position and dimension (left,top,width,height)
frame.rect = 0,0,0,0
; screen only border size (pixels).
border.size = 0
; screen only border color (#RGB or #RGBA).
border.rgba = #000000
; enable mouse clickspots if true, disable if false (use SHIFT to override)
usemouse = true
; left mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires SHIFT+left mouse button).
popleft = false
; right mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires XP11.1).
popright = true

[GTN_650_2]
; comma separated list of render targets.
drawto = WINDOW, PANELS
; is the master device if true.
MasterDevice = true
; aviation db: 0: nav_db2_grm, 1: nav_db2, 2: nav_heli_db2_grmn, 3: nav_heli_db2
NavDbType = 1
; connects to: 'PFC_GTN' or any '#PID' (#D067 for PFC_GTN)
; no value connects to first found, 'OFF' disables connection.
HardwareDevice = 
; hardware selector number or -1 to disable.
HardwareIdx = -1
AutoNavSource = 1
PowerSource = BUS_1
RadiosPair = 1
OwnshipIcon = HIGH_WING
LinkCrs = true
LinkObs = true
LinkVor = true
AutoCdiSrc = true

[GTN_650_2.WINDOW]
; display window if true.
visible = true 
; show screen only gauge if true.
nobezel = false
; display type: WINDOW,PANEL2D,PANEL3D,PANELS
frame.type = WINDOW
; display position and dimension (left,top,width,height)
frame.rect = 1073,1079,830,350
; screen only border size (pixels).
border.size = 0
; screen only border color (#RGB or #RGBA).
border.rgba = #000000
; enable mouse clickspots if true, disable if false (use SHIFT to override)
usemouse = true 
; left mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires SHIFT+left mouse button).
popleft = false
; right mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires XP11.1).
popright = true 
; VR mode position and dimension (left,top,width,height) (requires XP11.20)
vrmode.rect = 0,175,415,175
; display as popout window if true (requires XP11.1).
undocked = false
; display mouse tooltips if true.
tooltips = false
; freeze display position if true.
locked = false
; auto hide in external view if true.
autohide = false

[GTN_650_2.PANELS]
; display window if true.
visible = false
; show screen only gauge if true.
nobezel = true
; display type: WINDOW,PANEL2D,PANEL3D,PANELS
frame.type = PANELS
; display position and dimension (left,top,width,height)
frame.rect = 0,0,0,0
; screen only border size (pixels).
border.size = 0
; screen only border color (#RGB or #RGBA).
border.rgba = #000000
; enable mouse clickspots if true, disable if false (use SHIFT to override)
usemouse = true
; left mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires SHIFT+left mouse button).
popleft = false
; right mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires XP11.1).
popright = true
 

 

 

Edited March 20, 20215 yr by RXP

By default any RXP device #2 connects to the co-pilot side gauges (i.e. datarefs with _copilot suffix).

You might want to assign the 650 #2 to pilot side in the GUI Settings Panel instead.

Thanks for your advice.  I changed the 650 #2 to pilot's side, and then flew a flight plan.  The GPSS worked normally, turning correctly at all waypoints.  The VOR/ILS localizer and GS displayed correctly for the entire flight.  Once I turned onto the Final Approach Course I engaged the APR.  Although the CDI displayed the GS information correctly, the airplane did not descend.  I descended without the autopilot.  Is there a solution to this issue?

Here is the latest .ini file.

Spoiler

 

[GTN]
; comma separated list of gauges
gauges = GTN_650_2, GTN_750_1

[GTN_750_1]
; comma separated list of render targets.
drawto = WINDOW, PANELS
; is the master device if true.
MasterDevice = false
; aviation db: 0: nav_db2_grm, 1: nav_db2, 2: nav_heli_db2_grmn, 3: nav_heli_db2
NavDbType = 1
; connects to: 'PFC_GTN' or any '#PID' (#D067 for PFC_GTN)
; no value connects to first found, 'OFF' disables connection.
HardwareDevice = 
; hardware selector number or -1 to disable.
HardwareIdx = -1
LinkCrs = true
LinkOto = false
LinkHsi = false
AutoNavGps = false

