Panel recommendations

[Paul G]

Hi all,

After months of seeing my own attempt at a panel, I've resigned to the fact that unless I spend tens of thousands on various precision cutting tools and accessories, and learn to use them to expert level, I'd probably be better off buying my panels.

The good news is also the bad. There seems to be quite a few suppliers and without visiting one of the sim shows, I'm unsure which ones would be best.

Perhaps anyone who has bought a panel or 2 can say what you have, where you bought it from and whether you'd recommend. Also how much they go for if you can remember. I'm primarily interested in backlighting, which is where my own design squawks standby and disappears from radar.

I look forward to hearing from you.

All the best -

Paul

[ivar hestnes]

The "IBL" panels from flightdecksolutions are beatyful. You can send them a mail about pricing.

I have ordered IBL panels for overhead and mip. My mcp are already fitted with IBL. It is really amazing and have integrated backlighting with same bulbs as a real aircraft.

If you can afford it, this is the way to get the backlighting perfect

[Michael Carter]

I agree. I use real Boeing panels, and I can't tell the difference in the lighting. They are built in the same fashion as many Boeing sub-contractors built them.

[Paul G]

Ok thanks guys - certainly a plus for FDS.

Anyone else recommend a different supplier panel?

[Michael Carter]

Not if you want as close to the real thing as you are likely to get. I mean these panels look absolutely real. They have the correct contours on the corners and on the faces and edges. In addition, the type font is perfect.

[Paul G]

Hmmm detail is absolutely essential. I stupidly decided it was too expensive from the outset but now I've put a lot of time into something that's at best mediocre, and will require a lot of time to modify it to take an FDS solution.

FDS are in Canada aren't they?

[Westozy]

I will be producing MIPs to custom order but not until the beginning of 2008 unfortunately so I miss this sale! They will be machined from 6mm PVC sheeting. (Same as my own MIP in the pic)

Gwyn

[ekezz]

Also have a look at Engravity (flyengravity.com) as their panels and backlighting are awesome. My cousin saw it and said it was very close to the real thing, which shows more wear and tear from intensive usage. IRL he used to fly the 747, 737 and now on the A330.

[Trevor Hale]

Ok thanks guys - certainly a plus for FDS.

Anyone else recommend a different supplier panel?

Simulatory and Engravity would be my first choice Paul. Sorry but I am not fussed on FDS.

Trev

[ralmav]

Also look on Simparts www.simparts.de they have backlighting too and metal plates ..i love them.The Simparts site is temporarly down because they move to a new location, they´ll be back in the mid of june.
Look on my site if you want to see some pictures