VRinsight Multi Switch Panel

[scottb613 1,188]

Hi Folks,

 

Been eye ball'n this switch panel for a nice addition to my CH Products HOTAS setup... The fact that it has buttons - toggles - rotary switches - and - sliders - makes it seem pretty appealing... Can anyone provide a PIREP on this product ? Are the switches of high quality that will stand up to years of use ? I guess this device is a simple joystick device meaning it can't be programmed like my CH Products devices - for example - there is no way to emulate keystrokes and such ?

 

 

Regards,

Scott

 

[Bob Scott 7,720]

If it's a standard HID joystick device, you can indeed emulate keystrokes via FSUIPC

 

Cheers

[zmak 331]

Scott, I only have the M panel which is nearly the same casing size as yours and looks the same except its an auto pilot and radio, flaps and gear switch.

 

I can tell you after a years use its exceptional; quality. The casing is metal and its heavy and the switches and knobs are very good quality. 

Hope this helps

[Andydigital 93]

If you put the M-Panel in front of the MS panel it would fit into the space of the left two segments, or put another way if you chopped off the silver sliders and the little section on the right side with the red four way hat switch, what is left is how big the M-panel is in comparison.

[zmak 331]

what is the typical config for the sliders and buttons. Is anyone using it and what have you assigned to it?

[Andydigital 93]

what is the typical config for the sliders and buttons. Is anyone using it and what have you assigned to it?

Lol, yes I don't use them much, I have them assigned to the cowl flaps on some aircraft, but not very often used. The sliders aren't linear either which isn't ideal, the first two thirds to four fifths of travel accounts for 50%* of the axis output range and the rest moves the other 50%* (*Approx). The two axes above the sliders are linear across there whole travel. The six rotary encoders can be pushed but those are not wired up/active. Apparently there are not enough inputs on a standard Joystick type device (32 buttons is the limit on the hardware used in these) to include the push facility of those encoders, which is a real shame. I use the rest of the buttons, switches and dials frequently through LINDA and FSUIPC.

[zmak 331]

Andy, thanks for the review

 "the first two thirds to four fifths of travel accounts for 50%* of the axis output range and the rest moves the other 50%* (*Approx)"

thats a bit odd isnt it? Im trying to imagine using it but can see it prone to over corrections etc. hmm was toying around with buying it myself 

[Andydigital 93]

I very rarely use them, they certainly wouldn't be any good for throttles even if they were linear, the range of movement is too small and adjusting them with your finger just doesn't feel right to me, my pair of Saitek Quads are much better for that.

 

I meant three quarters earlier, not four fifths, it's not quite that bad, sorry.

[scottb613 1,188]

Hi Folks,

 

I'm still FS9 only - so Linda is out for me...

 

Thanks for the input... Yeah - I had envisioned using the sliders for mixture and prop on a small GA plane - and - possibly spoilers on an airliner... Wouldn't you be able to change the nonlinear response a bit with calibration via FSUIPC ?

 

The biggest improvements I'm interested in is the rotary knobs... I wanted to be able to control the heading bug and CDI on an HSI - - - and - - - possibly the autopilot settings of an airliner…

 

Is it difficult to setup ???

 

Appreciate all the feedback…

J

 

Regards,

Scott

[Andydigital 93]

In that case I would recommend the M-Panel instead if you are on a budget, the rotaries on the MS-Panel work great but if you are stuck on FS9 you would be better using the default VRi  software to control your aircraft (if its supported) as it can detect the difference between you turning the dial fast or slowly, so its much easier and quicker to set the value you want. If you were to buy the MS panel you would have to program the same fast slow facility yourself through FSUIPC and a LUA script and no I'd be no help with that unfortunately, lol.

 

Yes you may be able to smooth the curve out a bit in FSUIPC, I'd not thought of that.

 

You could get the M-Panel and a Saitek quadrant for the same money which would be better in my opinion.

[zmak 331]

you beat me to it!. Here is a very good vid explains Mpanel everything

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdZoQoH-WdU