SPAD.neXt

In the past years, we have been asked over and over again, if there is an alternative for the Saitek/Logitec Flight Instrument Panel.
Currently there is not, and the drawbacks of the Saitek FIP start to bring up real problems like
* Not many computer come with USB2.0 ports anymore. Saitek FIP only support USB2.0
* The firmware for the FIP is over 10 years old and crashes frequently

We are currently looking into options to craft such a device and would like to ask you to participate in this poll, so we can plan according to your needs.

A higher-resolution display is essential, as is the need to be able to create just about any instrument for each FIP.

I think being USB 3.0 compliant is crucial.
Stability is another important factor.
I think it would be nice to keep in mind the DCS environment as well.
If there could be a version that could fit nicely inside the Thrustmaster MFD it would be a great hit.
I would keep it simple and stable, I personally would prefer fewer buttons and dials but more reliable

Hi,
I am using 25 saitek Fip (9 for the flight panels, 16 for programming the check-lists procedures, including sound acknowledgment) on 737 NGX as well as other devices (gps, fmc, paddle, joystick, autopilot panel, ...).

It quite heavy but it work. I choose this approach to give me maximum flexibility with external possibility and equipments by reduicing the panel screens number on the main SIM screens . Pb is the regular crashes due to usb2.


- Usb3 avaibility and stability are crucial points. Market price is also a key point.

- Flexibility in programing is also esssential to meet all requirements, such my configuration par example.
- Please make sure to access in a very simple way directly to FSX, Prepar3d, xplane EVENTS to make the product easy, light, flexible to other softwares.

- I concerned with third party soft screen/panel which are nice but have a lot of restriction. Customizing and programming them is a hudge work !!!
- Also please keep in mind to avoid to have to go through many interface, add-on ... which are black box.

To make run all those third party soft in quite complex. What I like in spadNext, it's a complete product.

Thanks.
Alain

check out iFMS, that could be a starting point if data integration could be handled easier.

In order of importance for me.

1) speed, either usb3 or LAN whatever is the fastest. Using a LAN switch probably better than lots of usb hubs, not sure about power if if a POE switch could power them all?

2) price, but not too lean because there has to be some profit to be able to support these and or giving up day jobs

3) double or better current screen resolution without compromising data transfer speeds, personally I think 640 x 480 is probably good enough on a such a small screen anyway happy to go higher if it doesn’t compromise FPS

4) I’m actually quite happy with the Old fip ther than the improvements above. The dial knob posts were very fragile and broke so decent rotary encoders and knobs essential.

Of course it will come with a set of gauges better than the originals and still leave room to add additional enhanced 3rd party gauges, which are currently on sale till Sunday (shameless plug)

Not wanted.
WiFi - while I see this can be useful for a small number of gauges I don’t want 12 or more extra wireless devices flooding my network so if it can be fully idle/switched off that would be ok.

Daz

I must be odd man out here because my Saitek panels (all three) work with usb 3.0. What am I doing right?

BBQ Steve

Please explain to us how to make it working with usb3 because I tried this during months but without success !!!. I guess it's because you have very few FIP. Thanks.

The question in my point view is linked to the FIP firmware itself as well the usb2 outflow capacity on a dedicated switches address port. From what I understood ports address are destabilized when rebooting P.C. or when Windows handle updates. I didn't find any way to give fix addresses to usb like the ip address in network.
Computers frames should be sniffed to really understand what going on. Sorry, it's out of my expertise. I am not a specialist as you Guys !!!


To come back on the main topic, I suggest that in fact thoses issues / solutions must be handled at global level (hardware+software) in order to propose a market value products which could be easily integrated (like these of fipgauge.com) in the SpadNext package.

Is there on the market other products like FIP saitek panel more powerfull, much easier to programm?
Or Is there technical possibility to rewrite the interface of the saitek Equipment to overcome encounted difficulties encounted?

Alain.

SPAD and I aren’t aware of anything even remotely similar to the no so good ole FIPs.

The only advancement in FIPs in 16 years is SPAD which allows much better gauges to be created, but I’m constantly getting told off for writing gauges that push the FIPs to their limits.

So I would love to see something that is more in line with current specs

Daz

higher-resolution displays would be great BUT then there could be compatibility problems with the old FIP's.
Can gauges support 2 resolutions?