Using FSXpand

[JSpahn]

One of the key "features" I wanted in my pit was the ability to fly almost any type of AC. Using FSXpand I should be able to get this going. Here is a quick setup for the King Air 300 that I love to fly.

Still , I need controls, the keyboard and mouse don't cut it

[machineman9]

Looks great!

Though, I do like the more analogy type gauges to glass...

Still, has everything it needs by the look of it. I wonder what FreeTrack or TrackIR would look like with multiple screens....



Also, can we see a dual-screen screeshot? The image in the monitors is too bright to see from the photo  ;)

[JSpahn]

Ill mess with the aperture settings on my next shot

[stevehookem]

Replying to old post:

How does FSXpand compare to FreeFD? I'm flying FSX.

I am getting confused with all the freeware stuff out there now. Does someone make one package so you don't have to mix and match? We want to see a multi-engine commercial airline. It doesn't necessarily have to match a real airplane.

Does the FSXpand run on a computer other than the one with FSX? I thought it did and then read "eventually" on their site.

Also, how are you running your screens?

[BAW19]

You should check out the stuff at http://www.elliesystems.com/

They've released their PFD and ND so far and are on track to release a set of standby gauges. The beauty of their design is that it's modular - if you just want the ND it'll work on it's own. (The prices put PM to shame too!)

Ian

(ps prompted by the fact that the FreeFD author now produces the Ellie stuff)

[JSpahn]

Ellie Systems looks great, here is another software suite from Sim_Avionics which looks better. Its able to replicate most systems found in a 777. Pricey but it still blows PM out of the water:

http://www.sim-avionics.com/

[stevehookem]

Ellie Systems looks great, here is another software suite from Sim_Avionics which looks better. Its able to replicate most systems found in a 777. Pricey but it still blows PM out of the water:

http://www.sim-avionics.com/

They have some nice stuff. Now I am really confused.

I want to get one package from someone. It looks like that may not be possible since they all have different items in production or coming soon.

Can someone put together a list (even if it is from different places) of the glass software and minimum gauges I need for a multi-engine commercial jet? It doesn't need to match a 737 or 777 exactly, maybe a mix of the two.

I don't know what to get. I have FSX, Acceleration and FSUIPC/Wide.

[JSpahn]

It all depends on what you want out of your cockpit, if you are looking to go generic you can use FSXPAND. That way you can configure your panels for whatever AC you decide to fly.

I mentioned Sim-Avionics, which is currently a full representation of a Boeing 777. So if you were interested in an exact replica of a triple 7 down to the fasten seatbelt switch, that is the way to go.

Have you tinkered with networked gauges on multiple PC's? Personally I would use the multi PC route for better performance, especially using FSX for your visuals...


Free FD is great and I still use it when flying tubes, Ive heard there is a bit of a performance boost with the new offerings from ellie. The downside to FreeFd is the nav data is Waaaay out of date and the functionality of the Nav display isnt 100%, of course FSXPAND isnt much better with this either.

Here are some freeware resources that you can play with:

http://www.flightdecksoft.com/Software.html

http://www.jkroma.pl/

http://www.elbiah.de/flusi/MyFsPanel/MyFsPanel.htm

http://rjglass.sourceforge.net/instruct.shtml

[JBaymore]

Free FD is great and I still use it when flying tubes, Ive heard there is a bit of a performance boost with the new offerings from ellie. The downside to FreeFd is the nav data is Waaaay out of date and the functionality of the Nav display isnt 100%, of course FSXPAND isnt much better with this either.

There is not just SOME performance boost in the Ellie stuff ...... they are in a completely different league altogether from the FreeFD offering.  For example I am getting an AMAZING difference in the Ellie PFD for framerates over the FreeFD one.... and the features are more accurate.  WELL worth the rather modest price in my opinion.  

As to configuring the pit......... if you are not looking for a 100% fidelity to a specific aircraft...... then you can do a lot with a "mix and match" setup.  The Ellie stuff combined with FSXpand likely should do everything you might need.  Possibly the Ellie stuff alone.

The release of the rest of the Ellie suite will be soon.  I'd suggest that rushing the whole pit building thing by having ALL the software all at once is likely NOT the way to go.  Get one thing working at a time and slowly add complexity.  If you do that..... your installation will probably be ready for the next pieces by the time the Ellie stuff is released.

If you want it all "now", there is always Project Magenta........ but they are pretty aircraft specific.... and the pricetag for an airliner suite is about $2000 USD.  That one give me "sticker shock"  :o

best,

...................john

[stevehookem]

Thanks John,

The software decision is shaping up to be the biggest problem for me! There are so many now to look at. Some have a few parts, others have all, some are WAY too expensive, some are less but do less. Does that make sense?

I don't mind paying for something that is good. I'll look at Ellie again. I had decided on Sim-Avionics but canceled the order. Buyer's remorse and confusion.....

With the Engravity desktop Captain and Center, should I use all software based "stand by" gauges or actual gauges? I don't know how to match the square glass opening AND the three holes in the panel with a screen behind. Can that even be done?

Confusing myself even more.......

[stevehookem]

Does anyone make an AFFORDABLE CDU? I think the VRInsight model is but it also looks cheap (http://www.vrinsight.com/) to me. The display isn't right.

Since Ellie doesn't have a CDU, who would you choose? The current plan is to use a Lilliput 8" Touch Screen for the CDU. I just need good software to put on it.

[JBaymore]

Does anyone make an AFFORDABLE CDU? I think the VRInsight model is but it also looks cheap (http://www.vrinsight.com/) to me. The display isn't right.

Since Ellie doesn't have a CDU, who would you choose? The current plan is to use a Lilliput 8" Touch Screen for the CDU. I just need good software to put on it.

Ellie WILL have a CDU (or FMC).

If you still are confused about such things as how to do gauges on flatscreens and panels... I'd suggest slowing down a lot.

[stevehookem]

I understand that gauges on screens can be done. I just have never done it before.

Is there something I can demo that will show this? I have seen enough sims on the net to know that they use LCD or CRT's and obviously can move them around for placement.

I was asking more about the Engravity panel---how will it allow for a monitor for the stand by gauges? It doesn't look like a separate monitor will fit there and the single monitor doesn't look to be large enough to cover the area.

[JBaymore]

Does anyone make an AFFORDABLE CDU? I think the VRInsight model is but it also looks cheap (http://www.vrinsight.com/) to me. The display isn't right..

Just looked at that unit...... you are right... the display looks really "funky".

[JBaymore]

I understand that gauges on screens can be done. I just have never done it before.

Is there something I can demo that will show this? I have seen enough sims on the net to know that they use LCD or CRT's and obviously can move them around for placement.

I was asking more about the Engravity panel---how will it allow for a monitor for the stand by gauges? It doesn't look like a separate monitor will fit there and the single monitor doesn't look to be large enough to cover the area.

My understanding is that the Engravity stuff is sized for a SPECIFIC monitor to sit behind the "fake" panel cutouts.