PZ55_Pro_Flight_switch_panel_send.qxd

19/06/2008

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Saitek

Pro Flight Switch Panel

LANDIN

G GEAR

MASTER

CS AVIONIER MAST

FUEL PUMP

DE-IC E

PITOT HEAT

L I G H T S

PANE L

LAND ING
USER MANUAL GUIDE DUTILISATION BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG MANUALE DUSO MANUAL DEL USUARIO

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SAITEK PRO FLIGHT SWITCH PANEL
Congratulations on buying the Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel. The switch panel features realistic switches and controls which interact in real time with Microsoft Flight Simulator X to make your flying experiences more realistic. Installing the switch panel You can fix the panel to your desk using the velcro strips. If you already own a Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System, you can also mount the switch panel on top of the yoke unit using the screws provided. Important: To fix the Pro Flight Switch Panel to the Pro Flight Yoke System, first remove the switch panel from the mounting bracket, screw the bracket to the top of the yoke system and then re-attach the switch panel to the front of the bracket.
Disclaimer, select the I accept the terms of the Disclaimer option and click Next to continue. 4. Once the quick installation has finished, click Finish to complete the installation. Testing your switch panel To test your switch panel, click on Windows Start, Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel folder, then select Pro Flight Switch Panel Test Page. Troubleshooting How to assign switch panel controls to Flight Simulator X functions Once you have installed the switch panel software, the switch panel buttons and controls should be automatically configured to control their functions in FS X software. If your FS X software does not recognise the switch panel, unplug the USB cable and plug it back in. If FS X appears not to load, this is because it is waiting for a prompt. To view the prompt window, select it either by pressing Alt + tab or by clicking on the prompt on the Windows task bar. The prompt reads Microsoft Flight Simulator security warning :
Cowl open/close (for prop aircraft) Misc battery, cockpit and de-ice functions
Plug the switch panels USB cable into one or your PCs free USB ports (or Saitek Pro flight yoke USB hub).
Software installation for users of Windows XP, XP64 and Vista 1. With your computer switched on, close down any programs that are currently running and insert the Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. 2. When the Introduction Screen appears, click Install Software to continue. If the CD does not run automatically, select Start from the Windows Taskbar, then Run and type D:\Setup.exe and click OK - where D:\ is letter of your CD-ROM drive. For Vista users, if you receive the User Account Control prompt, click continue. 3. When the Set-up wizard screen appears, click Next to continue. After reading the
Engine start/stop functions

Light systems on/off

Gear up/down and LED indicator

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will happen once after install. Click Run and when asked would you like to designate this module?, click yes and FS X will continue to load. The Pro Flight Switch Panel will not register automatically if you have installed the Pro Flight Switch Panel before installing FS X. To register the Pro Flight Switch Panel with FS X, click on the Launch the Flightsim X plugin manually icon to re-run the program. Technical Support Nearly all the products that are returned to us as faulty are not faulty at all - they have just not been installed properly. If you experience any difficulty with this product, please first visit our website www.saitek.com. The technical support area will provide you with all the information you need to get the most out of your product and should solve any problems you might have. If you do not have access to the internet, or if the website cannot answer your question, please contact your local Saitek Technical Support Team. We aim to offer quick, comprehensive and thorough technical support to all our users so, before you call, please make sure you have all the relevant information at hand. To find your local Saitek Technical Support Center, please see the separate Technical Support Center sheet that came packaged with this product. Conditions of Warranty 1. Warranty period is 2 years from date of purchase with proof of purchase submitted. 2. Operating instructions must be followed. 3. Specifically excludes any damages associated with leakage of batteries. Note: Batteries can leak when left unused in a product for a period of time, so it is advisable to inspect batteries regularly. 4. Product must not have been damaged as a result of defacement, misuse, abuse, neglect, accident, destruction or alteration of the serial number, improper electrical voltages or currents, repair, alteration or maintenance by any person or party other than our own service facility or an authorized service center, use or installation of non-Saitek replacement parts in the product or the modification of this product in any way, or the incorporation of this product into any other products, or damage to

