Hi, mates!

My GoFligh Radio module has long been going wonky, so I finally stopped using it.
Now I miss being able to operate radios via hardware, so decided to buy something. But, at least currently, I want it to be on a budget.
The only option I can see is Logitech, formerly Saitek, radio panel, called now, I believe, Logitech ProFlight Radio Panel.

Now my question, before I spend the money, is does it work fine with the current version of Prepar3D, which is 5.2?
And, preferably, with FSLabs airbuses, which are my main aircraft of choice? Does anyone have experience with this combo?

Plus the software question. I saw no P3D5 version of software on Logitech website, only the P3D4 one. Does it work for v5 too?
I know there is SPAD.next, but it’s another 25 euro, so I don’t want to spend it, unless necessary.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Edited September 21, 20214 yr by Rafal

Hi Rafal,

Everything works fine with the radio panel in the airbus except dialing the transponder code with the logitech V4 driver.

To get the V4 drivers working in V5, see this thread: https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/573456-saitek-radio-and-switch-panel/

 

Edited September 22, 20214 yr by SoJourned

12 hours ago, SoJourned said:

Everything works fine with the radio panel in the airbus except dialing the transponder code

Thanks a lot for the good news! 😊

Can you see the changes (digits and then swapping the comms) in the FSL virtual cockpit's radio panel?
Or there are no changes in it, but just the P3D / VATSIM radio frequency changes?

So, I have decided to go for it and already got my Logitech/Saitek Pro Flight Radio Panel.
After a few test flights, let me share my brief first impressions. Maybe someone will find them useful.

1. FIRST IMPRESSION
The first impression after unboxing was very good, though I admit I had done my research well and simply knew what to expect. Let me underline it: this is a cheap universal radio panel. You may go for some great looking 100% replicas of A32X radios (or 737, if this is your aircraft of choice), which are available on the market, but the price will be much higher than these 96 euros (113 USD) I paid for my panel.

2. WHAT IT OFFERS
The radio panel offers two rows of radios with the following 7 functions: COM 1, COM 2, NAV 1, NAV 2, ADF, DME and XPDR.
As shown in the attached image, the panel is operated using: two functions knobs (A), two double digit knobs (B) and two switches (C).

3. HOW TO MOUNT IT
The panel comes with a simple case, two pieces of hook-an-loop tape, a set of screws and some (unnecessary) papers. The most simple way of mounting it, which I followed, is screwing the panel to the case, which takes less than a minute. You can then just place the cased panel on your desk. However, the set is very light, so if you want to operate the knobs and switches, only the double B knobs work gently. The A knobs and the C switches work hard, so you will have to hold the panel with the other hand, which is obviously not very comfortable. For this reason you need to attach this panel/case to something. If you have a dedicated pedestal, just screw the panel to it and you are perfectly done. If you want to place it on the desk, you have figure out how to make it stay firmly.

I have applied the included 3M hook-and-loop tape. While it does hold the panel, and one-hand operation is possible, this type of tape lets the whole case move a little bit, so the final impression is not more than 'just fine'. So I am going to replace it with a standard two-side tape, which should work way better.

4. OPERATING KNOBS/SWITCHES
As I mentioned earlier, only the B knobs work very smoothly. I wish the A knobs did too, but they are very stiff. Fortunately, unless you really need them all to operate a GA aircraft for example, they are not going to be heavily used. The C switches, which change a standby frequency into the active one, plus change digit pairs while setting the transponder code, are also (too) hard to press plus they loudly click, which is a bit irritating if you, like me, like silent night environment.

5. SIMULATORS
Now the simulator choice. On Logitech website there are drivers for MSFS, X-Plane, FSX, Prepar3Dv1-3 and Prepar3Dv4. I happen to use Prepar3Dv5(.2) and unfortunately there is no dedicated driver for this version of the LM sim. But you can install the P3Dv4 version and then do a little 'hack'. You take the 'exe' file installed in the AppData\Roaming\Lockheed Martin\P3Dv4 folder and copy-paste it into the P3Dv5 folder. However, if you are using some other apps, like ChasePlane for instance, you may already have an exe file. Then you need to edit it by pasting the Logitech's part into it and saving. I can tell you it is working fine! If you want to spend another 25 euros, you can buy SPAD.next software for your sim, however I won't review it, as I went the free driver way, at least for now.

6. AIRCRAFT SUPPORT
As for the aircraft choice, I checked the default F22 and the A2A C182 I use for basic training, only to find that the functions work as promised. Talking about payware airliners, I can only write about the FSLabs A32X series, as this is what I have and fly. Users of Leonardo, Majestic, PMDG, TFDi, CaptainSim, etc, might chime in here and share their thoughts. So, flying the FSLabs airbuses, I only really need the radio COM, which works great. However, as the panel is not (unfortunately neither was my previous GoFlight radio) officially supported by FSLabs, in the virtual cockpit you will not see the digits dancing, but you will see the final change after swapping the standby/active frequencies. Not a big deal though, as I bought the panel not to have to look at the VC radios. As for the NAVs, they are automatic in the bus, so I don't need them. The problem is the A32X transponder code, which cannot be selected with the panel. I guess it would work on VATSIM (or any online network ), I read somewhere it does, but I haven't yet tried it myself, so I cannot confirm.

7. SUMMARY
All in all, I am glad I bought it, especially for this low price, as I missed hardware radios after my GoFlight refused to work fine. If you are like me, and enjoy using some hardware controllers (sidesticks, yokes, throttles, pedals, FMC, autopilots, EFIS, etc), you will definitely like it. Another way not to have to look into the tiny VC panels and trying to hit and miss the switches with your mouse, especially while flying manually on departure or final approach. Of course, it's not an ideal solution, with some knobs and switches working hard and not being fully supported by all payware aircraft. But, hey, what is perfect these days?

Edited September 29, 20214 yr by Rafal