wannabeaflyer,
Thanks for the comments!
You should have no issues with the Hagstrom and open cockpits IO cards. I haven't used either of them, but I know the capabilities of the Hagstrom. Great cards. If I remember right the Opencockpit IO is pretty much the same. either can be used in my setup. I chose the Desktop Aviator cards because of the rotary encoders. The DA Model 2090 seemed to be very easy to setup. I'm sure there are other options out there.
As for the RXP GNS 530, I'm using the 2005 non-WAAS version (haven't upgraded yet), so I can't speak for the WAAS version if that is what you have, but I would imagine that it's the same setup. Of all the instruments I have put into my simpit, this was the easiest!
The RXP 530 has an ini file that allows you to set keyboard commands for all it's functions. In fact, it allows you to use any combo of keys which is good. For instance, I'm using CTRL+F13-F23 and SHIFT+F13-F23 etc. Those commands are not used for any FS commands so it's easy to deconflict.
You then map the commands in FSUIPC to the buttons. This was the hardest part, as my keyboard doesn't have F13 etc, so I couldn't use the FSUIPC built in keyboard command mapping page. I had to manually do it in the FSUIPC ini file. Not hard to do, and Pete Dawson's manual is excellent and walks you through it.
So, a rundown on how I did it:
1. Your buttons/encoders etc connect to an interface card (Hagstrom, OC, whatever).
2. Your interface card connects to the computer (USB, serial, gameport, whatever).
3. Your interface may or may not require software, but will show up as a game controller in Windows, or as a conroller in it's specific software.
4. At this point, start FS, go into FSUIPC, and using the options, set each button press or click to a key command.
5. Finally, go into the RXP 530 ini file and set the commands to correspond to the key command.
6. Your done!
There are posts in the the RXP forum that explain how to remove the border from the GNS so that only the map is visible.
There are posts in the RXP forum that explain how to edit the 530 ini file and it's location.
Hope this helps, and feel free to ask me if you need anything else,
Cheers
Warren