TDS GTNXi - Welcome to the future of MSFS

Huge thanks to Tiberiu for reaching out and giving me a copy of their TDS GTNXi package. This takes GA flying to the next level by providing all the information you'll need regardless if you're flying VFR or IFR. Let's check out the detailed features in this video.
Purchase the TDS GTNXi through their website: tdssim.com/tds...
Download links and complete list of mods/plugins: bit.ly/ClumsyM...
Main FS2020 playlist: bit.ly/ClumsyF...
00:00 - Intro
01:30 - Nav database
02:20 - Map details
04:32 - Engine start
06:25 - Graphically edit FPL
09:22 - Weather limitation
12:52 - GTN 750 and 650 are completely separate (no cross-fill)
15:55 - Just Flight Arrows integration
16:41 - Runup
17:10 - Checklist
20:43 - Takeoff (notice the map autozoom)
22:40 - Map options
25:22 - Glide Range Ring
26:28 - IFR procedures
29:09 - Call to action -- spread the word!
31:20 - More map details
32:28 - VNAV
35:25 - Smart Glide test
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[@j-frousseau4322]

Is it just me or people that paid for PMS50 are blindly saying they don't see the advantage of using this one? Watch this video and after only 5 mins, you'll notice that this has hundreds of features that the PMS50 version doesn't have. Aside from the Charts in US only and not updatable Airacs, (edit: and also weather implementation) this is the closest thing to real life you'll get. I have the PMS50 myself and will buy this one as soon as the piper update come out. It's simply amazing clicking everywhere and being able to add waypoints directly on the map and seeing the towers and constraints. It is absolutely fantastic in my opinion!

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Definitely agree! And the just flight update is out. Enjoy!

[@reinie6279]

Recently a Pro version is released with worldwide intergrated navigraph maps with support for the most recent cycle updates. 😍

[@rayjennings3637]

Used the original in P3D and loved it so as soon as I heard it was available for MSFS I bought a copy and just about tolerated the stand-alone application but it was so useful I stayed with it despite also having the PMS version. I downloaded this version two days ago and what a difference! It's amazing how much better cross-country flying now is! Justflight released the updated Arrows 22nd February!

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Definitely agree. I can't stop flying with it! Glad you're enjoying it, too.

[@IslandSimPilot]

Hey, so the database will essentially always be old, and we can't update it using for example Navigraph? I don't really like the PMS50 GTN because it's not really a GTN, it's sort of morphed into whatever features the dev feels like adding (and it's $75, which is outrageous). But the plus for that one is you can update the nav database. Not so here?

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Yes, that's one of the limitations. To be fair, I've been flying with this for a few weeks straight and still haven't seen an inconsistent approach because of the older nav database.

[@arclight4625]

I have to say that looks pretty sweet for just going out and doing some VFR flying, especially the runway taxi ways. I've been learning to fly IFR/ILS with the FBWa32nx. Now I'm looking forward to jumping into my Turbo Arrow and just going for a fun cruise. Thanks for showcasing this.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Thanks, and yes, it also works for IFR. Airways, holds, and other IFR procedures are fully supported, too. Enjoy!

[@GumperVanLier]

Excellent video. I have the GTN 650/750 Premium but this looks really nice. Advanced features like the G1000 NXi over the G1000. When this gets to where it's more complete, I'll consider purchasing this product. By the way, PMS5 GTN750 keeps getting updated frequently. A very useful tool..

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Yes, both great tools. I'm enjoying the choices we are starting to get in msfs.

[@4secsharkmr352]

Excellent GTN750 and excellent explanation. Thank you and take care

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Thanks. Same to you!

[@hesynergy]

Love your stuff young sir! I believe the stock GTN allows you to press and hold the home button( top right) to return to map mode from ANY other mode no matter how deep. Sorry if this has been mentioned. Regards and keep up the great work! Chas

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Thanks Chas! Oh I haven't tried that yet. Let me see if that trick works here, too. Thanks!

