CUSTOM INSTRUMENT PANELS

SimSamurai’s greatest asset is our core principle of design flexibility for flight simulator instrument panels. We now offer digital design files of any panel shown for just $24 or can quickly custom design anything you have in mind for an added $12.  Yes..wow!

If you purchase the panel set along with a Cockpit Plan Set purchase you will see that we also give you a price break for the panel add-on and optional customizations.  Building a full SimSamurai cockpit has never been more affordable.

With your purchase you are buying a single user license to create 1 single instrument panel for use in your personal home cockpit.  You can use the files to attempt to cut the panel yourself or will need to find a fabricator in your city that can cut one for you out of aluminum or composite material of your choice.  This DIY option helps you save on our costs of materials, labor, and shipping.  A fabricator would typically charge you a set up fee of at least $80 to $100 so using our low cost file instantly saves you money in the process and gives you a professional quality design to start making the cockpit you’ve always wanted. 

Or as always, if you do not wish to fabricate a panel locally we can always build anything for you.


Why Fly SimSamurai?

All of our stock / default panel designs are created to house a wide variety of equipment from the most well-known “off the shelf” flight simulator control hardware and sim avionics manufacturers and or can use a wide variety of our in-house “full digital display” solutions which we widely employ to help people save money.

For example, just a single hardware gauge or control unit that is standard home consumer “gaming” type equipment routinely costs at least $150 or more and pro-level equipment usually starts at double that cost for even just a single gauge like a heading indicator or radio tuner unit.  Comparatively for that same price you can buy a 24″ touchscreen display and various software that performs the same exact function, just without the tactile and or 3D like appearance. Go figure!

Our point here is that the end results for training are the exact same but you will pay literally 100% more per each hardware item to do the exact same thing!  And in addition to these high costs the main disadvantage is that you immediately restrict yourself to flying just one aircraft type.  Lastly, when building any “hardware only” type panel, the computer used is fully restricted to serve the panel and or cockpit and so it cannot be used for any other daily computing functions.  Just ask any of those deep pocket 737 home cockpit builders about this.  They probably use a laptop or their phone for email because they certainly can’t use their computer(s) for anything else!

This is why in 2005 SimSamurai set a new standard for affordable flight simulation by using large displays that can still provide 1:1 scale accuracy for software based gauges and avionics while also allowing you to continue using your simulator for all other daily functions such as home and office computing and even playing any other games.  And who doesn’t want to play some of the great game titles out these days! Flight simulation is great but it certainly shouldn’t limit all the other possible uses of a computer!

Because computers are now so expensive, especially video cards, it only makes sense to build a simulator around a PC that can be used for every other purpose in addition to flight training.  Whether this be at home, in a school, or even a formal training environment, the primary use of software combined with touchscreen technology is the ultimate flexible solution and is by far the most cost effective when compared to costs of all gauge and avionics hardware.

Regardless, whether you still want a custom panel for full hardware implementation or wish to use any of our unique hybrid solutions we can offer any design shown or can quickly create any custom panel design based on your needs and goals. If you don’t see what you want,…contact us!

Most importantly, most every instrument panel set we offer is made to fit into any of the different cockpit shells we offer. This “cross platform approach” allows our customers a much greater ease of upgrade-ability if they ever desire to switch from one SimSamurai cockpit platform to another while still desiring to keep the instrument panel. For example, our DK desk series of instrument panels are intentionally the same exact width as the dual seat GA series cockpits (CS-1, CS-2, etc) and therefore these panels are easily interchangeable. This means any single seat DK-1, DK-2, or DK-X panel can be interchanged and they will also instantly fit into a CS-1, CS-2, or HX-1 cockpit shell and vice versa. Likewise, if you ever wanted to use a CS-1 panel in any of the DK “sim desks” you can easily do so! Only the DCP panels, the CV-1 Chariot and the AirlinerX are unique to themselves in size and width.

It has taken us many years of design refinements to offer what we feel are the most thoughtful and intuitive platforms for cost-effective yet comprehensive flight simulation training. 

Since our beginning we chose to employ the use of larger sized LCDs for the instrument panel because we saw how quickly both general and commercial aviation were moving full steam ahead into a new age of the “glass cockpit” most of which is now becoming large LCD touchscreens.  Even the modern Garmin units such as the G1000 and GNS 530 have been eclipsed by newer touchscreen based hardware such as the Garmin GTN 650 / 750.  If you build a panel based just on one type..you won’t be able to train on the other!

By staying in the realm of pure software based avionics in simulation and by sticking to a mantra of implementing more software solutions than hardware, it truly offers the customer the greatest ability learn all of the many various types of avionics in today’s cockpits as well the ability to use your simulator to fly multiple types of aircraft.

