Are the Cougar MFD's worth it?

Hello LOZ. I currently have 2 1gb5870 in crossfire, and run the samsung MD 230x3 monitors, but for helios too I am going with the 5870 eyefinity6 cards in crossfire to drive 6 screens, 3 screen main view and 3 touch screens for cockpit...Hope there is a fix to run Full Screen in A-10C and export mfcds???Just maybe, If I can get eyefinity to see 6 screen main, I can do mfcd's and helios on monitors of my choosing? Then its just an Overlay for six screen main view. Waiting for 5870 eyefinity 6 2gb cards now????

Hi,

I'm completly new here and English isn't my native language, so please forgive me if I'll say something stupid :)

I play LOMAC for some time, and now I plan to buy DCS: BS and DCS: A10 because they look awesome!

Thrustmater MFD's interested me very much untill I realized that... they are only frames! Without screen!

So I cosider them as useless until there is not screen behind them and that means I need to buy MFDs and two 8" LCD screens what become pretty expensive.

My question is - isn't it better to buy two 8" touchscreens and export MFDs to them (despite the feeling of realism because of using MFD-looks-like device)?

Thank you in advance.

Hi,

 

I'm completly new here and English isn't my native language, so please forgive me if I'll say something stupid :)

 

I play LOMAC for some time, and now I plan to buy DCS: BS and DCS: A10 because they look awesome!

 

Thrustmater MFD's interested me very much untill I realized that... they are only frames! Without screen!

So I cosider them as useless until there is not screen behind them and that means I need to buy MFDs and two 8" LCD screens what become pretty expensive.

 

My question is - isn't it better to buy two 8" touchscreens and export MFDs to them (despite the feeling of realism because of using MFD-looks-like device)?

 

Thank you in advance.

I'd like to know the answer too please.

I h I had a do-over, I would buy 1 22' touch screen for 2-3 hundred dollars, export MFDs to that, velcro Cougar MFDs around the exported image, and add HELIOS gauges to the remaining real estate. Basically like paul's setup above, but with real MFD buttons instead of touchscreen images.

And I would rather have touchscreen images and $100 still in my pocket :)

And I would rather have touchscreen images and $100 still in my pocket :)

I agree but its not the same.

Also the MFD can be used in other sims without the hassle to config the game to export info testing etc.

Like Rise of Flight and coming SoW: BOB.

Hell it can even be used in other games not sim related which will not be possible with TB because you won t be able to export anything.

By the those MFD are 50USD on EEEE-BAYY.

MFDs for 50 USD?? I can't find any :( But for $50 I can buy it:)

I was lucky to get a set of Cougar MFD's on E-bay... just be sure to ask the seller about what they have in-stock before actually ordering. He had seven available when I wrote, and even though I paid $94 total- at least I was able to get a set. Every place is sold out with no ETA- and if they claim to have them available- they are probably lying. ASK them first before ordering- several people have gotten screwed over by sites claiming to have them available when they don't. :-(

With that being said... in regards to HELIOS. Since I am in the process of building my setup before actually using any of these programs- including this A-10 sim... I am basing my understanding on what I've heard from other people.

It seems that if you use DCS to export the MFD data to the secondary monitor and use the Cougar's as on-screen bezels- you would have difficulty with adding additional 'hidden' panels with HELIOS. In other words, you wouldn't be able to swap screens to new panels without being hindered by the Cougar bezels. If possible, you'd have to configure every hidden panel to accommodate the DCS's exported MFD display. However, if you use HELIOS to export the MFD's on the touchscreen- then you could swap hidden panels without a problem. This is my understanding at least... correct me if I'm wrong.

I plan to get a touchscreen and use HELIOS to display the MFD's while I program my Cougar MFD's through Xpadder to perform various other A-10 keyboard actions. That is the nice thing about the Cougar's- versatility; you can print new backgrounds with labels and use 3rd party software to program them for any game or sim.

I found a set at provantage.com. They said they were available and ordered them for $54. I thought they'd be shipped but i emailed them and they said the vendor they go through estimated a ship date on them for the 1/11/11. A little delay but for $50 you can't go wrong.

I was lucky to get a set of Cougar MFD's on E-bay... just be sure to ask the seller about what they have in-stock before actually ordering. He had seven available when I wrote, and even though I paid $94 total- at least I was able to get a set. Every place is sold out with no ETA- and if they claim to have them available- they are probably lying. ASK them first before ordering- several people have gotten screwed over by sites claiming to have them available when they don't. :-(

 

With that being said... in regards to HELIOS. Since I am in the process of building my setup before actually using any of these programs- including this A-10 sim... I am basing my understanding on what I've heard from other people.

 

It seems that if you use DCS to export the MFD data to the secondary monitor and use the Cougar's as on-screen bezels- you would have difficulty with adding additional 'hidden' panels with HELIOS. In other words, you wouldn't be able to swap screens to new panels without being hindered by the Cougar bezels. If possible, you'd have to configure every hidden panel to accommodate the DCS's exported MFD display. However, if you use HELIOS to export the MFD's on the touchscreen- then you could swap hidden panels without a problem. This is my understanding at least... correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I plan to get a touchscreen and use HELIOS to display the MFD's while I program my Cougar MFD's through Xpadder to perform various other A-10 keyboard actions. That is the nice thing about the Cougar's- versatility; you can print new backgrounds with labels and use 3rd party software to program them for any game or sim.