[@danhoven]

I just wrote this all out on a different video, but wanted to come back to this one and just make others aware. There are many that want things that will not happen, unless Garmin change their trainer. Back when the RXP 750 first came out I bought it and was almost immediately on the phone with Garmin trying to find out how I could mod the trainer. Long story short, you cannot. I was able to get some files from a friend, that got them from another friend of someone that bought the data and was able to update my files, but that's all. Unless Garmin added weather support, it will never have any. The only that could be done is some sort of overlay so the user was clicking an invisible button that then would have to somehow overlay the weather (not possible in my opinion) The Garmin trainer is at the heart here, and the brains. Not at all trying to cut down TDS, and believe me, as much as I LOVED my RXP 750, these truths made him mad as well but it's undeniable. My major particular buying decision between this and the PMS50 is to be fully compatible with the Realsimgear 750. Having just checked their last notes, both of these will work so now I must pick more. PMS building there's from scratch, outside of Garmin completely will have the better end result from what I see, since they will be able to implement weather, or any other feature since they're not just putting drapes on someone else's window. The window being the Garmin trainer. Even adding Airacs in the future aren't possible without Garmin or someone at Navigraph learning Garmin's files (TDB & odb) and then rewriting them every cycle which is beyond monumental a thought, haha. TDS's looks better, because it's Gamin's trainer running. No possible way for airac updates without some form of overlay EFB. So all that said, I will support both, since I already have the lifetime PMS50. For now this will most likely work better with my very expensive Realsimgear GTN 750. My only point is that PMS50, though currently less able, is on the right track in building from scratch since no other developer today or tomorrow will be able to add features to Garmin's trainer. Only box around it and make it work with MSFS as well as push aircraft devs in making the needed panel.

[@sandtrapjack]

Well done! Thank you.

[@lionheart8001]

Again a very nice inspring video thanks Clumsy ...to tell you the truth I prefer using it separately on a second monitor.. better overview and zooming in and out with the mouse wheel much easier

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Thanks man. All good! We all have our preferences.

[@ironknobair]

I am having a lot of trouble with this GNXi. Worked perfectly for a while but now integration has gone. All I get is a flickering screen and nothing turns on, also when I turn it on I get a message to turn off my windows graphic setting when they are already off. hope no one else gets this problem.

[@tmangamingx]

Hey Clumsy, I had got frustrated with my pc it didn't have enough memory to run msfs 2020 and my computer was running slow and running out of room. So I bought a 1 tb memory card carried it to the shop and they installed some more memory. Now that I have enough memory to run it decently. I am back flying again. I have sure missed it. This sure looks good. Just a little too high priced for my budget right now. It still seems that things are just out of my reach even after all of this time being away. Maybe one day I can get these things. Enjoyed the vid thanks for sharing it.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Congrats man! Glad to hear your upgrade pushed through. Enjoy!

[@watercolour7606]

Clicked the link on your video comments to buy this and set up an account but not receiving any email link from tdssim to confirm my email address. I am asked to email tds but I cannot see tds’s email address on its website. On another note: thank you for this exceptional video.

[@redjr16]

In full disclosure, I'm not a pilot nor a GPS expert. Having said that, I still need some basic questions answered. I saw your video and thought it would be a good addition as a FS utility to augment my learning about FPs and the navigation by embracing this TDS tool. I know AP can be set for either/both ALT and HDG. But, I also thought, one of the most useful features of an AP using a sophisticated GPS was so that the plane would steer itself at the pre-programmed WPs. This aspect of using MSFS with various planes I have not conquered yet. Hopefully, the TDS package will make it easier once I have a solid understanding of the planes capability. I thought I heard you say in the video(19:35), that with this particular plane or nav system the WP headings would have to be changed manually? However, I was keeping my eye on the plane on the display waiting to see what it did at the first WP. While I didn't see the plane turn, it did appear to have done what I expected and changed heading to the 2nd WP. Did it do so automatically, or did you change it manually, like you said you would need to do earlier in the video because the plane didn't support it? I'm confused. Isn't that the BIGGEST advantage of auto navigation? I like to create my FPs in LNM and upload them to the sim. But then what comes next so that everything will function properly? What actions does the pilot NEED to take so that the navigation is automated. Assume we're in level flight and we simply want the AP/GPS to steer along our rep-planed and loaded FP automatically? I have had very limited success in getting this aspect of navigation to work correctly and predictably in MSFS. I've gotten it a couple times, but for the life of me can't figure out if the process is correct. Good video BTW. Another tool that hopefully will help me understand this stuff better. :)

