My first simpit!

[Hielor]

I cant see anywhere round the back of my monitor that has an option, the cable just leads straight in and isnt detachable as far as i can see?

They are fairly new monitors, both second hand though. (Im on a budget)

EDIT:
Oh wait! my main monitor has a detachable cable but the input is only VGA, i cant see any DVI input.

Can you tell what model the monitors are, perhaps from any writing visible on them?

 

[guitarist473]

Im not quite sure but what i can deduct from the info label on the back of the monitors...

The main monitor is a Emachines 700G and the secondary or smaller monitor is a HP pavilion f1523.

Hope this helps

 

[Hielor]

Im not quite sure but what i can deduct from the info label on the back of the monitors...

The main monitor is a Emachines 700G and the secondary or smaller monitor is a HP pavilion f1523.

Hope this helps

Ah up, older monitors, both only have VGA input.

Keep in mind that if you do get a new graphics card, it will probably have at least one DVI output--but oftentimes they include the DVI-to-VGA adapter, so you may not need to purchase one separately.

 

[Revolpathon]

maybe if you budget allows it why not get 2 actual MFD's? (i have no idea how expensive they are)

http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_086a.html

the price that i could find was around 61 euro's so that would be aorund 70 quid or thereabouts.

edit: @ hielor, the converters ussually come with the graphics card, not with the monitor

edit2: after reading that review further it seems those particular mfd's are hardly programmable, though i've seen it in other simpits so it should be doable.

 

[guitarist473]

Revolpathon:
Those MFDs have no display, which in reality makes them very expensive fancy keyboards, otherwise i would of considered buying them.

...the pack is two MFD bezels only, as there are no displays inside the bezels. To enhance the aesthetics of the MFDs, a number of laminated paperboard inserts are provided...

And if they were more user-friendly in the programming sector, i could of just mounted them to my monitor if i purchased them.
But i dont think i will, purely because i think it would be too much hassle for myself.

Hielor:
I guess i will have to buy the converter then when the time comes. i dont think buying a new video card will work seeing as my computer is already so old its barely upgradable.

So il just buy that new computer i think.

 

[Hielor]

edit: @ hielor, the converters ussually come with the graphics card, not with the monitor

I fail to see how that's any different from what I said:

Keep in mind that if you do get a new graphics card, it will probably have at least one DVI output--but oftentimes they include the DVI-to-VGA adapter, so you may not need to purchase one separately.

edit2: after reading that review further it seems those particular mfd's are hardly programmable, though i've seen it in other simpits so it should be doable.

And if they were more user-friendly in the programming sector, i could of just mounted them to my monitor if i purchased them.
But i dont think i will, purely because i think it would be too much hassle for myself.

I've got a pair of these. They're no less programmable than any other joystick. Worst case scenario, you can use something like Joy2Key to convert the button presses to keypresses. They're not idea for Orbiter mfds, though, since they only have five buttons to a side.

 

[Revolpathon]

if you feel confident enough it might actually be cheaper to keep your current pc case but replace everything in it.

since you would only have to buy a motherboard, cpu, ram and a vid card you could be done in under 400 pounds, or even below 300 if you manage to find good parts 2nd hand, plugging a few wire's with the manual from the new motherboard is easy, assembling the rig take's only slightly more skill than that.

i recomend an am2+ socket motherboard or budget allowing am3, AMD sockets are notorious for their future compatible upgradeability (i used 3 cpu's on an am2+ mobo over a span of 4 years before i build myself an entirely new system because my motherboard died.

(i use an i7 now... but regretting it already because i know that for my next system i'll have to buy a new motherboard and cpu, instead of just a new cpu)

edit: @hielor, my bad (shouldn't post while under influence of alcohol)

 

[guitarist473]

Because of all the hardware iv already purchased, my budget is now down to 60quid :uhh:

So i dont think anything to do with a new system rebuild will be affordable on my end.
The computer im getting is free (off my brother) so thats where thats coming from.
The computer itself is only about a year old and from what ive seen its very good

Im suprised he's giving it me for free tbh, were both still young (well i am, hes 20 or something now) so we barely get on with eachother... and it was EXPENSIVE!!! when he brought it.
Maybe he wants to make up for all those years of childhood he bullied me through? :rofl:
Anyways im straying from the point...

and my main issue with those MFDs is the display... how would i work it without a display?