If i am to build my cockpit, certainly not this year, i would do more or less like you.

Would buy a new monitor, my actuall would be for the MFD + some non necessary TS gauges displays, and a FFB screen (though i doubt i will be able to buy one) for other relevant piece must needed switched stuff.

I want a as generic but funcional cockpit as play more than 1 sim/game

2 MFDs about $50 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/MFD-Cougar-Multifunctional-Cockpit-Panel/dp/B002NUD40S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299231346&sr=8-1

Dell 20" monitors around $100 (if you don't like Dell, there are other brands at discount on this site)

http://www.logicbuy.com/product/Dell-Marketing-USA-LP-Dell-ST2010-20-Inch-16-9-Aspect-Ratio-Flat-Panel-Monitor/B002J9GVG2.aspx

You can usually get free shipping on both deals.

Total: $150

I did spend a little extra on some monitor arms, so second monitor can swing down below the main screen for simming, or to the side for work. Now you have a second monitor for keeping a browser open while you work, watching training videos, Skype while gaming, editing .lua files, etc. ;)

Personally I don't like touchscreens when you have split seconds to make your input. Too easy to hit the wrong button. Buttons are much more definite. Also the small 7-8" screens are almost $100 each (if not more!) by the time you ship them so you're actually spending more for a smaller MFD image. Plus this way you have room for a whole instrument panel, map, whatever. Even with TIR it saves so much time looking down. I think this is the perfect setup for someone who wants a simple, cheap-ish multi-use homepit without getting into hacking real gauges. Would never go back.

KryptKeeper - are you running helios on the bottom monitor? Just trying to figure out your setup. I just ordered the MFDs from Amazon - (they are currently in-stock btw, $62 shipped using 2 day shipping - free w/amazon prime trial). I'm currently running 3 22"s monitors, but with just getting TIR, I find myself not needing the widescreen quite as much...not only that but my performance would be considerably better/easier on my vid car doing 1680x1050 instead of 5040x1050

Kryptkeeper... nice setup

@automag928 Yep, that's Helios on the bottom with DCS configured to display the MFCD output. I think you're right about the TIR, and with this setup it's possible to keep one eye on the instruments while scanning the horizon outside. I'm working on setting up my touchscreen laptop off to the side with pages of Helios screens for the radios, CDU and others. The software is a little pricey but it's like LEAVU2 and Touchbuddy all in one, with a lot more gauges.

I think the mfds personally are only worth it with the hog screens outputing to a 2nd screen. That said its the only way I fly now.

Since getting this 30" monitor, I've had to rearrange everything. I'm not using my MFD's now and I'm not sure I miss them. I have my Dell 2005FPW that I had the MFD's attached to sitting next to my U3011 in portrait mode. It's great for referencing documentation while having other work stuff on the main display. I am thinking of attaching one MFD to my 8" Lilliput again but really, I've gotten so used to the great fps I get running A10 in full-screen mode, plus the fact that when I connect two monitors to my 580GTX, my idle temp goes from 37C to 50C (connecting two displays causes the card to not downclock while in 2D mode).

Plus, I'm getting almost as fast as Wags in clicking those MFD buttons with the mouse instead. Also, Alt-F1 makes for HUGE MFD displays with great clarity. Exporting them @ 1024x768 is very nice too but they have to be scaled smaller so that they fit into the MFD frame.

Sorry for making so many excuses against the MFD's but I'm really just pissed that my desk is not big enough to go back to my old setup :-(

21.5" incher is around $250 and 23" is close to $330.

 

Helios is in a free Beta now, but the finished product will be $69.

$69 seems a bit steep considering the sim on only $60.

Helios is now donation ware. Pay what you feel it's worth.

I dont use my mfd's anymore since getting a touchscreen and using helios. Even if helios was still the original purchase price it's worth it for how it opens up the game with a touchscreen monitor.

How many third party add ons would you need to buy to give you what that software does?

If people are thinking about going down the touchscreen route at some point then save your money for a screen, not the mfd's. I found as some others that they dont work sitting on top of a touchscreen so you have to stop using them anyway.

I have a G15 and got the MFD's for Christmas. For me it's kinda a waste cause I can do more with the G15 and the MFD's have so many buttons. I don't have DCS A-10 and I only really use the left MFD, the right one has a few things programmed in it.

I just bought the cougar MFD's from amazon for 60 bucks with shipping. I only use one monitor but plan on upgrading to a 3-screen eyefinity setup soon, this will just be for the main view from the cockpit. For those thinking it is a waste to have these things because there is no screen in them I will only say that using the mouse to click things on the screen is really a pain in the butt compared to just using your throttle hand to click the MFD buttons. Screen or not these will definitely add some cool factor and make you more efficient in the cockpit. Some 8" monitors to velcro these to would also be nice, but they seem expensive as I havent found any for under 150 bucks.