Saitek

What’s the Point of Confidentiality ?

Aside | | Tom Tsui

Although I’ve created quite some gauges for Saitek’s FIP, I still can’t figure out completely the correct format for the bmp files used as masks for the gauges.

Besides researching the answer from the internet and exploring the result through different programs, I also wrote to Saitek for help.    I wish that I hadn’t done so because the reply from the company’s UK technical support team is a total disappointment:

We are unable to offer this information as it is privileged and confidential.  We are unable to provide instruction on creating gauges to customers.

Frankly, even without this information, we users are still able to create our own gauges.   It may take a bit more time and need some alternative methods to deal with the masking files.

So really I can’t understand the point of such confidential information to the company !

Do they know that the more custom gauges we create, the more potential (new and old) customers we help attract for them ?

Are they afraid that by releasing such information to customers will make us their competitors ?

Darn !

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News: Trained to be a Combat Pilot

Aside | | Tom Tsui


It surely sounds like a cliché, but I did dream to be a fighter pilot like many other kids.   Forget about the heroic thing, just the name of it thrilled my little heart.  Although as usual it remains a child’s dream,  my enthusiasm on FSX no doubt is a true reflection of it.

Recently, my long-forgotten fantasy towards fighter pilot was resumed by the just released Combat Pilot developed by ThunderHawk Studios of Mad Catz.

According to the game’s description, Combat Pilot is built on the FSX environment and uses a proprietary multiplayer engine with dedicated servers to implement realistic on-line interactive combat experiences among virtual pilots via features such as A.I. controlled ATC, fully integrated weapons suite, custom UHF communications, etc.

The most exciting part to me is that this flightsim product provides players with various aircraft and weapon trainings during the course of their pilot careers from cadets to officers.

Although all these joys come with a premium, it is still worth spending some times looking at these fantastic features on the game’s website whether you once dreamt to be a fighter pilot or not.

134: Bye Bye Eclipse Yoke

| Tom Tsui

Even though I managed to mount the CH Eclipse Yoke to the panel compartment under my desk recently, I have no choice but to replace it back with the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke eventually.

Although I prefers the handy features coming with the Eclipse Yoke in a compact form factor, the quality of it, both built and performance, is really under par.   Furthermore, it was so annoying to encounter this and that issues and misalignment from time to time.    So I am back with the Saitek Yoke and accompany a Throttle Quadrant on both sides of it.

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118: Loading FIPs in Desired Order

| Tom Tsui

Received quite some inquires about loading specific gauges onto multiple FIPs (Flight Instrument Panels) in desired order.

Here’s how I do it:

  • Use a powered USB hub to connect all FIPs to the computer
  • Plug the first FIP (the one to display the first gauge) to the last numbered port on the hub
  • Then the second FIP to the second last port;  the third to the third last port, and so on.

The FIPs are required to plug in this manner because the USB hub always starts the FIPs in reverse order from the last numbered port to the first numbered port.

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111: New Clothes for Saitek Switch Panel

| Tom Tsui

Saitek’s Switch Panel adds a lot of fun to FSX.   However, it doesn’t like its younger brothers in the Pro Flight family — all switches on the panel have no illumination and most of them are in black color.  They are very difficult to identify in a dark environment with no extra lights but the monitor only.

Here’s my newly modified switch panel with some colored switches replacements.

Switches are now a lot more easier to identify in a dark environment

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108: My CH Eclipse Yoke Setting

| Tom Tsui

Updated: Nov-26, 2011
As mentioned earlier, I have replaced my long-used Saitek Yoke with CH Eclipse Yoke in my system. 

Actually I got the Eclipse just a month or two after its release.   I was attracted by its rudders, vertical and horizontal trim wheels, and throttle quadrant all integrated into one single casing.   In terms of features, Saitek Yoke really can’t compare.

However, the housing design of the Eclipse yoke (due to its oval shape) is very difficult to fit into my equipment chamber.   So it’s been put aside for a long time until recently I figured out how to do with it.

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106: My FIP Key Assignment

| Tom Tsui

Updated: Nov-26, 2011
With two additional FIPs added to my setup, key assignments are reconfigured as follows:

Startup order are:

  1. Heading
  2. Attitude
  3. Altimeter
  4. Vertical Speed
  5. Air Speed

The RPM Indicator is a virtual one which shares the same FIP with the Air Speed gauge.

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105: My TPM Switch Assignment

| Tom Tsui

Updated: 2011-1004
Lately, I have replaced my long-time Saitek Yoke with CH Eclipse Yoke after re-tuning my FSX system several weeks ago.   Because of that, many controls of my gears have to be reconfigured accordingly.

Followings are the new switch assignments for the TPM.

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97: Double TPM Programmable Switches

| Tom Tsui

Saitek’s TPM Control Unit comes with 9 programmable toggle switches.    However, FSX’s SETTINGS only recognizes their downward actions during BUTTONS/KEYS assignments.    In other words, only 50% of TPM’s programmability are used.

To fully utilize the TPM: Continue reading →