Exploring the TDS GTNXi in Microsoft Flight Simulator

This week TDS reached out to me to take a look at their GTNXi for Microsoft Flight Simulator. It's a very faithful simulation of the GTNXi based on the official Garmin simulation software. In this first look at it, I explore how different it is from the likes of the PMS GTN 750, have a brief look at some of the features, and some of the caveats (no Navigraph integration, for example!).
#msfs #tds #flightsimulator #microsoft #asobo #gtn #gtn750 #gtnxi #garmin #simulator #simulation #avionics #gps #navigation #realism #training

[@FlightSimVRDad]

Thanks for this. I just bought the TDS and have a few flights under my belt with it in the 414 and Sierra. But your video helped my understanding of it a lot. Thanks again, -Mike

[@tecsa30]

Hi, I recently found your channel and I really like the content you make. The many videos I've watched have reignited my passion for flight simulation. Thank you for your work. Regards, Csaba from Hungary

[@jonbeckett]

Cheers!

[@neohelios77]

Great catch with respect to charts (US only versus GLOBAL). Interestingly, the TDS developer made a recent statement about Navigraph support in their official forum, Thread titled "Navigraph Charts support in TDS GTNxi" originally posted 11/26/2022. Worth checking out (basically confirms Mr Beckett's observation, here, but with some additional context). All the same, THANK YOU for demonstrating this addon!!! Your perspective is an incredible help to the community.

[@Dionm01]

5:14 Jonathan, I want to say thank you very much for this video It was very insightful. I was curious about the TDSGTN 750 Now that I know it's connected with the Garmin trainer, "I will stay away from it like the plague". I already have that "drama" with the reality XP GTN 750 on the X-Plane platform. That is one of the Achilles heel, of developers who use the Garmin embedded software. I'll stick with a PMS5 GTN 750 that I already have. Again, thank you for your video. It is greatly appreciated. Cheers to you Dion

[@jonbeckett]

Worth noting - there was no uninstaller with the TDS GTNXi - I had to remove it by hand. The garmin trainer left remnants in the registry also.

[@Rahhhhhnman]

Haha... but you did remove it. It would seem (and many thanks for this review) that the PMS version is more applicable to MSFS in general. World charts and current AIRAC are hard to forgo.

[@rayjennings3637]

I've been using this instrument since it was originally published for FSX and used it in the A2A C182, then in P3D and now the GTNXi in MSFS. I love it. It's so useful and when you consider that you can store your flightplans in the GTN catalogue and create checklists with it as well, it's well worth the money. I tried using the PMS version but found it very limiting - the free version and when the good version went over to the subscription format I gave up and bought the TDS version immediately. I use it now, in the Milviz Cessna 310R, the Black Box Trislander and the Just Flight Arrow III. It's proving so useful on my round the world trip in the 310R. I use Little NavMap, like Jonathan but unlike Jonathan, for some reason, no matter which aircraft I'm flying, I always get TAWS and GPWS system failure warnings. I've reloaded it two or three times with the same result and even TDS have no idea why it happens. I'm running the latest versions of both the TDS software and the Garmin Trainer.

[@jonbeckett]

Very strange about the TAWS issues.

[@rayjennings3637]

@@jonbeckett In all other aspects, the instrument works faultlessly. At first, I wondered if the GPWS problem was because the 310R doesn't seem to be fitted with a radar altimeter but then neither, for example, are the Arrow III or the Trislander. I've got so used to it now that I almost don't hear the warnings anyway, besides with Little NavMap open on another monitor, I can see all the traffic around me. As well as that, in the 310R you automatically get two instruments on the panel so it's possible to have one just for Traffic or Terrain, whilst the main one displays the moving map etc.. There's always more than one way to do terrible things to that feline creature!

[@jonbeckett]

@@rayjennings3637 I think the major failing of the TDS is that it's tied to the Garmin data that comes with the Garmin trainer (because it IS the garmin trainer). Yes, TDS have done some great integration work, making it operate with the simulator - but it's really the Garmin Trainer when it comes down to it. Also - the charts are only there for the US - again, because that's what comes with the Garmin trainer :/

[@rayjennings3637]

@@jonbeckett It was like that in FSX. Still, I think the benefits of the system far outweigh the niggles.

[@jress9967]

is there a frame rate hit?

