[simpits-tech] Simkits

[Roy Coates]

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003, Matt Bailey wrote:

> I was looking at the Simkits stuff on Roy's helo page and was wondering if
> the geared mechanism caused any noticeable "notchiness" in the animation of
> the instruments? I've noticed even on an FAA-approved Frasca 141 ground
> trainer, the instruments at times are quite notchy, just wondering if the
> Simkits suffer the same problem.

Nope, they seem smooth enough. Even my home-brewed (and geared 2:1) gauges
are smooth enough.


> Also, how convincing do the instruments look? Judging from pics it's hard to
> tell.

They're not bad at all, in fact the AI is almost identical the those
fitted in the Robinson helo's. So similar in fact that this was the first
thing I thought when looking at the robinson panel!


> *If* you could get your hands on some junk instruments from a real plane, how
> hard might it be to rip out stuff like faceplates etc and use on Simkits? Are
> the basic dimensions and everything the same as real instruments?

Its hard. Most real instruments are a bastard to work with. If you've the
patience and tooling I'm sure it could be done. I've looked at a few now
and decided its too hard.


> I'd originally thought that making instruments from scratch would be the way
> for me to go but it looks like Simkits have a lot of the mechanical hurdles
> worked out (that AI looks pretty nifty).

Yup, and pretty good value for money too.


> This is more curiousity than serious consideration........due to lack of
> funds and space I'm still solidly in the planning and "where do I want to go
> with this thing" phase. :/ Oh well, gives me plenty of time to figure out
> just how I want to go about this, I guess. :)

The golden rules with the simits stuff are:

1. Read the instructions.
2. Read the instructions again.
3. Do a 'dry' build.
4. Build slowly and carefully, VERY carefully.
5. Gloat.

Roy.