Is the "garmin" titled panel an other color than the rest ? Did you chose it to be blue ? Cuz from the picture it looks like another color.Ow and .. remember the wiki ;) This is great stuff.

I think that might be a protective plastic film covering the surface of the aluminum. The others appear to have it removed already. Just a guess....

>I think that might be a protective plastic film covering the>surface of the aluminum. The others appear to have it removed>already. Just a guess....Its not plastic film, it was actually some kind of dust / residue that shows on the pic, but the anodization is slightly bluer on that one. Probably a sheet from another anodisation run or something. The reflected light exxagerates the difference a lot.Not something I get gray hair from really, been flying GA planes a bit in real and nothing has such a mix of different kinds of avionics and colors on the panel, this is just adding to the realism :)Of course it would be a problem if one would care, so one might contact them to fix the issue, but basically it's irrelevant for myself.//Tuomas

>Here are the 7-segs I'm looking at using:>>Kingbright APSC03-41SURKWA - 0.3" character height - letters>after 41 specify color>Kingbright APSC02-41SURKWA - 0.2" character height and>slightly smaller component footprint than above>>You can get the data sheets at Kingbright's website>http://www.kingbright.com/I have a small number of Rohm segments (LA-301VL) that are about the same size, need 2mm raster perfboard for them.>Here is what the unit looks like, top one shows the actual>display component position, bottom shows how the numbers>should appear using the 0.3" characters. They are closer than>I would like, but there is a little bit of space between the>sets. Note that the fixed 1's help to give the appearance of>additional spacing.Yeah, the 1's are right aligned so they do pretty much work nicely here. Also the eye will look for patterns here, so NNN.NN is what you look for, so I think that one will very much work. I need to figure out the wiring for IOCards, they have small pcboards made but its for the huge airliner-mcp -sized kingbright displays.. :( I think this will look very nice once it is done. Going to use the car window tint film to get a "smoked glass" window from a thin plexi in front of the leds.//Tuomas

I am looking to get them clean anyway, so color matching is no issue. If I order I will paint them myself. I guess first primer, then spray paint gray and then fill in the white text & lines. Should look quite good I think.

Hi! I would like to know if the measures are aproximately the same than the real radio modules.Bests,Borja Perera

>Hi! I would like to know if the measures are aproximately the>same than the real radio modules.>>Bests,>>Borja PereraReal avionics are 6.25 inches wide for the frontpanel.Beware that the audio panel seems to have a bit off dimensions for the perfboard holes - I am suspecting there might be difference in the software depending on whether you set "2.54mm" or "0.1 inch" grid..? Or I just goofed somewhere - I had to tweak the perfboard a bit to make them fit - however everything aligned perfectly on the GNS buttons.. So I dunno what it is, but make sure you check.The stuff is not 1:1 copy of anything - the GNS is modified to accommondate the PSOne lcd hopefully, and the rest is more or less improvised and influenced by some real stuff, but with artistic freedom :)//Tuomas

To decrease your price drasticly, try to join as many text in 1 engraving (so only 1 red + sign for as much text as possible)If text is same size and aligned horizontally, join them in 1 object.I managed to get price down from 18 to 15 euro for 1 panel !If I save 3 euro per panel, that would make a lot in the end.

Woa! real cool!I think I'm gona change my panels.

Hi Tuomas,Love your panels,like what youre doing with the GNS530,be great to see what it looks like with all controls fitted.Can you give me part number for the Mountain Switches you used for the Audio panel.Size looks greatThere is a lot to look through so a number would be great.ThanksLes

>Can you give me part number for the Mountain Switches you used for>the Audio panel.Here is a link to the page for those switches in the Mouser catalog. According to Mouser, the manufacturer's part number is the same as the Mouser number. Numbers vary depending on LED and cap color.catalog page: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/621/1028.pdf

>I guess first primer, then spray paint gray...If you are going to prime and paint them yourself, you may want to try and get hold of some zinc chromate primer (usually has a green/yellow appearance). This is an etching primer and provides very good adhesion as it "bites" into the metal. Most standard spray can type primers won't stick as well, especially to aluminum. They are usually lacquer based products and are not as durable. Prep by sanding (320 grit max. anything coarser will likely show sand scratches through finish), degrease with lacquer thinner or degreaser and tack off for best results before priming. Once you have the parts wiped down, avoid handling as much as possible. Even the oils from your fingers can affect adhesion.

Thanks Airhead,RgdsLes

Took the job on me of adding this to the wiki :(http://wiki.varxec.net/DIY_Panels

Almost finished all my panels. I am at just below