Phidgets: What's the verdict? Thinking of dumping Epic

[mattford1]

Hi Guys-

So after years of dealing with epic with mixed results, I'm toying with the idea of going over to Phidgets. The biggest problem I have with the epic is latency. If I have an aircraft event such as an engine failure, sometimes lights don't respond correctly etc. Switch response is slow.

Are the phidgets users out there happy? The stuff is damn expensive so don't want to jump in unless it's a really good way to go.

Thanks!
Matt

[Bob Reed]

You also have to keep in mind Matt, the Phidgets software is not supported or developed any more. Alan pulled the plug on it.

[mattford1]

Hi bob
wow I had no idea. Any idea why? That's disappointing as the stuff looks pretty good. What else is out there?

[Bob Reed]

Hi bob
wow I had no idea. Any idea why? That's disappointing as the stuff looks pretty good. What else is out there?

No he gave no reason and I have found over the years of fighting with the EPIC and looking, EPIC is by far, still the most mature interface out there.

[PittsburghLever]

No he gave no reason and I have found over the years of fighting with the EPIC and looking, EPIC is by far, still the most mature interface out there.

I have been using Phidgets for little over a year now and I am extremely happy with it. I have never used FS2Phidgets because I more or less wrote something similar to that for myself. Maybe I should look into making that more generally usable...

[mattford1]

Bob-

BTW who is Alan? Do you mean that there is no software support at all (C++ interface, VB6 etc). Just want to make sure you're not referring to some sort of MSFS interface or something i"m not aware of.

Thanks,
matt

[Bob Reed]

I too have used Phidgets and liked it for what I used it for. I did not use FS2Phidgets as I was using them on my PM overhead and Phidgets is supported. You may want to look into distributing your software but be warned, the hobby cockpit builder is very demanding.

[mattford1]

Bob-

Hi. I would be communicating directly with the phidgets card using the VB6 API calls and our 737 systems software. As long as I can do that, and that's supported, I'd be ok.

Thanks,
Matt

[PittsburghLever]

I too have used Phidgets and liked it for what I used it for. I did not use FS2Phidgets as I was using them on my PM overhead and Phidgets is supported. You may want to look into distributing your software but be warned, the hobby cockpit builder is very demanding.

Demanding customers are the best:roll:

Before I commit to doing anything publicly, I would like to know what people's requirements (in the ideal world) would be. Not knowing FS2Phidgets myself I am not sure what people expect and what they are used to.

[KenK]

I use Phidgets Led-64 and FS2phidgets software. At this time I have about 14 leds in use. REALLY like the ability to create logic and add my own LED functions from FSUIPC with FS2phidgets. So far I have not had any major latency problems with my setup. Maybe when I add more functions I will. Right now I am keeping it.
Some poeple have had Ghosting problems with the LED-64.
I have not been able to duplicate this.

My setup: P4-3.4ghz,1g ram,WXPsp2,FS9sp2,ULTterr,Led-64,Bu0836,FSUIPC-fs9,x800gt,dual hd 2go,522st prj,Enclosed Twin TBP.

I would like to find other software that will talk to the led-64 Just to have some options in case of ????. If anybody has something I am definately interested.

Regards to all
Ken K :D

[Bob Reed]

Bob-

Hi. I would be communicating directly with the phidgets card using the VB6 API calls and our 737 systems software. As long as I can do that, and that's supported, I'd be ok.

Thanks,
Matt

Yes. Using your own code is supported and like I said I liked Phidgets with PM's over head with nothing in between. It Was fast and responsive. I was referring to FS2 Phidgets which is no longer supported. It still works just no more support or upgrades.

[Bob Reed]

I use Phidgets Led-64 and FS2phidgets software. At this time I have about 14 leds in use. REALLY like the ability to create logic and add my own LED functions from FSUIPC with FS2phidgets. So far I have not had any major latency problems with my setup. Maybe when I add more functions I will. Right now I am keeping it.
Some poeple have had Ghosting problems with the LED-64.
I have not been able to duplicate this.

My setup: P4-3.4ghz,1g ram,WXPsp2,FS9sp2,ULTterr,Led-64,Bu0836,FSUIPC-fs9,x800gt,dual hd 2go

I would like to find other software that will talk to the led-64 Just to have some options in case of ????. If anybody has something I am definately interested.

Regards to all
Ken K :D

I used the led64 boards to power all the enunciators on the 737 overhead. I had no ghosting issues and I was somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 functions. I thought it worked great!