Everyone has different ideas of how to use a flight sim. Some are happy with just a joystick and a keyboard. Others just have to have a fully functional A380 or 787 Dreamliner cockpit in their bedroom closet.

Personally, I like to flip a few switches and turn a few knobs. But I can’t afford to pay $339.95 for a Go-Flight MCP Advanced Autopilot Module, or many of the other high quality flight sim hardware add-ons.

So I went with, for the most part, Saitek.

Surprisingly, I see very little mention of any of the Saitek panels. So here’s your chance to speak up. What do others have?

I use two Saitek radio panels, one multi panel and one switch panel plus the Saitek yoke and rudder pedals

BE58D wrote on Mar 3^rd, 2013 at 1:10am:

I use two Saitek radio panels, one multi panel and one switch panel plus the Saitek yoke and rudder pedals

I still have a lot to learn, and I've seen pictures of others who have 2 radios. But why 2 radio panels? Is it for convenience?

The thing I like about running Two Nav Radio panels, is that one can be tuned to the Airfield's VOR station, and the other to the ILS approach frequency, and both observed on the VOR 2, and HSI, (and ADF), gauges... :)...!

Paul .....I love full Bendix-King Radio Panels... 8-)...!

P.S....I use the default, full Bendix-King Radio Panels, with a one button click, displayed on one Monitor, with my FS 2004)...

Switch panel attached to the yoke, but I use CHProducts rudder peddles as they are built stronger.  I have used a CHProducts yoke for about ten years and I'm finding the feel of the Saitek yoke is taking some getting used too.  I do like the throttle unit though.  I did have a seperate throttle unit that I used with the CH yoke, but the puppy chewed through the cable.  :'(

Fozzer wrote on Mar 3^rd, 2013 at 8:43am:

The thing I like about running Two Nav Radio panels, is that one can be tuned to the Airfield's VOR station, and the other to the ILS approach frequency, and both observed on the VOR 2, and HSI, (and ADF), gauges... :)...! Paul .....I love full Bendix-King Radio Panels... 8-)...! P.S....I use the default, full Bendix-King Radio Panels, with a one button click, displayed on one Monitor, with my FS 2004)...

Thanks, NOW I know everything ;D

Well.....

Except for all the other stuff

So there's one person who clicked only on the Pro Flight Switch Panel. First panel purchase?

My first Saitek panel was the radio panel.

My first hardware add-ons were - joystick, yoke, throttle quadrant.

My first Saitek panels were - radio panel, and then the switch panel. After a (relatively) long time I bought the multi panel.

I was surprised at how much I liked the switch panel after I bought it. The only thing that I changed about it was to make switching the fuel pump and the magnetos to the off position kill the engine.

I do want to do something about the color/texture of the gear knob though.

I may have to think about another radio panel. First I'll try doing the same thing some other (cheaper ::)) way.

OldAirmail wrote on Mar 3^rd, 2013 at 8:33am:

BE58D wrote on Mar 3rd, 2013 at 1:10am: I use two Saitek radio panels, one multi panel and one switch panel plus the Saitek yoke and rudder pedals I still have a lot to learn, and I've seen pictures of others who have 2 radios. But why 2 radio panels? Is it for convenience?

For me, it's about realism... I want to add the flight instruments and build a virtual cockpit, just need to fix my current issues with my PC and it being slow / freezing with FSX first

OldAirmail wrote on Mar 3^rd, 2013 at 11:08am:

So there's one person who clicked only on the Pro Flight Switch Panel. First panel purchase?

That will be me as I only have 1 thing listed   ;D

As I said, in order that I bought them, throttle (USB) and killed by puppy, switch unit, yoke and throttle unit.  Not got the room for more  :'(