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Hi! Yes, with autopilot and a flight plan, the plane will follow and turn by itself if in NAV mode. Different planes have different names for it. NAV/GPS/FMS are some of the common ones. About the track needing to be set manually, that's just for visual purposes. The plane will turn by itself during autopilot, but the track shown on the HSI will not automatically change to where the plane is turning towards. So it won't be confusing for the pilot, they need to align the track on the HSI with the track the GPS is currently following. (there is an option in the tds btw to make this HSI adjustment automatic, but it's just not realistic for some older planes). Enjoy!

[@redjr16]

@@TheClumsyGeekGaming Well it did appear in your example, that the background map on the display rotated automatically to the next WP's heading, and thereby orienting the plane, showing it following the FP path. I'll have to do more experimenting. Right now I'm trying to get the TDS displays to show up in the cockpit. :) Thanks for your help.

[@garywiley3501]

Can you plan a direct flight from airport to airport and setup a visual approach to a specific runway? This is possible in the G1000. Thank you

[@conlethbyrne4809]

Great bit of kit, I am thinking the Cessna Chancellor 414 I wonder does it actually take control of the plane in auto pilot by using the switch on the plane or both & was it difficult to install? Most say it's the first time watching your videos & not the last. Slainte 👍👌💚

[@miri-hw6gf]

I have bought tds gtnxi and pa28 from justflight and finished installation of garmin trainer , however digital display doest not appear instead old default display come up . what is wrong with my installation? is there institutional video showing how to install and configure??

[@KarateWiesel]

Hi, i own the pms50 GTN750. Is there any difference between those? Maybe you could make a comparrisson?

[@Smasher77th]

This is better than the pms. I have both so I know. That being said, I don't understand why it uses the bezel of the GTN regular, since it the GTNXi. The bezels are different.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Oh is it? That's good to know. Just Flight released their official updates now. Not sure if they added in the correct bezel this time.

[@divij5424]

This looks absolutely fantastic. Pity about no Navigraph integration though as I mainly fly in europe. Do you know if the taxi way names show up on the map if in an airport in EU?

[@Msfs2024HD]

The tds uses the proprietary Garmin database so if you want to fly in EU you'd have to get the EU package. I'm not sure if you get the EU database if you download the trainer from a EU server or it just comes with one database for everyone.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Hmm yes good question. I should try flying outside the US one of these days to see how detailed the maps can still be.

[@obriets]

I have the pms50 GTN750 and am struggling to see what the hype is about the TDS. The PMS50 is more developed at this point too.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Oh interesting. I found it completely different and superior, especially when it comes to flight planning. Largely depends on taste, I guess.

[@kurtlovisa891]

How so?

[@4secsharkmr352]

@@TheClumsyGeekGaming yep, I second that. I have the Pms50 one too and for me this one here looks like it have more practical advantages.

[@volkerjansen3901]

Graphical flight planning, automatic zoom and obstacle warnings are three obvious features that I am quite sure PMS50 does not have (yet).

[@obriets]

PMS50 does have the flight planning and terrain and the weather radar will come in time when Asobo pull their fingers out. You can already get the Metars. The lack of navigraph integration for TSS, or at the very least, updatable Airacs, is a deal killer IMO. Plus, I’ve already made 1/2 of the lifetime payment for PMS50 and it’s well worth it’s cost as more and more GA aircraft that use it are being added. Yes, this video was useful to confirm to me that what I have is best, for me, for now.

[@thomasborjesson3895]

Good video. I'm going to get this TDS. By the way, it looks like you made your video using the X-box controller to control the camera. What I'm wondering is how you got rid of the white dot that is always so distracting. It only flashes briefly at the beginning of the vid but seems it gone. Thankful for tips.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Thanks Thomas. You know I wonder why the white dot disappears often, too. Could it be because I'm also using trackir?