the product caused by accident, fire, floods, lightning, or acts of God, or any use violative of instructions furnished by Saitek plc. 5. Obligations of Saitek shall be limited to repair or replacement with the same or similar unit, at our option. To obtain repairs under this warranty, present the product and proof of purchase (eg, bill or invoice) to the authorized Saitek Technical Support Center (listed on the separate sheet packaged with this product) transportation charges prepaid. Any requirements that conflict with any state or Federal laws, rules and/or obligations shall not be enforceable in that particular territory and Saitek will adhere to those laws, rules, and/or obligations. 6. When returning the product for repair, please pack it very carefully, preferably using the original packaging materials. Please also include an explanatory note. IMPORTANT: To save yourself unnecessary cost and inconvenience, please check carefully that you have read and followed the instructions in this manual. This warranty is in Lieu of all other expressed warranties, obligations or liabilities. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, OBLIGATIONS, OR LIABILITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THIS WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTY. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not apply to you. IN NO EVENT SHALL WE BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF THIS OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WHATSOEVER Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of special, incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This symbol on the product or in the instructions means that your electrical and electronic equipment should be disposed at the end of its life separately from your household waste. There are separate collection systems for recycling in the EU. For more information, please contact the local authority or your retailer where you purchased the product.

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FCC Compliance and Advisory Statement Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and; 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: - Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna; - Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver; - Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected; - Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Saitek Industries, 2295 Jefferson Street, Torrance, CA 90501, USA Canada ICES-003 Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference, and; 2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Cet appareil numrique de la classe B est conforme la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel
Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel

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Pro FIight Switch Panel

www.saitek.com
Version 1.0 - 16/06/Saitek Ltd Made and printed in China All trademarks are the property of their respective owners PZ55

AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site!
AVSIM Commercial Hardware Review
Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel
Product Information Publishers: Saitek
Description: Pro Flight add-on component Switching Panel for GA and Commercial airplanes. Download Size: NA Format: Hardware Simulation Type: FSX
Reviewed by: Angelique van Campen AVSIM Senior Staff Reviewer - January 10, 2009

Introduction

Are you the proud owner of some Saitek Pro Flight components like the Yoke System with separate Throttle Quadrant and/or the Rudder pedals? If you are, then theres something new and if you don't have any Saitek Pro Flight hardware, then I strongly advice you to read this review and who knows, you will become a Saitek fan. This review covers the recently introduced Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel. Although the name Pro Flight - suggests you need to have other Pro Flight components, this is not the case. However, if you do, you can extend it like a new module to your Saitek flight experience. Buying hardware is not that easy when compared to buying software. One reason is the price and another reason could be that you would like to use the hardware component in combination with every aircraft; default MSFS airplanes and with add-ons from Flight1, Aerosoft, PMDG, Ariane, Captain Sim, CLS, Just Flight and many others. All nice, but there are other important things and one of them is the software/MSFS configuration.
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I cant compare this with, for example, Go Flight components but I can tell you that this software, and thus the FSX configuration, are great. Lets have a look at the Saitek website and see what they tell the potential buyer: Upgrade your flight simulation experience for Microsoft Flight Simulator X with the Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel. Whether attached to the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System, free standing on a desk or mounted into your own cockpit setup, the Pro Flight Switch Panel is an ideal way to expand the number of controls for your flight simulation setup. Control your landing gear, engine power, landing lights and 11 other important aircraft functions from one compact unit. Realistic landing gear control with LEDs indicating actual gear status from Microsoft FSX Start your aircraft engines and access other cockpit functions with ease Conveniently attaches to the base of the Pro Flight Yoke System (sold separately) Ships with support for only Flight Simulator X while FS2004 support is available on our forum. I think what Saitek is telling you should be enough however, some additional information would be welcome and therefore AVSIM decided to write about this product. So lets go quickly to the first chapter.

