A GPS may not just be a GPS. The GTN 750 is a lot more and Jeff decided to take a look at the Reality XP GTN 750 for X-Plane.
RWDesigns DHC-6 Twin Otter Version 2 ready for GTN750 (Reality XP) / 1.2.1 Docpan Version1.2.1 Create DateAugust 6, 2018 Last UpdatedApril 30, 2019 Size7.86 KB Download count2405 Hello community, we have created a SCP config file for DHC-6 Twin Otter from RWDesings. We are happy to share it with you today. We added support for.
One of the aspects of the simulation community I really enjoy is the diverse demographic of people that this hobby attracts. An aspect I really respect about the simulation community is that many of those people approach the hobby with a realistic mindset and try to conduct their respective flights with as much realism and authenticity as possible.
Thankfully for the community, RealityXP released their GTN 750/650 some months ago and shortly thereafter, helico25 from the forums, integrated the GTN 750 into the Dream Foil Bell 407 panel. FlywithLua created by X-Friese, enables the unit to be placed into any aircraft panel of choice (plus a whole host of other features that frankly confuse me).
If you happen to be a simulator enthusiast that really enjoys getting down and dirty into flight planning, this is a must-have addition. Rather than focusing on the pre-flight planning though, the GTN 750 really excels during the flight itself.
On many modern helicopters, operators are demanding live data as they conduct operations: fuel burn information, airport data, winds and terrain/traffic avoidance are common place kit on aircraft like the Bell 407GXi, Bell 429 and several Airbus models. With the integration of the RealityXP GTN 750, many of those same features can supplement your existing aircraft.
Features
- High Resolution Terrain mapping
- Class A or B TAWS alerting
- Airspace altitude limitations
- Moving map
- Graphical flight planning tools
- “Rubber Band” feature that enables users to modify flight plans on the fly
- Ability to build/save custom waypoints
- Full NAV/COM integration and interface
- Compatible with Autopilot/SAS features to drive the autopilot for course guidance
- “Touch screen” interface saves time when inputting data into the unit
- Fully configurable within the simulator to enhance user interface
- Airport “data” database including runways and approaches
Favorite Features
One aspect I really enjoyed about the RealityXP GTN was the ability to pull up fuel planning and flight planning data from the menu while in flight. These respective menus provide a host of information that enable more flexibility and precision when flying. The fuel burn page provides the option for users to utilize sensor data (off the fuel probes) from a present position or a pre-defined position to quickly figure out:
- Usable fuel
- Fuel flow
- Fuel required for the flight
- Fuel required for the next leg
- Range
- Efficiency
- Endurance
- Reserve
In addition to other handy features on subsequent flight planning pages, I really appreciated how I could modify displayed data on the moving map itself. I could change the data fields, display just terrain, or display terrain and terrain/traffic avoidance all on one screen.
Integration with VR
Ever since getting VR, I can’t bring myself to fly without it. Sadly, this is where RealityXP shows its one weakness.
To be fair, it’s not RealityXP’s fault, its has to do with the X Plane SDK (insert more smart programming talk) but it boils down to an inability for the simulator’s VR interface to talk with the unit. This makes it unable to interface with the VR controller from the virtual cockpit.
On the upside, there is a handy solution! I was able to easily bind my “pop-up” GTN window to a keyboard shortcut and then utilize the VR controller to re-size and re-position the pop-up window in the cockpit (such as if I were mounting it to the windscreen or using it independently).
Although, the one glaring downside does come with an upside that makes the steep cost worth every penny. To change data, modify points and input fields into the unit, its simulated to use a touch screen. So rather than using the VR controller to attempt to input a new airport, one can simply use the touch screen to input the airport identifier, squawk code or a host of other input fields. This makes flight planning and simulator usage infinitely easier!
Cost
Cost per license is $49.95 which seems a bit steep for an add-on to supplement an aircraft. Although, that price tag also provides Garmin’s Aviation Trainers which can be immensely helpful for pilots that are either students or experienced aviators familiarizing themselves with the avionics provided in their real aircraft.