[@845SiM]

Love this plane, this was a must buy when it came out. The 208 has been my goto plane since the sim launched. It’s like a Swiss Army knife can do pretty much everything you need it to and easy to fly.

[@KimFieldstad]

Don't forget to check throttle quadrant before brake release. You were in low idle mixture the entire flight. Your videos are my favorite to watch.

[@jonbeckett]

Strangely enough, a real-world Caravan pilot told me they often leave it in low idle :)

[@ironmanballer4868]

Love the video glad to see your giving third party avionics a try again unfortunately I’d much rather put the $80 to buy that unit in game towards the real sim gear 750 unit. Never the less nice video love seeing the grand caravan back in action.

[@jonbeckett]

Heh - I picked the Caravan because it supports the TDS GTNXi :)

[@volkerjansen3901]

The GTN was begging you to select a visual approach, so it could guide you to the runway ;) I have both the TDS and the PMS50 version, and each has their strengths. But in the end I really wish Working Title would build a GTN750 into the base sim, so all planes could use it.

[@jonbeckett]

Well... TDS cheated, and integrated the Garmin trainer software :) In all honesty, the GTN 750 is a bit of a monster - it would take a couple of years to develop one from scratch that replicated the real unit's functionality.

[@jeffreywharton1458]

I purchased this unit for several reasons, #1 at about the same cost as navigraph is for 2 months I got all my approach charts, which are Jeppson charts. #2 I love to be able to drag the course to add waypoints, etc. Great product especially for a senior citizen who can't afford a monthly navigraph subscription.

[@Rahhhhhnman]

Do you only fly USA?

[@renefeijen5916]

Nice to see some differences with the PMS50 version. I have both, use the PMS50 mostly, but will start using the TDS version again for the US I think. Or even else, not looking charts on the GPS unit anyway, it is rather small and a bit uncomfy in VR.

[@GumperVanLier]

The reason the 430 won't turn on is the working title version. If you uninstall it, it will show up. I have the PMS5 Premium and he has a patch for this. The GTN 750 is my favorite add-on and worth the lifetime price. The GTNXi is graphically superior and has more features. But lack of Navigraph hurts it but I think it's worth the $54. PMS5 constantly updates and adds features with the autopilot as my favorite. You don't get an autopilot if the plane doesn't have one. Enjoyed your video.

[@jonbeckett]

Cheers :)

[@LordRoxy]

I have both TDS GTNXi and the PMS50 and whilst it’s of course just my opinion, I much prefer the interface and functions of the TDS over the PMS but because I like having an up to date AIRAC and use e.g. Navigraph and Pilot2ATC whilst flying, the lack of up to date AIRAC on the TDS causes some navigational issues. Therefore reluctantly I tend to use the PMS50. I like the King Air and have also noticed with the TDS doesn’t seem to like switching between Nav and HDG mode as it seems to not then display correctly which mode you are in. This may of course just be an issue with the King Air and TDS in combo. So I really like the TDS but reluctantly use the PMS50 due to the issues I have mentioned. Of course if you tend not to use other navigational apps whilst flying then the AIRAC that comes with the TDS will be fine and the interface is in my opinion better than the PMS50. Finally, the full cost of the PMS50 will be higher than the GTN.😊

[@renefeijen5916]

Extra info: it still needs HAGS off, but I am now testing a beta build which can handle HAGS ON, and so far that works pretty well.!

[@jackwoud]

Hello Jonathan, how do you switch frome NAV1 to NAV 2, I can't find it! Thanks for your answer?

[@garywiley7886]

Recently I subscribed as a premium member for the GTN750. Can you please explain how to plan the descends to the waypoints the system generates - Straight and Final? I can setup the flight plan and fly it with no problems. It's the arrival I don't do well with. Thank you for your input!

[@TheScorpion777]

I can't fly this type of planes because Garmin is just a black screen and I can't fix it. Do you know solutions?

[@jonbeckett]

This was a specific add-on called the TDS GTNXi - it's not the stock GPS. That said, there is a free GPS called PMS GTN 750 that you can download for free (for the PC version of MSFS).

[@TheScorpion777]

@@jonbeckett just tried but still black screens on some planes.. thank you!

[@slimpikkins9526]

im having the same problem.

[@TheGreatRepeller]

Just curious, this looks like the one in the A2A Comanche. Is it? Im trying to learn how to use it. Last time I flew GPS was brand new and didnt work very well, lol.

