Apache MFD from Total Controls

[tsc3]

I'm with Bedouin, I am exceedingly excited about the frames, but won't need table mounts for my cockpit.

[=52d= Skip]

18 hours ago, JackFlash said:

A quick question. We are planning to produce some table mounts for the frames. They will be sold separately. Do you guys think this is something you’ll get along with the frames?

Don´t they come with some kind of stand already; like the TM ones?

[Pikas62]

20 hours ago, JackFlash said:

A quick question. We are planning to produce some table mounts for the frames. They will be sold separately. Do you guys think this is something you’ll get along with the frames?

I think most people in this thread, like me, don't need a desk mount.  I would still offer it, however, so that buyers who do not build a cockpit are also addressed.

[Flipper]

11 hours ago, Pikas62 said:

I think most people in this thread, like me, don't need a desk mount.  I would still offer it, however, so that buyers who do not build a cockpit are also addressed.

That's true for me, too.

[jabbabzh]

Maybe a sort of TM MFD mount for desktop ?

[JackFlash]

6 hours ago, jabbabzh said:

Maybe a sort of TM MFD mount for desktop ?

They won't do. The force on the buttons and the size of the frames makes the TM-solution impractical. We will have to make a mount that attaches to the desk.

Edited February 8, 2022 by JackFlash

[Sarge55]

I mount mine (cougars) to a second monitor so would not use a desk mount for your MFD either.

Any word on the cost for a pair yet?

[Munkwolf]

Definitely will be ordering at least a pair, maybe three. Would not be buying any sort of mount for them. Definitely interested in abris strip & tedac... thought I'm at device limit, so the abris strip would hopefully not be a separate device. Speaking of, it'd be amazing if they could be daisy-chained where 2 of them could show up as one device.

Edited February 8, 2022 by Munkwolf

[Sarge55]

I use a powered 10 port USB hub. Works great, 4x Cougar MFD’s, rudders, TrackIR, keyboard and mouse with two left over. I’ll add the two Apache ones in those  

Warthog is plugged into the PC since it prefers the MB. 

[Marshallman]

11 hours ago, Sarge55 said:

I use a powered 10 port USB hub. Works great, 4x Cougar MFD’s, rudders, TrackIR, keyboard and mouse with two left over. I’ll add the two Apache ones in those  

Warthog is plugged into the PC since it prefers the MB. 

Can you let me know which model please?
Regards

 

On 1/22/2022 at 2:26 PM, JackFlash said:

An iPad would be great for screen. Just looking for a way to export the MPD to an iPad. Any developer out there? Send me a DM

Found these on Alibaba....somewhere quite near?
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/High-brightness-ips-lcd-screen-1024x600_1600089963059.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normal_offer.d_title.eed92105rpWji0&s=p

 

[TBob11]

Marshallman, I also use a 10-port powered hub by Acasis.  Each port has it's own blue lit on/off button.  I also have 4xTM MFDs, Warthog Stick, Warthog Throttle, Saitek Pro Pro Pedals and Track IR all going into their own separate port.  The two remaining will be for my Virpil Collective and grip when they show up.  I've had no problems at all with the Acasis Powered Hub.

 

[Sarge55]

Sorry Marshallman I’m away from my rig until next week (sigh).
I can’t remember the brand but I bought it from Canada Computer. Try their website. 
 

It sounds similar to the one TBob11 described, each port has a power button, etc. 
 

[Munkwolf]

I've used the Sabrent 10-port powered hubs the past few months with no issues: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0797NZFYP?th=1

2 of them for my center console, then 2 other 7-port hubs for my side devices. Probably will replace the 7-ports with 2 more of the 10-ports - having the separate power button for each port has been nice.

[Marshallman]

Thanks all!!

[Rogue Trooper]

Are there any measurements how these MFDS sit in relationship to the pilot in the X,Y and Z axis?

As well as physical separation between each MFD. (for both the co pilot but more importantly the pilot)? 

