Radio, Switch and Instrument panels

[VFRHawk 16]

Hi all,

I'm looking to move beyond the simple HOTAS setup I've been using for many years to control my flying in P3D, and wondered if people could point me in the right direction?

I mostly fly Manfred Jahn's C47 VFR, though I'm looking for things that will work with most any aircraft.

My primary desire is for a way to control the radios in the plane, as I like to fly VOR to VOR so tuning to each station, and then ideally being able to see the instrument so that I can see when I'm on the radial.  Secondary is some sort of switch panel to save me having to look up to the overhead constantly during engine start etc.

Now I've seen the Saitek/Logitech panels which at first glance look ideal.  However, I've read a number of stories about problems with the controls on the radio panel in particular (hint:  Don't search for Saitek gorilla knobs at work, it doesn't end well!) so I was wondering if that was still a problem or if they'd rectified the issue on newer panels?  The other questions were around the gulf that seems to exist between those panels and anything else price wise - the next panel up I've seen is something like 5 times the price!  Can anyone point me to a better quality panel that perhaps isn't that huge a leap in price?

Last question:  If I get a radio panel and instrument panel, can you mount them to one and other?  This would be sat on the corner of my desk, so they'd need to not move around every time you touch them and ideally be able to stack them (I know you can stack the switch and radio panels, I'm just wondering about the instrument cluster as its narrower than the others).  I lied, sorry, one more question.  Does the instrument panel have something that functions as an OBS?  There's something that looks like it might do the job but I can't find a video of anyone actually using one for VOR navigation to confirm.

Thanks

Graham

[scottb613 1,188]

1 hour ago, VFRHawk said:

Graham

Hi Graham,

Here is what I'm pretty sure I'm going to try - when I get done with my new build... From the reviews I've read - made from very high quality components at a reasonable price... Better quality than Saitek/Logitech I'm sure... They have a couple different models - not sure which I'm going to try yet... Around $200.00...

https://www.ignitioncontrols.com/default.asp

Regards,
Scott

 

 

 

[tttocs 301]

I've had the radio panel for years now and have been mostly satisfied with it.  Saitek gear is what it is - relatively cheap, which means both affordable and not without some issues.

I've long used SPAD (and now SPAD.neXt) drivers rather than Saitek's which can mitigate many of the issues folks complain about, including regulation of the tuning speed so it's not so fiddly and I've never been bothered by that part of things.  However, lately one of my two selector switches has gotten jammed up so that it's hard to use (but keep in mind my unit is 4-5 years old).  I personally don't believe "Gorilla knobs" are a solution, but rather a workaround to a problem with the switch binding.  Note that this is the only switch I've had issues with, and I also have the multi-panel and the switch panel.

While looking for a solution, I note one user seemed to have some success pulling the knob, spraying silicon spray around the post and working it in by turning the switch with a pair of pliers.  Haven't tried that yet.

I don't have any of the configurable instruments, so I can't really speak to any of your questions on those - sorry.

Scott

[DaveCT2003 1,820]

I've also been using the Saitek Radio Panel for many years, and you can't separate me from it!  Works with every freeware and payware aircraft I've ever used (most all of them).

Best wishes!

 

[VFRHawk 16]

Thanks for all the replies - I'll definitely take a look at the ignition controls stuff too.

Sounds like a lot of the issues are a little.. overstated..  so maybe I'll just buy the Logitech radio and instrument panels first.  Will have to investigate spad.next

Graham

[tttocs 301]

1 hour ago, VFRHawk said:

Will have to investigate spad.next

The original SPAD was pretty simple and intuitive, but doesn't work in P3Dv4 which is what I use now.  It's also no longer being actively updated.  The newer SPAD.neXt is far more powerful, but also less intuitive.  There is a learning curve but there are also lots of user contributed profiles out there so you can generally get where you need to go.  FYI.

Good luck with whatever you decide,

Scott

[MarkDH 234]

11 hours ago, VFRHawk said:

Sounds like a lot of the issues are a little.. overstated.. 

