Overhead Gauges?

[jskibo]

I ordered all my FDS Overhead panels last night, so its time to start looking at functional gauges....

Simkits seems to be out as ProSim doesn't have support for them.

That would seem to leave:

Flight Illusions:
Looks very nice
Already backlit
Easy config
High Cost
Dollar worth about 0.17 Euro

Open Cockpits:
Cheap
Heard they weren't as smooth as FI
Require SIOC, I'm lost, but maybe there are some configs already
Not backlit - Anyone know how to backlight them easily?

So what's the opinion out there? 
What are you using?
What do you use for the face trim rings for any of the gauges?  They don't seem to supply any...

[Joe Lavery]

Just for your info and for anyone contemplating Simkits gauges, they don't support FSX for the overhead panel. I have a full set that I used in FS9 which worked perfectly, but Simkits have no software support for them in FSX.

When I wrote to their tech support they told me there were no offsets for them in FSX, what a load of twaddle.

Joe,

[saabpilot]

Hi John,

ProSim has native support for OC gauges, so SIOC is a non-issue as I understand it.
OC gauges are cheap, but have some flaws - you have to backlit them yourself even if that is very easy fixed with some 3 mm LED:s.
Another problem are the pointers are hard to see - needs to be repainted by fluorescent white.
OC use servos - a bit "jerkier" motion than FI gauges, but nothing you will be annoyed of.

I have all OH gauges + my brake gauge and flaps gauge driven by SIOC and connected with two OC servo cards.
However at the moment in PM, not in ProSim.

Best,
Bjorn

[jackpilot]

My 2¢
(which may be a pleasant surprise to Mau  )

Basically only two gauges are fun to have:
APU and Duct pressure as they move nicely and feedback info during engine start sequence, all  others can be ignored .
Some threads on the subject
http://www.cockpitbuilders.com/community/index.php?topic=864.msg6754#msg6754
http://www.cockpitbuilders.com/community/index.php?topic=2314.msg18009#msg18009

I slightly improved the FDS repros and they look terrific now.
Adding a real pointer in 3D and backlighting .
The black casing is a pvc tubing cap
Bulbs are 5V grains of wheat on a copper sheet

[jskibo]

Thanks guys!