Mindstar GNS 530/430 integration

[twharrell]

In case anyone didn't know, Mindstar released their GNS 430/530 software package this morning. This Garmin GNS simulation suite is compatible with FSX, P3Dv1.4, and P3Dv2. A couple of people asked if I would share my panel.cfg file, since the gauges work beautifully in the A2A Cessna 172. Just so everyone knows, there is no manual that comes with the software package. If you want to know how to use either the GNS 430 or 530, then go download the actual Garmin manual.

Installing the Mindstar units is pretty straight forward once you study an example of how it is done (it really is no different than installing any other 3rd party gauge, except for the 5th parameter entry). I encourage everyone to open the C172gns.zip folder located in your Program Files(x86)/Mindstar/Flight Simulator Addons folder and study the Mindstar entries (which include notes explaining the entries, especially the aforementioned 5th paremeter, which looks something like this: MPI_GNS!GNS530, w,x,y,z, 1:1:-1). Simply explained the first number "1" states this 530 is GPS gauge #1, the second "1" means this is the first instance of this 530 in this addon (if you also have a 2D pop-up, that would be gauge instance #2), and the "-1" refers to the virtual cockpit entry. For the 2D popup, this number would equal the number 'x' in the "ident=x" entry of that window. Study the panel.cfg file I mentioned and it will make more sense.

That being said, here are the necessary entries from my panel.cfg for the A2A C172:

[Window15]
window_pos=0.739583,0.000000
window_size=0.260417,0.333333
visible=0
ident=15531
nomenu=1
zorder=99

gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS530,0,0,100,100, 1:2:15531

[Window16]
window_pos=0.739583,0.000000
window_size=0.260417,0.194444
visible=0
ident=15431
nomenu=1
zorder=99

gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS430,0,0,100,100, 1:2:15431


[Vcockpit01]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=512,512
visible=1
pixel_size=640,640
texture=$gps

gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS430, 0,0,511,217, 1:1:-1

[Vcockpit02]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=512,512
visible=1
pixel_size=640,640
texture=$gps1

gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS530, 0,0,511,372, 1:1:-1



Now, in order for the A2A C172 to recognize these entries: Simply create a new text document by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting New/text document. Rename that text document rxpGNS.dll and place the new file you just created into your FSX or P3D/gauges folder. Your trainer will now recognize your new entries, and now when you select either GNS430 or 530 in the panel popup menu, your Mindstar GNS unit will be active.

Now, go enjoy your new GNS units in FSX and P3D!!

Todd

[vbazillio]

Thanks for the share. I'm not convinced yet by mindstar production. Feedbacks from their G1000 shows lot of behaviour missing from a real G1000.

I'm afraid the mindstar GNS series may lack some features or behaviour compared to the real one (DCT - enter - enter widely use in the real GNS units for e.g).

Can you give us some feedbacks or the mindstar unit ? I wasn't able to find online review/test.

[twharrell]

The Mindstar units were all created for commercial sim use. That is Mindstar's target market. So, certain features are not modeled, such as terrain or traffic. While, yes, those are nice features, they are not necessary for real world IFR training in a simulator. Plus these are optional features in the real world gauges too. All navigation features are modelled. The navdata can also be kept current, if that is what you want.

I also have the G1000 and love it. It's the best 3rd part G1000 available at that pricepoint that can be used in flight simulator. I have it integrated in my favorite GA twin.

What features are you specifically wanting?

Todd

[Lewis - A2A]

Thank you for posting the instructions for our customer Todd.

Thanks,
Lewis


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MatzeH84]

What makes it better than Reality XP? Besides the price and the possible updates?

[Scott - A2A]

From a developer’s point of view, our main complaint with Reality XP is the folks behind it are MIA and the database is out of date.

OTOH, the Mindstar folks are available and the database is up to date. The question is, will Mindstar add some of the missing features some customers have been asking for.

Either way it's nice to have competition in this area.

Scott.

[MatzeH84]

I agree on the support- currently I'm in contact with Garmin as their trainer software started crashing a month ago, so RXP is unusable to me atm.
One major advantage is that RXP works as the real unit.
Well let's wait and see.. I will wtach out on Youtube and other sources for reviews showing this thing in action.. The integration in the VC, especially with a 530/430 setup also isn't available on any addon while the RXP gauges are preconfigured on A2A and RealAir planes.

