Where's your keyboard & mouse?

[Kennair]

A general question to all builders. Where are you putting your computer keyboard and mouse? I'm struggling a bit with having them both on a stable-table on my co-pilots seat. I've been looking at mini keyboards and integrated trackball mice but not decided yet. Ideally I'd like it keyboard-less but that's not possible for some time yet.

What solutions have others come up with for this necessary but inconvenient piece of hardware?

Ken.

[737NUT]

I used a small wireless KB and Mouse and just stuffed between my seat and the sidewall when not in use.

[Michael Carter]

Not where I'd like to have them, which is no where.

This sim will probably never be totally independent of a keyboard or mouse. Right now the keyboard sits on the RT stand since I haven't started to fill it yet. I'm still collecting modules to install before filling it up.

The mouse sits forward of the throttle on the wrist-rest of the keyboard.

I'm exploring keyboard options such as a compact keyboard, mounting one in the aft overhead panel like Gwyn has done, or improvising a keypad type device that mimics an OMEGA or INS head for basic view functions.

[andarlite]

Here's what I did to replace the keyboard in my cockpit. The 767 has an Audio panel on the pedestal:
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/andarlite/PedestalAudio767-1.jpg

which I can't really make use of so I made one that look similiar:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/andarlite/PedestalAudio.jpg

The volume controls are push buttons instead. I took all the keypresses that I normally would need for FS9 (e.g. ALT to get FS9 menu, F1, F2, F3..... for Aerosoft AES, etc etc ) and assigned to a pushbutton. I hack a cheap USB keyboard, took out the small board and installed in the pedestal and just wire up each pushbutton to it and voila, a small keyboard that looks like it belongs on the pedestal.

For the mouse, I got a small trackball instead (since there not much room anywhere for rolling a mouse on).

Regards,
Henry

[737NUT]

Bravo Bravo!!!!!!!!!! Great idea!

[Tomlin]

I used a small wireless KB and Mouse and just stuffed between my seat and the sidewall when not in use.

The same here! However, once the flight is setup, it really should go back on the instructor's table behind the Captain's seat. I just havent had it all to that point yet. The instructor's table is actually just to the right of the FO seat.

[AndyT]

Here is an old pic from a very early stage of my sim that shows where I hid the keyboard.

http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1993

[Tim]

I use one of these:

http://www.techdepot.com/pro/product.asp?stchg=1&productID=1606585&info=Tech

Its mounted on a slide out table under the yoke. All computers are connected to a four port KVM switch.

Doesn't look like the forum accepts pic uploads so I can't attach a picture.

[Westozy]

Hi Ken,
As BSW said my keyboard is backlit and mounted in the aft overhead, it is very convenient. Since fitting the new PC, I was unable to plug in my old cordless mouse set up and had to put a normal infra red USB mouse up on top of the glareshield as a "temporary" measure as I intended to buy a new cordless mouse. The plug in mouse on the glareshield has turned out to be a good thing and I am going to leave it there. I have just enough lead from the computer which comes through at the bottom of the windshield center pillar and the mouse can be easily used from either seat. I park it at the very left or right edge of the glareshield and it doesn't interfere with the fwd view. The old cordless mouse pointer would sometimes wander a bit but the plug in mouse is very positive. The vinyl upholstery of my glareshield is an excellent mouse mat.
Come and see the 'new' beast, it rocks!

Gwyn

[Kennair]

Hey I like all these ideas. I've looked at a slide-out drawer setup along with a mini keyboard, but there's really nowhere to conveniently put that either. I like Gwyn's idea installed in the overhead, but sadly for me, no overhead. Henry's essential switches in the centre pedestal's a good one, I'll pinch that, and I'll get a mini keyboard and mouse and do what Tomlin suggested, shove it out the way on the instructor station (or wherever) once flight is setup.

Thanks guys. Lucky no-one charges for this advice!:grin:

Ken.

[David Rogers]

It get's worse the more you network! My sim is still pretty modest but I am already using 3 PCs:-

- PC1: FS2004.
- PC2: PM Glass Cockpit, MCP, CDU.
- PC3: PM Glass Cockpit (EICAS), PMsounds.

I only really use the PC1 keyboard and mouse once I'm set up - I have a slide-out drawer under my yoke that works brilliantly; it doesn't get in the way and it only appears when you need it briefly.

For my other 2 x PCs, I have "blu-tac'd" the keyboard onto the top of the PC towers, so they're not using any additional space.

[Yoshi]

Hi,

did you already have a look at rack trays?

Just a bunch of links:

http://www.networktechinc.com/keyboard-drawer.html
http://www.starcase.com/keyboard_drawer_detail.htm
http://www.racksolutions.co.uk/rack-mount-keyboard-tray.shtml
http://cableorganizer.com/computer-cabinets/great-lakes/pivoting-keyboard-tray-mouse-tray-shelf.html
http://www.nextag.com/rack-mount-keyboard-tray/search-html
http://www.rackmountnet.com/Rackmount-LCD-KVM-Switch/1U-Rack-LCD-Keyboard-Drawer/
http://www.thomascomputer.com/catalog/rack/lcd_n_keyboards/kbt19_fskbt19_kbt24.html
http://www.ipctechnology.com/products/promotion-dualRail.htm

19" are a lot of space though. Furst choice for Airbus/Falcon 7X builders I suppose ;-)

Keywords @ google leading to the links: rack tray keyboard

Cheers

Yoshi

[Kennair]

Mmmmm. Yes keyboard drawers would be good but I don't have the room for that either, maybe if I were building an Airbus, but thanks Yoshi.

David I have two PC's in mine and use a program called Multiplicity which happily shares a single keyboard and mouse across the network (there are other programs out there also). I have both flightsim PC's set to auto-logon so I don't need to use a separate keyboard for that. Of course this 2nd PC still has to have a keyboard plugged in or it fails to boot, but this sits on top of its case out of the way. I still need the main PC keyboard however which is the pain and my dilemma!

Ken.

[David Rogers]

Thanks for that info Ken, I will check out this "Multiplicity" ! :)

[Michael Carter]

Here's what I did to replace the keyboard in my cockpit. The 767 has an Audio panel on the pedestal:
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/andarlite/PedestalAudio767-1.jpg

which I can't really make use of so I made one that look similiar:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/andarlite/PedestalAudio.jpg

The volume controls are push buttons instead. I took all the keypresses that I normally would need for FS9 (e.g. ALT to get FS9 menu, F1, F2, F3..... for Aerosoft AES, etc etc ) and assigned to a pushbutton. I hack a cheap USB keyboard, took out the small board and installed in the pedestal and just wire up each pushbutton to it and voila, a small keyboard that looks like it belongs on the pedestal.

For the mouse, I got a small trackball instead (since there not much room anywhere for rolling a mouse on).

Regards,
Henry


I like that. I'd have to come up with one of the other model Gables comm select panels to replace my current Gables unit, but that has real possibilities and is within easy reach. Combined with another Hagstrom card, you can have about anything you want pogrammed.

Rack or slide-out KB trays don't work too well with column mounted yokes. It's a great hiding place though.

I've thought about somehow including a keyboard in the left side panel. Since I have no shell or interior yet, I could build a small hinged shelf attached to the end of the short closet wall on the left side of my MIP and Velcro a wireless keyboard to the shelf.

Prop up the shelf when in use and lower it after a flight using card table props that lock up when the button engages the hole.

The wheels are turning now.

[Radar]

:DThis is not for everybody but its neat

YouTube - DIY Flight Sims Keyboard Modification