obious

I should have said, I don't plan on replacing the WW PCBs, these are for my own 3D UFC and DDIs

Thanks. 1. I don't plan to add segment displays as I fly mainly in VR. I also don't really have the time to figure out all the coding etc required to actually connect the segment displays to DCS (via DCS BIOS). I should have said in my previous post that these PCBs I'm putting together are designed to plug into a Leo Bodnar board/other breakout board and to not connect to a PC via USB directly; again, don't really have a time currently to investigate how to incorporate logic chips that register as USB devices in Windows when plugged into a computer. I may do it further down the line though. 2. Not currently. It may be possible to modify the PCB schematic slightly so that an axis/potentiometer could control the voltage/brightness of the LEDs but I just haven't explored that yet. Good idea though. 3. Definitely not. As much as a like what WW has produced, the additional buttons they've added (in particular to the DDIs) are a big turn-off for me. Maybe I'm a slight realism purest but my goal is to recreate only the buttons/inputs on my PCBs that exist on the real jets.

Thanks for the reply. As with others, I feel that if you make a few small changes to the UFC (most notably using 6x6 tactile switches) you'd have a near-perfect product. Please consider if you ever make a UFC V2 (I'd buy it in a heartbeat despite having the original)

You mean like this? This is just a prototype that I've been designing over the past few weeks, I'm also doing a UFC PCB. I'll be posting these prototypes for sale here in these forums once the WAGO PCB terminal blocks arrive (I'll be looking for about £15 each) as I feel like someone could use them and they'd be going to waste sitting in one of my drawers. I'll also be including the design files/schematics in the sale of each one so that people can see how they're built and modify if needed. Edit: these tactile switches have LEDs built into the unit themselves and are ridic cheap. I'm also designing PCBs that take the more standard 6x6mm tactile switches in case people don't want/need to use backlighting (for VR etc). Edit 2: added UFC picture

I doubt they would change something like this without mentioning it in the logs but it wouldn’t surprise me if they did

I didn’t say (nor do I believe other people did) that I want ‘mil-spec’ buttons/switches, I’m suggesting that Winwing make their buttons have a more ‘positive’ feel/engagement so that when I’m flying in VR, I get confirmation that a button was successfully pushed tactfully/through feeling rather than having to look at which button I’m pressing in cockpit to ensure activation. I also think there’s a difference between ‘flimsy’ and activation type; what you describe sounds like whoever manufactured those switches did so to meet contract costs hence why you call them ‘cheap’. I’ve already mentioned above that I think replacing the soft smushy buttons Winwing used with tactile switches wouldn’t cost much more to produce (if at all)but ultimately they’d know that more than I would

Thanks to the replies everyone, given me a lot of food for thought. Anyone know if Perspex is cast or extruded?

Hi All, Let me preface this by saying that I have a ‘cheap’ Chinese K40 laser that I’ve had pretty good success with when making cockpit panels (specifically for the F-18). However, laser cutting does have its limitations; the size of the unit makes bigger panels/projects difficult and gets really expensive in a hurry, they’re dangerous and can only either cut or engrave (ie there’s no ability to create depth). The question I have is, has anyone had any success with using a CNC router for their cockpit projects rather than laser cutting/engraving? If so, what are the benefits? Thanks

On my unit there wasn’t any anti-tamper/‘warranty void’ seal and to be honest, at the price point these are being sold at, I can just buy a new one if it breaks (by my hand or it’s own). I’d also say that the UFC wasn’t too hard to get into, just 12 screws

So I did a bit more digging here (I actually took the UFC apart to see what type of buttons WinWing are using), see attached pictures. It looks like they’re using some kind of capacitive buttons with the button ‘reset’ action coming from the squishy rubber material of the buttons themselves. Why for the life of me they didn’t using standard spring-loaded buttons (or even mini tactile stitches) I’ll never know; doing so would created a much better feeling using the UFC. Winwing if you’re reading this, please release an updated V2 of the UFC with better feeling buttons! As a result, I’m not really sure the current buttons can be improved upon which is a little upsetting

I received my MiP a few weeks ago (UFC & HUD panels only) and after spending a good number of hours using the hardware in DCS, I can say that I like the what WinWing has produced a lot. However, for the life of me I cannot get used to just have a horrible the UFC buttons are and how they feel; I think they’re horribly squishy which make it difficult to develop muscle memory when using the setup in VR. The question I have is, has anyone taken apart their MiP and/or thought about replacing the buttons? I’m pretty handy with a 3D printer (and even have a resin printer arriving in a few days for a separate project) but I’m wondering if anyone could share their experiences with taking apart the panel(s) Thanks!

