External comms stack for use in FSX

[brucek 38]

I have seen over time hardware products that emulate communication stacks that interface with FSX via a USB connection and provide much more realism that trying to tune the radios with a mouse. Can anyone suggest or recommend a product that would do this? I'm not looking for anything in addition to that (such as a hardware MCP, etc.).Thanks, Bruce.

[Guest thx1137]

The go-flight one is ok but unfortunately it only uses a single rotary knob so to tune the decimal part of the frequency you have to push the knob in and turn. I regularly change the wrong part of the frequency because I find it hard to push in and turn reliably. A lot better than using the mouse still!Steven.

[Geofa 108]

Bruce-I bit the bullet and got an Elite avionics panel 2000. At the time I got it, it seemed to give the best for the bucks.I was a little disapointed though-although they state it is fs compatable, some of the buttons don't work or are non functional (you can't reprogram them to do something else). The worst one is the knob that changes letters on the gps-won't work though the other buttons do. The other drag is they say they have no plans to support Vista 64.However, most of the basics work-comm/radios/altimeter, heading bug, vor's,id's etc..Here is my setup though-and not using the mouse for just about everything is very nice.GeofaMy blog:http://geofageofa.spaces.live.com/http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/194818.jpg

[Glynn 405]

HelloThe Goflight GF-166 radios use a dual concentric rotary for the frequencys, it looks like the newer Comms panel uses only a single push-pull pot is this what you have?http://www.freewebs.com/reading1871/30.jpg

[Glynn 405]

Hello GeoffaIs that elite panel not able to be programmed through FSUIPC button programming? Does FSUIPC detect the switch movements.http://www.freewebs.com/reading1871/30.jpg

[Geofa 108]

It has very limited FSUIPC programming ability-basically just the gps buttons which as you see in my picture I relabeled and set to me like a kln94. However, with the knob not functional in fs I end up using the mouse for the gps still.GeofaMy blog:http://geofageofa.spaces.live.com/

[Glynn 405]

HelloI would recommend the Goflight units, although not the newer GF-ICCS or Integrated Combination Console System, as it seems to be using a different kind of rotary switch.one of these GF-166 units will handle your both comm 1 and 2 radios, and uses a dual concentric rotaryhttp://www.goflightinc.com/order/product_i...&products_id=40The Goflight software is very good and the units are also programmable using FSUIPC's button and mouse macro programming facilitys for addons which deviate from the standard MS SDKAdditionally a GF GF-46 will give you transponder , adf , altimiter setting or whatever you set it up for in the Goflight software.http://www.goflightinc.com/order/product_i...&products_id=75Alternativly a decent system to get you started is:http://www.goflightinc.com/order/product_i...&products_id=28Although in my own experience, and if I did this again I would get the tall module bay.http://www.goflightinc.com/order/product_i...&products_id=94And start filling it up as funds allow.http://www.goflightinc.com/order/index.php?cPath=1

[brucek 38]

Thanks everyone, for the excellent reponses.Happy Thanksgiving for those who participate.Thanks, Bruce.

[BIGSKY 316]

PFC has a settup,The price will be high. http://www.flypfc.com/AvionicsGallery.html

[brucek 38]

Tnanks Jim, that looks really cool. I little out of my range I think :)Thanks, Bruce.

[Guest thx1137]

The GF-166 is the one I have with a single knob. If you look at the larger image at http://www.goflightinc.com/order/product_i...&products_id=40 you can see it quite well.I use a GF-46 for the transponder and ADF tuning but it is annoying not having a standby and ident switch on it. I setup some joystick buttons for it but it would be nice to have on the panel!Steven.

[brucek 38]

Thanks Steven, that's the one that I am going to start with I think.Bruce.

[Guest LtRob]

Thanks Steven, that's the one that I am going to start with I think.Bruce.

Has anyone tried a small touch screen monitor, and drag the default radio stack to it? I have seen several complex setups using touch screen monitors for FMCs and overheads, so I assume it would work for the radio stack as well. Still, it's not a tactile 3D and click senstation, but I'd like to try it.

[blave 0]

Thanks everyone, for the excellent reponses.Happy Thanksgiving for those who participate.Thanks, Bruce.

I have had the PFC avionics stack for a few years - I think I paid about $1K for it via EBay. I also have several GoFlight modules.The PFC stack is hands down the most valuable and unique piece of FS hardware that I've ever owned - for one reason only, and that is Pete Dowson's PFC.DLL support module. It makes the stack behave very (very) similarly to a Bendix-King radio stack that is found in many non-"glass cockpit" airplanes.By default it behaves very well as COM1/2, NAV1/2, ADF, DME, transponder, and autopilot. And, because of the extensive knob/button reprogrammability that PFC.DLL offers via FSUIPC.DLL, I have the "GPS" knobs and buttons controlling the NAV side of the RealityXP GNS530 very nicely.An assortment of GoFlight modules can do most or all of these things, but the PFC stack feels quite a bit more like a real avionics stack IMO. It's not cheap, but there's a lot of functionality in it - and if you added up all of the GF modules that can (approximately) equate all of its functionality, I think you'd be looking at well over a thousand dollars probably over $2K.That's my .02's worth,Dave B.