Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: Chalenge on September 28, 2008, 02:29:52 PM

Title: USB Gauges
Post by: Chalenge on September 28, 2008, 02:29:52 PM
I would like HTC to work with these guys so that not only are appropriate gauges available but that so my (soon to be) P51 pit is supported more directly!  :aok

http://www.simkits.com/products.php?groupid=54
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: MjTalon on September 28, 2008, 03:34:24 PM
woah... talk about "into the cockpit"  :O
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Chalenge on September 29, 2008, 12:00:52 AM
The gauges can come assembled or you can save money by purchasing the kits which would be more fun for me anyway since I am building the rest of it (as long as my eyes hold out anyway). In order to work with AH there would have to be a software layer driving the instruments and probably it would not be worth it unless lots of people were interested.

(http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq197/Chalenge08/AltimeterUSB.jpg)

The only cockpits they have right now are for a Cessna and a helicopter for Flight Simulator 2004 but they do have instruments for several different airplanes including the F4U!
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Denholm on September 29, 2008, 10:28:04 AM
This would be interesting. Yet as you said, would only be implemented if perhaps two thirds of the AH population would be highly interested in it.
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Chalenge on September 29, 2008, 11:57:10 AM
Two thirds?  :huh  :O I dont think it would take that many people! All we have to get interested in this is Hitech!  :D

I bought a 'real' K14B for my pit which ran me $500. I think I will have to manufacture the throttle quadrant myself because its just WAY to pricey ($18000 original and $1800 new manufacture) but maybe I can find someone to make one for me. The canopy frame without glass is also $1800... It will probably take me a couple years to finish and then it wont work real well with AH but at least I will feel good about it.  :D :aok
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: rogerdee on September 29, 2008, 04:41:48 PM
i would love to build a simpit  but space is limited and so is the money.Now we can do
a 3 screen set up it would be great. :rock
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Denholm on September 29, 2008, 04:50:16 PM
Two thirds?  :huh  :O...

Sorry. Been reading about Congress and their ability to override. :D
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Chalenge on September 30, 2008, 12:51:12 AM
I cant wait for all the pieces to get here. The gunsight arrived today and the dash should be here sometime next week (the dash is cut from the original P51D template). The instruments will arrive a little at a time (no hurry).

(http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq197/Chalenge08/K-14B-1.jpg)
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Denholm on September 30, 2008, 09:14:14 AM
You should consider making this for others as well. Such as the HOTAS setup, not a lot of others care to make them. I'm certain you could make some profit off of that.
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: RTHolmes on September 30, 2008, 10:37:19 AM
AFAIK it wouldnt take very much to implement - all the realtime data is there, just needs to feed to an API that other software can read (for a very small cpu hit.)

It could then be used for all sorts of interfaces like these gauges or I could program my X52 MFD to display E6B info like range, climbrate etc.

We would also be able to use the CH MFP:
(http://www.chproducts.com/retail/mfp/mfp_templates.jpg)
http://www.chproducts.com/retail/mfp.html (http://www.chproducts.com/retail/mfp.html)
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Denholm on September 30, 2008, 10:39:00 AM
Did you use the SST programming software to display E6B? Or did you hit on C++?
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: RTHolmes on September 30, 2008, 10:45:17 AM
well AFAIK AH doesnt have a readable API for this kind of stuff so there is no way to program the MFD using AH data at the moment. Mine just displays which of primary/2ndary/both guns I have selected at the moment.

maybe Sudz could jump in at this point with a comment? :)
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Denholm on September 30, 2008, 10:46:54 AM
Oops. I misread your post. I thought you had already programmed your X52 to read out E6B data from either AH or some other flight simulator such as FS2004.
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: RTHolmes on September 30, 2008, 11:06:33 AM
I'm thinking since the hallowed CH Products have bothered developing the MFP, AH may be more likely to consider it...
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: RATTFINK on September 30, 2008, 12:40:32 PM
HOLY!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: acesandeights on October 02, 2008, 07:24:52 AM
they arent going to waste there money on that.
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: RTHolmes on October 02, 2008, 08:16:04 AM
well its bang-for-buck isnt it? if its cheap to implement (it should be) then why not?
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: RATTFINK on October 02, 2008, 08:36:29 AM
That may be, but it isn't cheap to buy $$$$.

The Altimeter alone that 'Chalenge' posted is $391.00 & that is for an untested one.  The Built and tested USB Altimeter is $520.00.

It is VERY cool and that would be neat to have.  But I can't see buying that and keeping a girlfriend LOL!

Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Chalenge on October 02, 2008, 01:24:32 PM
Island girls dont mind men being men.  :aok
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Chalenge on October 03, 2008, 02:37:40 PM
American Aero Services is putting together an A36 (another wishlist item of mine) and is also a great place to find discards and a great source for template parts information.

http://www.americanaeroservices.com/A36Project/A36Home.htm
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: Ack-Ack on October 03, 2008, 07:50:57 PM

We would also be able to use the CH MFP:


The CH MFP already works in AH.


ack-ack
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: RTHolmes on October 07, 2008, 07:58:10 AM
ty ack-ack, just realised the MFP isnt a screen, its just a bunch of buttons with a printout underneath for $200 :o

I assumed since there was graphics of gauges that they worked ... so no feedback at all in this device  :rolleyes:

I know there are proper touchscreens for this purpose out there, thats the kind of interactive support I was talking about.
Title: Re: USB Gauges
Post by: james on October 07, 2008, 09:28:20 AM
For those with limited space and cash for a simpit just get 2 4x8 foot pieces of half inch plywood and download the ackers&Barnes plans. Out the measurements on posterboard to make stencils and cut the pieces out. The pit is a good beginning that can be modded an customized. I'm for whatever progresses the realism of the game as well as whatever helps the simpit community out there with immersion.