Setting the altimeter in X-plane

[jdoggchief]

Hello,

Newly instrument rated IRL, and back on PE to practice my new skills. Last night I was flying Jason Chandler's Arrow in X-plane, and I noticed that it's very hard to read the altimeter setting off the face of the instrument. Unlike in FSX, there doesn't seem to be a way to "mouse over" the adjustment knob and get a more readable tooltip that shows the current setting. As a result, I wasn't able to adjust my altimeter when ATC gave me an updated setting. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there some shortcut in X-plane for seeing the current altimeter setting, or entering a new setting(such as popping up a text box and typing the desired setting into it)?

Thanks,
Jesse

[Steven Winslow]

If you're flying V9.7 or V10 32 bit you can use a plugin called ViualAltimeer which displays the setting for you as you adjust the knob. Or in 3D cockpit mode, you can zoom in to view the dial.

I have the VisualAltimeter plugin if you can't find it on the org. It definitely comes in handy!

[jdoggchief]

Unfortunately, I have the third option, Xplane 10 64-bit >_< Is it already confirmed that VisualAltimeter doesn't work with this version? If not, I'll download it and give it a try.

[JN_]

Unfortunately not a software solution, but... I use saitek radio panels which makes it really easy to adjust comms/nav/altimeter/xpdr/etc. -- by physical manipulation and not having to use the mouse. The current setting is shown clearly on an led display. Requires the xsaitekpanels plugin, which is available for 32/64-bit.

[Mooniac]

I'm really enjoying the SimAvio add-on. I bought it primarily because I really needed a functioning Garmin 430W (use one in real life), but have found that all of the instruments are much easier to read and to set. The 182 panel I'm using has a digital altimeter where you just push the buttons.

[Steven Winslow]

Unfortunately, I have the third option, Xplane 10 64-bit >_< Is it already confirmed that VisualAltimeter doesn't work with this version? If not, I'll download it and give it a try.

You must be flying Windows, then. I'm flying on a Mac and we can't fly 64 bit on PE.....yet.

I have the Saitek Radio Panels and I have to say I wouldn't fly without them! I can't imagine tuning the radios in the sim window since I've been flying with them. I have two Radio Panels, the Multi Panel and the Switch Panel along with the TPM module, throttle quadrants and rudder pedals. If I had to give it all back and keep only one thing, I would keep a Radio Panel for sure.......but I'm not giving up any of it!!!!

[Keith Smith]

I put a digital altimeter setting on the Chandler Warrior a few years ago for the same reason using PlaneMaker (took about 20 secs). Here's a video from a while back (2010, before we launched):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwfGvW-d6VI

This is the advantage of gauges over plugins for basic functions that can be done by a stock gauge...you don't have to worry about plugin compatibility!

[jdoggchief]

Great, thanks for all the help. I'll look into learning how to use PlaneMaker, and I'll also look into the radio panels and SimAvio as well.

[jberi07]

You can display the altimeter reading by going to Data Inputs and Outputs and ticking the right-most box under the category, "System Pressures"

[criley]

I just use a python script called DialMagnifier. It displays all the instruments as I change them on the screen, then fade off the screen until I make another change.