[@jonbeckett]

There are two GNT 750s available for Flight Simulator - the PMS GTN 750, which is somewhat realistic and is well integrated with the simulator - and the TDS GTN 750, which is essentially the official Garmin trainer software, retro fitted into the simulator. The upside of the TDS is that it looks and works EXACTLY like the real thing. The downside is that it only has the US in it's charts, and the AIRAC is only as up-to-date as the most recent Garmin training software release.

[@_pjd]

Great video; I love TDS's work with porting this to FS2020. Do you have a video on ILS approaches with the GTNxi?

[@jonbeckett]

I've actually uninstalled it. I will be coming back to the PMS GTN750 at some point though.

[@_pjd]

@@jonbeckett Can you tell why you've uninstalled the TDS add-on?

[@desmodromic4586]

To get rid of the fps hit you need to add the tds exe to your antivirus exception list, there is a YT video on this , after doing this it hardly eats any fps

[@jonbeckett]

I've aready removed it - not having up to date navigation data is kind of a deal breaker.

[@nieschlafen]

can you please help me? after inserting avwx token, i get the 'no data' error when trying to request weather information

[@boozerbrandy]

What is the blue blob around the aircraft that changes shape. I didn’t hear you talk about that

[@KimFieldstad]

Engine out glide

[@paulwilson8367]

You know, most of us are not wanting to build the flight plan one fix at a time. We let SimBrief do that for us and then we import the whole thing into the unit. I was hoping you would show that as a starting point and how to manipulate the route from there.

[@jress9967]

Can you use Navigraph charts from a separate monitor for approaches, SIDS and STARS?

[@jonbeckett]

Yes - you can run the Navigraph charts app itself, and put it on any monitor. Hell - you can use it on the web on a different computer even. It's good like that.

[@boozerbrandy]

The PMS also sends warning messages about airspace also

[@jonbeckett]

Yep - have seen this while flying.

[@mosheflute]

I learn a lot from your videos, thank you! How do you install the TDS GTNXi into the C208 or other aircraft?

[@whammo11224]

You don't! They have to include your aircraft of choice or you use it like an external window! Like I stated above, worst purchase I've made!

[@mosheflute]

@@whammo11224 Thanks a lot for your answer

[@whammo11224]

@@mosheflute You're welcome

[@jonbeckett]

The aircraft has to support the TDS. Only certain aircraft are compatible.

[@Lone_GamerUK]

Thanks for another great video to catch up on. Do you know or can confirm has the TDS GTN750Xi had any update on the databases? I would like to fund this as so close to the real thing and multiple plane uses, however if the database never gets updated and no navigraph get intergrated in future it's kind of off putting? As of March 2023 has it got more recent database updates at all? The website doesn't mention current or if they get regular updates etc? Hope your well mate. LG

[@jonbeckett]

Nope. I asked the developer about that, and they replied with an essay defending it. As far as I can determine, the reason it cannot be updated is because it is reliant on the Garmin GTNXi trainer being updated - because it IS the Garmin GTNXi trainer - shoe-horned into the sim. Don't get me wrong - TDS have done a lot of work to make it work in the sim - but essentially, it's the Garmin system - and Garmin only update the trainer every so often - and then it will be down to TDS to port the new trainer into the simulator.

[@Lone_GamerUK]

@@jonbeckett OK thanks for update, yes it terrific & high fidelity due to being a trainer port into MSFS, I wonder then, when the trainer will get updated (or if ever) as it's been out over a year already in MSFS and presume trainer was before that even. The MSFS TDS GTN750Xi has a May/June 2021 Data Base at the moment only then. Which is pretty recent and not much of a negative, but if 5 years time it's still 2021 Airac then I dunno? Not sure how upfront TDS are about that atm? Thier wesbiste selling it says nothing on the DB. I presume the licensing & your not going to get a current year as you do with paid subscriptions like Navigraph/Garmin - but thought they may run a trailing 2 yr DB or something? We have to see if say a 2022 Apr/May DB is done in trainer for 2023? I'll search garmin site to see if they mention thier trainer updates. If it had full NAvigraph integration license (which it doesn't atm) then people who already pay for that would'nt mind as they use the current airac and DB using that would be the simplist way perhaps. So I guess we watch that space - Terrific that it got into MSFS though & looks great, - lovely to see the depth in your video - thanks again

[@perpetualomega]

Is the terrain warning still based on SMFS?, in which case the red areas are still 500ft below your height.