[vbazillio]

What features are you specifically wanting?

Not a specific feature, but a real behaviour., like the DCT - ENTER - ENTER or DCT - DCT - ENTER if I'm remeber well when selecting a leg point to make a direct and remove the FPL or keep it (if I remember well)... That kind of stuff.

[Kwacker]

I can confirm, as Todd indicated above, the Mindstar units work great in the A2A Cessna 172 running P3D V2.

One slight difference, I find on my system the following entries are needed which are not quite the same as Todd reported:

[Vcockpit01]
gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS430, 13,13,491,196, 2:1:-1

[Vcockpit02]
gauge00=MPI_GNS!GNS530, 12,0,488,350, 1:1:-1

Simon.

[twharrell]

Simon,

You must have adjusted your screen positions a little. I just kept the same 4 numbers but will have to give yours a try. Thanks for sharing.

Todd

[twharrell]

I agree on the support- currently I'm in contact with Garmin as their trainer software started crashing a month ago, so RXP is unusable to me atm.
One major advantage is that RXP works as the real unit.
Well let's wait and see.. I will wtach out on Youtube and other sources for reviews showing this thing in action.. The integration in the VC, especially with a 530/430 setup also isn't available on any addon while the RXP gauges are preconfigured on A2A and RealAir planes.

Sure, the RXP unit works like the real unit - it models every single feature, in fact. That's because it is the Garmin trainer. RXP didn't make that gauge, just the means to make it work inside MSFS.

The Mindstar units are built from the ground up up. Not every feature is included, only the features essential for IFR training. Mindstar is a commercial flight simulator avionics software company. If their commercial clients, like RedBird, don't need a certain feature, then it isn't modeled. That being said, these units are constantly upgraded with new features every year, and at no cost to you or I.

Todd

[Dooga]

The Mindstar units are built from the ground up up. Not every feature is included, only the features essential for IFR training. Mindstar is a commercial flight simulator avionics software company. If their commercial clients, like RedBird, don't need a certain feature, then it isn't modeled. That being said, these units are constantly upgraded with new features every year, and at no cost to you or I.

Todd

AND they cost a third of the Reality XP stuff (if you want both 530 and 430 units with crossfill), for a product that's been developed entirely by Mindstar, instead of just a FSX facade for the majority of the functionality/complexity that was already there with the Garmin trainer.

My main gripe with Reality XP has been the insolent pricing, especially considering the company behind it is defunct. By now, another minus has come up - P3Dv2 won't be supported. So I highly appreciate the Mindstar offerings, I'm just waiting until we have VC integration for a couple of planes that I own and fly, then I'll get the 530/430 combo.

[Eric Bakker]

I can confirm, as Todd indicated above, the Mindstar units work great in the A2A Cessna 172 running P3D V2.
Simon.

Hi Simon,

I have switched to P3Dv2, and I am considering purchasing the A2A C172 and the MSI GNS.
However, I thought that the C172 is not compatible with P3Dv2?
Did you solve all the issues, and how?

[MatzeH84]

Well as I actually own a RXP GNS530, getting the mindstar would be additional cost. A major thing that disappoints me is the (for me) necessary additional 45§ charge for the navupdates from an completely new publisher. I I have to get my AIRAC updates from two sources and pay double? Hmm..
And I don't need crossfill. So when I get your comments right, if I have a working RXP GNS now I am satified with, there is no need to go for the mindstar.

[Dooga]

Well as I actually own a RXP GNS530, getting the mindstar would be additional cost. A major thing that disappoints me is the (for me) necessary additional 45§ charge for the navupdates from an completely new publisher. I I have to get my AIRAC updates from two sources and pay double? Hmm..
And I don't need crossfill. So when I get your comments right, if I have a working RXP GNS now I am satified with, there is no need to go for the mindstar.

If you already own the Reality XP one (the update fee for which dwarves the 45$ BTW), then why should you need another GNS530?
Unless you're planning to go to P3Dv2 which isn't supported by Reality XP afaik