I was thinking of adding to my Saitek Yoke, quadrant, and pedals the Pro Flight Switch Panel PZ55 and using the Throttle prop & mixture panel in place of the quadrant.

 

My question is will I need to program them through FSUIPC because I really don't like FSUIPC.  I tried it and it's way too complicated for me.

 

Will I need SPAD?  Is SPAD only meant to interface with FSUIPC?

 

Can I run these panels with the SST software or just FSX buttons settings?

 

Please answer as I'm a total newbie to all this.

 

Thanks.

 

 

Hi,

 

I don't have the switch panel but run the Saitek yoke, pedals and throttles no problem via the FSX settings.  I don't use FSUIPC, SPAD or even the SST software. 

 

I'd be unable to fly without the hardware.

 

James

If you're flying a default aircraft in FSX (the Cessna or Baron) then everyhting should automatically work for you.  I have the switch panel, radio panel, multi panel and both types of throttle quadrants and nothing had to be setup for the default Cessna or Baron.

 

Now that said, I'll tell you that FSUIPC looks complicated, but it's really not.  There are some terrific You Tube videos which can walk you through setting up just abou anything you can imagine, and you just follow along, learning more as you do.  I mention this only in case you get to a point where you might need this info.

 

Best wishes.

Thanks Dave but I never use the default planes, can't remember when I last flew one of them. All I fly is A2A, NGX, and some Carenado & Alabeo.

I busted my brains for the last four days trying to figure out FSUIPC and I finally gave up.

I searched for days for YT's and googling for tutorials but they were either ancient or assumed a body on knowledge I just don't have.

It looks to like you need a PHd in programming to learn it. And what's worse, try as I might I can't get three modes like Saitek's SST software provides. I would have lost 2/3 of my button assignments.

So I gave up in extreme disgust.

All I really need to know is if I NEED FSUIPC to power those panles because if I do then forget the panels.

I too only fly add-ons (A2A and NGX mostly) with my simple 'plug/play' set up.  However I don't use the Saitek modes.  Good Luck

 

James

The panels are a different animal from the yoke and pedals. I believe you still need something to drive the panels even if using FSUIPC. I am sure someone will correct me if that is incorrect. I use FSUIPC paid edition, but also use SPAD.Next to drive my Saitek Multipanel. The Saitek panel driver never worked for me so before my recent new system build, under Windows 7, I used Spad.  I now use SPAD.Next, which is a significant improvement over the original Spad. I have found SPAD.Next to be even more valuable now that I am using Windows 10 as it seems to have helped me overcome a problem where my Saitek Multipanel could not find reliable power via it's USB connection under Windows 10. With Spad.Next that issue has not recurred. The panel burns bright and bold.

 

I do still have an unresolved issue with Saitek USB devices under Windows 10 that requires that I fresh boot Windows 10; then and only then, when booted up, plug in the Saitek USB devices; fly; then close my flight simulator and boot my system to cold and dark before unplugging the Saitek USB devices. If I plug the devices in before I boot up, or if I unplug them before I shut down, then my mouse gets disabled and my system refuses to boot down. I am forced to hold down the power button to shut down.

Thanks, I use Windows 7 64. I don't want to go to 10 as this PC is only ofr FSX.

 

What I was wondering howeve was if I NEEDED FSUIPC or SPAD to drive just those two panels I mentioned. The one with the starter and switches and the one with the red, blue, and black knobs with all the silver switches. Can I just plug them in and FSX itself can assign functions to them?

You need a driver, and Spad.Next performs both as the driver and I believe as the configurator. I have the Multipanel and have not reassigned any function on that panel. Just let Spad.Next drive it. Regarding switch assignments for the Saitek Switch Panel I must defer to others.