The Hardware

First I think its a good idea to start with the contents of the Saitek box. If you already own Saitek Pro Flight components, you know those are heavy while this package feels like you ordered air. I asked myself did I order something or is it just a joke? What I got from Saitek is of the usual high quality. It's well packed including all of the things you need to do what ever you want to do with it. That sounds strange but what I mean is whether you position it on the table, youve got Velcro tape to mount it with or if you want to install it on you Pro Flight Yoke system, you get the necessary tools to do so. Oops, Im going too fast. The package comes with the following components: Pro Flight Switch Panel (without the bracket) - It measures around 28 cm by 8 cm, while the actual control panel is mounted on a bracket. Although the switch panel is made of plastic and weights nothing, it still looks professional, and at the same time elegant. In other words, very realistic. Furthermore it comes with a very long > 1.5 meter - USB connection cable. One note about the panel text. While surfing on the Internet I found forum postings like the panel is equipped with backlight illumination for evening flight. Not true! The text on the Switch panel is just painted and during dark configurations theres no backlight to illuminate the text for better viewing. As can be seen on the three screenshots below, the panel offers the following controls: - ENGINE START selector (with positions OFF, L (magneto), R, BOTH/ALL and START), - LANDING GEAR level with gear position light for L/R MLG and NLG (no CTR or BODY gear(s) if fitted underneath the aircraft) - MASTER BAT, ALT and AVIONICS switches, - FUEL PUMP, DE-ICE, PITOT HEAT system switches, - PANEL, BEACON, NAV, STROBE, TAXI and LANDING light switches.

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Close-up ENGINE starter

Close-up switches
Close-up GEAR handle with UNLOCK/DOWNLOCK lights
User Manual and Quick Start guide - The User manual comes in 5 different languages English | French | German | Spanish | Italian and explains in detail the software installation process, on screen real life testing facilities, troubleshooting and technical support. Nothing more. This is really plug-and-play! The Quick Start Guide is really a quick start guide. It comes in many languages 16 - and offers the user general information but at the same time enough information of how to connect the panel to your PC and, if needed, how to install the software. The necessary Velcro tape to connect the panel to your table or whatever you want. Two screws with Allan key to connect the bracket to your Pro Flight yoke system, if you own it of course! A CD-ROM containing an automatic installer, which installs the necessary items to support this unit. The software is compatible with any Windows XP or Windows Vista version. This also includes any 32 and/or 64 bits Operating System.
Switch Panel box overview with all components except the Switch Panel itself
Close up of CD-ROM with FSX installer and Velcro tape
Small but useful and handy User and Quick Start Manuals
In case you start studying the above screenshots in more detail, I know the switch panel itself and the small bag with screws including the Allen key are missing. Dont worry, that comes in a minute! With this first impression its time to grasp it all out of the box oops, I did that already and start installing and connecting it and see what it can do for us.
Installation and documentation
Installation I split this sub-chapter into a software and mechanical part, so lets first go for the software part. As read in the previous chapter, the Saitek box comes with lots of things, but what I now need is the CD-ROM, which contains the FSX driver. Youre right, the product is basically supporting Flight Simulator X only, however via the Saitek forum you can download a customer created FS9 driver. The CD installer file - Saitek_Pro_Flight_Switch_Panel_Software_v3.exe - is quite simple and before you know it, the installer is ready and it looks like nothing happened but thats not really true. Created under the Windows Start button you will find folder Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel with two shortcuts.
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Setup wil:. what?

Online registration link

Have fun!

Apart that one screenshot missing, this is it. No complicated questions of how to install or where to put it. Its all self supporting and no need for manual inputs. I know, its written in many places but the installer doesnt warn the user that the software is only for Flight Simulator X. Almost at the end of the installation process, the user can, via a simple click, register the new Saitek product. By the way, the Switch Panel doesnt have a serial number, so your proof of purchase is needed to get the 2-year warranty.