[@errolikalina1998]

Hey Clumsy, great video again, I just bought this and its awesome. However I really would like to know where you got the checklist from, I've tried looking but cannot find it. Thanks.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Congrats! I googled for keywords "arrow ace checklist". Here's the link: forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/topic/132931-checklist/&do=findComment&comment=1277151 Just remember to rename the file to checklist.ace and place in the directory as instructed in the tds gtnxi manual. Enjoy!

[@davidh7280]

Like the Flight 1 GTN package, geo referenced charts are only available for North America, the rest of the world is not covered. I used to have CTD issues with the F1 Garmin, hopefully this will be carefree? Anyway, thanks for the video.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Ah thanks for the info. Hope it goes well for you, too!

[@benzo8]

At 12:20, I believe you're misreading the altimeter - the large hands major delineations is hundreds, the minor delineations 20 feet. So where you set it will have been about 10 feet and then when you lined it up with the air pressure, it was reading about right - nearer 80 feet but closer, I think, to the truth.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

D'oh! Yes, you're right. I have these brain farts from time to time whenever I look at the altimeter at the beginning of a flight. Thanks for pointing it out.

[@markm75]

At this time its limited to only working in a few aircraft correct vs the pms 750 that works on any? Does it have a native (non windows) pop out option for VR?

[@liortaylor5305]

great video, thanks, it looks pretty amazing!! is the NAV mode not auto centering to follow the GPS course normal? the 430 works fine in NAV mode with GPS mode. What about VLOC? does it still track and center on VORs and ILS properly? also, sorry this is a little above my head but is the AIRAC simply set and we won't be updatable in the future?

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Thanks! Autopilot follows the GPS course automatically, but the course in the CDI/OBS does not change on its own so it can get confusing for the pilot. That's why I manually adjust the CDI to the DTK every new waypoint. 👍 Yes, VLOC works as before and can track VORs and ILSes. The airac updates are based on what the Garmin trainer offers, from what I understand. It does get updates but is typically few months older data.

[@liortaylor5305]

@@TheClumsyGeekGaming Excellent. thank you for the quick response.

[@helicopterovirtual-msfs6254]

Perfeito.

[@goatash]

That thing is sweet 🛫🛩wow

[@GregCo72]

Where did you find the mod to incorporate it with the arrow?

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

It was provided unofficially by tds. An official one will be provided by just flight very soon, from what I've heard.

[@mannyrivera6990]

I would like to compare that with the PMS50 , I dont see ant difference yet .

[@Msfs2024HD]

The tds does holding and search and rescue patterns

[@Ben-kw8bo]

So does this not read the MSFS Nav data like the PMS 750,meaning there is Nav data missing for most of the world? What exactly is this one missing outside North America?

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Yes, it has its own navdata from the Garmin trainer, which is a couple of months old. This still covers the entire world, though. What it's lacking mainly is the charts, as the charts are only available for North America.

[@Ben-kw8bo]

@@TheClumsyGeekGaming Thanks! By charts you mean approach plates or what exactly?

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Yes, by charts I mean approach plates, airport diagrams, and the like. 👍

[@gollygolly368]

Biggest question is affect on FPS performance. Remember, both RealityXP and Flight1 GTNs and GNS, in FSX/P3D, used the Garmin Trainer. The main advantage was that the work is done outside the sim... meaning that it uses spare cpu threads ... many, therefore, as MSFS still only uses 4 or 5 threads ! So the graphics and refresh rate should be faster.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Yes, good points! I didn't encounter any noticeable fps drops. As you mentioned, the cpu load this package consumes should not take away from the main thread msfs is using, as it's a separate application and therefore can use completely separate threads.

[@donc8635]

Great video lots of great info! I thought there was a way to import flight plans that are saved in the right format, garmin.gpf files into the TDS 750 and noticed in the settings you can cycle through navigation source and choose MSFS Flight Simulator, to try it out I saved a flight plan to where all my in sim flight plans are saved, but I haven't been able to find out how to import them or open them from within the 750. Hopefully someone knows how, but thanks for posting a great video it's a big help!

