Hello Everyone,
Just posted this on the ED Forum site, but thought i'd share it here too if some of you don't check them out.
I have finally completed, and successfully tested, my prototype control panel for the SU-25T. This thing is an absolute blast to fly with! No more guessing as to what keys do what ... or if your ECM or IR Jamming is on or not. Haha
The reason I built this is two fold, 1) I am a commercial pilot (fedex feeder C-208s) and would much rather prefer an actual switch (that's labeled no less) over combinations of key strokes on the keyboard. 2) I'm an idiot and can never remember what I bound the generic switches on my
HOTAS to or what all the keyboard combinations are. It really pulls away from the feeling (and is rather time consuming) when I have to look up on the cheat sheet to see what key strokes do an action
I really enjoyed building and testing this control panel, and will be taking orders from anyone who may be interested in one.
All that is needed is 2 free USB ports, SVMapper (or something similar) and a desk that has a lip to it so the two clamps can hold the panel down firmly. The "brains" of this control panel are 2 Leo Bodnar BUO836A's. This control panel houses all the keys that the SU-25T uses (except for communications and views)
As you can see in the pictures, the flat portion fits the throttle to the X-55. It also fits the Thrustmaster throttle.
Construction on these do take a bit of time, and would ask your patience if you do want one. Asking price for one of these would be in the $330 USD range (shipping not included, i'm in Sacramento, California) The price INCLUDES everything needed to plug it in and start it up (Leo Bodnars wired up and tested, and USB cables)
The plan down the road is to build a control panel for as many DCS modules as feasible. The next one i'll be starting on will be a combination F-15/Mig-29/SU-27/SU-33 panel. I believe I could do all those platforms on one panel. Then with the study sims (A-10C, Ka-50, etc.) I plan to be able to sell specific panels since their complexity is a bit more than the FC3 ones.
Further more, the reason i chose the BUO836A over the X is because of it's ability to swap them easily. If say you purchase 2 control panels from me, You can request that the Leo Bodnars be left out (i'd still make all the connections for their hook up) because that would save nearly $100 off of the second and subsequent control panels.
The under table joystick arm is also something that I could make and sell. It retracts when not in use, and can be adjusted in both height, and how far the joystick comes out from the desk. This is a very crude design and I would probably modify it a bit if anyone wanted one. The parts were purchased from a local hardware store, so "fancy" was not something i was going for ... and quite honestly, probably still wouldn't go for.
It would require you to screw in 4 screws to the bottom of your desk.
If you guys have any questions, or are interested in purchasing one, please feel free to PM me.
- Apache600