I am on the search for a program being able to display features like taxiways, gates, and ramps (all with identifiers) under VR. I’ll start with a short review, just in case anyone is interested in this topic as well.
This is kind of optimum right now, but FSDesktop has a few foibles on my Win 11 system like the right mouse button not working. Besides, FS-FlightControl has to be open on the desktop besides the sim, thus no MSFS fullscreen display, making the VR mouse even more jerky as it’s anyway.
You can replace FS-FlightControl by Little Nav Map, which is free, but the limitations of FSDesktop remain. Besides, I clearly favor the map representation of the former.
Little Nav Map can run under VR using a number of addons, however, all solutions known to me (like Little Navmap VR or the All-in-one-panel by flightsimulator.me) don’t allow zooming in so far to provide a good airport representation.
There are - really good - programs like Sky4Sim and FSKneeboard with a fine map representation, but without airport details like taxiways etc. as an overlay. Yes, you can import Jeppesen charts or some other charts but you’ll have to get and import them in advance one by one. Not what I want.
I have a monthly subscription right now, and it provides indeed a Moving Map with all airport detail. However, (i) it is quite costly, and even more (ii) it is kind of overkill for me as a pure VFR/GA (I confess mostly sightseeing) pilot.
The main hurdle is, of course, sourcing the data. This isn’t an issue with Navigraph Charts who own the data, and actually provide them for MSFS (not sure how they handle addon airports differing from the published data for whichever reason). Other programs like FS-FligthControl and Little Nav Map have to maintain their own databases which you have to update from time to time after installing addons.
So, that’s the state of the art known to me. Does anyone know other and, perhaps, even better solutions?
This is a problem I also face. On of my tools is Volanta, and that map has taxiways. Unfortunately, Volanta has no VR representation, other than doing something similar as you do in point 1.
But it would save you the costs of Navigraph.
[EDIT]: On second notice, Volanta taxiways seems to be spotty in their correctness. Torrance has no F taxiway in Volanta, it does in the game.
Thanks, that’s interesting, I never thought about Volanta. Volanta obviously lacks the step of scanning the simulator as FS-FlightControl and Little Nav map do.
If you have WMR-based headset (Reverb G2) you can bring entire Windows desktop to VR. It works best with 2 displays, you bring only one to VR. And there are some quirks with moving mouse from sim to the desktop (I don’t care, I have H/W panels, so I don’t need mouse in the sim VR cockpit).
Yes I did, of course. You can zoom in, but it has neither taxiway nor gate or ramp identifiers. This way ATC ground can’t guide you. (And no, I don’t like that blue line.)
I have G1 which is WMR. I tried a couple of Steam apps supposed to do that time ago, but they were so awkward to confiigure and use that I quickly gave in.
I think a toolbar app is the optimum solution for MSFS, but thanks, I’ll read up on your suggestion.
Bringing desktop to VR in WMR doesn’t require Steam, it is a native WMR function. But indeed:
the desktop is huge, so I place it on my virtual lap to not obscure too much of the VR cockpit,
there are issues with transferring the mouse between the desktop and the cockpit.
On the other hand - you can have any app you wish, any app or file present on you PC, even the Internet browser
The next version of sky4sim will be doing that for free, it is currently in Beta. It will shows all airport taxiways and parking spot based on the MSFS Navdata themselves.
That’s a great suggestion! Currently I made the fuelbox with different color but I can definitely differentiate gates and parking spots!
Most beta users don’t really do serious beta testing. They are just using it as they do normally and report if they see any regression or bring new suggestions like you did here! It’s more a way of accessing new features before everyone without on my side taking the risk of releasing something publicly without ensuring non regression for at least a week.
Crossing fingers, in a year we never faced a any regression that prevented to use the application on Beta. If you want to join in don’t hesitate, especially if you bring some great suggestions! You’ll be more than welcome!
There’s a solution for that, especially if you use 2 or more monitors. I have set up a resolution for a second monitor to 720p. Looks bad on PC, but produces a good-sized window in VR, similar to a tablet. You can also set up the monitor as vertical if you want vertical tablet. The only issue is that first time you bring it into VR you need to uncheck automatic monitor selection and manually chose the second monitor. But once the window is open, it works OK.
