Building cockpit

[WannaBeGnome]

Hi, i am interested in building my own cockpit for A-10C. I am wondering what would be better, this or this and what is difference between them.

 

Thanks for replies.

Edited May 29, 2013 by WannaBeGnome

[BIGNEWY]

bodnar is better in my opinion

[WannaBeGnome]

Can you say me why? I want to know difference between these two. (excluding that, in bonar you just push ´n pull that cables and in the other you have to screw)

[Nopileus]

Well one board is an LED Controller, the other a Joystick controller.

I fail to see the need to compare them.

[Gadroc]

Well first off you linked one LED Output card and one Joystick Input Card... so neither is "better" they do different things. I assume you meant to link the groovy gamer input controllers. In that case the bodnar cards have a great reputation, but to be honest there is probably not a whole lot of difference.

 

Possible differences between joystick controllers:

1) Price

2) Number of inputs

3) Additional programming (Keyboard/mouse emulation, etc)

4) Speed of response

5) Accuracy of ADC

 

Unless you are using them for primary flight controls (throttle, collective or stick/cyclic) there is going to be very very little difference aside from the number of inputs. For bodnar and most of the gpwiz products 2 and 3 are identical. With that being the case go with price as the deciding factor unless you can find definitive tests that show 4 and 5 are better on one vs the other and that makes a difference in your use case.

[robump]

Have you considered a pokeys?

[Mt5_Roie]

What you really want is this one:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=235

 

I have about 5 of them I've used and they are great. But keep in mind it won't let you do a analog joystick input if you need it. The leonard one does 8 analog inputs if I recall correctly.

 

I've had both and prefer the one I mentioned. Personal preferences. The company is good and they ship quickly as well.

[WannaBeGnome]

So, for switches Gp-Wiz and for indicators leo?

[Mr_Burns]

I have 3 GPWIZ - very easy but you waste a few inputs (at least I do as i havnt a clue about the axis and rotar x things they offer)

 

depends what you need and your skill i would say

[WannaBeGnome]

So, i want something like this http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=86916 (just pics in first post.) Will i need bodnar or will be GPWiz sufficient?

[Feed]

If you haven't recently, I suggest reviewing this post:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=65998

 

Either the Bodnar or GPWiz cards will work as an interface for simulator switches. The number and type of buttons, switches and dials you plan on having will determine what makes the most sense.

[agrasyuk]

the big difference you missed is bodnar offers its axis in proper analog way while gpwiz does that in digital on and off style making it only a quasi axis... which really makes no difference if reading switches is all you want to use it for. so if you need axis, use bodnar, if not gpwiz for the cost saving. and you probably will need multiple of each eventually.

[WannaBeGnome]

And if i use potentiometers (for example for throttle), will it work with GPwiz?

[Mt5_Roie]

potentiometers is an analog device so GPWiz won't work with it. GPWiz is designed for digital inputs. So the only joysticks you could get with it are the digital ones (not too useful in sims, unless you want a cool one for Targeting Pod).

[WannaBeGnome]

I still can´t get it. Which devices are analog and which are digital?

[Mt5_Roie]

Digital are devices that basically have an on and off state. So switches and buttons are digital since they either just on or off.

 

Potentiometers and hall sensors return a voltage reading depending on the setting. So these are analog since it's more complex then just on and off.

 

If this is your first pit, I would suggest starting out slowly and building some panels with digital switches and buttons to get some experience. Potentiometers and hall sensors are a bit trickier and harder to learn.

[WannaBeGnome]

Yes, it is my first cockpit, i am just getting some knowledge before starting building. I am thinking of potentiometers because of sticks with throttles are quite expensive and i want to make my own throttle and use it with my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro

[Mt5_Roie]

Are you planning on building any panels with it, or just a throttle?

 

I haven't built any throttle or flight controls since my main pit uses a X65F. But for my third pit I"m going to be getting the X52 Pro. For the money you spend on building a throttle you might just be able to get a throttle and flight stick.

 

But if you want to build one I would go with the Bodnar controller you linked and get the cables that go with it. All depends on how good you are at soldering as well. I would try to find throttle designs on line and see where you can put the potentiometer in to get the data. Keep in mind that there are different types of potentionmeters that are more or less sensitive.

 

Also, check out:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=107443

 

Gives and overview of what I"ve done and where I am now.

[WannaBeGnome]

I want to build complete cockpit. Would it work, if i connect new potentiometer to joystick PCB instead of slider?

[Mt5_Roie]

In theory you could do that. There are websites out there that show up to take the Logitech 3d Pro apart for cleaning. If you can find the three cables designed for the slider and connect it to a different throttle it would work.

 

Have you though about what kind of cockpit you would like to be? How big, how many panels? Budget?

[WannaBeGnome]

I would like cockpit for A-10C and i want to do it the cheapest way, i would like do front panel and the most important panels, and then maybe make others. Can you send me your skype to PM? you look experienced and maybe i´ll need your help :)

[agrasyuk]

WannaBG, "cheapest way" is very vague. determine your scope, budget, recognize your limitations (such as lack of available room or particular skill ) . all that will dictate the shape of your sim. see examples already suggested for how others approached the project and pick points that you like to implement in your build. its ok to think about interfaces but at this point this in not your biggest concern.

 

share your plan of attack, shape, sizes, material used and we will be happy to throw darts at it with you. :)

[Mt5_Roie]

Check out:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=107443

 

The first part shows probably the cheapest option. The cockpit is made from PVC piping and total material costs are around 150. The panel costs is another 100 or so. That's not including flight controls, throttle, or computer costs.

 

Best way to start is to build a simple panel to get the feel for it. Then work up to an actual cockpit level.

[WannaBeGnome]

I want somethings like Gremlin had (just his first post in his topic), i put there link before. I think i can find some wood at home, so build won´t be problem, this is why i am thinking of electronics. I think electronics is the most expensive and complicated part of building :) ok, thanks for all replies, when i will need something i will write

[JG14_Smil]

You don't have to add the throttle to the current joystick. You can simply plug another cheap joystick in and you will have at least two other axis to use and hack into. Does anyone make cheap USB joysticks nowadays?