New SimKits module
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SimKits, who produce “real” (i.e. hardware, not software) gauges to assist cockpit builders, have released a nifty new gauge. The single kit can be configured to be any one of 74 different possible instruments. They have issued the following press release regarding their new item:
“As Simkits introduces new products every month, our logistics became also more complicated offering so many different products with so many different parts.
Therefore we decided to offer you in one single package everything you need to create one instrument out of 74 different possible instruments, including all parts therefore. That’s makes it easy for us as well as easy for you. Do you want to order 6 different gauges like in the past? Just order now 6 packages of this new instrument and you receive more parts then you will ever need or (thinking of the future) when you want to setup another simulator, just change the faceplate of the gauge and use another one from the 74 included, since the new gauge is assembled without glue, just screws only.
This single product package therefore replaces many single or dual pointer gauges earlier offered.
The new kit contains all parts to build either one large or one small aircraft gauge with one or two pointers of different shape out of the following parts: 1 large front ring, 1 small front ring, 1 large optical, 1 small optical, 1 housing, 1 set of screws, bolts and nuts, all the different pointers you will ever need, 1 set of adhesive pointer legends, 74 different faceplates.
It can be ordered as a ”stand-alone USB” device, which includes a USB Controller, USB Cable, housing and lighting or as a gauge to be connected to the CCU (order the ribbon cable separately) or to the Multi Controller (direct connection of the servo(s) wiring).
For the USB version no CCU or Multi Controller is necessary anymore (just connect it directly to your PC via the included cable) and you can give the gauge up to 64 identities by setting a dip switch to build even the largest aircraft panel!
With this kit (USB stand-alone or non-USB to connect to CCU or Multi Controller), you can build any gauge out of the following gauge groups:
Airspeed Indicators
Vertical Speed Indicators
Engine Instruments
Airliner Instruments
Helicopter Instruments
More details, a list of which type of gauges you can built and the user manuals can be found here:
http://www.simkits.com/product.php?prodid=667
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Sheesh, their basic pre-built flight deck for a Cessna 172 is £8,400 and that doesn’t include computer or screens. No doubt it’s worth every penny but when you consider you can get your PPL and probably buy into an aircraft share for that amount :O I guess you’d need to be a flying school to justify the outlay rather than a hobbyist.
As a hobbyist who is building a full size sim, I plan on using LCD screens to represent my gauges. But a few ‘real’ backup gauges sure would add to the realism of it all, and, this just might be the ticket.
It’s not a cheap hobby, is it?
Ken, I’d love to see some pics of your setup once you get it sorted
Mark - FlightSimX
Hadn’t thought of the screen approach which will help cut costs, what about changing the heading bugs and VOR settings etc? Mind you this unit doesn’t look like it can be used for that purpose anyhow. the radio stack will be a challenge surely !?!
I have purchased a center console and numerous modules from Go-Flight. These include radios, 2 sets of toggle switches, 1 module with pushbuttons and rotary controls, throttle quadrant with extra handles, and a module with landing gear handle and lights, flaps switch, and, trim wheel! The beauty of included software is that you can easily assign module controls to ‘control’ just about anything on an aircraft panel. Included magnetic labels let you change ‘assignments’ when you please. Same as the throttle quadarant, control anything from your normal single aspirated engine, to a 4 engine jet complete with reversers,spoiler control and flap control. I have a 20″ widescreen LCD for instruments. Next to that I have a 15″ touchscreen to control GPS’s,etc.. I also have an Nvidia 8800GTX GPU going through a Matrox TripleHead2Go into 3 Acer 19″ LCD’s. My yoke is a beautiful Beechcraft yoke from Precision Flight and my rudder pedals are airliner size from Go-Flight. I have a long list of software including Project Magenta’s glass cockpit and MCP, CDU. Whew!! And I am just starting! As things progress I will try and keep you filled in with all the trials and tribulations. I wish everything to go smoothly, BUT, you know how that can go!!
That sounds like a great setup Ken, I love the idea of the touchscreen for the GPS. It would be great if you coud keep some kind of record of your putting it all together, I’m sure it would make good reading.
I’ll see what I can do. Thinking of takin some pics as I go along too.
Ken, that sounds like a pretty amazing setup. If you want to do an article for FlightSimX about the building process, I’d be happy to post it.
Mark - FlightSimX
Mark, I am going to try and keep some sort of diary as I go along. I’ll send you info as the project progresses and you can decide whether it is worth posting or not. I can tell you this: so far I have around $9,000.00 wrapped up in hardware and software. This includes a brand new Dell XPS 700 computer (in beautiful brushed aluminium). I purchased it for the sim and nothing else. All this did not come easy. To convince my wife I had to quit smoking, cut my already meager allowance in half, and, (here is the big one), I can never purchase a new car again. NEVER! But I do not mind driving around in junkers, as, I am building my dream! And it’s a project that I will never finish! There will always be something to add or tinker with. All in all, great fun!
That’s quite a commitment you’ve made there, Ken! Mind you, it sounds like it’s worth it.
I think readers would love to follow the story of you building it and I certainly think it’s worth posting on the site so yes, please do send the updates.
Mark - FlightSimX
Here here, it would make for a pretty good read, sounds like there’s already been a lot of dedication and commitment to the project.
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