[tanr]

Is there a waitlist for these Total Controls Apache MPDs?  Quite interested in them.

[JackFlash]

5 hours ago, tanr said:

Is there a waitlist for these Total Controls Apache MPDs?  Quite interested in them.

No, but we will inform our subscribers to the newsletter first when we release the pre-order. Be sure to subscribe.

[shagrat]

Am 23.12.2021 um 08:31 schrieb Vakarian:

Well yeah, Cougars are not something I'd say are the pinnacle of latest tech, but let's be honest, it's a button box, nothing else. If a button gets registered when I press it, I really don't care if it's an el cheapo no-name switch beneath, ALPS, Omron or even an OTTO switch behind it. It's a button, nothing else. It's a frame with 28 buttons on it, just formed in a logical shape to accomodate better muscle memory.

Now, with the Apache MFDs, we have a bit more buttons and a 3 extra encoders (I presume those are encoders, might be wrong) placed in a slightly bigger frame. Now, I don't think that the size of the frame matters as much in the terms of the pricing, it's a plastic after all and at the first glance looks 3D printed. PCB can also be done fairly cheaply from jlcpcb or any other manufacturing. So, 3 extra encoders, 4 extra buttons and a larger frame result that there is a product that's more than a double of price of a single Cougar MFD and a tad more than a price of the both of them.

 

TM Cougars (Kit of 2 frames)	TC Apache MFD x2
56 buttons	64 buttons and 6 encoders
80 USD	200-240 USD

That's why it's a hard sell for me

The important point is, unlike the TM MFDs whose development costs have long been covered by "the other F-16 Sim" and benefit from industry level mass production and cross-financing from other products, this is a small company with a very narrow customer base.

The real question is, do you want to hassle with a mix of Cougar MFDs, augmented by another self-made button box ( which including USB board, switches, encoders, cabling etc. usually costs upwards of 100 USD in materials, plus building it), buy another button box or StreamDeck and fiddle between three devices, or replace the cougar MFDs with a ready to use AH-64D MFD frame, with real life button layout and encoders for the dials?

If the goal is, to have a cheap solution... Well, your keyboard has enough buttons and modifier options. Only thing missing is ergonomics, especially in a stressful attack run.

[Vakarian]

1 hour ago, shagrat said:

The important point is, unlike the TM MFDs whose development costs have long been covered by "the other F-16 Sim" and benefit from industry level mass production and cross-financing from other products, this is a small company with a very narrow customer base.

The real question is, do you want to hassle with a mix of Cougar MFDs, augmented by another self-made button box ( which including USB board, switches, encoders, cabling etc. usually costs upwards of 100 USD in materials, plus building it), buy another button box or StreamDeck and fiddle between three devices, or replace the cougar MFDs with a ready to use AH-64D MFD frame, with real life button layout and encoders for the dials?

If the goal is, to have a cheap solution... Well, your keyboard has enough buttons and modifier options. Only thing missing is ergonomics, especially in a stressful attack run.

This was all covered 2 months ago, so I really don't see the point of necroing this. 

[Mr_sukebe]

2 hours ago, JackFlash said:

No, but we will inform our subscribers to the newsletter first when we release the pre-order. Be sure to subscribe.

Do you have a link to the newsletter?

[Baldrick33]

1 hour ago, Mr_sukebe said:

Do you have a link to the newsletter?

You can sign up on their website https://totalcontrols.eu/ (scroll down to the bottom)

[JackFlash]

While waiting for components for the Apache frames I decided to give another project a little try. Can anyone tell me what this is?

The buttons will be backlit of cause.

[Sarge55]

Abris controls for KA-50?

If so, I’ll take one. 

Edited March 10, 2022 by Sarge55

[JackFlash]

7 hours ago, Sarge55 said:

Abris controls for KA-50?

If so, I’ll take one. 

 

Indeed it is. 

[hannibal]

Abris!