AVSIM Commercial Hardware Review GF-LGT Cockpit Control System

And still more!

First of all I must say it's good to be back and able to get down to writing again for Avsim. After some months away, it has taken a while to get up to speed with all the goings on in the world of Flightsim, especially with the release of Fs2002. Ok, so what have we got this time from Doyle Nickless and the the ever popular GoFlight products? If you remember back to the review I did on the GF-AC units, I mentioned that the next addition to the system would be the Landing gear/Flaps/Trim unit. Well its here! If you are an existing user of the GF products, you know that once you have one unit, its only a matter of time until you make your next purchase. Unlike software add-ons, which in most cases are specific in their mode of operation, the GF range can be used across the board. Whether you're into small light singles/twins, commuter aircraft, regional jets or the heavy's, there is always a use for the GF units. So... without further ado, lets see what the GF-LGT has to offer us.

Reader Survey This survey is intended for those that have used this product or add-on. If you have used it, please let your fellow simulation enthusiasts know how you rate it by taking this survey. Please, if you have not used this product, do not take this poll (you can view the poll from the "Results" link below). Review Poll Have you used GoFlight's GF-LGT? Excellent Good Average I can live with it Taking it off my system view results

The GF-LGT

The GF-LGT unit is presented to us again in the same design format as its previous GF counterparts. Metal face plate with the necessary buttons and levers to achieve its aim. The prominent feature of the unit is the landing gear lever. Looking like a big "lollipop" it has a firm feel about it and satisfying clunk when operated. Three LED lights on the panel indicate the various stages the undercarriage is currently undertaking, Green for all down and locked, and red for traveling. To the left and right of the main gear lever are the trim wheel and flap toggle switch. Not a great deal to say about these, their function is pretty self explanatory.

GF-LGT

Test System Custom AMD T-Bird 1.55Ghz Windows Me 512 RAM GeForce GTS 2 32mb AGP 40X DVD CD ROM Creative Labs SB Live CH Pro Yoke Ch Pro Pedals CTX 17" Monitor 13x USB ports ! Flying Time: 20+ hours at time of review

Installation

Installing this unit is a very simple process. The unit comes as shown in the picture above with two knurled screws for placement into a GoFlight rack, a USB cable, floppy disk with installation software and an installation guide. The unit needs to be mounted into a rack or into a custom unit that you might have made. Unfortunately, it is not practical to use unless you have one of the above mounting methods. Perhaps it would be possible to make that available as a standalone module?

Having already gotten a rack with other GF units already in place, it was a simple case of juggling the other units to make it fit in the most comfortable position. I found that it sits nicely at the bottom of the stack. Unlike the previous units, there is no actual configuration to do. It's a simple matter of installing the software and updating the aircraft already installed to receive the commands.

Using the GF-LGT

The GF-LGT Rack mounted

Firing up Fs2002, the 3 LEDs on the LGT panel light up green which indicates that things are working the way they should. I decided the default Baron 58 would make a good test aircraft for my maiden flight. Pushing the flaps lever down a notch and making sure that the trim was centered using the wheel, I accelerated down the runway. I rotated and began the climb out. Pushing the gear lever to the up position, the gear began to retract and the LEDs turned red whilst the gear was in transit and eventually extinguished when fully retracted.

One thing that I should point out is that when the gear is not in sync, the lights will work to depict this. As mentioned earlier, the GF-LGT at present requires no setting up with regards to key presses. It has been requested that this be changed to allow the lever to be used to extend/retract the rudders for those of us who enjoy flying float planes. Doyle has it on his many "things to do" list and will update the software in good time. Pushing the flaps lever next.. up they came... Cool as jewel!

So we have gear up and flaps up; now to test the trim wheel. The wheel is mounted on a rotary detent-style dial. Although I have no hands-on experience with a trim wheel, I have seen on numerous occasions the pilot operating it. It appears to have a smooth rotating action with a certain amount of tension to it. Probably due to the costs involved in the manufacture of the LGT, the trim wheel feels a little odd using the detent rotary dial. After a few flights you get used to the feel and how it operates. Moving the wheel is so much easier to trim the aircraft than using the keyboard; I found it a more precise way to get a good aircraft attitude.

Murky departure out of KCGX - Gear retracting

Lights depicting the landing gear retracting

Conclusion

Being the latest addition to GoFlight's range of avionics and controls, the GF-LGT is a very welcome member. It follows in the foot steps of previously released modules in design and build quality. Installation again is quick and painless, and you're up and flying with this unit in a matter of minutes. Having control of the gear, flaps and trim external from the keyboard brings the "feel real" experience even closer to the Flightsim enthusiast. What ever you might fly – small, big, light, or heavy – this unit is a great addition. Once again, another superb product from the GoFlight company.

You can get the latest information on these units and software at the GoFlight website. And You can read the other GF reviews that I have written below:

GF-45 "Buzz-Box"
GF-AC Avionics console

Printing

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GoFlight GF-LGT

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