03-19-2009, 08:32 AM
Hello Everyone,
I'm Bored with sitting infront of 1 screen and a joystick. I've decided its time to expand. I'm gonna take on the challenge of building a 737 cockpit.
Now in the last 48 hrs I've read hundreds of pages on the subject. And my conclusion is the prices out there are OUT OF CONTROL! For example: I was looking at an overhead panel from a well known company. Over $1450 JUST for the panels. Then another $780 for the hardware. Then another $540 for the software to make it all work. And thats just for the larger half of the overhead. If I was to go that route my wife would castrate me! Then toss me to the curb. I thought with a 4-5 k budget I'd have an awesome pit. Well I was sadly mistaken.
But I'm NOT gonna let that stop me. I've worked in the construction & automotive industries all my life. I'm very creative and handy with tools. So I'm gonna build it from scratch. I might spring for a THQ. There are a couple VERY nice ones out there. I also found a site called "Open Cockpits" that has the cheapest prices on radios, MCP and the like.
As for the panels I'm gonna attempt to construct them myself. I wanna make them backlit. So that's gonna add to the challenge.
I have found sites on panel construction, rudder pedals, yokes, mcp's and even one showing how to make a FMC using an old PS1 LCD.
Now does anyone have any info that may be useful on this project?
I was thinking of going with the FSXpand Glass cockpit software over Magenta because of the price. Anyone use it? As for the Overhead it looks like the Magenta PM-Systems is the way to go. But it expensive. Any alternatives?
As for the Panels. I read a couple sites that used white Plexi then laminated it with a design printed on paper with an inljet. I'm just wondering if there might be a better way.
I'm only in the planning stages now so I could use all the input you might have.
I need to find quality electronics cheap. I have a RadioShack right around the corner. But I'm not sure I trust the quality of their electronics.
I also need as much information as I can get on how everything interfaces with my system and FS.
I've been looking for a challenge and I think I've found it!
Thanks for any help you may offer!
Rich Benoist
AS398
I'm Bored with sitting infront of 1 screen and a joystick. I've decided its time to expand. I'm gonna take on the challenge of building a 737 cockpit.
Now in the last 48 hrs I've read hundreds of pages on the subject. And my conclusion is the prices out there are OUT OF CONTROL! For example: I was looking at an overhead panel from a well known company. Over $1450 JUST for the panels. Then another $780 for the hardware. Then another $540 for the software to make it all work. And thats just for the larger half of the overhead. If I was to go that route my wife would castrate me! Then toss me to the curb. I thought with a 4-5 k budget I'd have an awesome pit. Well I was sadly mistaken.
But I'm NOT gonna let that stop me. I've worked in the construction & automotive industries all my life. I'm very creative and handy with tools. So I'm gonna build it from scratch. I might spring for a THQ. There are a couple VERY nice ones out there. I also found a site called "Open Cockpits" that has the cheapest prices on radios, MCP and the like.
As for the panels I'm gonna attempt to construct them myself. I wanna make them backlit. So that's gonna add to the challenge.
I have found sites on panel construction, rudder pedals, yokes, mcp's and even one showing how to make a FMC using an old PS1 LCD.
Now does anyone have any info that may be useful on this project?
I was thinking of going with the FSXpand Glass cockpit software over Magenta because of the price. Anyone use it? As for the Overhead it looks like the Magenta PM-Systems is the way to go. But it expensive. Any alternatives?
As for the Panels. I read a couple sites that used white Plexi then laminated it with a design printed on paper with an inljet. I'm just wondering if there might be a better way.
I'm only in the planning stages now so I could use all the input you might have.
I need to find quality electronics cheap. I have a RadioShack right around the corner. But I'm not sure I trust the quality of their electronics.
I also need as much information as I can get on how everything interfaces with my system and FS.
I've been looking for a challenge and I think I've found it!
Thanks for any help you may offer!
Rich Benoist
AS398