Gauges

219: Turning Off the FIP#2 – Altimeter

| Tom Tsui

TechLevel01W
(Updated on: 24 October 2013)  This is part two of the Turning Off the FIP series.   This time is the Altimeter.

C172_ALT_OFF.bmp==========
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Similarly, save the image on the right to the \1024 folder where you keep the VS indicator (e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\Saitek\DirectOutput\Gauges\1024) via the link below: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25018674/Gauges-C172/C172_Gauges_130815_OFF/C172_ALT_OFF.bmp

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Remember that the image must be saved as it is in BMP format — C172_ALT_OFF.bmp Continue reading →

218: Turning Off the FIP#1 – VS Indicator

| Tom Tsui

TechLevel01W
(Updated on: 24 October 2013)  Just recalled reading a question somewhere before — “Is turning off the Fligth Instrument Panel (FIP) possible?”

Yes, it’s possible by unplugging it from the USB socket.

I know it is not what the question really asks for.   But truly, when the FIP is connected with electricity powered, there isn’t “A Switch” that one can turn off the FIP, unfortunately.

Well, for those who are using my C172 gauges, here’s an alternative:

Continue reading →

216: Squeezing In

| Tom Tsui

The seven Saitek Flight Instrument Panels (FIPs) I currently have are far less than enough to individually cover each flight instrument on the C172, not to mention the more complicated aircrafts.  I could purchase a couple more — the easiest solution.   But I am quite happy with my current setup, and the success of the recently made Integrated Fuel Gauges also strengthens the possibility for me to integrate all (ideally) C172 instruments onto my current seven FIPs.

The following is the layout I drafted which includes proximity consideration of the instruments in the cockpit.  No doubt, compromise is inevitable.

FIP Gauge PlannedS
Initial Draft to include all C172 instrument onto 7 FIPs (Click to Enlarge)

Moreover, Continue reading →

215: Turn Off FIP Buttons

| Tom Tsui

TechLevel01W
Received a question yesterday asking how to remove the text of the six programmable buttons on the left hand side of the Flight Instrument Panel (FIP) so that one could make use of the whole 320×240 area on the device.

It is easy to achieve by just removing the content of the Name command inside the LogiFlightSimX.xml file under C:\Program Files (x86)\Logitech\FSX Plugin directory as shown below.
(For systems using the older drivers from Saitek, the file is called SaiFlightSimX.xml and it is located under C:\Program Files (x86)\Saitek.)

FIP Botton 01

Continue reading →

209: Improve FIP Smoothnesses

| Tom Tsui

The default Gauge Timeout value that controls the refresh rate of Saitek’s Flight Instrument Panels (FIPs) inside SaiFlightSimX.xml file is 100.   Lowering the value could bring some improvements to the smoothness of the display on the device.

However, setting the value too low or at 0 could inversely impact not only the FIPs but also the performance of FSX.

<Gauge Timeout=”20” RootFolder=”Relative” File=”Gauges\AirSpeed.xml”>

I found 50 a good start and 20 a good balance.   Your mileage may vary, of course.

208: A “Light” Variation in RPM Indicator

| Tom Tsui

If you are one of those who’s been waiting for the second mailing of my new C172 gauges, here’s something to cheer you up while counting your fingers for the day , especially if you own a Saitek Switch Panel.
C172_RPMSw_130815
It’s commonly known that the biggest defeat of the Switch Panel is the lack of indicator lights for the associated switches.

Although I described how to replace some of the black-colored rocker switches with red-, white- and green-colored switches in Post 111, the operation of the panel is still far from ideal when used in the dark; not to the mention that only limited users have the components and skill to carry out the modification for the panel.

Continue reading →

207: Five C172 Gauges on 3rd Anniversary Day

| Tom Tsui

It’s Aug-15, 12am.

For those subscribers who already signed in for my earlier announced C172 Fuel Gauges, CONGRATULATIONS, you are not just getting one but a total of five C172 gauges on this 3rd Anniversary Day of FSX Times.   The links by email should be arrived at your mailbox while you are reading this post now.

C172_AS_130815 C172_ALT_130815 C172_IFG_130815 C172_RPM_130815 C172_VS_130815
Except the new Integrated Fuel Gauges, the additional four gauges are revamped from the T210 counterparts but packed with more functions and facelifted to resemble the default C172 gauges as much as possible.

Continue reading →

205: Sign-in for the New C172 Gauge Now

| Tom Tsui

I used to only flightsim Cessna 172 before switching to the bigger T210.  But even though the C172 is no longer my favorite, I’ve kept thinking of creating new FIP gauges for it.

C172_ManFuel_background

The C172 gauge on the right, though looks simple, consists of four different gauges actually.  And how to properly shink them within the small footprint of the FIP resolution requires many attentions too.

After working on and off over the last few weeks, the overall design and programming for it were basically done.  It has now entered the testing and adjustment phase.

I am aiming to have it ready on the Third Anniversary Day coming in this month for friends who’s been supporting FSX Times.

Anyone (FSX Times subscribers Only) who wants a copy of it Continue reading →

202: References for Gauge Creation

| Tom Tsui

Many friends ask me where I find information about gauge building.
T210 Gauges RowS1
It’s a typical but a true answer – from the Internet.
Following is a good piece of background reading I often make reference to:

Creating XML Gauges

Truly they are not directly dealing with gauges for Saitek’s FIPs, but the basics and theories are more or less the same.