I'm ready to up my flying experience, and want to purchase some of the goFlight pieces. Any suggestions on what I should be spending my $500 on with goFlight to get the most realistic twin GA flying experience?Current set-up:p4 3ghz1 gig ram120 gig HD256mb GeForce 6800 AGP (monitors 1 & 2)256mb GeForce 5500 PCI (monitor 3)Monitor 1 - Main viewMonitor 2 - GPS, Weather, Radar, etcMonitor 3 - Project Magenta's GA PanelP3 Laptop that I don't know what I'll do with at this point. (suggestions on how I could add it to my set-up are welcome)CH YokeCH PedalsCH Throttle Quadrant.Any and all suggestions are welcome!! Thank you,Robert

Hello.I use a fairly complete Goflight setup for my home sim. I use it for single, twin, RJ and big jet sims where ever the addon permits. I also run Project Magenta Software for GA and big jets. My experience is as follows:1. I do not like to use a mouse or keyboard if possible.2. I realize that all Goflight components do not work with "higher end" addons like Flight 1 ATR etc.3. I own a CH yoke and CH pro pedals4. I Use FSUIPC for Project Magenta use - setup of controlsMy Goflight parts are:1. Landing Gear/Flaps/Trim Unit2. MCP/Autopilot3. Throttle/Trim/Mixture4. RP 48 - buttons used for panel switching of views like Overhead panels, APU's, GPS, Radio Stacks, etc5. GF 166A - used for COMM/NAV Radio(s) 6. GF-T8 switches for onboard switches like Batteruy Master, Avionics, etc7. GF-P8 buttons for ligt selections like Beacon, NAv, etc8. GF-46 used for various components like XPDR, Baro Setting, Nav dist from VOR sources, etAll housed in the big Goflight Console. I really need one more Radio Unit to make my controls easier to handle.I think that this equipment makes my experience very realistic. I am just a sim pilot - no real experience. I have learned to fly GA and bigger Aircraft with the use of my Goflight system. HOWEVER - the present Goflight software does not allow setups for diferent Aircraft. The settings apply to all aircraft and some do not work with addons. If you stick to default aircraft you can usually get the system to work with everything you own in your setup. If you are patient, you can get a lot of functionality for Projecty Magenta via FSUIPC programming with the keys setups and knob setups from your panel (the knobs on my RP-48 work my Project Magenta MCP dials.My favorite units right now are my Auto Pilot, Throttle and Gear/Flaps,etc.Good luck and get ready to buy a lot more once you get going!Ron SagelNear KCHS

If I were you..for $500, I would get the following. For me... NAV and OBS settings are important for IFR flying.. If this is not the case.. you may not want to take my suggestion. 1. RP48 (Push button selectors with 4 knobs) $1502. GF-166 (Radio/Nav display) X 2 ($140x2) OR 1 GF-166 ($140) + GF-LGT (Trim, Gear and Flaps) ($130)3. a case ($99)MannyPS: I have a very similar setup.. Two montitor + a work Laptop that runs Project Majenta IFR Panel.

Be advised, that some of the equipment will not work with some features of many more complex panels, the Auto Pilot in particular.The hardware itself is Excellent, it is the compatibility with more advanced A/C auto pilot operations, etc that is in question.For example, the Flight 1 Cessna 441, the HDG on the auto pilot is tri state. It goes from (1) HDG ROLL to (2) HDG to (3) Disenguage. The P8 does not work in this manner. The Flight 1 ATR is the same way. Heading (HDG) NAV, etc will not enguage from the P8. I can't get it to engauge the Master, although once the Master A/P is enguaged, I can disenguage the A/P master.There might be some workarounds.The best thing to do is post on the A/C forums, or AVSIM, and get some advise prior to purchasing.The LGT pretty much works with everything so far.I would take a list of your A/C and see if the devices you want to purchase are compatible (or to what level they are compatible) prior to investing $500. For autopilot operations, if any A/C has strayed from the standard FS Auto Pilot operation (IE the Cessna 441), chances are it won't work. Post on their forum or write the GoFlight technical support staff PRIOR to making the investment.I have considered purchasing the MCP unit, but have been reluctant because of compatibility issues. This is the best guage in my opinion.Just my two cents...Barry

Barry,I basicly fly 2 planes, Eaglesoft's Citation X (about 30%) and Aeroworx B200 (about 60%) with various other planes for quick little fun flights (about 10%). Hope this helps.Robert

Robert,I would just join their (Eaglesoft, AeroWorx, and GoFlight) forums and post treads, especially when it comes to the auto pilot operation. Someone may also chime in here.Also, post in the hardware section of the AVSIM forum. The MCP is the awesome, but will impact your budget with one device. But the advantage, you could basically have your 2D or VC turned off (as you know, with the complex A/C panels chew up FPS) and do your IFR approach by turning knobs on the MCP. If you just had a external EFIS or PFD, you can fly the plane (once you enguage your FMS system)with no panel visual.I have the Parhelia card driving three 21" monitors and so I have to reduce load on FPS because I am generating 600% more scenary area. So I toggle on and off the panel all the time and just use the airspeed hdg and FPS stats via the shift-z function.Anyway hope this helps. GoFlight makes great hardware, but just check into compatibility issues.Take care!Barry

Barry,I am looking for a h/w device for controlling the GPS. you know..the RealyXP GPS.. without using a mouse..I don't believe Go flight has anything for GPS.Got any ideas?

Manny,I would post this question on the Reality XP Forum or the GoFlight Forum. If the GPS exposes all the operations by keystrokes, then it could possibly work.My gut feeling is that there are just too many combinations for this hardware device to handle.But it doesn't hurt to post the questions!Barry

Good news so far...my primary (Aeroworx B200) seems to have no problems with the MCP (though there might be a problem with the appr button). Still looking for the Eaglesoft Citation X compatibility.Robert