I’ve noticed an absolute hammering on my system with 2.8. Has made a few of my custom missions unplayable in VR

Just to follow up on this. In the NTTR F-14 BFM mission I uploaded earlier (try it out if people are starting to doubt) with 2.8, I was getting ~8.5ms GPU frame time. After reverting back to the latest 2.7 OB, I'm now getting ~6.5ms. Something has gone seriously wrong with the 2.8 release. Just an FYI, I'm running 90fps and haven't changed any graphic settings between updates.

thanks. I just did a bit of test and didn't notice anything initially on a simple test Suppercarrier PG mission I created a little while ago (see below, 2.7 on the left, 2.8 on the right; notice the increase in GPU mem and system RAM). I also fired up a NTTR F-14 BFM mission I also created and I defo noticed a perf decrease there. Prior I was getting ~7ms GPU frame time @ 90fps, now I'm seeing ~8.5ms and the clouds look all jaggy as hell (running them on Ultra) F-14A_IA_NTTR_Dogfight_F-14_x4.miz SoH FA-18C Free Flight On Deck.miz

Just downloading 2.8 now to do my own tests and if I get the same results as everyone else, I'll have to revert. Can I ask how I do that exactly? Thanks!

Nope, looking at the data sheets those are micro/mini toggles

That’s not helpful whatsoever

Anyone know where I can find the large paddle/toggle that Winwing are using in their Orion 2 throttles? I’ve tried searching AliExpress but have had no luck. I’ve tracked the company down to YUEN FUNG (I cracked open the base and found ’YF’ markings on the side of the toggle) but can’t find what I’m after; all I can find are the micro-toggles that have a flat paddle/bat which isn’t what I’m after (they’re too small). I want the full-size one like Winwing is using. Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks for the pics, keep ‘em coming. Regarding placement of that USB-C port, that is such a stupid position; why not put it in the middle of the panel so those wishing to mount the MFDs into their own rigs can make a nice hole that’ll be surely covered up be the surrounding bezels and not right on the edge. Any feedback on the buttons, do they feel soft and spongy or is there a positive ‘click’/press when using them?

I just spent a little while trying to find footage on YT and I couldn’t so I’m mistaken. I don’t agree with your statement however about not doing flight ops if not being able to do them properly (I’m purely talking about DCS here and not real life before you jump to conclusions); we didn’t have flood lights for the past 4-5 years and everyone was able to ‘see’ the carrier at night without a problem. I think thats a bit like saying you shouldn’t fly if you can’t handle a bit of wake turbulence (an option that can be turned off for somer reason; was primarily suggested being able to do so would save CPU cycles). People are also asking for the ability to turn off the burble which I don’t understand (why offer the ability to turn something off that humans can’t control ie the burble yet not do so for something they can ie some lights.

If I'm playing around with a mission I'm planning in the ME or even fine tuning my GFX settings for VR, its annoying to have to keep hitting the 'Start' button from the mission briefing notes as well as the 'Fly' button once in the cockpit. This doesn't happen in all Instant Action or Missions so I'm wondering how to disable it. Does anyone know if its possible to remove the below from missions so that I can load straight into the aircraft? Thanks

Couple points here: NVGs (if total black out ops are a thing). Also, don't take what I'm suggesting (turning off island flood lights until they're 'optimized') to mean that I want a completely dark carrier, absolutely not. Before you say something to the effect of 'NVGs aren't used on the decks at night', I've seen plenty of videos of night ops where pilots have them on during taxiing. Also, lets not forget that the flood lights come on well before its dark; dusk and dawn flight ops have the same effect on FPS due to the island lights coming on (which is around 1hr after sunset and stay on until ~ 1 hour before sunrise) except I can't take advantage/fly around with gorgeous sunsets/lighting because of FPS limitations. What I'm asking for is/should be only a temporary measure until ED 'optimize' the carrier lights or hardware catches up (yes I know both are long-term things). Hell, they've already added an option to turn off secondary shadows as they knew it would impact FPS too much, why not extend optionality to lighting and not just the results of that lighting ie shadows? Whilst you raise a good point about navigating the deck at night in complete darkness without floodlights being perhaps an issue (environmental factors aside; moonlight, clouds etc), your passive/aggressive and somewhat rhetorical question regarding 'cutting my nose off to spite my face' doesn't add anything of value to the conversation

Ok so, I thought I’d post an update here since I am now in possession of a shiny new 4090. After tweaking my graphics settings (140% PD in SteamVR, shadows on medium, x2 MSAA are the main ones), in now able to get steady 90fps (8.5ms GPU frame time) when navigating the Supercarrier during the day which is glorious. That being said, night ops on the SC is a whole other ball game. Due to the island flood lights, FPS tanks which is a real shame. I’ve raised a ‘wish list’ item to turn off the island flood lights at night so I really hope it gets implemented

@BIGNEWY thoughts?

Yea I know, I’m surprised by it as well. Navigating the deck during the day is absolutely no problem but for whatever reason, the floodlights on the island just batter FPS