Switches, Knobs & Lights

[SeaQuark]

I currently only own a joystick, but have a question for all of you with extra accessories.

 

What sort of buttons / toggles / switches do you prefer? For example on the Saitek Pro Switch Panel or GoFlight Landing Gear Module:

 

 

 

First off, could landing gear LED lights like that actually be made to work with IL-2? What about the rotary trim axes on the GoFlight?

 

And then there's the switches. They look great, but aren't fixed-position switches kind of a pain? If you want to toggle between superchargers, for instance, the two different positions mean nothing, it might as well be one button. Even that Saitek "Gear Up" / "Gear Down" lever is problematic, because let's say during a flight you crash (or your computer freezes, or you get shot down, or whatever)-- when you next start the game the panel erroneously is still set to "Gear Up" when your plane is on the runway. So after take-off you have to switch it back to "Down", then back to "Up" to retract your gear.

 

By comparison, I own a Saitek AV8R joystick. On its face it has a few switches that can be pressed up or down, but always snap back to center. From what I can tell, the "Flaps" switch on the GoFlight must work this way, too.

 

That's sort of nice, because then a switch can never read erroneously. But it requires having separate "UP" and "DOWN" / "ON" and "OFF" controls available in-game, whereas most of the game controls are one-button toggles meant for keyboard, right?

 

How do you guys approach this problem? What are your favorite units?

[Rama]

I have the GoFlight (not this one, but the earlier version).

You can't use the lever and rotaries as axes, you can only use the device as a virtual keyboard (assign keys or key combinations to lever and rotaries movements).

There's 2 software coming with goflight, one that can only be used with FSX, and another, quite simple, to use it as a virtual keyboard, that you have to use for every other flight simulation.

You can also forget the gear lights... it will work only with FSX interface.

 

I don't know anything about the Saitek Pro Switch Panel

[Sokol1]

 

First off, could landing gear LED lights like that actually be made to work with IL-2? What about the rotary trim axes on the GoFlight?

 

No, to this LED work properly the module need receive information from game, BoS dont have this kind of communication with controllers, probable he only turn ON/OFF - of FSX mimic the

lg cycle..

 

FYI - This Saitek controller is not seem by Windows as 'game device' (josytick) so need drivers do work, and Saitek provide only for FSX(XP?), for other games you need create...

 

Go Flight flap control is just a ON-OFF-ON Switch, comparing with these on Aviator base are a (Momentary)ON-OFF-(Momentary)ON.

Landing gear are only a ON-OFF switch, BoS use only the generic "toggle" command so you need flip the lever Down do lower landing gear, and move Up and flip Down again to raise... awkward.

You improve this using a keymapper (SVMapper, Hidmacros) that allow map functions for switch ON and switch OFF  mimic better the real system.

 

Rest the trim rotaries for when (IF) game have trim function... Or use then for radiators, mixture...

 

Sokol1

Edited April 7, 2014 by Sokol1

[kestrel79]

I have 2 of these. Great for racing sims but I use them for flight sims as well. Really like the switches and dials. I don't even use my keyboard anymore at all.

 

http://www.derekspearedesigns.com/button-controllers.html

[Bando]

Kestrel is that USB and does BoS recognize them on the fly?

If so, I'm interested.

Thanks in advance.

[Sokol1]

Yes, they are USB HID devices, is show on Windows Control Panel > Games Controllers like others joystick. Is Plug and Play, no drivers needed.

 

 

Q2 – How do I connect my box, shifter or DSD circuit to my computer?  Is it easy? 

A – DSD USB components are perfectly easy to use and enjoy and are truly plug and play.  Your device simply connects to a USB port on your computer and Windows will handle the rest.  Windows will identify it as a game controller, and your applications will use it as such.

 

The game are able to use many controllers (joysticks/pedal/throttle/trim device/gamepad/button box, etc.) - Windows limit is 16 (although Direct Input have no limit).

 

Sokol1

Edited April 8, 2014 by Sokol1

[Bando]

Thanks Sokol

[SeaQuark]

I have 2 of these. Great for racing sims but I use them for flight sims as well. Really like the switches and dials. I don't even use my keyboard anymore at all.

 

http://www.derekspearedesigns.com/button-controllers.html

 

Those are really great, thanks! Only thing that bugs me is the aesthetic of those push-buttons, they remind of fighting arcade games. But the ones that offer them in a black finish aren't so bad.

 

Anybody know where I could look for a nice custom shelving unit to put these in? Something like what GoFlight offers (but of course not in the right size):

Any other button / switch units people use?

[Bando]

I'm planning on orderering a panelboard like in Kestrel's link. I think I'll make something out of wood, and then coat it with fiberglass and epoxy. It'll fit after that! 

Next is the VKB joystick with KG12 extension and MFG rudder. Great summer ahead.

[HSqn_Swaty]

I have made some panels in the past!

 

http://hotas.gr/content/view/92/1/lang,en/     (in greek, check pics)

Edited April 9, 2014 by 335th_GRSwaty

[Bando]

Nice!!

[kestrel79]

Yes they are usb plug and play. I want to say they do NOT come with the usb cables...I forget. I also had to buy angle adapters to fit best in my Obutto. But they work great. I'll see if I can throw up a pic of my setup again.

[Bando]

Please do so.

[SeaQuark]

I have made some panels in the past!

 

http://hotas.gr/content/view/92/1/lang,en/     (in greek, check pics)

 

You built those?? Awesome! Wish I spoke Greek so I could see how you did it.

 

Can I ask how much the materials cost total?

Edited April 10, 2014 by SeaQuark

[SOLIDKREATE]

I'd personally like an Engine Control panel. I have seen one for the Cessna 172S simulator.

