Still unsure of which I/O cards to use.

[dnoize]

Hi Stef,

Thx for the additional info, I tend to forget the commercial hardware suppliers because they are much more expensive

The modules you are referring too are ofcourse high quality, but as a cockpit builder I would like to have more flexibility in programming my simulator harwdare, not just pull-down menus. SIOC gives you that flexibility.

Nico

Totally agree with you Nico, but for some SIOC is a bridge too far, even when using leeksecon.
For those the ease of use of the simboards might be an outcome, but <as i said in my previous post>, that ease of use comes with a price(tag)

I just mentioned it as an alternative for those who want a klick and go interface.

For all others, leeksecon and the masterboard are perfect.

I use both interfaces and love both interfaces.



stef

[dnoize]

hi guys
i have the same probleme we are making an airbus and we were thinking of op cockpits but we are not very good with pc and all that programing stuff sim bords looks much pratical and easy on set up no welding needed and looks preaty cleane as i read it works with PM too has any one got there bords that can tell us how it works?

Yiassou spiro,

With the simboards you simply select the input or output you want to use, and then in a menu you select the function set (standard fs offsets, project magenta or level-d) and you select the function.

And it works.. thats all there is to it. You can interface a complete overhead within a hour.

Alternatively you can also make your own logic if its not provided.

Stef

[Drewsta]

Thanks guys and especially Kiek for all your input and help on this matter. I'm definately going to use open cockpits Master and usb cards together with Lekseecon by Nico Kaan. I was a little worried that Oc cards would be too hard for me but after reading a little of the Lekseecon manuals I realised just how easy it can be. It looks like all the hard work has been done for me considering I'm building a 767 300 with Level D 767.

I'm so excited now and can't wait to start interfacing some Switches/buttons etc, just time and money.

Thanks again
Drewsta

[spiro]

hi stef
thank you thats the sort of stuff i am looking for i am not very good with pc programing and dont realy understand it that good i am more a plug and ply guyso i will email them so i can find out howmany i need to get started
i do have one qestion
there is a master board and an input and output bords so switches and rotary encordes togel switches are all input abd 7 segment displays and leds backlighting for panels and warning lights and so on are out puts thats how it works i thinkso i might go with them

[vcimmino]

FSUIPC really has anything you might need to have a click and go interface with any joystick board around. The real need to have a dedicated board is only if you want to have some more complex components wired (like encoders, relays, etc) or you have to drive leds. BU0836X, Pokeys55T and Velleman cards are in my opinion a good choice for those that want to have a jump start without programming skills, by setting the buttons directly inside FSUIPC as direct mapping or macro functions.

[Drewsta]

FSUIPC really has anything you might need to have a click and go interface with any joystick board around. The real need to have a dedicated board is only if you want to have some more complex components wired (like encoders, relays, etc) or you have to drive leds. BU0836X, Pokeys55T and Velleman cards are in my opinion a good choice for those that want to have a jump start without programming skills, by setting the buttons directly inside FSUIPC as direct mapping or macro functions.

Thanks for that input mate, however are you sure that cards like BU0836X work with Level d 767 through fsuipc?

[dnoize]

hi stef
thank you thats the sort of stuff i am looking for i am not very good with pc programing and dont realy understand it that good i am more a plug and ply guyso i will email them so i can find out howmany i need to get started
i do have one qestion
there is a master board and an input and output bords so switches and rotary encordes togel switches are all input abd 7 segment displays and leds backlighting for panels and warning lights and so on are out puts thats how it works i thinkso i might go with them

Thats correct. You can use the input board for switches and pots and encoders and the output boards for leds or 7 segment displays.

The nice thing about the simboards is that you can buy them in several configurations. Certain features are locked/unlocked by firmware.

Hardware wise the boards are the same. But by buying a newer firmware later you can unlock extra inputs or outputs.

When you buy the maxi boards (i use the maxi), you can change configuration whenever you like. Now i use my output boards for leds, but i can switch to 7 segments whenever i like.
I use my input boards for switches, but i can also use them for encoders and pots.

stef

[Polmer]

Drew,

as far as your concerns with the Opencockpits card and programing;

at first it will be a little overwhelming since you will have a million questions on how to set up. This is normal because the initial process of getting all the hardware & software to talk together takes a little time. But, once you get over the learning curve, you will not regret it... I promise you. You will eventually be able to write you own bits of code which is very empowering!

Dont forget, we can help you sort thru the problems here at mycockpit.

Hang in there and good luck.

~Polmer

[David Withers]

go with the easiest and quickest that has the power to do everything you need.

[vcimmino]

I seem to have read that simboards don't work with Vista and then Windows7, so I would doublecheck this before buying them, if you don't want to stick with XP but it is going to be unsopported in a year or so.

As I'm not building a 767 and never tryed Level-D I can't say exactly what FSUIPC can do with it, but... if you can use keystrokes or normal joystick buttons or macros trough FSUIPC with it then any generic USB joystick card will be good. More if you choose a multipurpose board like the Pokeys, then you don't have to worry about buying a card for encoders and one for keys because it directly support both. It supports leds too, but you need to learn basic .NET programming in order to use them. All of those cards I mentioned have also analog inputs so you can use pots with them to simulate axis like throttle, yokes, trims eccetera. Last but not least the price. BU0836X come for as little as 50 Euros, Pokeys55T same price (but about twice as much inputs), Velleman depends on board type but in the same price range. Dedicated FS cards instead (apart opencockpits) are usually very expensive, because you clearly pay the software that interface to FS and allow you to direct select the function assigned to each button.

So in conclusion: if you can give a look at what FSUIPC can do for you and Level-D then you'll know if any of the cheap USB generic I/O cards can be useful to your project and in case I would go for one of them. If you want a complete Level-D 767 then just get opencockpits mastercard+usb expansion and use excellent and worldwide known lekseecon by Niko Kaan. I would only give a look also to other dedicated board types if I'd build a generic cockpit or I think that I might change a lot of times buttons configuration and I then want an easy way to adapt it to my changed needs faster.