One of the shortcuts is the - Pro Flight Switch Panel Test Page which allows you to test all the switches, GEAR handle, landing gear lights and the ENGINE START selector. Its a kind of interactive panel image on your TFT or CRT, which responds to the selections you make on the real switch panel. When it all works ok, you'll see the switch, handle or selector moving on your display. One last note: you can use this interactive dummy during flight, however when FSX is running and youre flying, its either the interaction between your panel and the screen as dummy or FSX. This means when you can test the panel, but youre not able to fly while testing! The second shortcut - Launch the Flight Sim X plugin manually allows you to force the driver to connect to FSX. The Saitek Switch Panel will not register automatically if you have installed the unit before installing FSX. To register the unit with FSX, click the shortcut. This concludes the software part. Theres nothing more to do since FSX as it should automatically detect the unit and adjustments are not needed. I wrote should since I can imagine that its not always going right. In my case, I installed it on two PCs without any problems. In case theres any problem, I can only advise you to join the forum. By the way, the amount of forum items related to this relatively new Saitek component, are very limited. Nevertherless, in case of problems; write a posting on the forum or an e-mail to Saitek Support. Lets go to the mechanical installation or I could write down the preparation. The preparation depends a little on what you own. If this is your first Saitek product, you can connect the switch panel with the Velcro tape to the table but when you own, the Pro Flight Yoke System as I do, you can screw it directly to this housing. This procedure is well described in the manual but some pictures will help you with that. Believe me, with no technical background ahum Im able to connect the unit mechanically to the yoke housing. As I wrote before; everything what you need to do this is supplied with the switch panel, so lets do this in a step-by-step procedure.
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Step I and II: To be able to connect the bracket to the Pro Flight Yoke System, we need to remove the Switch Panel from the bracket. This is a very easy job and no tools are required. The switch panel is mounted with only 4 screws see the two screws within the red squares - to the bracket so just remove those and your done. The RH screenshot shows the disconnected Switch Panel and the separate bracket. Step III and IV: The bracket is screwed to the Yoke housing but before you can do this you need to first remove the two inner bolts (marked within the yellow area) with the Allen key. Looking at the bracket and the provided holes, you could also connect it with other positions to the Yoke housing but for the moment we'll

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Step I

Step II

Step III

Step IV
stick to this, since this is the way its described in the User Manual. Step V and VI: With the bracket in your hand, the two bolts removed from the Yoke housing, take the two provided screws in your hand dont forget to check the presence of the rubber Oring and screw the bracket to the Pro Flight Yoke housing. Not too complicated! I know, its very logically for me but worth mentioning it; the bracket allows you to add other components on top of it later, so keep in mind that the copper insert nuts are visible. You can see this on screenshot step V. When the bracket is tight in place, start attaching the Switch Panel back in its original position with the 4 screws.

Step V

Step VI
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Step VII and VIII: This is probably one of the easiest things there is and thats connecting the Switch Panel USB cable to the Pro Flight Yoke System USB hub. As you can see on step VII, the round connection is for your Throttle Quadrant while the three other USB connections are for additional Saitek components or other USB equipment. Altogether, a job of no more than 5 minutes and the final result of this can be seen in screenshot VIII.

Step VII

Step VIII
This is it and in case you didnt have the Yoke System control, you can stick the Switch Panel USB connector in any USB hub or directly into your computer or like I do, in my monitor. This also concludes the hardware installation part. Documentation Is there something more to write about with the User manual then I did in the beginning? Not really since every language is no more then 5 pages of which 3 pages cover switch panel related information. The rest is warranty and FCC compliance stuff. Apart from that, the separate sub chapters in this review give you more information than found in the manual. Is the manual then too small with useless information? Absolutely not, but detailed descriptions with real photos are always better for the brains.
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Its just an extraction of the User Manual. Although you cant read the thumbnail, just give it a shot and click on it to see and read before. No beautiful screenshots but the information that is giving is clear, understandable and direct-to the point.

Firing up FSX and magic

Have I fnything forgotten or is it time to fire FSX? Yes, you can fire up FSX right away or is there any need to check the controls and thus knowing that the Saitek Switch panel driver is installed and recognized by Windows? To be sure, launch the shortcut file Pro Flight Switch Panel Test Page as previously discussed and there you are, your own interactive dummy switch panel on your screen. As can be seen on the lower LH screenshot, I moved the ENGINE start selector to R (magneto), selected ALT MASTER switch to ON and moved the LANDING GEAR handle to UP. In other words, the moment the real Switch Panel is connected to your computer, and you move any switch, handle or selector, the interactive dummy shows you this on the screen dummy panel. By following your commands, it means its working, as simple as that! Then without doing anything, the LH MLG, RH MLG and NOSE gear landing gear lights red, green and amber (yellow) illuminate and extinguish in a kind of pattern. The software is just checking if it can control the lights. This can be seen of course on the real Switch panel as well as on the dummy panel. When you have convinced yourself that all the parts are working, you simply close the window by clicking the OK button.
Interactive on-screen dummy Saitek Switch Panel
FSX Security Warning Saitek Switch Panel installation
Yes, yes, we allow FSX to load and designate this driver
Now its time to start FSX since as I wrote before, theres nothing to configure. Configuration?, thats already automatically done for us. After weve passed the FSX security warning and confirmed with YES (see above screenshots), were ready to go but with which airplane? Looking at the Saitek Switch Panel it seems to be a GA (General Aviation) lay-out, equipped with a retractable gear. This is true and on the other hand it isnt. Although the panel looks like its used in a GA plane, it can also be used with any other airplane. Any other airplane; where shall I start ok, Ill start with the default Cessna 172, followed by Cessna 208, Learjet 45, Piper Cub, Moony Bravo, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 747-400 etc.
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It seems it doesnt make any difference. The panel automatically adapted to every type of aircraft, ranging from very small to very large, from simple to complex to extremely complex.

