NS 430??????????????

[SkipCarey]

I bought this add on NS430 navsystem for the Gazelle and supposedly its far superior to the OEM system for both navigation and comms, are there any dedicated Gazelle pilots here that use this system and what do you think of it over the Gazelles OEM Nav/Comms system? Ive always wanted to try it but the MI8 aint my  cup of tea so its now on the Gazelle and it was cheap.

 

Thanks in advance

[Ramsay]

On 2/12/2022 at 12:55 AM, SkipCarey said:

are there any dedicated Gazelle pilots here that use this system and what do you think of it over the Gazelles OEM Nav/Comms system?

I'm hardly a dedicated DCS Gazelle pilot but have used the Garmin GNS430 trainer and used the GNS430 (and similar) in other simulators.

Positives

The DCS NS430 is a nice dashboard decoration and adds things such as
• low resolution moving map,
• Direct to,
• route cross track error
• Imperial measurements (useful when flying in mixed formation)
• Holds more than 9 waypoints (unlike the NADIR)

Personally, I also find it helps maintain focus when flying nap of earth and avoid CFIG on longer (+1 hr) flights but YMMV.

In general, I don't find the NS430 adds much function over that of the Gazelle's base equipment, rather it at best offers alterative ways of achieving the same things. Which is easier depends on how familiar you are with the "Garmin" way of doing things and/or using the Gazelle's native systems.

Negatives

DCS's NS430 seems to have much less fidelity to the "Real" GNS430, than the NADIR but detailed info on the "Real" NADIR is sparse.

The main thing that stop the Gazelle's NS430 from being considered a "serious/high fidelity" module are all inherited from the limited base NS430 module and it's many broken/missing features.
• The NS430 isn't integrated with aircraft systems
• The NS430 VHF com radios don't work i.e. for ATC
• OBS radial adjustment doesn't work i.e. cross track to follow a VOR radial or line up for a runway approach
• Desired Track is 6° out on the Caucasus map
• The moving map is 6° out (MVAR ?) in Caucasus and Nevada maps (you learn that a WP directly ahead will appear slightly to the right on the map)
• The NS430's magnetic bearings = F10 map/True and selecting True adds another error i.e. Batumi RWY 31 which is 300°M/306°T in DCS, reads 304°M/311°T
• etc., etc.

Because of the above, I only recommend buying the DCS NS430 on sale and warn it's not suitable for learning to use the real GNS430 (IMHO it's best used by players who only have a perfunctory interest in the real GNS430 or those familiar enough with the *real* device not to be confused by the gamified NS430).

Edited February 14, 2022 by Ramsay

[SkipCarey]

Many thanks for your reply, so in your opinion is it even worth bothering to learn it in the Gazelle or just use the Nadir? and again thanks for the reply

[Ramsay]

16 hours ago, SkipCarey said:

in your opinion is it even worth bothering to learn it in the Gazelle or just use the Nadir?

It depends, I've enjoyed learning to use the NADIR, etc. and the NS430 offers a chance to do things differently (plus it sort of looks cool) i.e. it's another tool in the Gazelle's toolbox.

As the NS430 can't drive the aircraft's native systems/HSI/ADF, ideally the NS430 and NADIR should be used together.

However YMMV, especially if not familiar with both.

Here the bearing to WP1 is 34°M and is confirmed by the HSI course needle.

The NS430 confirms the aircraft is flying a 33°M ground track i.e. heading direct to WP1 but both Desired Track (51°) and Bearing (40°) are showing TRUE/F10 map values instead of their Magnetic equivalents.

NS430 Bearing (40°T) - MagVar (6°E) = HSI Course needle (34°M). 

While annoying that not even the most basic NS430 bugs have been fixed, I still find it easier to scan/read the NS430 than step through NADIR parameters/look down while flying nap of the earth.

I own all the NS430 modules but the Gazelle's NS430 is the only one I'm planning to make regular use of, so I guess it's doing something right (ergonomics ?), despite the flaws in the base NS430's logic/programming, YMMV. 

Edited February 18, 2022 by Ramsay

[SkipCarey]

Interesting.................. well since I paid the $15.00 US for it Ill use it since ED has no return policy that I know of..........many thanks for your input,It has made me feel somewhat better about the purchase.................also it looks like polychop has decided begin improvements to the module again..............Im assuming to not bother with the radios in the N430 and stick with the modules comms?

 

Edited February 18, 2022 by SkipCarey

[Ramsay]

4 minutes ago, SkipCarey said:

I'm assuming to not bother with the radios in the N430 and stick with the modules comms?

Correct, the NS430's VHF radios aren't useful/usable. Stick to using the Gazelle's UHF/VHF radios.

[SkipCarey]

thanks, you saved me a Lot of time with your replies,BTW the N430 does look kinda cool up on the dash................lol

[Tiger-II]

Map and compass. GPS is overrated, and probably jammed anyway.

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

Non-flyer question: do I still need NS430 when now there is an "iPad"?

[xfirf]

vor 18 Minuten schrieb VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants:

Non-flyer question: do I still need NS430 when now there is an "iPad"?

The "iPad" does not show any navigation infos as waypoints. only bearing, groundspeed and your current location. But together with nadir I dont think the NS430 would bring any improvement.

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

Oh... but I have NS430 already, so I do need no that $5.00 decoration then.

[Ramsay]

13 minutes ago, VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants said:

Non-flyer question: do I still need NS430 when now there is an "iPad"?

Depends on personal preference and what you want to do with it.

• Tablet gives you the correct GS (something that's been broken in the NS430 since Christmas)
• OTOH the NS430 gives cross track error, ETE, etc. and has a Airport DB that gives Lat/Long that can be typed into the NADIR.

The NS430 "should" be better than the NADIR if managing a flight plan with more than 9 waypoints (but ED have left the NS430 more or less unsupported), while the tablet is prettier.

Pick up the Gazelle NS430 in a sale as a semi-functional cockpit decoration/instrument - but that's just me and YMMV.

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

Thanks for all the advise.

[jnr4817]

Nice to have and can help with nav stuff.