Open cockpits Kitset or Built, and why?

[av1ator]

Just getting ready to purchase my interfacing hardware, I have decided on the BU0836x and the following open cockpits cards.....

Master
Displays II
USB Expansion
Servo Motors
Output plug for master

I intend on running as many inputs as possible on the BU0836x and all my outputs with the Open cockpits gear.

At this stage of the build (the beginning) I am focusing on the TQ and the MCP.
I have built the physical TQ and now need to interface it. And as soon as I have my open cockpits gear arrive I will be building the MCP.

All the cards I am going to purchase are kitset as I can read instructions and I know how to solder, just wanting some thoughts from more experienced cockpit builders

Thanks guys, this is my fisrt thread and this site has been extremelly helpfull, although my wife would probably say its been the worst thing I have found because now I want to spend all this money haha, and being from New Zealand the exchange rate leaves alot to be desired.

:)

[dogtanian]

I have bought OC boards both built and in kit form. They are easy enough to solder up if your soldering skills are up to scratch. I was happy enough to save the money really. Whilst they are fantastic cards, I was able to buy a brand new Saitek AV8R two-throttle USB joystick for £19 (UKP) from the local computer shop (www.aria.co.uk) and hack that. Unless you need to program some SIOC logic, that's a good way to go!

[Buddym]

thats about the same h/w compliment I have right now, minus the servo card. I love the OC and the bodnar cards. Just need to get into SIOC now!

I alos purchased assembled and as kits, kits were easy to assemble.

BuddyM

[vidarf]

VERY easy to assemble, as long as you know a resistor from a capacitor. :) And that is easy to learn too - what is google for anyway? :)

Kit form is affordable and fun (fun to solder, at least for me). However, the ready-built cards are tested and verified by OC - might be a better solution if you have very little or no electronic knowledge.
Still - everything can be learned... And you need the electronic skills later on anyway. ;)

[Tripacer]

I have built a USB Servos card and USB Axes card. Both work with only minor debugging on one card. I soldered a LED in backwards, The board screen wasn't as clear as i would like. I am buying the next batch built and tested to remove that part of the hassle from all of the other hass in building a simpit.
Good luck.

Tripacer