Test System. Talk about adapting.
In general we can say that the panel offers three kinds of controls: Landing gear UP/DOWN with associated green/red/amber lights, ENGINE(s) START selector and Switches grouped for light control, cowling, master and some aircraft systems. Depending on the type of default aircraft, some switches; - do not work at all since the aircraft is not equipped with it, like a Piper Cub, - some switches work and some not, - all the switches work in the same way like the real aircraft itself. Confused? Great but lets give you an example, the AVIONICS MASTER switch; either its really mounted in the simulated aircraft or it controls the total avionics electrical power in the simulated aircraft in a different way.
Test System Dell Precision Workstation 650 Dual Intel P4-Xeon 3.06Ghz 4Gb RAM DDR 533Mhz nVidia 7800GS+ 512Mb AGP RAID-0 HDDs - SCSI 340Gb Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel TrackerIR Pro 4 TrackerClip Pro Windows XP Professional SP2 Flight Simulator FSX SP2 Flying Time: 21 hours
another example, the COWLING control switch. Small default aircraft can have this so it's logical that you control these cowlings with this switch, but a Boeing 737 doesnt have any cowlings and thus this switch controls nothing. Even the ENGINE START switch doesnt operate, which is not surprising since starting jet engines is not done with a simple selector, or at least not in the default Boeing 737800. This brings me then to one important thing, and that is youre not always aware what a switch is doing or isn't doing at all! Its not really a problem. Just play around and before you know it, you have figured it out. On the other hand, it was not a bad idea when Saitek offered in their manual a list of what each control is does in relation to the default FSX aircraft. Another example, is with retractable and non-retractable landing gear. The GEAR position lights on the Saitek panel illuminate, indicating your actual gear position. When the aircraft doesnt offer a retractable gear, then the GEAR handle and lights are not operative. What about compatibility with FSX add-on airplanes? First of all, testing all add-on aircraft is not possible since I dont own them all and secondly, it will become a mess on my PC if Ive installed all add-on aircraft. Therefore, Ive tested a few for you and the results are average to good. I would like to inform you beforehand; not every add-on allows the Saitek panel to do so. Lets take a few add-on aircraft from my list; the Captain Sim 757, followed by the Sky Simulations MD-11, PMDG MD-11, CLS DC-10 and finally the Carenado C152 II. On the Captain Sim 757 the following switches are working; the BAT-, LANDING- (controls the WING and NOSE GEAR light switches), TAXI- (controls the runway turnoff), STROBE-, NAV-, BEACON- and PANEL and the GEAR handle with position lights. After testing the Sky Simulations MD-11, I came to the conclusion that the following switches, selector and handle/lights work; the BAT-, MASTER ALT- (controls all three engine generators), AVIONICS MASTER- (some changes can be seen on the ND), FUEL PUMP- (you can hear it but you dont see anything on the panel), DE-ICE- (only the ENG ANTI-ICE is selected ON/OFF), external- and panel lights and the GEAR handle with position lights. The FSX PMDG MD-11 is a rather complicated aircraft so lets see how Saitek helps us control certain things; ENGINE START selector (controls ???? the LDG LT switches and HI-INT light switch),

