Is a solid knob the way to go?

[stephenbalmer]

Hi friends,

I suspect this title may raise a little interest. However, there is a genuine question of your opinion on 737 cockpit build knobs - are the sold knobs a good and pleasing solution or would you suggest the transparent, back-lightable ones are the better option, despite the crazy prices?

Out of secondary interest, where are you guys sourcing the cheapest 737 knobs from at the moment.

Cheers, Steve.

[Sean]

Hi Steve

I wouldn't worry about backlit knobs. The real ones aren't.

My preference would be for knobs that have the indicator lines engraved and painted on, rather than a cheap sticker.

I currently have a few FlyEngravity knobs, which are fine apart from the cheap sticker, but I'm expecting some knobs from Jacob, via Anders next week...

www.knobs.se

Sean

[stephenbalmer]

Thanks a lot Sean, they look really good. Ta also for the info on the real 737 knobs, I really could not tell if they were back-lighted in photographs I have reviewed.

I have further info on the ovh switches, but will post there.

Steve

[philb737]

Hi Steve ,
The real knobs are in fact backlit and very expensive , if your panels are capable of illuminating the knobs like real panels ...I would go with the transparent knobs !!! Otherwise,as Sean suggested I go for a supplier that engraves or paints on the stripes onto the knob rather than a sticker solution .
Cheers
Phil   

[Joe Lavery]

If it's any interest to you Steve, I bought a quantity of transparent knobs from FDS a couple of years ago. They come with grub screws and the thin stripes. They are stick on but believe me they don't come off.

It's easy to get them painted, a I recall you can get the right colour from a car paint supplier in spray cans.

I've attached a picture of one I used in the magazine (PC Pilot). You'll have to contact them directly though, because they don't have them on their website  any more. If you drop Peter Cos a line I'd be surprised if he wouldn't sort some out for you.

Hope that helps

Joe.

[stephenbalmer]

Thanks very much Sean, Phil and Joe.

I will drop an e-mail to Peter at FDS and see if he has or can lay hands on the clear knobs for me.

Cheers!

Steve

[Sean]

Hey Phil. Do you have any photo's that show the knobs as backlit?

I have a few internal night cockpit shots, and not one shows that this is the case.

Just curious.

Sean

[philb737]

Hi Sean,
Look at the Elec panel knobs and the cross feed knob.
Phil

[Buster99]

Hello Sean,

as Phil has shown, many of the knobs have backlight. I have also seen this in R.L. and in 737 simulators.
I managed to get several clear acrylic knobs (K1) from Sismo Soluciones that I believe are very nice.
You can see them on their website: http://www.sismo-soluciones.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=34&Itemid=1  it also shows the cost per knob, VAT still needs to be added though.
For other knobs, check www.simquip.com under 737 -> Panel Hardware, or www.knobs.se
I hope this helps,

Best Regards,
Marc

[Sean]

Cheers guys. 99% of the photo's I have are of the MIP and that's what I was basing my assumptions on.

Looking at the 1 night pic I have of a partial overhead, it looks like the illuminated switches are particular to certain ones, e.g. the pressurisation mode selector switch (and cross feed as pointed out) are illuminated, yet the engine start and wiper switches are not.

Interesting. Minor, but interesting.

Sean

[MLeavy737]

Old topic I know however I was just looking at overhead before on my flight to Sacramento and for some reason I thought of this post lol.. The only illuminated knobs on the overhead are the Pressurization, Elec panel , and Fuel X-feed.. Maybe too late I know but Ah-Well

Mike L