[simpits-tech] CRT/LCD backed gauges vs. mechanical gauges...

[Freeman Pascal]

How many folks are using CRT or LCD backed gauges vs. servo/air wound  
gauges?  What are people's opinion of both options?  Has anyone switch  
from one to the other and why?

Due to the cost of each servo/air-wound based gauges and the  
electronics to drive them, using a LCD behind the instrument panel is  
tempting.  But, I'm particularly challenged to find a monitor that  
will fit and handle all or just the primary flight gauges for my  
Cessna 172 cockpit.  With a standard C172 panel I need a single  
monitor with a minimum viewable area of 490.31 mm X 276.51 mm (for all  
gauges) or 355.08 mm X 276.51 mm (primary flight gauges), or multiple  
monitors.

A standard 17" LCD monitor and a standard 15" LCD monitor would handle  
all the gauges with 2" overlap hanging out above the engine gauges.   
Two 17"s will work with more overlap.

Servo gauges would allow me to run the yoke through the instrument  
panel without alteration, but servo gauges suffer from price and  
rotation limitations (can't do a barrel roll without having the servo  
snap around).  Air gauges would work, but they are even harder to  
find.  Anyone ever seen kits for building your own air wound gauges?

LCD backed gauges allow you to handle all the gauges you can get on a  
single screen without additional electronics (maybe an extra graphics  
card if needed).  The displayed gauges would not suffer from physical  
limitations that server gauges would.  Although, on the C172 panel the  
LCDs would be in the way of the normal yoke mounting and fuse panel.   
One solution for this is to added a vertical space between the gauges  
and the fuse/switch panel to accommodate the displaced yoke and fuse  
panel.  This doesn't look too bad and only adds approximately 2" to  
the vertical height of the cockpit.  I could use the extra space for  
head set jacks and extra switches if needed.  If I use a 15" monitor  
for the engine gauges I can move the LCD down a bit and reduce the  
overlap sticking out above the edge.

It's all a bit frustrating if you want an authentic, realistic cockpit  
layout that can be used as a trainer.  How are other folks dealing  
with similar challenges with their own cockpits?


-Freeman