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COWLING- (controls ???? the LDG LT switches and HI-INT light switch), PANEL- (you need to switch twice before something happens), STROBE- (HI-INT switch only selecting ON), LANDING- (needs to be selected twice before something happens), and the GEAR handle with position lights. Confused what some switches are doing? Im lost to be honest! I know from my previous MD-11 review and the interview I had with Robert Randazzo that the MD-11 is a very complex and an extraordinary programmed aircraft, so this could be the result of the strange way some switches on the Saitek Switch Panel operate. By the way, at a Dutch MSFS forum I read that somebody bought the Saitek Switch Panel and tested it with his PMDG MD-11 and everything worked. Either something is wrong with my MD-11 configuration or he did something that I cant explain! Then weve got the CLS DC-10 Series, where the following switches, selectors etc. work; the MASTER ALT- (controls all three engine generators switches on FE panel), AVIONICS MASTER- (both switches on the overhead panel), DE-ICE- (controls all three ENG & ANTI-ICE switches), TAXI-, PANEL- (not only cockpit lighting but also cabin lights), BEACON-, NAV-, STROBE-, TAXI-, LANDING switches and the GEAR handle with position lights. Ok, here's another great add-on plane; the Flight1/Coolsky Duper 80 Professional. The following Saitek Switch Panel commands are recognized by the aircraft; PANEL-, BEACON- (ANTI-COLLISION switch) and the GEAR handle with position lights. Not completely convinced? Here's a test with the Wilco Publishing 737PIC; DE-ICE- (ENG ANTI-ICE) and the GEAR handle with position lights. And here before my conclusion and feedback from Saitek one last example, the Carenado Cessna 152 II; ; the ENGINE start selector, MASTER BAT and ALT-, AVIONICS MASTER-, DE-ICE- (controls CARB HEAT), PITOT HEAT-, PANEL-, BEACON-, NAV-, LANDING. It may be obvious that the GEAR doesnt work since this tiny aircraft doesnt have a retractable gear, yet for example, the FUEL PUMP switch isnt working either since the aircraft only offers a PRIMER selector. Also theres no control/ feedback for the STROBE- and TAXI switches, since the aircraft doesnt have any controls for this.

Overall FSX Conclusion:

With this small sampleing of tested add-on aircraft, and their compatibility with the Saitek Switch Panel, it seems that it all depends on the complexity of the add-on airplane. Its time to contact Saitek and see if theyre able to help me with this Switch Panel integration item. According to Richard Neville (Manager Gaming) from Saitek UK: Some of the more complex add-ons don't always utilize the controls/inputs correctly for some reason. What we rely on is SimConnect this is part of FSX and it exposes all the data and hooks it into the simulator (read aircraft). We can than tap of this information in order to get such things working as proper switches (basic FSX key and button assignment only allow for momentary toggles, like a normal joystick button) and the status LEDs on the landing gear. When the switches aren't working in certain aircraft then there's nothing that we can do from our end as all we can do is ensure that they work correctly as far as SimConnect is concerned. But theres light at the horizon concerning this issue; one of our customers reported that the engine start wasn't working on the Carenado Cessna 182RG - a quick email to Carenado's support resulted in a new aircraft.cfg file from them which fixed the issue. I had hoped the results where a little better but unfortunately, it isnt like this. On the other hand, asking Saitek and/or the vendor for better interpretation is always possible and hopefully this can lead to more switches recognized by the add-on aircraft.
Saitek Switch Panel versus FS2004
Although Saitek doesnt officially support a FS2004 plug-in, but - as with all Saitek devices - theres no issue with end users writing their own plug-ins for our products. Lucky for Saitek and all their current and future Switch Panel customers, theres an Italian customer who wrote a specific FS2004
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driver. It can be downloaded via the following link. So a few words about this officially unsupported driver. Once downloaded, unpack the ZIP and launch the SaitekPanel.exe file. By the way, as far as Ive tested, it doesnt make any difference where this customized FS2004 SaitekPanel. exe file is located. So any place on your hard disk should be fine. My personal opinion is to put in into the Module directory of Flight Simulator 9 and make a shortcut to your desktop from there. The reason to put it there is because FSUIPC.dll is situated here as well and the driver is using this. Back to the launching of the exe file; the same kind of interactive dummy window appears as we saw during our FSX session. There are for this FS9 SSP v1.0, a few things you need to know, which can also be found on his website. First of all (see screenshot I) it offers below the interactive dummy panel a message field. This field show you if the Switch Panel is connected or not and thus recognized by your PC and there could be a FSUIPC error message or it will tell you everything is OK. By the way, when FSUIPC gives a fault message, just have a look at the website for which actions must be taken. The reason for this is because the ZIP file doesnt come with a readme file. Screenshot II gives the same kind of dummy panel in combination with FS2004 and here the same as with FSX, you either control the cockpit or the interactive dummy. You cant control both at the same time! Theres one thing which is different compared to the official Saitek FSX driver. First you need to start Flight Simulator 9, and then fire up the SaitekPanel.exe (FS2004 file) and minimized it. Dont close the window with the EXIT button otherwise you no longer have any connection between the Saitek Switch Panel and the FS2004 cockpit panel(s). The same thing as we saw earlier with the FSX driver/ panel interpretation; the FS2004 driver/switch panel works well with different default cockpits and add-ons. Here again, some add-on cockpits offer better interpretation then others.

