Author: Tom Tsui

193: Revised T210 AirSpeed Gauge

| Tom Tsui

T210_AirSpeed_W1NThis is the enhanced gauge face of my Centurion T210 AirSpeed Indicator.  Not only it is less colorful but also incorporated with frame and screws graphics.   All existing features remain unchanged.

Current users are not required to send me notes for the download link.  Just click here or click the image on the right to download the new background directly.   Remember that the file must be saved and kept in the original *.bmp format.

To install, simply overwriting the old background with this new one will do.   Have fun!

192: Cessna Citation AirSpeed Gauge

| Tom Tsui

This new Airspeed Gauge is requested by Ray Marshall who would like to have an analog indicator that
Citation_AirSpeedWNgoes up to about 400 knots with corresponding digital display for his favorite Cessna Citation.

The bugs, supposed to be movable, are static due to inherited limitation of the FIP.  If time allows in the future, will see if they could be controlled via the two knobs of the FIP itself.   If not, will consider adding other features to go with them.

FSX Times Subscribers could ask for the download link via COMMENTS section below.Citation_AirSpeedW

In the package, an earlier version that uses a thicker needle as shown on the right is also provided.    But note that the thicker needle could block the digital display when the aircraft is running below 70 knots.

As always, requests from non-FSX Times subscribers will be ignored.

191: ShadeShifter 3.01a Released

| Tom Tsui

ShadeShifter 3.01a  is ready for download.  (No idea what ShadeShifter is? Read here.)

In addition to minor code enhancements to the last version, it also comes with two versions:-

When ShadeShifter is run:

a)
Version 1 will display today’s Shade Preset info as the previous version does.

ShadeShifter with Preset Shown

Continue reading →

190: Hardware Selection Guide

| Tom Tsui

I’ve been planning to build a new PC for many months now.   Unfortunately, final decision still hasn’t been  made due to rumors that this and that newer and better hardware are coming in a few months — I know we never can catch up with the latest technology.

Anyway, the following guide from Jetline Systems that I came across is a good quick reference.   For example, I originally put Nvidia GTX 690 on my purchase list for the new PC since I am planning to expand my system into a 3-monitor setup.   The guide reminds me again that Nvidia GTX 690 and other dual GPU cards might significantly impact FSX performance.   Even though the info isn’t detailed and comprehensive, I am now putting the card on hold and searching for more information.

PC Performance Guide

If you are planning an upgrade for your computer like me, worth taking a look of this guide to get some references of what hardware we should focus on for a better FSX system.  We could also gain some hardware information that the company selects to build their PCs for FSX customers.

FSX Times Just passed 500,000 Views

Quote | | Tom Tsui

I am so glad that views of FSX Times has just passed the 500,000 landmark earlier today.    This blog took 16 months to grow from zero to 100,000 views in December 2011.    Over the last 15 months, views has accumulated 4 times more in similar timeframe.

Regretfully, there are many ideas I originally planned for this blog couldn’t be realized due to my tying up with another personal project.   Even worse, the situation will continue to be so for another year, at least.
Views500000
Anyway, thanks to you all who supported FSX Times.   It is no promise but I’ll do my best to write more posts when I can.

189: Maps – FTX NA SAK Included

| Tom Tsui

My Google Map for Orbx NA Airports and Landmarks have been updated with the inclusion of the new Southern Alaska Areas (SAK).

Those who are currently using my Google Earth Network Links should find their maps updated already.   Any others who are interested to try my maps could see my Post 70 and Post 74 for the Landmarks Map and Airports Map respectively.

NA SAK MapB

New Gauge Collection Page

| Tom Tsui

Just created a new section called Gauge Collection for FIPs under Hardware on the Menu.  This is the place where I put all the gauges I made so far and where I will make in the future (possibly including gauges in progress.)

Although all gauges are marked for specific aircrafts, some of them are generally good for other aircrafts as well as long as you don’t mind they look a little different from the cockpit you are seating.

Should you have multiple FIPs, I believe you could easily compile a set of gauges that best fits your preference.

188: Cessna 172 AirSpeed Gauge

| Tom Tsui

This Cessna 172 Airspeed Gauge has been requested by many fans of FSX Times.  So it finally arrives.  Despite its simple look, it did take me quite some time to layout it properly, however.C172_AirSpeed_BackgroundW

The TAS knob on the bottom left corner, unfortunately, is still a decoration.   I haven’t figured out how to make it function yet.   Besides that, it is fully functional.

Subscribers of FSX Times who are interested in this gauge could send me a request via the COMMENTS section below as usual for the download link.

Others who aren’t subscribers yet could enter their emails and press the [Enter Your Email to Subscribe] button on the right hand column to become a subscriber first.   Otherwise, requests will be ignored.

News: Orbx’s NA Southern Alaska Released

| Tom Tsui

Orbx NA South AlaskaOrbx just released its NA Blue Southern Alaska addon.   Just placed my order and downloading the file.

Despite the fact that I am not fully satisfied with some of Orbx’s addons, this one is still worth waiting for to supplement one’s NA Blue and Tongass Fjord collections.

Do note that missions from FSX or other third parties may no longer be usable.   For example, the picture below shows a destination point in a mission which has been changed from originally a dock by the lake shore to a position now on the land where the water plane can never reach.   In other words, the mission will fail.

Orbx NA South Alaska 02