Hi all,

As I got some money in hand, I was thinking of getting one or both the MCDU's below to enhance my flight sim experience  with some of my favorite aircraft addons in P3Dv5 and Xplane 12 (please see the links below):

https://www.aerosoft.com/en/shop/flight/hardware/instruments/3444/cockpit-simulator-cs-737x-cdu (thinking of using it for the PMDG 737, 777 and 747 as well as the Zibo 737 and the 737-300 from IXEG)

https://javasimulator.com/product/airbus-mcdu-version-3-0/ (thinking of using it for the FSLabs airbus lineup as well as the Toliss A340)

Does anyone have any feedback on how these two CDU's work with P3Dv5 and Xplane 12, i.e. are they good options? Furthermore, does anyone know of any better alternatives out there in the market that could e.g. work with some more aircraft addons (e.g. a 737 MCDU that also works with the Ifly 737 Max 8 or an Airbus CDU that works with the Aerosoft addons for P3Dv5) or just would be a better option generally.

Thank you in advance! 🙂

To follow-up on the above, I also found this potential option for the Airbuses (so any feedback on this product would also be helpful): 

https://www.skalarki-electronics.com/en/onlineshop/product/desktopline-mcdu.html

I'm not super into tactile feeling so I ended up getting a 7" touchscreen for MCDU, maybe 10" is more like the realworld size but my desk is small anyway...

I'd suggest you just try one and see if you need go further to full CDU anyway, after I tired my own 7" one I just don't feel like I'll really need a much expensive thing  for the same purpose for now.  I'd suggest spend extra money on MCP/EFIS control or Yoke, even Gear lever which have more impact on feeling.

Pro is super cheap (sub $30), compatible for both different type (say I also fly EJets, Q400, CRJ and even GTN750.) and different add-ons (Most P3D one can be pop-out on to it, while some X-Plane one would require WebFMC, the only one add-on I have can't use with it is inisim A300/A310)

Cons is of course no tactile feeling, and it might be tricky if you don't have extra HDMI/DP output for it(you can go displaylink with USB then as I do)

4 hours ago, C2615 said:

I'm not super into tactile feeling so I ended up getting a 7" touchscreen for MCDU, maybe 10" is more like the realworld size but my desk is small anyway...

I'd suggest you just try one and see if you need go further to full CDU anyway, after I tired my own 7" one I just don't feel like I'll really need a much expensive thing  for the same purpose for now.  I'd suggest spend extra money on MCP/EFIS control or Yoke, even Gear lever which have more impact on feeling.

Pro is super cheap (sub $30), compatible for both different type (say I also fly EJets, Q400, CRJ and even GTN750.) and different add-ons (Most P3D one can be pop-out on to it, while some X-Plane one would require WebFMC, the only one add-on I have can't use with it is inisim A300/A310)

Cons is of course no tactile feeling, and it might be tricky if you don't have extra HDMI/DP output for it(you can go displaylink with USB then as I do)

Yeah I was thinking about that touchscreen option as well but lets see what I decide on in the end. Thank you for the input, much appreciated! 🙂

The Skalarki MCDU is very nice and works with the FSLabs airbuses in P3D.  It does require the separate purchase of drivers from FSL.

I can’t speak to using is with X-Plane.

9 hours ago, regis9 said:

The Skalarki MCDU is very nice and works with the FSLabs airbuses in P3D.  It does require the separate purchase of drivers from FSL.

I can’t speak to using is with X-Plane.

Thank you Regis for the input! Yeah the airbuses I fly is mainly the FSLabs airbuses (P3D), the Aerosoft A330 (P3D) and the Toliss A340 (Xplane 12) so was hoping that maybe the Skalarki MCDU would be a good option. I think it is right now my no. 1 airbus MCDU option so reassuring to hear that it works well!  

In relation to the software that you need for the MCDU, do you need to continue to subscribe to that or is it sufficient with the one time purchase? I assume that you can purchase the maintenance software thing for 12 months whenever you feel like you need a driver update? Or am I mistaken? 🙂

I recall it was a one time purchase for the FSLabs drivers (purchase from FSL).  I think it worked with the Aerosoft A330 using the free drivers that come included.

There is a Skalarki support Facebook page if you wanted to ask there:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1123606617698287

2 hours ago, regis9 said:

I recall it was a one time purchase for the FSLabs drivers (purchase from FSL).  I think it worked with the Aerosoft A330 using the free drivers that come included.

There is a Skalarki support Facebook page if you wanted to ask there:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1123606617698287

Thank you Regis! Much appreciated! 🙂

I also have the skalarki MCDU in addition to their fcu.  Like it alot.  While it works great in p3d with FSL, I really wish it was USB based instead of another video device.  The boeing FMS I have is much easier to use with other planes.  But the device itself is very nice.  

26 minutes ago, micstatic said:

I also have the skalarki MCDU in addition to their fcu.  Like it alot.  While it works great in p3d with FSL, I really wish it was USB based instead of another video device.  The boeing FMS I have is much easier to use with other planes.  But the device itself is very nice.  

Thank you for your input! Yeah I noticed that too on their product description but good to hear such good feedback on the Skalarki MCDU!

I think I will get the Skalarki one first and then potentially a bit later a Boeing one from Aerosoft or somewhere else! 🙂