Still unsure of which I/O cards to use.

Hey guys, I know alot of the builders today use the open cockpits cards for their interface. I haven't ever used cards before and not sure how easy/hard the open cockpits master/usb cards are to connect up. Initially I only I'll only have around 20 toggle/momentary switches (if that) connected. The rest will be usb connected. I have touched on this subject not long ago I know but i'm trying to make a decisive decision before I buy. I'm after something I can simply solder some wires one end and solder or crimp the other, then connect to a board and use fsuipc etc to configure. My 767-300 build is close to completion and I'll be looking at interfacing soon with LEVEL D 767. The desktop aviators 20 toggle/pushbutton switch card looks so easy to use but unsure if that can operate level d 767 through fsuipc or would I need Nico's software? Do I need to know any type of programming etc to use open cockpit cards?

Thanks again for any help.
Drewsta

If all you want to do is connect some switches, pots, etc. and run them through FSUIPC, Leo Bodnar's BU0836X card is an easy way to go. http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836X/

This card is less then five inches by two inches and can handle 32 switches, buttons, etc and 8 pots. It will also work with some encoders. The wires slip into a push clasp. (I do find this push clasp system to sometimes be harder than it should be. For best results use an 18 guage solid wire or tin the multi strand wire, where it inserts into the clasp, to make it stiffer)

The card is about $50 USD and works like a charm with FSUIPC

Opencockpits cards are very versatile but a bitch to program. They are more suited for complex cockpits that require a lot of IF-ELSE logic.

If you later decide to upgrade to a more complex system the BU0836X can still be used in your cockpit for basic functions. I believe Leo's analog pot function is better than the OC cards. I use a BU0836X with its 12 bit resolution for my pit.

Hope this helps.

Drewsta,

I agree with John's comments (I love and have the BU0386X cards) but if you are planning on using LevelD 767 then you better off getting the OC cards with SIOC so you can use Nico's awesome lekseecon program. I believe it is the only way to get LevelD to work.

Thanks for the replies guys. Now Im in a real bind..haha! The Buo386x sounds great but if it won't work with the level d 767 I can't really use it right? So is it true the only way to make the level d work with switches etc is with open cockpits cards and Nico Kaan's software?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by autocadplease

... but if you are planning on using LevelD 767 then you better off getting the OC cards with SIOC so you can use Nico's awesome lekseecon program. I believe it is the only way to get LevelD to work.

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That's right, if you want to make use of my free lekseecon software you have to use IOcards and SIOC.

Since everything is pre-defined, programming is a piece of cake; just a couple of one-liners to connect your 20 toggle/push buttons to the pre -defined SIOC variables. No IF THEN ELSE statements needed. All the logic is in the Level-D, there is no need to program that yourself in SIOC.

Hope this makes things more clear.

Just buy a USB-expansion card and one Master Card and you are ready to go.

Advice: always choose the software first, and then the necessary hardware. It is the software that makes the difference, hardware is a commodity.

Regards,
Nico Kaan

Thanks Kiek for the reply. Is open cockpits the only way to get the level d to work?

Hi,

lekseecon only works with Opencockpits. However, there is an alternative: one could use my (old) program FSCONV. FSCONV provides extra Level-D 767 specific offsets in FSUIPC. Every interface system that can work with FSUIPC offsets can make use of it. However, FSCONV is not so powerful as lekseecon and configuring your application (activating offsets) has to be done manually. Lekseecon configures automaticaly and transparent to the user.

FSCONV is used by the commercial applications "It's your plane" and "Flight Deck Companion".

Development of FSCONV has concluded.


So imho the choice is easy.

Nico

just to offer an alternative: the flightdecktechnology cards (www.simboards.com) also offer all level-d functionality in easy pre-programmed pull down menu's.

Its simply a matter of connecting a led or switch and sellecting th function for that corresponding in- or output from a pull down menu.

cards are quite more expensive but someone was offering them here secondhand just a few weeks ago.

Open Cockpits with Nico's Leeksecon is the cheapest way to go and also a very good solution.

Stef

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?i see that nearly every one realy gose with op cockpits in the end is there something we should know

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kiek

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

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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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spiro

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?

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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

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

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 guy;)so 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 think:roll:so i might go with them

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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 guy;)so 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 think:roll:so i might go with them

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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

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

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

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.

hi all
so as i see to get a sim going and to last!!!! with out haveing to change somthing every so often there is one choice opencockpits with sioc and fsuipc
thats what i understand any way i have sent 3 emails to sim boards and havent got any reply i like leos card but it dose not have any 7 segments for radios and fcu outputs so this is what i think i should do
1 get a registed copy of fsuipc
2 get open cockpits master input output
3 get sioc
4 learn how to PROGRAM:shock::shock::shock::shock::shock:
know thats the hard part for me but i would like a sim once i get every thing working not to have to chang somthing and all that stuff is this possibale
with open cockpits once every thing is working to stay like that with out allways having to program or fix somthing
i dont whant to waist time on trying to fix somthing thats not working and leave no time for flying once it is fixed !!:grin:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spiro

... so this is what i think i should do
1 get a registed copy of fsuipc
2 get open cockpits master input output
3 get sioc
4 learn how to PROGRAM:shock::shock::shock::shock::shock:
...
:grin:

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Also have a look at Nico Kaan's site (http://www.lekseecon.nl/), though much of the contents is tuned to the Level-D 767, he also gives many valuable tips about (especially) SIOC programming.

And remember, if you try something and get into trouble: just ask here!

hi again
so for asking the same qestio all the time but i was just looking in at leos card
it looks very simpel and easy is there any way i could get leos card to hook all switches and throttals and is there another soloution for the 7segments
for the fcu and rotary switchs ofcouse in a simpele way???
also what do you do for the fmc could i use 2 of leos cards???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spiro

hi again
so for asking the same qestio all the time but i was just looking in at leos card
...
also what do you do for the fmc could i use 2 of leos cards???

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Sorry, no, I only use OpenCockpits cards...