This design has been done for quite a while now and was on display at the Lelystad flight sim expo. I thought version one was pretty cool with its high detailing and functionality, but this is another level up!
The first major overhaul was that of the screen. Orientating the screen to the correct way up to increase visual clarity and viewing angle. Instead of sticking with the older, cheaper screen of 500 nits. Many people requested the easily accessible version from Amazon, which has a higher resolution and contrast ratio.
Next up was to improve the overall aesthetics of the item. This was done by removing the need to print the text. This unit can be entirely 3d printed, but that was not the idea for this design. I wanted to keep the highly detailed form of the frame by using 3d printing, but then to be able to replace the 3d printed faceplates with laser engraved ones. Not only improving the backlightable text but also giving an excellent overall flat finish to the frame surfaces.
The DXF files are now included if you have a laser at home or access to one. If not, head to the webshop, where you can buy the laser-engraved panels from us.
Another major revision is to supply people with highly detailed resin-printed button holders. After version 1 was released, I made hundreds of individual adjustments to people's prints to enable them to get the LED tactile switches to fit their prints. The majority of this was down to people not calibrating their printers. I can no longer spend hours adjusting people's prints individually, as I am still only one man and now have many more people following and many more designs coming. Sorry for this lack of personal touch, guys. Now I offer the resin-printed buttons tested on both the stepped and triangle LED tactile switches. Of course, the STLS are still included if you wish to print them yourselves.
NOTE: These button cases do not come with laser-engraved plates or LED tactile switches.
The last significant change from version 1 is the addition of the navigation switch on the RHS frame. This is a fully working mini joystick with a built-in encoder for zooming in and out, complete with press button functionality. A great addition and a lot of fun moving the map around without accessing the software cockpit.
This is not a modification or upgrade. This is an entirely new design with no part interchangeable with version 1. This is why I am not offering it for free, and a severe amount of work has gone into this project to make it easy to build and to look as best as possible for the home-build DIY enthusiast!
If you are going to undertake this project, make sure when you buy the LED tactile switches, you buy the same colour, 3mm LEDs, for backlighting! I had the huge problem of having cold white LED tactile switches and warm white LEDs for frame backlighting. Not ideal when you are trying to show off your design at an expo. lol!
The design can be found here:
The Build, Parts and print guide can be found:
The physical products can be found here:
Enjoy Guys! Please let me know how you get on with this build!
Kind regards, Karl