Not to mention, the functions that the GTN 750 provide are vast and professionally put-together. Overall, I feel its worth such a high price point.
Installation
This is the scary part – the installation can seem to be a bit of a bear for someone who isn’t computer savvy (like myself).
Thankfully, helico25 made the file a breeze to install into the Dream Foil 407 so I didn’t have any issues there. Where I did encounter some trepidation was attempting to install FlywithLua. If you’re already a FlywithLua user, then this isn’t really a problem but for someone like me, the program is very advanced.
Thankfully again, X-Friese provides amazing installation instructions and an easy to use manual to figure out the basics or more advanced features if you’re so inclined. Surprisingly, I was able to install it with no issues and have the entire system up and running in 15 minutes (and that’s because I re-read the instructions 3 times before I did anything).
Closing
If you really want to take your simulation to another level and provide a very useful, well made and professional product to either the Dream Foil 407, or any other aircraft, the RealityXP GTN 750 is a worthy and powerful addition to any aircrafts’ panel. Yes, its expensive but purchase with confidence – it’s worth every penny.
Useful links
You can read our previous article about the Reality XP GTN 750.
You can find the Dream Foil 407 modification here. You can also purchase the DreamFoil Bell 407 here.
You can download the FlywithLua plugin here.
Our rating
Positives
- Amazing Features
- Beautifully integration
- Realistic functions
- Customizable features
- Many functions packed into one product
- Comprehensive manual
Negatives
- At $49.95, can be expensive for some users
- Installation is a bit of a bear if you’re not practiced at it
- VR interface is still frustrating at times
Bottomline
I haven’t found a lot of modules that do a great job of melding simulation and realistic functions so seamlessly. Often, they fall short in one aspect or another but the RealityXP product goes above and beyond and really provides a solid product that is not only appropriate for helicopters, but every aircraft in your inventory.
Systems10
Simming enhancement9
Total score
Click here to purchase/download or more informationPlease note: the link above was either provided by the author of the product, the store that sent us the review copy or a personal choice of the article writer. It does not, in any way, indicate an endorsement of HeliSimmer.com to the website hereby linked.
About Jeff Tucker
Jeff has been playing with flight simulators for 20 years. Thankfully, he was able to convince people to actually let him fly helicopters and get paid to fly too! After seeing many simulator pilots with the desire to talk with industry professionals and figure out “how its really done,” he’s always looking for new ways to help the simulator community.
Recommended reading
Proud partner of
Alex’ Projects ► Little Navmap
Links
Version 2.2.4 Features
- Little Navmap is a free open source flight planner, navigation tool, moving map, airportsearch and airport information system.
- Supported platforms: Windows 7/8/10, macOS (10.10 or newer only) and Linux (64 bit only).
- Support for Flight Simulator X, Flight Simulator - Steam Edition, Prepar3D v2, v3, v4 andX-Plane 11 (64 bit).
- Comes with the following user interface languages: Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Spanish, Italian and German(Spanish and Italian being work in progress).
- All is based on flight simulator stock or add-on data, no third party data needed. All stock andadd-on airports are loaded in a few minutes.
- Navigation data can be updated from Navigraph. A cycle 1801 databasecourtesy of navigraph is included in the download and includes navaids, airways, airspaces and procedures.
- Navigation database updates by fsAerodata and FSX/P3D Navaidsupdate are supported. Support for X-Plane navdata updatesand user defined waypoints.
- Can read airspaces in OpenAir format for X-Plane and FSX or Prepar3D airspaces can be copied intothe X-Plane database.
- Uses X-Plane stock and updated navdata for approach, SID and STAR procedures includingtransitions.
- It features a detail rich navigation map that partially uses symbols from real VFR maps thustransporting a large amount of information. Multiple offline maps, online map themes(OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap,OpenMapSurfer and more) and two map projections areavailable. Several map themes provide hill shading as well as display of the sun shadow on the globe.