[@jonbeckett]

I have no idea - this was literally the second time I started an aircraft with it, and the first actual flight.

[@davewills6121]

If i purchase is it a ''one off payment/annual subscription'', i did look, yet am unclear on this aspect. Anyone?

[@jonbeckett]

Just send them an email and ask - they are pretty responsive :)

[@davewills6121]

@@jonbeckett Will do. Kudos

[@garywiley7886]

How do you make the GNT750 pop out of the panel? Thank you.

[@jonbeckett]

Didn't know you could :)

[@JM1701ABCD]

Can you use this for autopilot?

[@jonbeckett]

Not sure - have not had it installed for a long time.

[@JM1701ABCD]

@@jonbeckett any reason why you don't use it anymore?

[@jonbeckett]

@@JM1701ABCD Not particularly. The TDS is very good - but it only works in particular aircraft, and is essentially the Garmin trainer integrated into Flight Simulator (which is a feat in and of itself). If you're studying/practicing the real thing, it's invaluable - because it's absolutely identical.

[@jonbeckett]

Worth noting that the data inside the TDS - nav database, etc is limited to the last time the Garmin trainer was updated - which is NOT on the same schedule as AIRAC updates.

[@Uldarich-042]

Thank you.

[@helicopterovirtual-msfs6254]

Fantástico.

[@sivoltage]

Does it pop out to another screen?

[@jonbeckett]

Not tried.

[@BartBochenski]

Thanks for the video, but I have to say LittleNav Map is not an ideal flight planning for MFS - for one it does not match arrival or departure procedures.

[@jonbeckett]

It does if you update it. On the other hand the TDS AIRAC is hopelessly out of date and only has charts for the US :/

[@Part_121]

Looks really nice, and something I'd like to have, but I think the mismatch between outdated Garmin data and current Navigraph/Sim data would drive me crazy, especially in those cases where approaches are a little off the centerline, etc. I wonder if Garmin forbids them from trying to adapt to any other source of data. Garmin has always been a pain when it comes to their databases.

[@Ace-ff5sv]

The PMS Gtn 750 Is Much better

[@jonbeckett]

I think people are over-estimating what TDS have done. They have essentially taken the Garmin trainer, and made it appear in the sim. They have not modified it in any way, other than integrating location of the aircraft into it.

[@JohnVanderbeck]

No Navigraph, USA only, and outdated database are kind of a deal breaker for me. Guess that makes the decision easy.

[@jonbeckett]

It may have been updated since.

[@tomjanzen9278]

Since AAU1, I've had bad experience with any PMS50 product. It seems to have broken all my added aircraft, so I had high hopes for the TDS that Jon reviewed. Bought and installed it, but it killed my FPS and also had some issues within it, such as the "In" and "Out" buttons didn't work. I reset my graphics settings much lower but it didn't cure the problem. Finally had to uninstall it. Now, my BlackSquare 350i works just fine with the GTN 530's. Looks like I just wasted $53. Bummer

[@jonbeckett]

The TDS is essentially the Garmin trainer software integrated into the simulator. That's it. Nothing more.

[@desmodromic4586]

Again you need add the tds exe to your antivirus exception list , restores all the lost fps, search on yt there is a video about how to do it…i was in the same situation, thought I wasted the money….but no there is a way around the fps loss

[@tomjanzen9278]

@@desmodromic4586 Thanks! I found that YT video and will employ the technique. Much appreciated.

[@tomjanzen9278]

Here's the link, in case anyone else wants it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJKslpl_mKepjdk

[@tomjanzen9278]

The advice in that video totally resolved my fps issue, but the GTNxi still had flaws until I uninstalled the WT GTN 530. This pertains to the BlackSquare analog King Air. I don't know if there are incompatibility issues with other planes. Anyway, it works perfectly in the 350i now. One thing it doesn't seem to do though, is import a flight plan from the World Map.

[@goalski134]

looks decent but wow is that price prohibitive.

[@jeffreywharton1458]

Yes I only fly USA

[@whammo11224]

Great video! Worst purchase I've ever made!

[@jonbeckett]

Oh no!