Waypoint loaded aviation screen showing information

Weypont selected

Aircraft proximity warning system very busy

Introduced by Abacus some years ago as one the first GPS instruments available for the Flight Simulator user, the product has found its way into many a cockpit, assisting the virtual pilot to navigate across the skies. As Abacus state, "Simply put, EZ-GPS gets to your destination without the hassle of setting up complicated instruments. It makes your flight simming life a lot EZer." A lovely pun, but actually I totally agree.

Since I went over to the 'dark-side', i.e. installed FSX, I miss many marvellous programs, free and paid for, but, there are many delights FSX brings to the hobby. I did use, it has to said, a superb free navigational offering, but that superb facility, cannot be used in FSX. All right, there is the Flight Plan service in FSX, and of course 'dead reckoning', and if you 'own' a fancy commercial airliner the onboard nav-computer (FMC) will get you to your destination, if you have the odd few hours to program it that is... If you are a chap, or chapesses' for that matter, who likes 100% accuracy, then programming the onboard flight management computer system may be your preference, and you know, that is absolutely fine.

For me, I like to take to skys flying VFR, but having an accurate rolling map in the cockpit, providing me with a wide range of in-flight navigation information. Believe me, during the few 'flights' I have taken thus far, EZ-GPS fits the bill.

Excellent aviation page, lots of nav info

GPS destination added, data being shown in GPS

GPS goto curser option

But if you like to fly 'local' sorties in general aviation aircraft, then your choices have been a tad limited, due to the lack of a robust and easy to use GPS. As I have commented, you can log a flight plan, etc, which in the real world you have to do, but I have been looking for a easy GPS that I can utilise across my virtual fleet of interesting general aviation collection, and provide me with a easy way to navigate across 'them-there' virtual skies.

As I guess you have already gathered, the Abacus EZ-GPS v4 is now available. Looking at the spec I was frankly amazed at the price, it seemed very reasonable, and incredibly good value. But the 'proof is in the eating' as they say. An easy download, which presented no problems at all, installed it, by following the simple on screen prompts, and then you will have the GPS ready to use. I must say, during the installation sequence I was taken aback by the program recognising almost all my aircraft, and once selected, call up the GPS for use in that aircraft. You will also note, that when Users Guide file appears, do print off the 37 pages. You will, believe me, benefit from the 'bible' next to you for the first few flights accessing the GPS, such is the 'depth' of the unit.

I will say, the standard of Users Guide is excellent, clear diagrams, screen shots, and no nonsense descriptions, and suggested actions to get the best form the new acquisition, excellent.

So what does the EZ-GPS have to offer? The key benefits are:

GPS Isle Of White destination in sight

GPS moved lines over destination

GPS on ground showing new page

EZ-GPS Features

• Map page provides crystal-clear moving map depicting geopolitical boundaries, airports, VORs, Intersections and airways. Optionally displays roads (with route numbers), rivers and more
• Aviation page displays "glass-cockpit style" navigation in any aircraft
• Traffic page displays airborne targets - TCAS
• Cursor mode lets you easily build, save and fly a flight plan
• Compatible with any Flight Simulator flight plan
• Couples to autopilot to provide near auto landing (runway and vertical approaches.
• Tucks into small corner of your cockpit; requires only a small portion of your computer monitor
• Install EZ-GPS into any FS aircraft with just a few mouse clicks

There we have it, quite an array of 'goodies'. So climbed into my virtual aircraft, and took to the virtual skies. Got airborne selected my virtual EZ-GPS V4 and there we go. Re-sized it to a convenient proportion to the cockpit, when I noticed the entire unit was transparent, or semi-transparent, but this you can adjust with no effort at all.

GPS rolling map showing real time location

GPS selection in FSX

GPS showing runway and aircraft position

In The Cockpit

When you select the aircraft, and in the cockpit, the GPS will not appear, you have to go to Options, Select Instruments, and select EZ-GPS. You have an option to reduce or increase the transparency, very handy idea. So I then selected a waypoint, or destination, then watched as my route showed a green line, excellent. Opted for the Aviation Screen, and that had a myriad of information all of which was incredibly useful, especially so was the CDI Course Deviation Indicator with the main display being the incredibly accurate moving real time compass. Left and right of the compass you will find the KTS and ALT indicators which again are shown in incredible easy to read detail. Within this 'window' you have a OBS feature, handy when following a route, or navigating towards a single waypoint.

Entering a busy traffic area, well why not select the Traffic page (TECAS) the nearby traffic that will appear on screen will fall into four main categories, NORMAL TRAFFIC, PROXIMATE TRAFFIC, THREAT ADVISORY and RESOLUTION ADVISORY, all being shown graphically on screen. Other detail will show your relative position above or below the return, with a - or + above the symbol.

Another very useful feature is the FIND feature, by airport code or nearest. This identifier feature works amazingly well, without any hitch in my usage.

GPS solid in cockpit

GPS view showing any interior view the GPS remains in same location

GPS view to rear GPS remains in view

The detail available to you on your selected airport will allow you to opt for the right runway, choice the best flight line to the airport, very useful indeed.

On the rolling map view, you have the option to move the horizontal and vertical dotted lines on the map over your chosen destination, then opt for Fly to Route. While not engaging full autopilot, all the nav data appears, in the main view, CDI Heading etc, all active to the destination selected, excellent.

I really could go on, but I really do not feel like writing a War and Peace length review. Do you know what, it really has been some time, that such a program has ignited my interest in an add-on piece of software. The on-board facilities, and options, available to the user are massive, and comprehensive.

           

This offering, is robust, steady in performance, actually I would say it was fluid in its updates, and rolling map facility, easy to use.

Pushed hard, there were was a 'niggling' little area I found frustrating, certainly not annoying. This was around the selection of some options, i.e., when the unit is active, in the cockpit, and you want to use the mouse instinctively to select an instruction, in the menu option, attempting to make your selection with the mouse, you cannot, you have to hit one of the four arrows, on a 'button' at the base of the unit screen. I made the above mistake many times.

Pushed, I guess there was one other feature I found frustrating. In the cockpit, unit open and active, hop outside the aircraft, to get an external view, hop back in the cockpit, by pressing the 'S' key, or hat etc, hew presto, the GPS has disappeared, you have to re-select it.

                   

But, I have to say, without reservation, this is MUST and represents excellent value, and my friends I guarantee you will be using this in all aircraft, I simply love it.

I have to put this in a serious Must Have status. An outstanding job Abacus!

Onwards and upwards.

Nigel C. Martin
n.c.martin@btinternet.com

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