 

[Hielor]

and my main issue with those MFDs is the display... how would i work it without a display?

It basically acts as a keyboard that looks a whole lot more like something that should belong in a cockpit than a keyboard.

 

[guitarist473]

I think im better off saving my money incase a Hardware problem pops up in the first few weeks of use... say if a keyboard malfunctions or a monitor dies.
Instead of spending it on something thats an overpriced (but astheticly pleasing) keyboard.

Or am i being a bit too cautious with my money?

I would have to beg my mum to give me an extra tenner too, i have 60quid, the MFDs are 70. :uhh: So close!
(Iv already had 340pounds spent on me on the hardware and i had to sell my train set for this new monitor and to pay my mum 40quid back, my christmas allowance is 300, i went 40 over.)

 

[Hielor]

I think im better off saving my money incase a Hardware problem pops up in the first few weeks of use... say if a keyboard malfunctions or a monitor dies.
Instead of spending it on something thats an overpriced (but astheticly pleasing) keyboard.

Or am i being a bit too cautious with my money?

I agree. Don't get the Cougar MFD panels until you've got everything else sorted.

 

[guitarist473]

I agree. Don't get the Cougar MFD panels until you've got everything else sorted.

best idea in my opinion

off-topic for a second... in 2 days i have to write a 4 hour assesment/assignment for an english exam, this will make up for a 1/3 of my final GCSE grade when i come out of year 11 next year and im not allowed to retake, to add to the drama im expected a A to A*! and my dad says if i want to go see iron maiden again next year... i better get that grade!

And do you want to know what my main worry at the moment is?

Im worrying about if all the hardware im installing into my simpit will work properly and everything will be as functional as i hope it to be...

Mindboggling... :uhh:

Well actually i think my biggest worry would be not getting to see iron maiden again

There is a point to this actually... im saying this because once i start this exam (4, 1 hour sessions over 7 days) progress on my simpit will come to a stop untill im finished so dont expect any major updates for a while

But anyways back on topic... because this is designed for use with a XR2 vessel, the outer most lever on the throttle quadrent was going to be used for scram engine use... but i cant see how i would go about programming it to function like that? i mean FBW will be the most obvious for the other engines but FBW doesnt support scram engines AFAIK

 

[Hielor]

But anyways back on topic... because this is designed for use with a XR2 vessel, the outer most lever on the throttle quadrent was going to be used for scram engine use... but i cant see how i would go about programming it to function like that? i mean FBW will be the most obvious for the other engines but FBW doesnt support scram engines AFAIK

There is currently no way to control XR2 scram engines via a joystick throttle. This would require per-vessel configuration.

Moach was working on an FBW replacement at http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=16218 , not sure how far he got with that. He posted the source for a version in that thread, you may be able to modify it to work with the XR2.

 

[guitarist473]

IM BACK!

Well with that over and done with i only have one week left of school (yay!) then its christmas holidays, but more inportantly i have alot of time to get back on track with this project.

Well to be honest there is no update, i havent advanced anywhere since my last post... heck! my hardware hasnt even arrived yet and im waiting on my brother to lend me his jigsaw so i can start cutting out the wood frame.

So this post it just to let you no that this is still in progress and work will continue over the next couple of days.

Thank you for your interest and thanks for the link hielor i think that might be just what im looking for! :thumbup:

and merry xmas!

 

[guitarist473]

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updates.

well its christmas eve, and no hardware has arrived, it seems my simpit has come to a complete stop and will not be moving for a while, i cant get in contact with the company i ordered the controls from, every time i call it goes straight to an answer machine, and with it being 2 weeks since i ordered, and an expected delevery time of 2-3 days i think something may have gone wrong, well as soon as i get the order fixed il update you all.

well merry christmas and a happy new year!



Guitarist473 (Mikey)