zaGURUinzaSKY Posted October 7, 2006 Posted October 7, 2006 New toy: http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/notams06/chpr0930.htm Robbie.
brewber19 Posted October 7, 2006 Posted October 7, 2006 Nice find, but I'm happy with my Touch-Buddy ;) [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] 487th Helicopter Attack Regiment, of the VVS504 Red Hammers
Revvin Posted October 7, 2006 Posted October 7, 2006 Where were you last week :D Estimated price $180-$200 with the option to buy additional sets of keys in quantaties of 25 and also spare trays should you wish to have a tray of keys kept setup for a specific sim whilst giving yourself an extra tray and keys to arrange in alternative layouts. This is a collaboration with Ergodex to develop their DX1 board further and make the CH Multi function Panel (MFP) not only compatible with the Control Manager software but also give the ability to connect more than one MFP - 16 in total should you want to giving 12,800 possible button positions (might be handy for the Black Shark pit ;) ) Any CH owner will likely already know the awesome levels of programmabilty on offer by the software, for example keys can be programmed to emulate: Keystrokes Joystick buttons Mouse buttons Joystick axis Mouse axis Of course with CMS scripting you can really go to town with your profile programming, perhaps set a key to switch through MFD modes in your sim whilst having the buttons setout on your MFP also cycle through the various MFD mode commands or perhaps program a fail safe key so you can't eject or fire a missile until a certain group of keys has been activated. You can also manipulate the mouse cursor by settings screen co-ords to a key and then when you press it the mouse cursor jumps to that location, handy for inflight comms navigation or for using the map as I do in IL-2. I had a look at one of the DX1's which Michael Sexton used at CH Products booth at E3. Moving a key is simply a matter of twisting it off the board and repositioning it but unless you twist the key in a certain way it sticks to the board and will not budge! If the bottom of the button becomes dirty you simply wipe it with a damp cloth and its good as new, quite how its done I don't know as it was technology developed by Ergodex but the panel and the keys are smooth to the touch. The layout pictured in the CH Products press release was created by Michael at CH Products to use in IL-2 which they ran in their cockpits at this years E3. The compass and ADI are static images. He also had a setup for F4:AF which used static images of a radar screen and it looked so lifelike that people who tried jumped in the cockpit at E3 asked if the radar actually worked :)
Revvin Posted October 8, 2006 Posted October 8, 2006 I think I'm going to have to grab your profile later for a little cut 'n' paste session :D
Flexman_UK Posted October 8, 2006 Posted October 8, 2006 Pretty neat. Could use one or two (dozen) for Black Shark :/ that might get expensive. What kind of buttons/switches are available? Just the black push-to-make kind? I can see a chrissy pressie pre-order in my future. This our hobby - not our job - if we are not having a laugh, we're doing it wrong. - Rats
Revvin Posted October 8, 2006 Posted October 8, 2006 They are keys like a keyboard key but perhaps other things may be developed who knows
Revvin Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 I've posted news about the price and where to find new hi-res images of the MFP in this thread.
rockwelder Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Too expesive for a glorified programmable keyboard. Our hobby is expensive enough.
Pilotasso Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Instead of making new HOTAS wich are scarce to come by, they make more of the same with programable pannels. I think there are more programable panels than quality sticks out there. One of these days we are left alone by doing everything by pushing buttons again like in the spectrum times. .
zaGURUinzaSKY Posted October 12, 2006 Author Posted October 12, 2006 12800 keys combinations for just 189 bucks! how cool is that! it's like having 110 standard keyboards at about one third of the price!!!!!!! and you don't even need 10 extra tables where to put them! I'll skip this time and use my 20 bucks tiny PlayStation keyboard when I'll need more keys than those on my standard keyboard... We'll need a loan to start in the world of simulations if we keep buying these expensive stuff. Looks like the metal hotas guys and the plastic hotas guys are in competition about who have the higher price. Yeah go on! Robbie.
