USB card interface question

[visualchaosfx]

Good morning all :)

Finally got the extra cash to to start building a sim cock pit. Using the Boeing 747 as the base for the sim. I've already started designs on the throttle which I will be using two saitek pro throttles as the base for the 747 throttle quad. I've also been looking at USB interface cards and what I'm finding is that they are either too expensive or they are located across the pond. I've been particularly interested in the Leo Bodnar cards as they are good in price and easy to work with but a bit nervous about purchasing something overseas. So I was wondering would something like this work just as well?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/I-PAC4-controller-with-USB-cable-A-MAME-Must-Have-1-Year-Warrenty-/221198018152

It looks like no soldering is required to connect wires because it has screw terminals. Its a MAME card but I should be able to control different switches for say, a overhead panel. Only thing I'm not liking is it connects to the PC by PS/2 cable. I guess not a big deal but whatever.

Or should I just order a Leo Bodnar card? What do you guys think?

[tiburon]

Go with the Bodnar cards. They are the best and very easy to use. And shipping to the states (if that's what you're worried about) is only 6 or 7 dollars.

[birdyguy]

I've placed quite a few orders with Leo. The Bodnar cards are great, easy to use, no soldering. I concur with tburon. Leos potentiometers are solid as well. Service is great.

[visualchaosfx]

Man I wish they had stuff like this here in the USA. Closest I have found is from Desktop Aviator but you have to solder the connectors together. The Bodnar and PoKey cards are nice! Just a bit nervous about ordering overseas plus the wait time ordering overseas.

[tiburon]

Why are you nervous about ordering from Europe? I can assure you that the postal services in Europe are quite adequate. (A little bit of sarcasm intended)

[visualchaosfx]

I guess my thing is the lead time. How long would it take to get product. A week? 2 weeks? 3 Weeks? But may just have to order a Bodnar card anyways. I hate soldering and his cards look easy to use lol

[visualchaosfx]

Ya know, I just thought of this right now. I'm wanting to get this interface board so I can start dinking around with switches and programming them to do a specific function. The overhead panel I want to build is the 747 and I'm flying with the PMDG 747 for FS9. Did a little reading and come to find out its kinda hard/almost impossible to program switches and push buttons in relation to the PMDG 747 overhead panel. Only real successful solution is using key2mouse program from wideview. The drawback is that the overhead panel has to be open on one of the monitor screens for the program to do what it is supposed to do.

What do you guys do for your overhead panel programming? I really like the PMDG 747 software and its flight systems and the fact that I don't need another PC to run glass cockpit and all that stuff.

[kiek]

Only real successful solution is using key2mouse program from wideview. The drawback is that the overhead panel has to be open on one of the monitor screens for the program to do what it is supposed to do. A better alternative, imho: define FSUIPC mouse macro's, the overhead panel does not have to be open for it.

[visualchaosfx]

A better alternative, imho: define FSUIPC mouse macro's, the overhead panel does not have to be open for it.

OMG! Thank you for replying! I forgot about FSUIPC's ability to do that!! Thank you again! :)

[visualchaosfx]

Since learning about FSUIPC ability to do mouse macros, I've been thinking of other ways I could save money on electronic components for my flight simulator. I'm starting to get a small list together to make my own 747 MCP. I've been looking on the web for 7 segment dispalys and found this: http://www.karlssonrobotics.com/cart/7-segment-display-1-tall-blue/?gclid=COa2qsensb0CFcU-MgodKHUAgw

I believe these will serve their purpose for the MCP. What do you guys think? :)

[learjetmike]

Hey there, a fellow new builder and beginner, I have no experience in building the mcpand glare but a hnd in electronic engineering, I have been looking at leo bodnar cards but also Jim has been using arduino mega and uno boards with lots of success?

So I am torn between using Link2FS.exe software that is free and an arduino mega board £45 UK???? anyone any advice


Mike

[visualchaosfx]

I've looked into the arduino board, saw a video on youtube about it but to me, it looks a bit complicated in terms of wiring and stuff like that.

[learjetmike]

what boards will you be using ?

[visualchaosfx]

what boards will you be using ?

For the overhead panel I was gonna get the Bodnar card. I wanted to make my own MCP but found out I'm gonna need a little bit more to get that one working. I've looked into the cards that desktop aviator have but wanted to avoid soldering as much as possible.

[Avro748]

Why avoid soldering? You can teach yourself to solder in about 30 minutes.