[GTN_750_1.WINDOW]
; display window if true.
visible = false
; show screen only gauge if true.
nobezel = false
; display type: WINDOW,PANEL2D,PANEL3D,PANELS
frame.type = WINDOW
; display position and dimension (left,top,width,height)
frame.rect = 1496,1079,422,402
; screen only border size (pixels).
border.size = 0
; screen only border color (#RGB or #RGBA).
border.rgba = #000000
; enable mouse clickspots if true, disable if false (use SHIFT to override)
usemouse = true
; left mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires SHIFT+left mouse button).
popleft = false
; right mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires XP11.1).
popright = true
; VR mode position and dimension (left,top,width,height) (requires XP11.20)
vrmode.rect = 0,395,415,395
; display as popout window if true (requires XP11.1).
undocked = false
; display mouse tooltips if true.
tooltips = false
; freeze display position if true.
locked = false
; auto hide in external view if true.
autohide = false

[GTN_750_1.PANELS]
; display window if true.
visible = false
; show screen only gauge if true.
nobezel = true
; display type: WINDOW,PANEL2D,PANEL3D,PANELS
frame.type = PANELS
; display position and dimension (left,top,width,height)
frame.rect = 0,0,0,0
; screen only border size (pixels).
border.size = 0
; screen only border color (#RGB or #RGBA).
border.rgba = #000000
; enable mouse clickspots if true, disable if false (use SHIFT to override)
usemouse = true
; left mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires SHIFT+left mouse button).
popleft = false
; right mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires XP11.1).
popright = true

[GTN_650_2]
; comma separated list of render targets.
drawto = WINDOW, PANELS
; is the master device if true.
MasterDevice = true
; aviation db: 0: nav_db2_grm, 1: nav_db2, 2: nav_heli_db2_grmn, 3: nav_heli_db2
NavDbType = 1
; connects to: 'PFC_GTN' or any '#PID' (#D067 for PFC_GTN)
; no value connects to first found, 'OFF' disables connection.
HardwareDevice = 
; hardware selector number or -1 to disable.
HardwareIdx = -1
AutoNavSource = 1
PowerSource = BUS_1
RadiosPair = 1
LinkCrs = true
LinkObs = true
LinkVor = true
AutoCdiSrc = true
CopilotSide = false

[GTN_650_2.WINDOW]
; display window if true.
visible = true 
; show screen only gauge if true.
nobezel = false
; display type: WINDOW,PANEL2D,PANEL3D,PANELS
frame.type = WINDOW
; display position and dimension (left,top,width,height)
frame.rect = 1167,1071,742,313
; screen only border size (pixels).
border.size = 0
; screen only border color (#RGB or #RGBA).
border.rgba = #000000
; enable mouse clickspots if true, disable if false (use SHIFT to override)
usemouse = true 
; left mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires SHIFT+left mouse button).
popleft = false
; right mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires XP11.1).
popright = true 
; VR mode position and dimension (left,top,width,height) (requires XP11.20)
vrmode.rect = 0,175,415,175
; display as popout window if true (requires XP11.1).
undocked = false
; display mouse tooltips if true.
tooltips = false
; freeze display position if true.
locked = false
; auto hide in external view if true.
autohide = false

[GTN_650_2.PANELS]
; display window if true.
visible = false
; show screen only gauge if true.
nobezel = true
; display type: WINDOW,PANEL2D,PANEL3D,PANELS
frame.type = PANELS
; display position and dimension (left,top,width,height)
frame.rect = 0,0,0,0
; screen only border size (pixels).
border.size = 0
; screen only border color (#RGB or #RGBA).
border.rgba = #000000
; enable mouse clickspots if true, disable if false (use SHIFT to override)
usemouse = true
; left mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires SHIFT+left mouse button).
popleft = false
; right mouse button on the screen toggles popup window if true (requires XP11.1).
popright = true

 

 

Edited March 20, 20215 yr by RXP

7 hours ago, rasander said:

Thanks for your advice.  I changed the 650 #2 to pilot's side, and then flew a flight plan.  The GPSS worked normally, turning correctly at all waypoints.  The VOR/ILS localizer and GS displayed correctly for the entire flight.  Once I turned onto the Final Approach Course I engaged the APR.  Although the CDI displayed the GS information correctly, the airplane did not descend.  I descended without the autopilot.  Is there a solution to this issue?

 

When did you activate the APR mode exactly? Well before 2 NM before the FAF, and already on the final approach track, preferably at the IF? And at which altitude did you engage? At the the altitiude as published reaching that altiuide at least 2 NM before the FAF?

