Do I have to have PMsystems?

[Xanderol]

Hello, this may be a foolish question but I am quite new to cockpit building. I am hoping to build a simple Piper Arrow cockpit. I was planning on using phidgets for the gauges and I’ve been looking around for info on how to use them when I came across F2phidget. From what I understand I have to have PMsystems in order to utilize F2phidget. Is this mandatory to get it to work or is there a way to utilize F2phidget without PMsystems. I emailed for the pricelist for PMsystems and it is quite expensive even for the private license.

[Westozy]

There are quite a few alternatives to phidgets available now. I would suggest you have a look at FDT SimBoards for simplicity of use and there are also plug'n'play gauges available through Simkits although they are pricey. You can build a decent Cessna/Piper panel with a large LCD monitor behind your MIP using cheap software such as FS Panel Studio and you will be flying in no time. Check out my website, it shows how I did my 737 on a very small budget.

Welcome to MyCockpit.org!

Gwyn

[BlackWidow]

To answer your question....NO you do not need PM Systems in order to use Phidgets. I use Phidgets for switch functions I have not tried using them for gauges. There are a few premade gauges out there and there is a book by Mike Powell http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/ That can show you how to make your own gauges


here are some links to pre-made gauges

http://www.simkits.com/

http://www.sgsim.com/

http://www.flightillusion.com/

then there is Project Magenta's General Aviation Glass Cockpit which represents the Garmin1000 http://www.projectmagenta.com/

there is another G1000 comeing out some day and here is that link
http://www.piengineering.com/MonitorMask/monitormask.php

Good Luck with your Sim

[Trevor Hale]

To continue where Blackwidow left off..

Fs2phidgets can be used for many many functions. (Some of those functions are part of PMsystems and other Project Magenta offsets) However, there are still many functions that you can use the software for that doesn't require any Project Magenta Software.

Best regards,

Trev

[Tomlin]

Also for a Piper Arrow, I doubt that you will find much use for PMSystems at this time in it's development. As others have said, there are many other types of interface cards/units other than Phidgets and there are also several different guage makers too, that would look really nice. Westozy suggested looking at FS panel studio, that would be a great option for getting into pit building, and as others have mentioned the Project Magenta GA software.

Dont forget that you have a selection of GoFlight modules (http://www.goflightinc.com/order/index.php?cPath=1&osCsid=481b6a0e339d4c82d5618110bbfed020) too for interfacing, which come in a ready to use format, or a remote mount kit that is a bit cheaper, but tailored by yourself for your needs.

Best of luck!

[Xanderol]

Thank you for your help, it has been very informative. For some reason in my reading I got the idea that F2phidgets needed PMsystems to operate. FS panel looks like a good solution for the more complicated gauges. I may try experimenting with the phidget servo controller to create a simple mechanical gauge. The prebuilt gauges seem to cost more than I want to spend but if I am unsuccessful in home brewing my own then I always have that option. The FDT Simboards look very interesting. The go flight remote boards look like they might be best for me. I may order one and play around with it.