Simkits Simulation Hardware - Avsim

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AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site! Controller Board Problems When I first received my CCU, I received an older version (CCU1) which had been modified (by SimKits) to allow other instruments to function properly, such as the VOR and the Digital Clock. However, there was something wrong with my CCU and the digital clock and the VOR did not work properly, so I had to RMA it to SimKits. They sent me a new board and digital clock with an order that I placed and I returned the defective board and the other digital clock that was not defective back to them. The new CCU they sent me was the CCU2 and it worked just fine. I’m not sure how I ended up with the CCU1 in the first place, but overall, I’m up and running with the replacement board. Now, as described later in this article, my Radio Stack Controller is defunct and not working properly. I await an RMA to take place to get it fixed. See “Radio Stack Problems” later in this review. TRC472 Panel and Glare Shield The panel and glare shields are nice. You have an option to buy only half the panel, or the full panel. They also have wood or metal panels and panel enclosures. All the switches and instruments mounted without problem in the panels and the full size panel mounted in the actual aircraft like a champ! Even if you don’t plan to use SimKits, I think their panel and glare shield are a must have! You can always mount other things, or affix a monitor behind it. Just for your information, there is an alternative by FlightDeck Solutions. While it’s not as nice yet, it’s much less expensive. The Radio Stack: The radio stack is an impressive piece of equipment. There obviously was a lot of time, research and development that went into this Bendix King replica. Each radio is a separate unit which allows you to simply purchase only what you need. The dimensions, look and feel are the same as the real radios, making it an exceptional replica. You can purchase an entire tower enclosure for around $3600 USD if you want a desktop solution. The radios available are the following: KMA28 Audio Panel The Radio Stack The Audio Panel (COM Panel) is interesting. However, its quality is still to be desired. When you have a button depressed, such as NAV1, you can see the light glowing through the other buttons. I have discussed this with SimKits and they offered me a replacement when they get a better product made. The volume knobs do not work with FS2004, so they are really just eye candy, but that’s also understandable. You can change which radio you’re listening to by pressing the COM1, COM2 buttons, so that’s pretty nice to have when you’ve got 4 frequencies setup for your airport departure / arrival. file:///D|/My%20Documents/Avsim/Reviews/Simkits/Simkitsnew.htm (8 of 12)27/03/2005 1:34:57 AM
AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site! KX155A/165A NAV/COM The NAV/COM panels are the most used and they are very nice. I’ve yet to have a problem worth noting with them. They have standby frequencies on all stations, navigational operation modes (built-in CDI), frequency swap buttons, pull buttons for odd number frequencies, channels and much more. Very cool product! KN62A DME The DME is not really one of my favorites either. Its quality isn’t that great, however it works and that’s important. The slider switch is difficult to move because there’s not enough of it sticking out of the panel. You practically have to use your fingernail to switch the mode. This particular radio is also brighter than all of the others, so that is kind of annoying as well. KT76CT Transponder The Transponder is impressive. You have all of the modes of a normal transponder. In addition, you can see what flight level your transponder is squawking and you can also see a simulated radio sweep (the R) when the tower is painting you. One problem though. I’ve never been able to get my VFR button to switch to 1200. There is a CLR button there, and when I press that, it takes me to 1200. I think they may have cross wired or put something in the wrong place. KR87 ADF It’s an ADF! Since my ADF indicator doesn’t work well, I have not messed with this one that much. It does have a frequency swap and a standby frequency. SimKits is working on a new driver to handle the frequency changing a little better. Sometimes, you can skip numbers very easily, for example dialing 308 you can accidentally get 318 or 408 etc. It’s very sensitive to touch. KAP140 Autopilot The Autopilot module is also very nice. You have a complete range of functions. Altitude, Heading, Roll, Vertical Speed, NAV, APPR, and etc. It works very well and it’s a good module to have! Note: when using the Autopilot modules, you will have to center your trim wheel. There’s no interconnectivity between the two. The trim wheel has no inputs going to it to adjust the position based on what autopilot is doing. If you’re shooting an autopilot approach, and your aircraft is trimmed by autopilot, when you turn off the autopilot, you could get an adverse pitch in an instance. Radio Stack Problems I have personally had a few problems with my radio stack. For example, when I received the radios, the Autopilot segments would not light up. I decided to take it upon myself to investigate, so I took it apart and discovered that a 14 pin connector inside of it was misaligned and two pins were not inserted into the plug, while the other 12 pins were in the wrong slots. I was not very pleased with this because it obviously had not been tested before sent to me. To take the autopilot apart, I had to break apart a knob and then glue it back together. Next, I was overpowered by the brightness of the radio stack. The LCD screens were glowing so bright that I thought I was looking at the sun (mild exaggeration). After discussing it with SimKits support, I was advised to hook a potentiometer to a 3 pin connector on the radio stack controller board to regulate the lighting. The board ships with a jumper across these three pins, grounding it out and making it full bright. After doing so, I was able to regulate the lighting down, but at the same time, I started losing the quality of the actual segments. I would still have this orange glow, although dim, it was still visible. The glow was the rectangular shape of the LCD. I am not pleased with the quality of the LCD segments and the ability to see the background. What is more displeasing, is the fact that the pictures on their website are 3d models and even their manual makes it look like a perfect product, when in reality, it’s of less quality. That’s one of the drawbacks of internet shopping. At one point, I had an RMA setup for my radio stack because the transponder stopped working properly and the audio panel stopped functioning. I fully tested everything out, disconnected and reconnected but no luck. After letting my simulator sit for a week without doing anything, it started working again. Luckily I was able to save myself an expensive shipping bill due to the issue magically sorting itself out. Dealing with the Company (Support, Sales, Customer Service) file:///D|/My%20Documents/Avsim/Reviews/Simkits/Simkitsnew.htm (9 of 12)27/03/2005 1:34:57 AM
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