Been sick for a while, so I'm late getting back here. I don't have much time, so I'll try to keep it short.
My interests are getting a few
(2, maybe 3) 7 segment displays up and running. I'd also like to make an
O M I (Outer, Middle, Inner) marker display.
Most of the planes that I like are of the low and slow kind, so my needs are really kind of small.
Someone interested in a full set of panels with lots of LED's for a Airbus is going to need more controls. But even there, I find tying single LED's to an instrument switch no big deal. You turn a switch, a light comes on. Simple. No need for a processor.
So my needs are simple, I'd like to keep the cost down if possible,
AND I'd like to keep the size small.
The
Pro Micro's (Leonardos) fit the bill perfectly. Cheep
($2.19USD) and small
(about the size of 2 small postal stamps), and very easy to program.
The main advantage that the $60
PacLED64 Advanced LED Controller has is it's being well known and simpler
(if more limited) to use. Of course, it's primary use is lighting up to 64 LED's. Not controlling buttons, encoders, etc. But another $30USD gets you a
PacDrive USB driver board for switches.
An Arduino microcontroller isn't for everyone, But a Pro Micro for $2.19? That might prove the extra effort.
So as much as I like the looks of a 7 segment display, having to use an Arduino MEGA2560 R3 board that's about the side of a deck of cards to get it leaves me less than enthusiastic.
UNTIL
New Small Meduino Mega2560 R3 Pro Mini ATMEGA16U2 US $16.50.
Enlarged picture. The measurements are 5.42cm X 3.68cm
So if you need an
Arduino MEGA2560 in a smaller size to use with MobiFlight, this could work out very well.
When Ulrich does his magic, you may still be able to use it. If not, then you can still us it, and you haven't spent all that much.