Color LCD Display for real Boeing 737 CDU

[mattford1]

Hi Guys-

Has anyone found a color LCD display with good viewing angle that will fit up inside a real 737 CDU (not the NG style but the classic ones).  I have a monochrome green CRT that I would love to replace.  Any help would be most appreciated!

Matt

[Trevor Hale]

Hi Matt,

Have you looked on the Adafruit website?

Most of those are Widescreen though, maybe have a look and see.  I bought one from there and I am very pleased with it.  But I do have an older CDU, and it sits behind it, not up inside.

Trev

[mattford1]

Hi Trevor-

I have not.  I was hoping to find one that would sit up inside it.  With yours set back behind the display, how do you like it?  Is it worth it?

Matt

[Trevor Hale]

To be honest Matt,  I wouldn't change it for the world. 

Keep in mind I only have 5 LSK Keys, but I am very pleased.  I could even move the monitor higher, there is still some room to move it a tad. I actually look right down on the CDU when I am flying, and it just works.  I think it may be tricky depending on the thickness of your cdu if you were trying to read the FO CDU, from the capt side, or the captain CDU from the FO Side, but looking right at it I have no issues.

And for 240 bucks, its a crystal clear color VGA Display.  Maybe get others opinions, but I really am happy with mine.

Trev

[mattford1]

It looks great. Do you have a link on where I can get one?  Thx!

[Trevor Hale]

Here is the Section where I bought mine.  I didn't buy their power adapters as I power it from my existing ones.

http://www.adafruit.com/search?q=vga&b=1

the 3.5" TFT may fit right on your CDU but it is RCA Only I think.  If I remember right mine was the 5" no touch screen 800 X 480 but something tells me it was better resolution than that. I would have to dig up the exact part number I ordered, but you can see all the measurements here and pick the one you want.

Trev

[xplanematt]

Hi Matt,

Since you're going for the old-style displays, have you considered finding an actual CRT that will work? A fabulous resource for these is the old portable color TVs of the 1990s. I picked up one (new-old-stock, complete with all accessories and even factory paperwork, not that I needed it....) off ebay for around $20 I think. All these old units are 4:3, and this particular one appears as though it will be a perfect fit in my Bendix IN-1202 WX radar chassis. I've already done some dry runs with it hooked up to composite-out with my radar software running, and it looks FABULOUS. There's just something about those old CRTs, plus I have got to where I just can't stand that cheap-looking, always-gray LCD glow (though the F-16 guys at CockpitFest have some OLED units for very small displays that look very good).

I did use an LCD originally in my old sim (exact same radar display model, in fact), and found that the portable Playstation 1 screen works great. It's 4:3...something else to consider.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/13/lcd-screen-for-ps-one-review

Matt

[Trevor Hale]

Hi Matt. He already has a CRT. That's why he wanted to replace it with an LCD lol

Trev

[xplanematt]

Well I had the same dilemma, a funky old CRT that could not speak to my PC. Most folks ask for an LCD because LCDs are usually PC-compatible (typically with a VGA connection), but I was trying to get the OP to think outside that box so he could have something that is closer to the original unit.

Matt