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Hello
Im thinking about starting on the pedestal bay right now, and ive seen the prosimparts radio modules, that seem to be excellent value for money. I want to ask the community if any of you have bought these, and have succesfully got them wired up and working, which interface cards did you use, which software you used, and overall easyness to wire up. I am considering pokeys cards for the inputs and LED outputs but at the moment am open to other ideas.......
Thanks Everyone
Hi Imtryin!
I would recommend the radio modules from Open Cockpits in Spain - beautiful gear plug'n'play for about E130.00 each. The construction is superb, I have a set of 6 but I haven't built my radio box yet. That will be the next job when I finish my TQ...
Cheers Gwyn
Aerosim Solutions
I also agree with Gwyn.
Can't go past the OpenCockpits stuff, it's simply awesome!
Frank Cooper
I don't agree. Flimsy panels,way too thin, bad paint job, too expensive. There's no turning back after you've seen the Simworld panels.
The prosimparts panels look ok too.
I agree that open cockpits stuff is good, but this hobby is all about budget and what your happy with. For me paying 130EUROS + Tax + delivery for one radio unit is too much, although i know they are easy to get set-up.
That why ive gone for the prosimparts radio set 130EUROS for the three main radios was just a good price. The quality of the panels (Thickness ETC) isn't too much of a concern for me, as long as they "look" the same and do the job, then thats good enough for me.
Im going to go with Marc (from these forums) and he is going to help me with these Arduino cards thats he's been talking about. Im going to take pictures and make notes on how things go, hopefully be of use to someone who's thinking about buying these.
Hopefully buying these radios sets doesn't turn out to be a false economy!
Does the Arduino software talk to FSUIPC so that you can give FS the radio values?
I believe so yes, Ive had quite a discussion with Marc via email, and i think he said yes. Ive emailed him though, to get him to answer your question for definite though!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by fordgt40
Lee
Hey everyone!
yes and no, here's why:Quote:
Does the Arduino software talk to FSUIPC so that you can give FS the radio values?
One single Arduino in combination with ARCOM_by_Marc can EITHER communicate with FSUIPC OR Prosim737. I have a beta program developed in C# which connects the Arduino to FSUIPC, however it is still BETA. This said, I do have customers who go for the Prosim737 solution because then they are not limited to the radios alone but can also control the other LEDs and 7 Segment Displays in their setups.
What I distribute as freeware is the Arduino Code (which is currently used in my setup and hence is not modified for your needs but "AS IS") that can interpret the ARduino COMmunication Protocol (that's what I invented). The handler for FSUIPC is not stable yet and still needs some testing before you can buy it. However, you can support me and get more of an insight into the whole concept if you buy the manual which I sell for 19€. It is a very detailed explanation which is still to be expanded (but you would receive all future updates if you bought it).
I hope to shed some light!
Marc
Btw.: if you have any questions, feedback etc. just tell me!
Hi,
I have the radioset from prosimparts. So far 1 nav panel succesfully hooked up, the rest will follow once I find the time to do it.
I used a pokeys usb card, and made my own delphi interface into fsuipc for outputs. The inputs (buttons, rotaries) go directly into fsuipc through keymapping. I found that the most easy and quickest. So far all my aircraft work well, including the pmdg ngx.
The panels are pretty good, if you consider the price. But... You do have to invest in a io card, and depending which one in displays cards as well for the digits.
I used the pokeys usb card. That has 2x3 outputs which you can connect to 2 display boards. Each display board can handle 8 digits. The radioset has 32 digits in total, so if you want to connect them all: 2 pokeys, 4 displayboards, 4 wiresets. Check wendy's website for pricing..
I had the pokeys so I used them. Maybe the Sismo board is a better solution, as it can handle 64 digits.. I cant find out how to program this board yet because I cant find any documentation. Also, open cockpits boards could be usefull, but I don't have these.
