I'm wondering if anyone has any experience using the GP-Wiz40 MAX USB Controls Input Interface with Rotary Support found here: http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=235

As a control interface board for flight sims, specifically I'm thinking of using it with IL-2, although any experience with how well it works would be appreciated.

It's about half the price of Leo Bodnar's board (probably, and while it offers half the axis, it has just as many buttons.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

*edit* Digital Axis not suitable for my requirements. Need analogue input

There is a cheaper version here if you can solder, i never bought from the guy but accordingly to arcade control board his products are ok. the rotary interface also is a good thing.

Yeah, I was looking to avoid excessive soldering as I have absolutely no experience with it yet. I'm ok with starting by soldering switches to wires etc. but not so much on boards just yet.

I'm looking to get one to repair my busted pedals and add some switches. I haven't heard anything but good about it and its cheap!

Since GP-Wiz40 handle digital axis instead analog axis, is suitable to wire rudder pedals analog axis - potentiometers?.

http://groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/GP-Wiz40CS.jpg

Sokol1

They are digital axis it means thath you only have 3 position (min/center/max) reported and you have to wire them to momentary switches. Pots won't work.

Really? No support for Pots on this?

WoW! That would definetely knock it out of the running for what I want to do with it. I am looking to build an trim device, flaps control, prop pitch, and mixture control based on pots. I guess I'll go looking elsewhere.

Any recommendations for an inexpensive solution in the US?

I have used this. Absolutly no conflicts what so ever, just plug and play.

http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836X/

I was hoping for something less expensive.

At nearly $90 with shipping that is a bit pricey. Although I am looking at some of his other models.

Anyone have experience with any of them?

Such as http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836A/ or http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836/

I have a list of game controllers here that might be useful:

http://www.thommos.com/wiki/index.php?title=USB_controllers

I'd have a look at Desktop Aviator, eg:

http://www.desktopaviator.com/Products/Model_2090/index.htm

I have seen your wiki, and explored it extensively, that is what led me to groovy game gear initially.

The Desktop Aviator uses Rotary Encoders. For my purposes, I don't know what use I would have for Rotary Encoders. I'm not building a radio stack or an autopilot for FSX or anything similar.

Bu0836 has great cost/benefit (45$ with shipping).
8 (10 bits) analog axis
1 POV HAT - can be used as four buttons too
32 buttons or up to 16 encoders (each encoder use 2 buttons positions).

People generally frightened by the "matrix" thing. But is easy deal whit it, just put one diode in one terminal of every button.



In Il-2 (1946) you can use encoder - with dials - to:
Select next/previous beancon
Select next/previous AM radio station
Adjust, altitude, angle, speed, deviation in bombsight.
Rudder, elevator, aileron trim (but idealy is use analog axis with multi-turn pot's)
Radiator controls
Flaps controls
Supercharge increasy/decreasy
...

Sokol1

Thanks, how significant is the difference between 10 bit and 12 bit analogue resolution? Is it something that I am likely to notice?

Just for clarification, could you use a rotary encoder with the BU0386 to select engines in IL-2? How would you set that up?