By default, FIP gauges files are put under the DirectOutput folder. However, when more and more gauges are added to the system, the gauge files accumulated under the folder and its subfolders, especially the 1024 folder where bitmaps are stored, are getting harder and harder to identify.
To tidy them up in a logical manner, Continue reading
I keep receiving questions from friends asking why the display order of FIPs are different every time when they start up FSX. Followings are two of the most recent examples:
I have built a Saitek cockpit with 6 FIP’s so far. It works great until I reboot. It seems the USB ports start in a different sequence on each boot up.
When I added additional FIPs [using a single 10 port USB hub], they no longer would come up in the SaiFlightSimX.xml order.
Evidently, Saitek’s customer support is still lousy even after the product has been marketed for many years. Anyway, here’s the revised FIP Display Order Setup Guide based on my Posts 28: Flight Instrument Panel Tweak – Part 1 and 118: Loading FIPs in Desired Order, and many replies I gave in various Comments.
This 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!
This new Airspeed Gauge is requested by Ray Marshall who would like to have an analog indicator that
goes 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Although my previous Post 28, Post 29 and Post 30 already talk about the basics, installation and tweaks for Saitek’s Flight Instrument Panel (FIP), there are still many friends asking for direct instruction on how my Centurion T210 gauges be installed.
So, here is a step-by-by tutorial in which I am using my Altimeter Gauge wide version as an example:
Download the T210 AlimeterW.rar from the link you received — Note that only subscribers of FSX Times are eligible to get my files (Edit: No More Available)
Here’s the Manifold Pressure / Fuel Flow Gauge for the Centurion T210. It is the sixth 
gauge I’ve created for the T210 and it’s probably the last one specific for the aircraft.
Actually it’s been done quite awhile ago. But I’ve been looking for solutions to make the fuelflow gauge to rotate in a nonlinear (nonproportional) anitclockwise manner possible on the FIP as shown in the aircraft.
Unfortunately, after numerous attempts and helps from friends on the FSDeveloper forum, it seems that Saitek’s FIP doesn’t support nonlinear anticlockwise rotation.
Already sent a note to Saitek for help. They did responded quickly but no follow-up action for more than 3 weeks now — not even a reply to the two subsequent emails I sent. (Edit: just got a reply and let’s see how it goes.)
Anyway, this one is fully functional. Any subscriber of this blog who is interested to get a copy of it could send me a request via the COMMENTS section below for the download link.
Others who aren’t subscribers yet could enter their emails and press the [Click Me to Subscribe] button on the right hand column to become a subscriber first. Otherwise, requests will be ignored.
Edit: This instrument is no more available.
I thought at least one of those who are using my Centurion T210 gauges would have noticed and asked me why the RPM gauge they are using doesn’t have the Engine Hours display as I showed in my Post 173. Obviously, all of them have been busy flying instead. Haha.
The Engine Hours update patch is now ready. It will show the current numbers of hours an aircraft has flown and update constantly during a flight session.
Subscribers of FSX Times can write me a note to get the patch via the COMMENTS section below as usual for the download link.
Others who aren’t subscribers yet could enter their emails and press the [Click Me to Subscribe] button on the right hand column to become a subscriber first. Otherwise, requests will be ignored.
As said, there will be no more new gauges coming out in at least a couple of months. But the current five gauges should bring good enough fun.
FS Times 