If you need more info i will be glad to help
Greetings,
Sammy-e
that sounds very expensive...Quote:
I used the pokeys usb card. That has 2x3 outputs which you can connect to 2 display boards. Each display board can handle 8 digits. The radioset has 32 digits in total, so if you want to connect them all: 2 pokeys, 4 displayboards, 4 wiresets. Check wendy's website for pricing..
That's why I am *so* glad with the Teensy and the X-plane plugin from Paul Stoffregen; using a MAX7219 I have created one NAV radio. I still need to figure out how to cascade 7219's... That'll take only 3 pins from the Teensy board.
More info: http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/td_libs_LedControl.html
I agree with Bas. Teensy works great with xplane. Difference between the teensy and pokeys is that the teensy works with serial data and pokeys do not. I find it easier to connect to the pokeys, but with a little effort a teensy should work well. check the arduino links about fsx on this forum and the freeware software from jim_nz.
Rough calculation of the costs using pokeys:
2x50 euro pokeys cards
4x30 euro display cards,
4x10 euro cable sets
150 euro prosim panels (1nav,1comms,1 adf)
= 410 euro. Thats roughly 130 euro per panel. Dangerously close to plug and play sets..
If one could use the Sismo board: 119 euro in stead of 2 pokeys and 4 displays.. Then its about 320 euros. I cant advise on the sismo board as i dont have one. But it does look better financially. Bas, how many 7219 can be attached to a teensy? A teeny is only 20$..
Yep, and the MAX7219's can be cascaded. Just found a schema of how to do it. What I'd like to do is design a PCB that holds multiple MAX7219's so I can build my MCP with one Teensy board (or two, to be able to use sufficient interrupt inputs for the encoders). I am now mainly focusing on my MCP delivery and outputs (all the digits hooked up).
Sammy-E, I suspect one can chain about 8 MAX7219's together. The PJRC site doesn't say how many can be chained together, but as always, it probably is an even number and a power of 2 ;)
Link to the schema: http://rgb.kitiyo.com/pics/rgb-ckt-pg1.png
Edit: should mention that I am no expert on electronics and am looking for a partner to design the PCB. If I do come up with something I will share the design.
Hi,
how much do you pay for the MAX7219? it's ridiculous - 10€ each....
Take a look at my MCP - that's exactly what ARCOM is about^^ but cheaper, and the PCBs are already designed...
Marc
Ridiculously high or ridiculously low? :D
I paid 12,50 euro for the one I have at the moment. I'm quite satisfied with that, as the alternative that Sammy-E describes is much worse in terms of cost.
I'll have a look at Arcom, but I have already made up my mind I think. I'd rather live with self-inflicted constraints than those inflicted by somebody else's design. That having said, I'll look at your design :)
12,50 € ...
that is TOO MUCH...
I'm sorry but that's ridiculously high...
Marc
Well.. What would you consider a normal price?Quote:
Originally Posted by mrmaster
There are chips which cost about half of that and are just the same... I can sell you 6 pcs for 30€
Marc
Sorry, but could you substantiate your claims, please? You talk about the "cheapest solution, period" on your site, but I can't find any further information as to how or what. I might be overlooking something, of course.Quote:
Originally Posted by mrmaster
With regard to the PCB, do you really expect people to pay for PCB layouts without knowing what they actually get? (just curious). Some pics would help you sell your product, no doubt.
you know... i won't tell you exactly which chips I sell because then there would be no reason to buy them from me!!!
my system works and you're upset because you're not the first one to go that way...
btw.: you want pictures?
there you go:
http://x737cockpit.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/img_0441.jpg?w=627
http://x737cockpit.files.wordpress.c...2/img_0381.jpg
http://x737cockpit.files.wordpress.c...2/img_0435.jpg
http://x737cockpit.files.wordpress.c...2/img_0415.jpg
Marc
(i'm not haughty it's just when people start to get sanctimonious...)