[@Smasher77th]

Your mistake was lowering the landing gear too early. That's the last thing you shoulda done, and probably only after lined up for landing. Great video as always, thanks a lot.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Ah yes, good point. Thanks for the tip!

[@goalski134]

this looks really interesting. i just wish it was compatible with far more aircraft. have they stated which planes it will work with going forward?

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Yes, I hope so, too. If we do our part in sharing the news, developers will be more likely to jump in. Just Flight has confirmed they will make all their GA planes compatible with it. Hype also has it working for the H145, I think? SWS will have support for their upcoming RV-14 and others. 👍

[@goalski134]

@@TheClumsyGeekGaming it’s a shame because it’s at a cracking price at the moment but i can’t really justify it as it currently can’t be used with most of the aircraft i fly.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

@@goalski134 I'm confident that will come soon enough. 😉

[@Msfs2024HD]

@@goalski134 you can use it as a pop up on a second screen. Right I use mine on a cheap 10 Inch touch screen I got from Amazon. I just start it up and drag it to the second screen and it works pretty good on the touch screen

[@goalski134]

@@Msfs2024HD i’m not sure i want to do that but it is an awesome idea. cheers!

[@kdbninerseventwo3328]

Hey .. if you pop up the gtn is it possible with a touchscreen to control it… or with the computer mouse 🖱 on the pop up screen

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Yes, if you right alt + mouse click on the gtnxi, it will pop out and you can place it on a separate screen, where you can use the touch screen via mouse, etc. It might cause the same fps impact of other pop-up screens depending on your system, though.

[@jcbak]

It's a shame the Airac is out of date. That could be a problem if you fly online or if you just want to be current.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Yes, that could be a concern. So far from the limited I've flown, though, have not noticed much difference yet vs my navigraph data which is current.

[@hobanagerik]

If you can’t update the Navdata then there isn’t much point to it.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

It's not bad, actually. A few months old navdata and so far I haven't encountered any major discrepancy even after months of flying with it.

[@aviator9884]

Hi, can you please link the checklist file you used on the gtn itself? Thanks

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Here you go: forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/topic/132931-checklist/&do=findComment&comment=1277151 Remember to rename the file and place it in the directory as instructed in the tds gtnxi manual. Enjoy!

[@aviator9884]

@@TheClumsyGeekGaming thank you!

[@rudragopalmukkala2018]

hey clumsy why did you stop playing derail valley?

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Waiting for the simulation update. 👍

[@whammo11224]

Does the OBS mode work? I'm typing this before I finished the video. No OBS=no purchase!

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Good question. I haven't tried yet. I often use OBS for landing at airports with no IFR approaches, but this actually offers visual approaches for all runways already, so I don't find much need for OBS. That being said, I did still see an OBS button, just haven't had the need yet.

[@whammo11224]

@@TheClumsyGeekGaming That might actually be an option for me then. I currently don't use any plane that doesn't use the NXi in the sim already for that very reason.

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

Just tested. Yes obs also works in addition to the visual approaches for every runway. Enjoy!

[@whammo11224]

@@TheClumsyGeekGaming Thank you. I purchased it, but having problems with the installation. How exactly does it work in-game?

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

@@whammo11224 it should work seamlessly. When you open msfs, during the loading screen the gtnxi external software automatically opens in the background. If you're getting black screens or other issues, I suggest joining the TDS discord to get help from them directly. They reply very fast most of the time. Good luck and congrats on your purchase!

[@streamer6646]

Not a very natural way to go, when already using Navigraph...

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

For charts, yes, but for everything else, it's amazing.

[@caduguimaraes]

NO AIRAC update is already a reason to not follow on this product unfortunately.. Garmin database barely are updated, so the probability of buying this product and remain with a out of date product / database is huge..

[@TheClumsyGeekGaming]

I'm not sure it's that intense. A few months old navdata should still be perfectly usable around 95% of the time.

[@caduguimaraes]

This database depends from Garmin. Take a look the last airac update from Garmin home page. There isn't. In a year, several procedures, airways, fixes and the like already be out of date. Remembering Garmin last airac is from 202104, so already a year late.