No, the tuning knobs on the Saitek radios have traditionally been rubbish. That said, I bought one in summer 2017, not long after Logitech acquired the brand, and I found it unexpectedly worked better than the three or four I had purchased previously. I still don't know what to make of this, but perhaps they are better now. You can find a lot about my experiments with Saitek on my YT channel. For best result, buy the MotiveMods upgrade. This will double the price, but it does give you seven radios on one panel.

Edited November 17, 2018 by MarkDH
Political correctness police

[Ray Proudfoot 8,931]

I've had my GoFlight modules for 15 years and in all that time only one module (GF166) failed and was replaced free of charge by GoFlight around 8 years ago.

The units are not cheap but they are of very good quality. There is a desktop AC-Rack that can hold up to 7 modules or 5 + Landing Gear module that takes up two slots.

They need power so I use a powered USB hub. I'm really happy with them.

https://goflightinc.com/product-category/modules/

 

[shivers9 1,174]

On 11/16/2018 at 6:34 AM, scottb613 said:

Here is what I'm pretty sure I'm going to try

wow....that is a pretty nice looking Box. I am going to have to have a look-see.

[scottb613 1,188]

7 minutes ago, shivers9 said:

wow....that is a pretty nice looking Box. I am going to have to have a look-see.

Hi Sam,

Here's the one I settled on for my needs - "VR_2" - Approx $225.00 with shipping... I don't have it yet - looking forward to getting it though...

Regards,
Scott

Edited November 19, 2018 by scottb613

[shivers9 1,174]

Thanks....let us know how it is when you get it set up. I am thinking Vertx Da-62 and one of these would be sweet.

[VFRHawk 16]

On 11/18/2018 at 7:29 PM, Ray Proudfoot said:

I've had my GoFlight modules for 15 years and in all that time only one module (GF166) failed and was replaced free of charge by GoFlight around 8 years ago.

The units are not cheap but they are of very good quality. There is a desktop AC-Rack that can hold up to 7 modules or 5 + Landing Gear module that takes up two slots.

They need power so I use a powered USB hub. I'm really happy with them.

https://goflightinc.com/product-category/modules/

 

Thanks for that Ray, looks pretty decent and not bank breaking!  Shame they don't do an instrument panel for the Nav indicator, but the one in the cockpit works pretty well.

Graham

EDIT.  Does anyone know if the "standard" TQ6 uses hall sensors?  Pretty sure I read that the TQ6+ did now, but not sure about the normal one.

Edited November 19, 2018 by VFRHawk

[FreeBird(Josh) 314]

21 minutes ago, VFRHawk said:

Thanks for that Ray, looks pretty decent and not bank breaking!  Shame they don't do an instrument panel for the Nav indicator, but the one in the cockpit works pretty well.

Graham

EDIT.  Does anyone know if the "standard" TQ6 uses hall sensors?  Pretty sure I read that the TQ6+ did now, but not sure about the normal one.

The TQ6+ is a Virtual Fly controller and no the original uses pots. I had the original without the hall sensors and sent it back as I was constantly having to calibrate it. The new TQ6+ works like a charm and no need to ever calibrate it. I think there having 15% off sale right now.   Josh

[tttocs 301]

On 11/17/2018 at 2:11 AM, MarkDH said:

No, the tuning knobs on the Saitek radios have traditionally been rubbish.

That's not exactly been my experience.  They are relatively inexpensive units, and that certainly means there're going to be tradeoffs.  There are far better quality units out there, but they're typically 4x the price.  As for the MotiveMods upgrade, it appears to solve a problem that I really don't have since I moved to SPAD (or at least to the very small extent I do have it, it doesn't bother me).

My aging radio panel has served me well for the price.  And that's the key.  If I'd paid more money for them, I'd likely be far more critical.

Not trying to negate anyone else's experience, just offering mine as a potential counterpoint.

Scott

[MarkDH 234]

2 hours ago, tttocs said:

As for the MotiveMods upgrade, it appears to solve a problem that I really don't have since I moved to SPAD

And yet, it exists.