Threshold Review: TDS GTNXi for X-Plane 11/12
Quick summary· AI-generated
This in-depth review examines the TDS GTNXi for X-Plane, an avionics package that simulates the real Garmin GTN750Xi and GTN650Xi units. The reviewer praises the add-on's accuracy and ease of installation through the TDS GPS Manager, noting that it's based on official Garmin trainer software and includes nearly all real-world pages and functionality. Key features discussed include Navigraph chart integration, realistic page behavior, and limitations (such as SiriusXM weather and SMS) that are inherent to sim replication. The review provides practical detail on what pilots can expect when using this avionics solution in their X-Plane setups.
Excerpt from Threshold
Disclaimer: This product is compatible with both X-Plane 11 and 12, however, this review was conducted with X-Plane 12. Nevertheless, the add-on should function the same in both simulators.
Introduction
The TDS GTNXi has been out for quite a while in Microsoft Flight Simulator, and I had a chance to write a review on the product, where I was thoroughly impressed. Somewhat more recently, just over a year ago, TDS released the GTNXi for X-Plane, and as someone who has been using X-Plane a lot more in the recent months, I was excited to get the opportunity to test it in X-Plane.
For those unfamiliar, the TDS GTNXi simulates both the GTN750Xi and the GTN650Xi. The Xi is an upgrade over the previous generation, featuring improved processing power, improved rendering and UI, and more. However, on the outside, the units look largely the same, and if you are familiar with the regular GTN, the GTNXi will be very easy to transition to.
The TDS GTNXi uses the Garmin trainers, which are used for real-world training on the avionics. Thus, they are practically a 1:1 recreation of the real units, which makes them incredibly enjoyable to use. Make sure to read the full review to figure out everything that the TDS units have to offer and whether this product is the right fit for you.
Installation
The TDS GTNXi is very easy to install in X-Plane. The unit can be installed using the “TDS GPS Manager.” All you need to do is log in to your account, then click “install” for both the Garmin trainers and the TDS unit itself, and you will be good to go. It automatically found my X-Plane install location as well, so the process was overall as simple as possible.
Accuracy
I do not have anything overly negative to say about the TDS units, as they are based on the Garmin trainers, they are one of the most accurate avionics we have simulated in X-Plane. Many of the pages work as you would expect, including the “Map, “Flight Plan,” “Proc,” “Charts,” and many more pages. There are some things that do not work, but it is to be expected, as they cannot be recreated in the simulator. Some of these include SiriusXM weather, SMS text, phone calls, music, etc. However, the pages are still there and simulated, it just will not work in the simulator for obvious reasons. The charts page does work with Navigraph integration, though, which is fantastic, and it allows you to bring the charts into the GTNXi, if you have a Navigraph subscription. Even the more obscure pages work, such as…
Comments (0)
No comments yet.