Yes, I activated the APR mode as soon as I turned onto the final approach track at the published altitude.  The aircraft was under the GS, the GS deflection was more than 60% of max. and the localizer was centered. The GTN-750 descended properly using this procedure, but the GTN-650 did not descend.

Please remember GTN #2 is also GPS #2 in X-Plane.

There are in fact 2 GPS sources in X-Plane, and 2 sets of GPS datarefs. The autopilot is most likely connected to GPS #1 only in this aircraft.

IRL, if you have 2 GNS or 2GTN in the aircraft, which one is coupling the autopilot?

2 hours ago, RXP said:

Please remember GTN #2 is also GPS #2 in X-Plane.

There are in fact 2 GPS sources in X-Plane, and 2 sets of GPS datarefs. The autopilot is most likely connected to GPS #1 only in this aircraft.

IRL, if you have 2 GNS or 2GTN in the aircraft, which one is coupling the autopilot?

Afaik only GPS1/GTN1

GTN2 is only for backup and extra seperated funtionality.

Edited March 20, 20215 yr by PeterBremer

I understand your point, but the autopilot did in fact steer the airplane under control from GTN 2.  Also, on final approach when I activated APR I received a GS indication on the autopilot, which should have meant the descent was active. The ILS instrument GS correctly displayed the path; it just didn’t control the servos. It did, however, keep the airplane on the localizer.

I have two more questions for now:

How do I press the Com Freq/Push NAV dial? Every time I try it it just adjusts the Com frequency up or down.

I could not find information on the Visual GS feature. Can you please refer me to the instructions for it?

@rasander it was displaying proper indications on the gauges because it was connected to it, and overriding it. It doesn't mean XP11 is internally taking the "gps2" overridden datarefs fully. In other words, the GTN is telling XP11 don't bother with your internal signals, we're providing the needle deviation values for the gauges. It is also saying to XP11 hey, we're overriding GPS2 datarefs. Then XPlane is looking at this and finds out hey, I have a GPS2 kind of signal, but the autopilot is responding to GPS1, so I can't guide it. But the GTN is also overriding the flight director directly, telling XP11 don't bother guiding. But XP11 is ignoring then, maybe, the vertical flight director command. In short, XP11 offers overrides so that plugins can take control, but it is not fully honoring the overrides internally because it is not fully honoring it (bug? omission? etc...).

This is why, like @PeterBremer is reminding, you should use only GPS #1 for autopilot coupling for best results.

As for the knob push, mouse handling is documented in the first pages of the User's Manual. You'll quickly find where to put the mouse cursor because it changes to a hand with index, instead of arced arrows.

For your last question, if this is about the GTN Visual Approach feature, it is best explained in the GTN Pilot's Guide (and in this forum most likely via search).

How do I place the GTN 650 as GPS 1?  

On 3/19/2021 at 7:26 PM, PeterBremer said:

Does not work, at least not when in the "instrument panel self-test" screen of the 530, should be out of view according "VFLG" but it is not.

Need to test while flying, but that will not be before tomorrow.

And even gives when flying unexpeted GS flag results. E.g. When flying the LPV the flag was not there, but a temporary switch to VLOC and back to GPS showed the flag. Also during VOR operations the GS flag was not visible. Afaik the GS flag should be in view uring VOR operations.

So changed it back to _mech

10 hours ago, RXP said:

 

For your last question, if this is about the GTN Visual Approach feature, it is best explained in the GTN Pilot's Guide (and in this forum most likely via search).

• Pilot's Guide, GTN 625/635/650 - SSV 6.60
• Pilot's Guide, GTN 725/750 - SSV 6.60
• AFMS, GTN 6XX/7XX Part 23 AML STC
• AFMS-EASA GTN 6XX/7XX and Xi

Be carefull when using the AP for a visual advisory approach: The V3NM point is effectively the FAF for a 1000 ft AAL start of the approach. That means for AP use, you should be on track and at or below 1000 ft 2NM before that point. Garmin advises to do NEVER a DCT FAF for that reason, use activate approach followed by activate leg with V3NM selected (be carefull you are close enough to the track in NAV mofr of the AP otherwise you might end up after your initial point of the leg). In that way you can get on final approach track well before 2NM before the V3NM point when using the AP functionality. It could mean you have to vector yourself in HDG mode of the AP to the final approach track before using the NAV mode of the AP.

 

Edited March 21, 20215 yr by PeterBremer