Anyone else find the answers of mr. mrmaster a bit dodgy ?
Easy to make claims, but the proof - as always - is in the pudding. And life has shown me more than once that if a claim is made and the "claimee" is REALLY pissy about any critic questions - and defensive to boot - the claims are B.S.
Ranting about an overpriced, expensive chip, not telling what it is "because then there would be no point in buying it from me!!!"
Pleeeeeaaaaase! A pile of rock and a big glass house comes to mind...
Being an old-timer in this hobby now, I've learned one valuable lesson: cheap will always be cheap. Save a buck on this part here, spend three bucks getting the darn thing to actually work (reliable).
People keep popping the age-old question "I want a real 737 cockpit but I don't want to pay for it" - well, then slap some card board together and call it a day for chrissake! No doubt it will be TONS of fun, but don't expect anyone to go "ohhh" and "aaahhh" over it.
Read this:
http://fagerjord.org/index.php/737-c...-builder-noobs
If you cannot get the PnP panels, save yourself a great deal of pain. Get the Opencockpits multi radio! I have one, and it has provided me with hours of fun. Covered ALL my radio needs. Dirt cheap.
I now have ordered the CP Flight MCP. The EFIS modules will follow soon. Then I'll start gathering the other CP flight pedestal modules. Expensive does not begin to cover it, but a few of the modules a year? Absolutely doable.
€12.50 for an ic is PEANUTS. This hobby is expensive. Deal with it.
(rant over) :)
This being said: I fully appreciate and support efforts to get new solutions on the market. But save yourself the trouble: unless I can get it more or less plug and play, I am not interested. One should focus solely on getting a WORKING simulator one can actually USE, before one look into the more obscure areas.
And if people enjoy slapping together their own electronic gizmos and don't care about the look or authenticity of their sim? Great, but don't mislead people like me who want the most realistic looking 'pit possible within the budget available. Tell us how you did it, share. Enjoy the hobby the way YOU want, and share it with everyone else. That is the only way any hobby can live on and expand.
(rant REALLY over)
Well said, Vidar.
Hello Sammy-e,
SimCard Ethernet form Sismo can be programmed in 2 ways:
1) Using SC-Pascal editor/compiler: It is for free and it can be downloaded from Sismo web. There are many examples about how to program switches, encoders, relays, lights, pots, servos, … and 2 manuals (Vol I and Vol II) for people who want to learn how to program in SC-Pascal. It is based on Delphi and it contains specific functions for the use of FSUIPC or IOCP communication protocols.
http://www.sismo-soluciones.com/inde...mid=56&lang=en
2) Using any high level language: the user can ask for the UDP Protocol to Sismo e-mail and get connection with most important programming languages as C++, …
Cheers,
Indeed, well spoken, Vidar.
I have read the post of MrMaster and decided to take my time before replying. How's that for self-reflection, huh?
I happen to be building an MCP myself as well. Several reasons have made me decide to do so. Mostly, I want to be able to use the OS I like (be it Mac OS, Linux or Windows). This lead to the Flight Sim software I like: X-plane. Which in turn limits the commercial solutions available. Apart from that, building is more than half the fun to me (YMMV).
So, with respect to the MCP building, MrMaster, I see you and I raise the stakes: I'll show my progress and document it on my weblog for everybody to download, learn and correct me, as I'm no expert, LOL :P
Should I develop a PCB, I'll share that too. That's a promise.
Extra-free top-tip for MrMaster: brush up on your commercial skills, this isn't particularly working (not for me anyway, I'm still going down the Teensy and daisy-chained MAX7219 road). You should substantiate your claims and stop ranting about expensive chips. At the end of the day, I'll decide how to spend MY money.
I'm also interested as to who you think is sanctimonious. As I see it, we're just curious about your 'product'.
From an administrative point of view, please could we discontinue any further comments relating to this mystery chip, and could I suggest if anyone needs any further information to take it up with the interested person through Private Message rather than in the middle of the public forum.
