Product Description
Feel
like a real pilot with realistic clearly labelled controls in easy
reach with the PZ55 Pro Flight Switch Panel from Saitek. Features
include switches for engine on and off, landing gear, a large selection
of cockpit controls, works with Flight Sim X, LED's for landing gear
matching the status in the game. Works with XP, XP64, and Vista.
Product Details
- Color: Black
- Brand: Saitek
- Model: PZ55
- Platform: Windows XP
- Format: CD
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 12.40" h
x 4.60" w x 5.70" l, 1.59 pounds
Features
- Flight
switch panel for flight sims
- Engine on and off switch
- Landing
gear and cockpit control switches
- Works with Microsoft Flight
Sim X
- Works with XP, XP64, and Vista
Editorial
Reviews
Manufacturer
Description
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.
Features
include:
- 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)
- Connectivity:
USB 1.1/2.0
- Works with: Windows XP, XP64 and Vista (all
versions)
Customer
Reviews
Getting there is half the fun
This is a interesting little
piece of plastic. And I recommend and enjoy it with some unfortunate
reservations. Be aware of a few little things that make you go, "Huh,
what were they thinking?"
It ships with a hex tool to unscrew the
screws on the companion pro flight throttle for mounting. Problem is,
it's the wrong size....way too small...so you will need a #3 hex tool
handy if you want to mount to the companion yoke. Also, the instructions
suggest using the 2 inner screw mount points. I suggest you use 2 mount
points wider apart, other wise the panel will sway from side to side.
The
mounting bracket is quite flimsy. So much so that when you flip
switches the panel console moves, front to back. Disappointingly poor
engineering design especially when you see they have plans to hang more
stuff off this in time to come.
The mag switch is mixed up (L/R
should be R/L)
You can't assign or change functions to switches
on this unit as you can with the yoke or throttle.
The Saitek
website doesn't tell you what driver version is the latest much less
what issues it addresses.
OK, that's the annoying stupid stuff.
The
good stuff:
There is a new driver available on the Saitek
web site!
The inoperative cowl flap switch has been fixed
with driver rev 6.5.8.4 (But it's either open or closed, nothing
incremental.)
The inoperative deice switch has been fixed with
driver rev 6.5.8.4 (Still, if it's not implemented in FSX, why designate
a switch for it?)
The incorrect landing gear light sequence has
been fixed with driver rev 6.5.8.4 (Green is down, Red is in transit,
Amber is gone)
Everything else is really nice and I do enjoy
not having to look for all these switches on keyboards or screens.
Simply plug it into the back of the companion yoke and run a quick
program which installs as an FSX (simconnect?) plugin and thats it.
My
test flights were on a system running Vista 64 with an FSX default
C172, a default Mooney Bravo and everything worked except the cowl flaps
and as noted above. Also worked with an add on Eaglesoft Cirrus SR22.
So, pretty successful for out of the box. And it looks cool.
But
for silly oversights, Saitek could have had a brilliant unit here
instead of just a good one. They need to pay attention to detail. Makes
you wonder who is in charge of things there...and why?
So, it's 4
out of 5 now with the new driver.
A
nice addition to Flight simulator X
I've now had a good amount of
time to put the Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel. I use it in conjunction
with my CH Products yoke, pedals and throttle quadrant Clearly, Saitek
saw this as an addon for its yoke, sine you can screw this item into the
to off the yoke. While that may save desk space, I don't recall having
ever seen an aircraft with these controls in that position.
I
mounted mine on my desktop to the right of my yoke and to the left of my
throttle quadrant. That seems to be a convenient location for ease of
use. I used the supplied Velcro strips. I agree with the other reviewer
that this is not the best way to mount the product on the desk as it
does, indeed allow the unit to wobble. The wobble can be minimized by
placing your fingers on the top of the unit and working the panel's
switches with your thumb. There are numerous other ways the average
person could mount this product more securely. A little ingenuity is all
it takes.
For the default aircraft or the less complex addon
aircraft, the switches on this panel will take you from cold and dark to
ready to taxi. For the more complex aircraft from PMDG or Level D, it
will still require using some additional mouse clicks to do the job.
Starting
anywhere from one to four engines is simple with this unit...perhaps
overly simple, but remember, this product is under a hundred bucks.
The
master "bat", "alt" and master avionics switches are only useful if you
like to start up in a cold and dark cockpit. The cowl flaps switch is
useful only for propeller driven aircraft. The lighting switches are
good for almost any aircraft, as are the pitot heat, de-ice switches and
landing gear lever.
All in all, I am quite satisfied with this
product. In addition to adding to the realism of the simulation,it has
allowed me to re program several switches on my yoke and throttle
quadrant for other purposes.
The only reason I gave it 4 stars
and not five, is that it would have been so simple for Saitek to provide
removable clamps for desktop mounting.
Caveat
Emptor
I bought this switch panel
for FSX. I'm running Win7/64 Home Premium. Installation is painless, and
mounting not a problem with a little silicone glue. That said, that's
about all that's good I can say about it.
The landing gear lever
works fine, but unfortunately when you use it to raise the gear it also
shuts off the engines -- not a good situation.
All the switches
work as-advertised and flawlessly. The engine start knob, though, is a
different story. When I tried it to start an engine, it spun my plane
around in circles on the tarmac and crashed it (honest, I'm not
kidding!).
I got no help in the Saitek official forums. Best
guesses there were that my panel was faulty, and that I should swap it. I
might. I could find no updated drivers for this unit.
Bottom
line for me is this: If you're considering buying this unit (and it's
expensive!) for FSX, and you're running Win7/64, buyer beware; it may
not work as-advertised!
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