FIP Gauges

515: Annunciator Panel Video Preview

| Tom Tsui

Logitech (previous Saitek) has an Information Panel but I never like it as it looks odd in almost all virtual cockpits due to its huge size and footprint.

That’s one of the reasons why I developed the Integrated series of gauges for the C172SP in the first place, on which the annunciator panel fits nicely to the Attitude Indicator (ATTAN).

Since the release of the C172SP Standalone gauges many years ago, I’ve been trying to create an equivalent annunciator panel that looks as good as the one on the ATTAN.   There were dozens of idea tried over the years but none was satisfied, no matter they were rendered onto a separate FIP (Flight Instrument Panel) or incorporated into any existing standalone gauges.

Finally, here comes the most satisfied annunciator panel design that I am quite happy with at present.  Following is the video preview of it.

With the target in mind that Continue reading →

Poll: FIP Gauge Survey Final Result

| Tom Tsui

Followings are the final feedback accumulated over the last 10 days for the survey of “How Many FIPS Do You Have?” posted on August 31.  Tentative results from day 1 and day 3 are included for comparisons.

Continue reading →

512: The 2nd Batch of Back-Lit Integrated C172SP Gauges

| Tom Tsui

The remaining ALVOR, VSADF and TCBAL of the C172SP Integrated series with back-lit effects (when the panel light is ON) have completed.

Again, these gauges will be installed onto the “C172SP_Skyhawk_INTG_R5” folder under the “FSX_Times_Gauges” directory as well.

For systems running FIPs with Continue reading →

511: The 1st Batch of Back-Lit Integrated C172SP Gauges

| Tom Tsui

The first batch of Integrated C172SP gauges revised with new back-lit effects (when the panel light is ON) is completed, which includes the ASCLK, ATTAN, HDCMP and INTFG.

Since this is a major update, the new gauges will be installed onto a new “C172SP_Skyhawk_INTG_R5” folder under the “FSX_Times_Gauges” directory.  The existing “R4” folder is left untouched. Continue reading →

508: The “Back-lit” C172 Integrated Gauges are Coming

| Tom Tsui

During the release of the C172SP “back-lit” version a few months ago, I mentioned that similar changes would be coming soon to the C172SP Integrated series and possibly followed by other gauges.

The plan was dropped because I couldn’t help thinking that the orange-tinted back-lit style used on small aircraft such as the C172SP is a bit exaggerated even though it does look good on bigger jetliners.

After months of exploring, a new black-lit style is devised again — I hope this one will last.   And this time, I will use it on the C172SP Integrated series first.  Then, the standalone version will be revamped with similar changes later. Continue reading →

503: Robin DR400/180 Gauges Completed

| Tom Tsui

The Robin DR400 may not be as popular as the Cessna C172 worldwide.   But friends in Europe told me that it is still a well-liked aircraft especially in the Southern continent.

I made the ASI for it 18 months ago.   Now, the ATT, ALT, HDR and Integrated Engines are finished as well.

Together with the VSI from deHavilland DHC-2, TCR from MilViz DHC-2, VOR1 and VOR2 from Cessna C172SP, they generally complete the instrument cluster on the Lionheart DR400/180. Continue reading →

500: XP C172SP INTFG (Logitech) Released

| Tom Tsui

Here at last the Integrated Fuel Gauges (INTFG) for the X-Plane C172SP running Logitech FIP drivers.   It is fully customized for the aircraft even with the adjustable EGT reference needle. 

Unfortunately, there is still a feature yet to implement — the fuel-flow needle doesn’t work properly yet.

Nevertheless, instead of keeping it away from the shelf,  I replaced the fuel-flow instrument with CHT (Cylinder Head Temperature, a common feature found on Cessna aircraft) as an interim option until the solution is found.

Both CHT and fuel-flow options are included in the gauge package.   When the fuel-flow option is chosen, users may regard it a failure, which adds fun too.

All current X-Plane C172SP (Logitech) users could contact me for discount if interested in this new instrument.

Lastly, since I am not a full X-Plane simmer, help on implementing the fuel-flow feature is welcome and appreciated.    In return, a full set of the XP-Logitech C172SP or B58 gauges (or any of my bundle gauges) will be given to the first person who help solve the issue as a gift.

Following is the implementation I did so far: Continue reading →

497: Gauge-Switcher for X-Plane Plugins

| Tom Tsui

An X-Plane version of the GaugeSwitcher is also developed for those who are using the Logitech X-Plane Plugins for my FSX Times Gauges.

It works similarly and can handle up to 60 FIP gauge setups for X-Plane as well.

The utility has been sent to all users of my XP_Logitech gauges by emails.   Should anyone who hasn’t received the download link in their mailboxes by now could Continue reading →

496: Gauge-Switcher v8 Released

| Tom Tsui

GaugeSwitcher is a handy program I developed a couple of years ago to help Saitek FIP Driver users to quickly switch between multiple FSX Times Gauges (say from C172SP to B58 to Mooney Bravo to RAS Duke or vice versa) to match with the aircraft being used or to be used in FSX, FSX-SE and P3D.

The utility was given to users of my Gauges once but stopped for some reasons.

Now, the utility is available again with many optimizations, including compatibility with both Saitek and Logitech Drivers, and Continue reading →