SU-25T USB Control Panel

[Apache600]

Hello Everyone,

I have finally completed, and successfully tested, my prototype control panel for the SU-25T. This thing is an absolute blast to fly with! No more guessing as to what keys do what ... or if your ECM or IR Jamming is on or not. Haha

The reason I built this is two fold, 1) I am a commercial pilot (fedex feeder C-208s) and would much rather prefer an actual switch (that's labeled no less) over combinations of key strokes on the keyboard. 2) I'm an idiot and can never remember what I bound the generic switches on my HOTAS to or what all the keyboard combinations are. It really pulls away from the feeling (and is rather time consuming) when I have to look up on the cheat sheet to see what key strokes do an action

 

I really enjoyed building and testing this control panel, and will be taking orders from anyone who may be interested in one.

All that is needed is 2 free USB ports, SVMapper (or something similar) and a desk that has a lip to it so the two clamps can hold the panel down firmly. The "brains" of this control panel are 2 Leo Bodnar BUO836A's. This control panel houses all the keys that the SU-25T uses (except for communications and views)

As you can see in the pictures, the flat portion fits the throttle to the X-55. It also fits the Thrustmaster throttle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction on these do take a bit of time, and would ask your patience if you do want one. Asking price for one of these would be in the $330 USD range (shipping not included, i'm in Sacramento, California) The price INCLUDES everything needed to plug it in and start it up (Leo Bodnars wired up and tested, and USB cables)

 

The plan down the road is to build a control panel for as many DCS modules as feasible. The next one i'll be starting on will be a combination F-15/Mig-29/SU-27/SU-33 panel. I believe I could do all those platforms on one panel. Then with the study sims (A-10C, Ka-50, etc.) I plan to be able to sell specific panels since their complexity is a bit more than the FC3 ones.

Further more, the reason i chose the BUO836A over the X is because of it's ability to swap them easily. If say you purchase 2 control panels from me, You can request that the Leo Bodnars be left out (i'd still make all the connections for their hook up) because that would save nearly $100 off of the second and subsequent control panels.

 

The under table joystick arm is also something that I could make and sell. It retracts when not in use, and can be adjusted in both height, and how far the joystick comes out from the desk. This is a very crude design and I would probably modify it a bit if anyone wanted one. The parts were purchased from a local hardware store, so "fancy" was not something i was going for ... and quite honestly, probably still wouldn't go for.

It would require you to screw in 4 screws to the bottom of your desk.

 

 

If you guys have any questions, or are interested in purchasing one, please feel free to PM me.

 

- Apache600

[MauganRa84]

So so awesome.

[Devrim]

Wow! Great work! Congrats!

[Apache600]

Thanks for the compliments guys!

@ Capt, unfortunately these keys are not backlit. That would be awesome though if when the "cockpit illumination" switch was flipped, that back lighting would occur. It's something that I've thought of trying to do, but just haven't yet.

 

Yeah, the idea is to make it so that each key that's used in the sim (within reason) is part of the panel. Just so folks with simpler joysticks aren't left out. I realize that there is a redundancy in keys between my X-55 and this control panel. But i don't mind it. Muscle memory has me going to the joystick for a couple of buttons (like target lock or weapon change) but then there are many other things like CM, Engine start, or slewing the target designator that I will not touch the keyboard or HAT on the joystick anymore (it's a freaking far reach and always a bit clunky with that HAT anyway) The small joystick that I have on the control panel is so much easier to operate and use for slewing the TD around. I find that I can easily do a scan on the battlefield with it, where as before it was always a dysfunctional stumbling of hide and seek with the enemy units. haha

[Sceptre]

wow, I am amazed! Have you tried it in the MiG-21?

[Abburo]

Your work is absolutely great.

 

I also tried to make some generic panels fo DCS in general. My goal is to make them as much flexible in use as can. I am still WIP with them however, you can find my ideeas here: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=118663&page=2

[Flia]

Very nice work!

[Friedric]

Are you willing to ship to europe ?

[Apache600]

I can ship to Europe. I sent a control panel last month to Norway, and didn't have any problems. It was NOT the cheapest thing ever, but thankfully I get a discount through FedEx, so I'd use them. As long as the product will clear your country's customs, then there won't be any issues.

[Friedric]

ok i send you a pm when i am home for more details ok :-) thx buddy

 

i am now at work in nightshift.

[Apache600]

Sounds good Friedric, I'll look for it! Sorry to hear you're working the night shifts, those are NOT fun to do.

Capt, sure thing. I'll be home Fri so I'll get some close up shots and post them then (currently out flying a route for the job)

In the mean time, here are some close up's of previous projects I've done. These were basically made the same way as the SU-25T control panel. However, they don't have the small outline boxes around the text labels like the SU-25T panel does.

