I just stumbled onto a new website that has some pretty interesting  looking stuff for interfacing simpit controls as I was updating my version of FSUIPC from Peter Dowson's website.  The idea of this interface looks darn sound....... and the price is certainly right for what you get.

From looking thru their stuff on the website, it appears that with one base interface module ($99), the software configuration package ($49), one input module ($74), and one output module ($39) you can input up to 128 distinct switches, and also control 5V TTL output to up to 64 discrete LEDs (or 8- 7segment displays), all for under $300.00 (USD).

For most of us, I would think that 128 swithces and 64 indicator lights when combined with the axis controls on joysticks and yokes and pedals and maybe throwing in a Goflight unit or two for radios/avionics would outfit an entire simpit!

And if that is not enough...... the base module can handle multiple input and output modules.... so you can get LOTS of input/output possibilities.

This compares very favorably to the 72 input Hagstrom keyboard encoder units.... and they do not allow you to control any outputs at all.  With this unit you can create digital altitude displays and the like.... or just have simple LED gear transit/ gear down lights, power on indicators, failure indicators, and other such.

The website is for Integrated Flight Systems and is at

http://www.iflightsystems.com

This system seems to give you some of the desirable functionality of an EPIC card over the Hagstrom units (outputs) at a price that is within the reach of more people.  It certainly does not replace all the functionality of the EPIC...... but it will do a lot of what the Hagstrom cards do... and add some.

I had just about decided to use a Hagstrom unit to interface most of the cockpit switches....... but now I am suddenly having some indecision.  Might go with this unit.

Have a look and let me know what you think.

best,

.................john