Different approach to button boxes by a company called switchology

[rapid]

Stumbled on this, seems like a novel approach to creating button box configurations for your cockpit.

 

[rapid]

If you can price it right it may cost less than a name brand button box.

[Nightdare]

Yeah, I found his concept a while ago, but he disappeared off radar for a little while

Wolkus, the creator, is a member here

 

Still looking at it, since I truly love the concept and still have(/can make ) some real estate in my 'pit'

and thinking about making a dedicated comms panel with this

 

@wolkus

it would be handy if possible, to see a "module puzzle" on you site, so people can move and turn modules and fit them in the base prior to deciding on a layout

 

Something I quickly photoshopped myself:

[rapid]

Alright got yah.

Still a good concept if you manage it right could work out cheaper than a proper button box.

 

[Mr_sukebe]

I like that, very cool idea.  Just one thought being that you’d probably not regularly change things around, do remember the fun of re binding multiple aircraft controls.

All the same, it’s a great move.  If it was cross compatible with other manufacturers, it would then also increase the scope of switch, button, display options.

[Dogmanbird]

if it can be seen as it's own singular device in the game, regardless of number of modules attached, and it's driver or software manages what modules are present, I think this is awesome (but agree in needs to be priced very competitively)

and if they can remove the need for screwing things (use magnets if no hall sensors?), that would be even awesomer!    .......but if it's cheap, i wouldn't care 

[Nightdare]

4 hours ago, Mr_sukebe said:

I like that, very cool idea.  Just one thought being that you’d probably not regularly change things around, do remember the fun of re binding multiple aircraft controls.

 

I don't thinks those buying such a thing will indeed do lots of rebuilding, but it does allow for swapping at least some components, which are useless in one module, for ones that are better suited

 

1 hour ago, Dogmanbird said:

I think this is awesome (but agree in needs to be priced very competitively)

and if they can remove the need for screwing things (use magnets if no hall sensors?), that would be even awesomer! 

 

I rather see solid connections, quick releases get flimsy over time

 

1 hour ago, Dogmanbird said:

.......but if it's cheap, i wouldn't care 

 

Well, my prototype would approach €300, which isn't "cheap" and puts it in line with Virpil control panels pricewise, but does offer:

1 axis, 4 dual encoders, 2 Ten position rotaries, 6 pushbuttons, 6 toggles

That's 61 functions (Which would be +20 functions, -1 axis over the VPC CP#1) +  customizability/flexibility in what can certainly be stated, an innovative design

Which allows for even the lesser technical among us to get something catering to their personal wishes

 

I can rant about simple basic button boxes being expensive for what they offer. but for Switchology, (especially) that last part certainly doesn't make it simple and the number of functions doesn't make it basic, If there is merit in the design, there is value

[Nightdare]

Seems I didn't pay attention earlier, or it has been implemented recently

Making your Switch box mockup (and able to add the result directly to cart):

Builder – Switchology

[Dogmanbird]

i just threw some random stuff together to see what kind of pricing (no shipping included)

null

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what's everyone's thoughts?

 

[Mr_sukebe]

Doesn’t seem to be an outrageous price, which is good.

The real question will be how it compares from a quality perspective to other existing solutions.

For example, does the build lock the components in place?  If not, is there a degree of wobble on each component.  That would annoy me

[Nightdare]

1 hour ago, Dogmanbird said:

i just threw some random stuff together to see what kind of pricing (no shipping included)

null

null

 

what's everyone's thoughts?

 

That's about $/€ 200 for the unit, $/€ 65ish shipping (no tax)?

[wolkus]

Hi all!
I'm the "owner" of Switchology e.U. and I've just been told about this post.
Somehow I did not get notified when I was tagged.

I'm happy you guys are interested in my product and I'll answer some of the questions you've had.

Am 8.2.2025 um 00:01 schrieb Nightdare:

it would be handy if possible, to see a "module puzzle" on you site, so people can move and turn modules and fit them in the base prior to deciding on a layout

This feature has been introduced recently, it's the Builder

 

Am 8.2.2025 um 12:16 schrieb Mr_sukebe:

I like that, very cool idea.  Just one thought being that you’d probably not regularly change things around, do remember the fun of re binding multiple aircraft controls.

All the same, it’s a great move.  If it was cross compatible with other manufacturers, it would then also increase the scope of switch, button, display options.

There's the Switchology Cockpit Companion PC program that will receive a feature for storing your bindings and pushing them into DCS.
IDK what you mean by cross compatibility, but I sure plan to add news modules in the future!

 

vor 6 Stunden schrieb Dogmanbird:

i just threw some random stuff together to see what kind of pricing (no shipping included)

null

null

what's everyone's thoughts?

 

I was shocked by the shipping cost I saw here!
I actually offer also non-express shipping that is way cheaper.
There was actually something not configured correctly, which I fixed now.
You will most likely land on 58 AUD for shipping non-express.

 

vor 4 Stunden schrieb Mr_sukebe:

Doesn’t seem to be an outrageous price, which is good.

The real question will be how it compares from a quality perspective to other existing solutions.

For example, does the build lock the components in place?  If not, is there a degree of wobble on each component.  That would annoy me

The modules are locked in place and don't wobble.
There has been some feedback about "slightly wobbly" encoder knobs.
This issue has been greatly mitigated by now and will be gone after the beta.

People also gave the product favorable reviews, so you don't need to take my word on it:

Switchology Reviews

Review on reddit + followup

[Dogmanbird]

thanks for responding.

I was quite keen on it being a quick-change-no-screws system that could be re arranged very quickly when changing aircraft, but could use screws if desired

does the pc see it as a single device? 

[wolkus]

vor 8 Stunden schrieb Dogmanbird:

thanks for responding.

I was quite keen on it being a quick-change-no-screws system that could be re arranged very quickly when changing aircraft, but could use screws if desired

does the pc see it as a single device? 

In user testing, we found out that the screws are no problem for people.
It's just 8 screws and they only take a couple of rotations.

One Switchology Modular Control Panel is seen as a single device on the PC per default .
You can configure it to show up as multiple devices if needed.

[rapid]

Good invention Wolkus.

It has it's place in the world of flight sims and Space sim.