Revvin Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Instead of making new HOTAS wich are scarce to come by, they make more of the same with programable pannels. I think there are more programable panels than quality sticks out there. One of these days we are left alone by doing everything by pushing buttons again like in the spectrum times. Some sort of MFD device came a close second to an F18 throttle or stick in a poll ran at the CH Hangar, the MFD option even led the others at one point so there is demand out there. Its high unlikely that this will be the last device CH will ever produce. This is hardly more of the same, I think you're exagerating just a little.
rockwelder Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 12800 = 16 of these puppies @ 200.00 bucks = 3200.00 plus bucks. Don't mean to knock the product, but I feel a little bit poor.This item should be priced 50 -70 dollars.
galgaze Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Sorry if I got this all wrong, but isn't it a little uncomfortable to use when you could have an LCD touchpad with touchbuddy profiles, and have infinite possibilities? I am using that in a vibrant 10.4'' touchscreen lcd. It's awesome, and the best thing is that it's almost the same price. 200 us dollars. I agree that this ch item should be priced 50-60 bucks.
rockwelder Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 It's clear that you guys who are giving estimates on what things should cost don't run your own business. The price is the price, period. If you don't want to buy it then don't. You're sounding like the people who think ED should add all the "fixes" in Flaming Cliffs in a patch for original LOMAC. You can't get a NIB Masterpilot for that price. And it's not nearly as functional. Ya'll will spend big bucks for a new vid card or processor, but you're complaining that CH releases a piece of high end gear? I recommend you buy a Nostromo N52, they're in that price range. Then get back with me and tell me what kind of quality that 70 bucks got ya. There will be a market for it, but not for me at this price. To each their own - you can get angry but there will be people who take issue with the price and those who see no issue at all.
zaGURUinzaSKY Posted October 12, 2006 Author Posted October 12, 2006 china made those equipment for 5 bucks.. Robbie.
rockwelder Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 1.I can not dispute your points. 2. The product sounds good- the only issue I have is the price. As far as im concerned, I would like one or more of these at a price I am willing to pay - That is the free market - either it be by discount or ebay I will get one or two at a price that makes me happy. I am patient... Every one will be happy...
leafer Posted October 13, 2006 Posted October 13, 2006 It is a niche product, although I won't be getting one, I think the price is right. These things aren't going to fly off the shelves so you're crazy if you expect CH to price them at 50-70 bucks a pop. Even if they sell them for 70 $, I would buy it at that price, but the casual gamers still wouldn't. ED have been taking my money since 1995. :P
rockwelder Posted October 13, 2006 Posted October 13, 2006 It is a niche product, although I won't be getting one, I think the price is right. These things aren't going to fly off the shelves so you're crazy if you expect CH to price them at 50-70 bucks a pop. Even if they sell them for 70 $, I would buy it at that price, but the casual gamers still wouldn't. bet ya I will get one for that...watch me...
zorlac Posted October 13, 2006 Posted October 13, 2006 MFD came a close second in the poll? mmm.... (Note: this plugin is still WIP)
Flexman_UK Posted October 13, 2006 Posted October 13, 2006 I bought an I-PacII for my Mame cocktail cabinet project, USB, programmable, more than enough buttons for what I need. And I got it for like 30 bucks. Question is, is it worth the time fiddling around with wiring and switch layout? 80 bucks would be alright, but once you pay for shipping costs from the US it shoots up. In the UK, customs will even charge you VAT on the postage, they are evil buggers. edit: oooh, that's a nice little TEWS add-on, pity the Ka-50 doesn't have one :( This our hobby - not our job - if we are not having a laugh, we're doing it wrong. - Rats
zorlac Posted October 13, 2006 Posted October 13, 2006 (RWR/SPO version to be done later...hopefully)
zorlac Posted November 10, 2006 Posted November 10, 2006 TouchBuddy MCP Active Module anyone? (Anyone know how many MCP status entries there are in BlackShark?)
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