 

 

This one is off of a BF-110 panel for IL2: Cliffs of Dover

 

 

And this is off of an old panel I made for Kerbal Space Program

[OGB]

It's really great to see someone take a completely different approach to a cockpit system. Great ideas and workmanship Apache!

 

Dave

[HiJack]

Can you play online on integrity checked servers with this setup? And what software do you use to configure the switches and to read settings from DCS?

[Apache600]

I don't see why there would be an integrity problem. When this control panel is plugged into the computer it appears as 2 joysticks. The software to run this is SVMapper. I haven't heard of any issues with that, but I will test it when i get home this weekend.

The reason SVMapper is needed is so that the sim knows how to deal with the toggle switches. All the buttons and momentary switches can be bound by the generic joystick assignment key.

I posted a video on youtube about svmapper set up and what not. Here it is, hopefully it would explain any of your questions on it.

https://www.youtube....h?v=tf3hbCzo7xE

 

The main thing I'm trying to do with these panels is to steer away from having to do any .lua file alterations. I'm NOT a programmer and don't really want to fuss around with that stuff. My fear is that these periodic updates that DCS does would eventually screw up those settings. These control panels are much simpler. Plug it in, set up SVmapper, and go blow stuff up (or in my case .... get shot down still haha)

[HiJack]

Yes you are right. If used as a normal joystick button and sliders it will not affect integrity check. I may be interested in a frontpanel design.

[Apache600]

Alright, here are some close ups of the panel. I'll make a list of all the buttons/switches later today

 

 

 

 

 

[Apache600]

Here's a list of all the commands that this control panel does:

 

Autopilot

A/P Engage

A/P Route Following

A/P Alt. & Roll Hold

A/P Radar Alt. Hold

A/P Attitude Hold

A/P Radar Alt. Hold

A/P Tran. Level Flt.

A/P Disconnect

 

Navigation

Nav. Modes (1)

Air-Air (6)

Air-Ground (7)

Gunsight (8 )

Next Way/Land

 

Countermeasures

ECM

IR Jamming

CM Combined

CM Continuous

Chaff

Flare

 

Flight Controls

Elevator Trim Up/Down

Aileron Trim Left/Right (on rotary switch)

Rudder Trim Left/Right

Trim Reset

 

Sensors

Target Lock

Target Unlock

Target Designator (on mini joystick)

Target Designator Centor

Camera Zoom (on potentiometer)

Target Size / Gunpod Elevation (on potentiometer)

Electro-Opt

ELINT pod

Laser Ranger

Night Vision

 

Systems

Airbrake On/Off

Canopy Open/Close

Altimeter +/- (on rotary switch)

HUD color

HUD Brightness +/-

RWR Mode

RWR Volume

Audible Warning Reset

Eject

Electrical Master

Left Engine Start/Stop

Right Engine Start/Stop

Eject

Cockpit Lights

Gear Lights

Nav Lights

Flight Timer

Smoke

Mirrors

Drag Chute

Landing Gear Up/Down

Flaps Up/Combat/Landing

Parking Brake On/Off

Kneeboard

Kneeboard Page +/-

Kneeboard Position Marker

Jettison Weapon

Jettison Fuel

Fuel Dump

 

Weapons

Weapon Change

Cannon

Launch Override

Cut of Burst

Ripple Interval +/-

Ripple Quant.

Salvo Mode

Edited October 5, 2014 by Apache600

[Lilkiki]

wow ! these are very nice panels !

 

It's really great to see someone take a completely different approach to a cockpit system

 

Totally agree :thumbup:

[AldoUSMC]

Very Nicely done ! Congrats !

[Apache600]

Alright guys, here's the newest idea I've got. This panel will have ALL of the keys that each of the FC3 (SU-25T included) aircraft can use. Comm keys included (F1-F12 and also a few of the quick "Attack ground targets" and such comm commands)

I thought I would extend the panel that the throttle quadrant sat on, so that the joystick would be at the same level. Makes for much better ergonomics. I had the joystick level with my SU-25T panel's throttle, but that required a separate unit. On this one, it will be combined.

This panel will have 3 leo bodnar's in it, because it will utilize every "button" available.

Let me know what you guys think, and if anyone would be interested in it

 

 

- Apache600

[tamper]

Great panels. What happened to this project? Did you develop further? Lots of potential here

[Apache600]

Hey there tamper! Sure have. This here is the FC3 panel, versions 1 and 2 (specifically this thread shows off the 2nd batch of FC3 panels) https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=165291

 

I have something new also, that I haven't shown yet. Just haven't had time to really put together a nice series of pictures for it.