<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">In a message dated 12/31/03 2:07:43 PM Pacific Standard Time, mattb@rtccom.net writes:<BR>
<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> Hmmm, it just might be worth it.........have you used the ELITE avionics <BR>
panel (I think it's the PFC panel)? How do the Knitters compare to the knobs <BR>
on that unit? I find them unacceptably low-quality.......they feel cheap, <BR>
look unrealistic, and you have to turn them rather slowly to keep them from <BR>
floating.<BR>
Btw, you said you're using the Beta Innovations stuff for the panel, how did <BR>
you do the LCD stuff?</BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
<BR>
I haven't used the Elite panel, but I agree with you regarding the Knitters. I woudn't go that route again. I'm waiting for some feedback from those who've said they're buying ALPS switches to see how they are. V2 of my panel won't use Knitters. ALPS if the report is they're good enough. Otherwise I'll bite the bullet and pay the extra for Rotary Encoders. Looking at around $150 just for them though, if I go that way.<BR>
<BR>
As for the LCD panel, thanks there is due to Timo Kopone's FSLCD program (More freeware! Thanks, Timo!) which allows you to read the FSUIPC values through the LPT port and pass them to a Hitachi-compatible LCD (most LCD's are) <BR>
<BR>
I'll post the schematic / PCB diagram for the hardware.<BR>
<BR>
Richard</FONT></HTML>