Axair MIAP button box + rotaries - REVIEW

[rob10]

These are my 1st impressions.  Basically all I've done with it so far is assigned controls and tested them in a quick mission to make sure it all worked.

Bought from: https://www.laptime.nl/shop/index.php?id_product=8&controller=product&id_lang=1

$89 USD + about $17 USD postage to Canada, ordered Aug 10, arrived Aug 23 from Thailand.

This is where I have in mounted in front of my WinWing Orion 1 throttle.  Picture will give you some idea of size (it's small!).  Even though it's small it's seems like it's easy enough to grab the top/bottom of the rotaries and turn them.  We'll see when I start flying with it.  I think it's going to work nicely in this position as I can reach it with my fingers without taking my hand off fully off the throttle (for the buttons anyway) especially if throttle is forward a bit.  Seems like it's decent quality -- not super high end, but doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart in a couple of months either.

It's designed for general aviation sim's, but since it's just DX button assignments you can do with it as you please in DCS.  A press of the leftmost top rotary toggles it between 2 up/down functions (i.e. I have it assigned to IFEI brightness up/down then it toggles to IFEI quantity up/down button after a press on it).  The other 4 rotaries have a push function too, but they are just DX buttons that you can use as you please.  The bottom rotary has the same press toggle as the top left one PLUS the COMM/NAV toggle switch beside it allows you assign it as another 2 pairs.  In my case I have COMM 1 volume up/down with COMM 2 volume up/down after I press it when it's on COM, and then MIDS A and MIDS B assigned if the switch is toggled to NAV.  All of these different options (for clarity: the COM/NAV toggle switch and the top left rotary and bottom rotary presses internally changes what DX button is sent by the rotary actions when toggled rather than sending anything themselves) send different DX presses so very easy to assign as desired.  Back lighting on the labels is bright and clear, but I'm likely not going to get good value from them as I'll label over them once I'm satisfied with my layout .  The labels are an integral part of the cover that goes across the front and down sides/front/back so won't be super simple to change them if you want custom backlit labels (i.e. not just a cover plate on the top that you could change out).

So far my impresses are very positive.  Provides a lot of functionality for a very reasonable price.  I may update this after I actually get some time in flying with it if I find my impressions change.

EDIT TO ADD: I didn't realize before, but the COMM/NAV switch also acts as a shift for the SWAP button beside it (so it is 2 DX bottons as well)

Edited August 27, 2022 by rob10

[ebabil]

I think I will get one too. thanks for the review

[hreich]

Thanks one step from ordering one for me

 

[hreich]

Update - ordered mine, currently on backorder

[hreich]

Mine arrived yesterday...so far so good..i like it...