Screenshot I

Screenshot II
Summary / Closing Remarks
Where and with what shall I start? The reviewed Saitek Switch Panel, either as an extension of your
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Pro Flight Yoke System or as an individual item, is well designed. It fits perfectly on a Yoke System component but is also beautiful as a stand-alone component. Basically, its a FSX add-on component but via the provided link, a free FS9 software driver can be downloaded. Although the switch panel works well with the default FSX airplanes, it even works with add-on airplanes but a note is needed here. The more complex these add-on aircraft become, the bigger the chance some switches or selectors dont work. Although the look of the Switch Panel tells me were dealing with a GA (General Aviation) panel, most of the external/internal light switches and landing gear handle are working with most of the add-on aircraft. In case the Switch Panel doesnt connect to the aircraft switches/selectors, I advise you to contact Saitek; either they try to solve the problem or the aircraft vendor is contacted. Another question popping up could be the presence of competitors? Are there any competitors and if so, are those vendors really a threat to Saitek? Since Im not familiar with others and not at all with GoFlight modules, I have to admit that it seems to me that GoFlight offers related components. Looking at the GoFlight website, it seems to me there are some modules which offer the same or a little more functionality than the combined Saitek Switch Panel but.I know theres always a but. and this time its related to the price. The GoFlight modules GF-T8 (Toggle Switch/Indicator) and the GF-LGT (Landing Gear and Trim Control) seem to offer more or less the same as the Saitek one. Module GF-LGT offers additionally a FLAP selector and an ELEV TRIM, which is not the case with the Saitek Switch Panel. Theres also another GoFlight component (GF-TPM & SECM), which offers exactly the same controls/switches etc. as the Saitek Switch Panel except for the GEAR handle ,but this is at a higher price compared to the Saitek panel. All these GoFlight modules (GF-T8 or GF-LGT or GF-TPM & SECM) have one thing in common and thats their high price. Just to give you an idea; module GF-T8 cost you around US$107.95, GF-LGT is just US$149.95 while the GF-TPM & SECM is as cheap as US$669.93. Comparing this with the Saitek Switch Panel - US$99.99 I think we dont need a calculator to show you how much less expensive but at the same time how professional this Saitek hardware component is. My conclusion is that this Saitek part doesnt have any competitor, keeping the price difference in mind! One last but not unimportant item and thats the warrantee period. GoFlight products have a standard warrantee of 1 year while Saitek offers a 2 year period; so thats 100% more! What else is there to say about the Switch Panel. Theres full support from Saitek concerning the FSX program/driver and non official support for FS2004, which is not provided by Saitek itself. Keep in mind that the Saitek panel switches/selectors do not all work with all add-on aircraft. In this case, contact Saitek and ask for assistance or post a forum item. Looking at the Saitek module and what it offers, keeping the price in mind, I must say its a great add-on for FSX and unsupported for FS2004. I had fun testing this Saitek component and would like to thank Richard Neville from Saitek UK for his time, patient and knowledge.

What I Like About The Switch Panel
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Well packed, everything you need is added in the box, The Switch panel looks realistic, solid and professionally finished, Its possible to install it as an individual Saitek component with a cable of > 1.5 meters so it should be no problem to install it in any USB hub or directly in your PC, If you own the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System, it can be mounted on top of it, which results in a great and professional overall look, Saitek offers an official supported FSX program/driver while via www.krosa.it, an unsupported FS2004 driver/program can be downloaded. Some support is given by Stefano Crosatti, the owner of this website/creator of the FS2004 driver, but remember, it has no business connection with Saitek, Competitive pricing.
What I Don't Like About The Switch Panel
Its not always possible to use every switch or selector of the Switch Panel in combination with a particular add-on vendor, which results in less flight sensation.

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