- Quick modifier mouse clicks in map allow fast actions.E.g.
Ctrl+Click
to start measurement orShift+Click
to place range rings. - The map shows user and AI aircraft as well as ships, airports, airport maps (runwaydetails, overrun areas, displaced thresholds, taxiways and more), VOR, VORTAC, TACAN, NDB, ILS,waypoints, airways, airspaces, approach and departure procedures, airport weather symbols andminimum off-route altitude grid. Plenty of information is available in tooltips or information windowsfor each map object.
- Flight plans and flight plan fragments can be loaded, saved and merged all using the commonFlight Simulator PLN files as well as X-Plane FMS format version 3 and 11, FSC and FLP files.
- Flight plans can be exported to the Reality XP GNS 530W/430W V2, the Reality XP GTN 750/650 Touch andthe Flight1 GTN 650/750.
- More export formats are GPX (GPS Exchange Format, including flown track), PMDG RTE, FLP, X-PlaneFMS 3 and 11, Majestic Dash FPR and many more. FS9 PLN and FSC plans can be imported.
- Drag and drop flight plan editing functionality on the map allows to easily create and editplans.
- Several fast automatic flight plan calculation modes are available to create plans followingairways or simply from radio navaid to radio navaid within a split second. No online service isneeded for flight plan calculation.
- Option to calculate flight plan fragments between any two waypoints of a present flight plan.
- Flight plan route descriptions can be read which allows to convert flight plans from and to ATSroute descriptions which can be retrieved from the various online services likeRouteFinder or SkyVector. This includesSIDs, STARs and information for cruise speed and altitude.
- Aircraft performance, fuel planning top of climb and top of descent calculation considering aircraft performanceand altitude restrictions in procedures is available.
- A zoom and scrollable elevation profile window shows the ground elevation along the flight planincluding the minimum safe altitude for the whole plan or each segment as well as procedure altitude restrictions.
- The map and flight plans including all related information at departure and destination can be printed.
- A fast airport and navaid search allows to look for objects by an unimaginable amount ofoptions also featuring a spatial search to find nearest airports.
- Information windows display numerous details about airports, runways, COM frequencies,approach and departure procedures, navaids, the user aircraft, AI or multiplayer aircraft as wellas ships, decoded weather from multiple sources like X-Plane, AS16, Active Sky Next, Active Skyfor Prepare3D v4, NOAA, VATSIM and IVAO. Sunrise and sunset for airports is shown in information as wellas bearing and distance to user aircraft.
- The map display and the measurement units (nautical, metric, imperial) can be customized by theuser.
- User interface and map display can be further customized by changing configuration files and SVG icons.
- All settings, search parameters, current flight plan, map positions and much more are savedbetween sessions.
- Little Navmap can connect directly to the flight simulator, the Little Xpconnect X-Planeplugin and can also be run stand-alone or in networked configuration.
- Complete functionality for user defined waypoints. Add, edit (also bulk-edit), delete, search, move and display.Allows to create custom categories and icons. Import and export of CSV, X-Plane and Garmin files.
- Optionally creates logbook entries in userdata for each takeoff and landing.
- Can display IVAO, VATSIM and custom online networks centers and clients on map, tooltips and information windows.
IVAO is currently disabled due to missing clearance.Need volunteers to run a mirror. - Compass rose for map or user aircraft showing heading, track and distances.
- Customizable airport traffic patterns can be shown for any airport.
- An automatic reconnect option makes the start order of programs irrelevant. Running anetworked setup needs the included Little Navconnect program which easessetup across two or more computers.
- The program does not consume a lot of resources and can be run on low end computers.
- User interface styles (also
Night
) can be changed on the fly without restart. - Help is available online (can be downloaded as PDF, ePub or Mobi). A PDF file with thecomplete manual is included with the program. Help buttons in dialogs link to corresponding onlinehelp chapter.
- The program can check for updates on three different channels (stable, beta and develop) andwill show a notification if a new version is available. Configurable in options dialog.