Yours, in the interest of maintaining the peace.
Amen to that!Quote:
Originally Posted by Geremy Britton
Hi All
I received my delivery yesterday from prosim parts, and have to say, i'm very impressed. They are excellent value for money, infact out of all the panels ive had, these are the best yet. (im on a budget!) All of my contact emails were answered promptly, and the delivery was here when they said it would be here, very much unlike some other parts im waiting for from poland, nuff said.
So if anyone was maybe thinking about ordering from them, i can (from my experience) recommend them. Now on to the wiring????!!!!!!!..............
Great! Iif you need help with the wiring, they also provide excellent and prompt answers. I will upload the datasheet of the digits if you like.
Greetings,
Eric
Eric, I would appreciate if you could upload the datasheets as I am also interested in purchasing prosimparts radio modules. I would prefer to buy the whole set and wire each modules individually as I see fit, but as of right now I am pretty clueless where to begin as to -- 1. Which parts I need to buy 2. Which I/O is the best (and most affordable) 3. How to wire radio modules 4. How to interface it with the PMDG 737 NGX, and later on when I invest with prosim737.
Thank you.
I'm planning on doing the exact same thing but have been debating which I/O system to go with. Right now I'm leaning towards open cockpits since it has tested by prosim737. Sismo is compatible but not directly tested.Quote:
Originally Posted by OmniAtlas
And of course which is cheaper will play a part too.
Ok, I will upload the datasheet of the digits when I have access to my laptop.Quote:
Originally Posted by OmniAtlas
Probably this evening.
FYI: the radiopanel I hooked up through FSUIPc works with the default airplanes of FSX, but also 90% of the addon ac. Pmdg737ngx works too.
I used keysends as outputs and mapped these in fsuipc. Inputs (digits) are read from fsuipc, through a homemade delphi programm to the pokeys boards.
Sorry, I have no access to the datasheet for about three weeks. I am on vacation with no laptop and uploading through an Ipad will not work.. If you need them now I suggest you mail Prosim.
i emailed Danhiel at prosim parts and got this response (within the hour)
"So, the Opencockpit cards are good items and SIOC langage easy to implement.
We are preparing a "how to do" manual with the more used cards but it takes time.
However we have contact with developper for an integrated system with our panels.
So, be patient and you will receive the informations.
Fine by me as im not quite ready to put the radios in yet.
About these MAX7219 and teensy cards, are these cards available to buy off the shelf, can anybody post a link to the card so i can have a good look!
Just waying up options now, thats all!
How are you guys mounting these radio stacks? Are they compatible with the radio boxes such as the ones that engravity and simquads produce?
Well i can answer that for myself, i will be building my own box for the radio stack. I'd be happy to supply measurements of the panels as ive ordered 1x radio set, and the complete panel set for the pedestal.Quote:
Originally Posted by OmniAtlas
Once you've got the measurements you could do some investigations as to whether they would fit?
Have a look at http://www.pjrc.com Tons of interesting stuff :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Imtryin
Looks interesting- but seven segments still confuse the **** out of me!! does anybody know what boards i would need from opencockpits to run the three radio's, from what i read i only need 1 x displays card.......
Displays card.
It controls up to 16 7-segments displays.
Eight cable connected to the whole group of displays.
Up to four displays cards can be connected to one master card.
Completely finished and tested.
and one master card...........
Master card.
It controls 72 digital inputs and 45 (38+7) digital outputs.
It has a bus to connect up to four displays cards.
It's connected to the USB Expansion with extension parallel cable (Pin1 to Pin1).
can somebody confirm if this is correct?
Many thanks
Basically correct subject to:-
You will also need a USB Expansion Card. A mastercard does not work on its own
16no 7 segment displays can be driven from one display card, however, if you want to be able to dim the 7seg displays then you will drop to 15 displays, as the dimming function uses a display control pin
David