 

Like this one from Pilot Mall (multi-engined) but it costs $399.00 USD.

 

 

 

Edited April 10, 2014 by 9./JG54_SPEKTRE76

[kestrel79]

Some guy on the simHQ forums modded his CH quadrant to have longer handles and balls. I'm suprised more people don't do this. I'd buy an addon kit for it.

[VBF-12_Gosling-71]

I made my own add on to the Saitek Throttle Quadrantt.

 

I have added a fuel cock, aileron trim, water, oil radiator and flaps since!!!

[oneeyeddog]

Nice work Gosling.

[HSqn_Swaty]

You built those?? Awesome! Wish I spoke Greek so I could see how you did it.

 

Can I ask how much the materials cost total?

Not much! 2-3 Euros each!A few euros for switches and case.

The main cost goes to the USB driver!

 

I used open cockpits, is good but for FS guys. Now, I would suggest  leo boards http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/

 

I was/am trying to built a pit and I thing these are the most user friendly! 

 

http://hogpits.net/

Edited April 12, 2014 by 335th_GRSwaty

[saunder]

I have built my own and using something like Leo Bodnar's BU0836X 12-Bit Joystick Board it makes life really easy. virtually any type of switch or button will work and I must admit if you are flying combat sims then momentary toggle switches and buttons are best because as someone said earlier to use an on/off switches you need to be able to say with undercarriage you need to be able to use a up and down command and most are toggle commands. I have even used actual aircraft parts and they work with no problem the gear and flap actuators are from actual aircraft. The good thing about building your own you can build to your own requirements. My home build was done on a work mate I don't have a workshop and most of the materials came from the local DIY store switches potentiometers and a few other bits I got of the internet.

 

[Sokol1]

For more D.I.Y. oriented person, a cheap alternative of USB controller - to handle axis, buttons...

 

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12765

 

Need write the firmware through USB cabble - easy like record a DVD - e.g. MMjoy = 8x 12 bits axes, up to 64 buttons.

 

Sokol1

[SeaQuark]

I have built my own and using something like Leo Bodnar's BU0836X 12-Bit Joystick Board it makes life really easy. virtually any type of switch or button will work and I must admit if you are flying combat sims then momentary toggle switches and buttons are best because as someone said earlier to use an on/off switches you need to be able to say with undercarriage you need to be able to use a up and down command and most are toggle commands. I have even used actual aircraft parts and they work with no problem the gear and flap actuators are from actual aircraft. The good thing about building your own you can build to your own requirements. My home build was done on a work mate I don't have a workshop and most of the materials came from the local DIY store switches potentiometers and a few other bits I got of the internet.

 

Mad skills! That's amazing. I unfortunately have the pickiness to want tailor-made controls like that, but not even the slightest proficiency with putting together materials of that order.

 

I completely agree about momentary toggles / buttons. This is what is preventing me from buying a lot of the pre-made flight sim consoles out there like the ones above-- they look great, but it seems silly to spend that much money on something that will be more frustrating to use than a keyboard.

 

I noticed GoFlight does sell 3-way momentary toggle switches separately on their website. I wonder if it would be possible to replace some of their switch panels with all-momentariness...

 

http://www.goflightinc.com/products/3-position-momentary-toggle-switch

[Sokol1]

 

as someone said earlier to use an on/off switches you need to be able to say with undercarriage you need to be able to use a up and down command and most are toggle commands.

 

I completely agree about momentary toggles / buttons. This is what is preventing me from buying a lot of the pre-made flight sim consoles out there like the ones above-- they look great, but it seems silly to spend that much money on something that will be more frustrating to use than a keyboard.

 

I noticed GoFlight does sell 3-way momentary toggle switches separately on their website. I wonder if it would be possible to replace some of their switch panels with all-momentariness...

 

http://www.goflightinc.com/products/3-position-momentary-toggle-switch

 

 

That's funny because are people complaining  around sim's forums that the new Saikek X-52  use momentary toggle switch's.

 

Is not need replace the ON/OFF or ON/OFF/ON switch's, just use a software (SVmapper, Hidmacros...) that allow map send a key for switch turned ON and other ( or the same key) for switch turned OFF.

 

Example: il-2 BoS landing gear control  is for default on G key (toggle)  - good for gamers, but not for sim cockpit builders due the above (the ideal should by map a key for Gear Down, and another for Gear Up, like for flaps).

 

But, since "there is no perfect world" use SVMapper/Hidmacros and map:

 

Switch ON = send G

Switch OFF = send G

 

You only dont avoid inversion of the sequence if start in flight but forget that switch in his "button box" are down - if move this up to match the airplane lever you are sending a G that will lower the landing gear...

In this case, move switch up and at same time press G on keyboard, the landing gear stay up.

 

If the game allow map different keys for landing gear Up and Down (plus toggle G for gamers), in the above situation move the (button box) switch Up don't have effect on game because the command send (suppose Alt+G) are for raise the landing gear -  which is already up.

 

The same apply for supercharger, lights etc. Controls that if you look at the 'button box" have a visual feedback of the state of the control in game (Switch up, function in game on).

 

BTW - This above apply for DIY button box, or ones like Go Flight, but not for Saitek panel (OP),  because this is not seem be Windows as game controller.

 

Sokol1

 

Edited April 15, 2014 by Sokol1

[Bando]

The above makes sense. I always found it strange to have the gear in one keystroke. I hope the devs will consider this and make it a seperate keystroke.

[Sokol1]

Commands like  "toggle G"  don't cause more problem now because is not modeled damaged on landing gear as example of il-2:'46 when if "G" is pressed inadvertently, the landing gear stuck down.

In this game I had to put a "security lock" on "G" =  Alt+G.

 

Sokol1

Edited April 15, 2014 by Sokol1