To help users of my FIP gauges (who are using Logitech’s default drivers and/or plugins for FIP controls) to quickly switch among different FIP set-ups, such as from gauges specifically made for the Mooney Bravo to the gauges for Extra 300S, I developed two utilities — the GaugeSwitcher (for FSX/P3D) and the XPL_GaugeSwitcher (for X-Plane).

But unlike the FSX/P3D version that can be run at anytime despite the simulator is active or not, the X-Plane cousin was deliberately restricted to ONLY allow gauge switchings while X-Plane is not running.  This is due to huge memory usages in X-Plane, which could easily crash the system when unloading and reloading already-active plugins that also consumes a lot of memory, such as the Logitech X-Plane plugins together with the FIP gauges.

After more than a year since its launch, the updated XPL_GaugeSwitcher which doesn’t have the restriction is now available.

Yet, there are still some constraints to note.   And followings are the two best scenarios:

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Scenario 1

When the very first Main Menu Page is show up after X-Plane is started, users can safely run the XPL_GaugeSwitcher to switch FIP profiles at this point.

NOTE that it is highly recommended to keep the FIPs in power-OFF state until a flight session is loaded.

This not only speeds up the loading of X-Plane but also enhances the successful rate of FIP profile switching.

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Scenario 2

During an active flight session, users could follow the steps below to perform FIP gauge switchings when necessary.

• • Pause the flight session
  • Turn OFF the FIPs
  • Run XPL_GaugeSwitcher and choose the Profile desired
  • Click on the “airplane” icon on the X-Plane menu bar at the top of the screen
  • Choose a new “Aircraft” or Choose to “Change Location” (select the same location for current position)
  • Start a “New Flight”
  • Turn ON the FIPs after the new session is loaded
  • Un-pause X-Plane

DO NOT repeat the steps above immediately because doing this is almost certain to crash the system immediately.

It’s true that the processes above may look a bit clumsy and the success rate is not reliable.

However, as long as you don’t switch gauge profiles too rapidly, above steps are still a lot more faster than quitting X-Plane, and then running XPL_GaugeSwitcher and loading X-Plane again.

Until a better solution is found, above are the best scenarios one can get so far.

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Users of my XPL Gauges (for X-Plane running with Logitech’s X-Plane plugins ONLY) could use the existing download link to get the new XPL_GaugeSwitcher.  Just unzip and place it over the old version will do.

Note that it is coded version 1a on its header.