In case you’re looking for one word.. it’s called freedom!

When flying your panel using various software and hardware, either from us or other vendors to provide the aircraft instrumentation, our hybrid approach yields the greatest flexibility without ever sacrificing realism unless you are still stuck the mindset that your fingers must always be set on a knob instead of a flat surface.  But by using a more modern approach you can train in a Cessna 172 for one hour, then fly a twin prop or regional jet the next, all while checking email between flights!
 
To complete our hybrid approach of flight simulation we offer a variety of “2D-VIP” (Two Dimensional Virtual Instrument Panels) which are software based solutions for Lockheed Martin’s Prepar3D. Now that Prepar3D v4 has matured we will begin to offer many more 2D virtual panel sets for the flight sim community. Check out the 2D-VIP Page for more details.  

Furthermore, our panel design chapter in our now famous UGTAFS tech manual actually details the exact methods we use for designing these “VIPs” so that you too can build as many sets as you like in the future and continue to build upon what we have already established for the flight simulator community over the past decade.   We chose to do this and “giveaway the keys” because each panel set takes time, sometimes weeks to complete, and because there are literally thousands of aircraft that people may want to fly. We simply cannot build every virtual panel set for you but we can give you all of the tools to do so!  The UGTAFS explains every step in great detail!

SimSamurai is one of very few companies who still revere and cherish this older style of software based 2D instrumentation.  It was the norm for many years but as of 2012 most all sim aircraft developers had fully switched over to the “3D Virtual Cockpit” style of simulation which started with FS2002.  Unfortunately though, they do not provide the professional level of training that most real world pilots require. For formal procedural training all gauges need to be in true 1:1 scale and not have an entire cockpit stuffed into view.  But in sticking with a hybrid solution that is mainly monitor based as we do, it still allows you to fly all those 3D cockpits for a best of both worlds experience. 

Even as virtual reality is becoming more popular, it too has many large hurdles to overcome with cost of equipment, graphics quality, low frame rates, and things such as this before it can ever be a high quality professional training tool.  Therefore having a wide variety of large 1:1 scale 2D panel sets that reflect every nuance of a real aircraft is still the best training solution and will remain so indefinitely.

By being able to implement an unlimited number of  “2D-VIP” panel sets makes your simulator have endless possibilities! So whether you choose to build your own panel, buy a panel from us, buy just the 2D-VIP software sets from us, or even by items from other vendors that can work together with our instrument panels, we hope you see how SimSamurai gives you the best choices for ultimate flexibility.

INSTRUMENT PANEL PRICING AND OPTIONS
In addition to our routine in house fabrication services we now offer digital design cut files for our instrument panel sets.  This means we will provide you with the actual editable .dwg/.dxf file that can be used to cut a panel via CnC machining. We DO NOT recommend any attempt of hand fabrication with a saw, dremel type tool, etc., as our panels are designed to be cut from .125″ aluminum or aluminum/HDPE composite material via computer controlled cutting with a laser or waterjet.   

Purchase of this proprietary file gives you a Non Commercial Single Use User License (NCSUUL).  This means you are allowed to self fabricate only 1 panel per file purchase. If you want to make an extra panel for a friend or colleague simply purchase another license and file set.

You can now choose any existing panel design for $24 or we can fully customize the design for you for another $12.  You can then take this file to any local fabricator of your choice in your city.   If you wish to purchase this option along with a DIY Cockpit Plan set you will receive a small price break on the panel file add-on and optional customization add-on. A PDF on glare-shield fabrication is also included with your purchase. Price reductions are shown on each cockpit page.

We have chosen to provide this optional sales method to help better serve the global flight simulator community and to help even more people learn to fly..Samurai style!

Lastly, as always our own in house fabricated panel sets come as a Bare-Bones option which is cut for you but is not sanded or painted or we offer full ready to fly RTA panels that have been cut, sandblasted, primed, painted, and have the monitor attachment hardware. 

All of our pricing is listed on each cockpit page as well our main Purchase Details page. You can add an Instrument Panel design to your cart below and then go to the SHOP page to add the $12 customization upgrade if needed.  After checkout simply email us with your change requests.


Contact us at simsamurai@gmail.com for more details.


Bare-Bones Panels

The Bare Bones panel option comes as bare aircraft grade aluminum with all holes cut out for the LCD(s), avionics, switches, etc and these costs typically start around $300 (plus shipping) for the DCP panel, $400 for any of the three DK series or enclosed GA cockpits, $500 for the larger CV-1 or AirlinerX.  If you wish to have the RTA (Ready to Assemble / Fly) panel the added costs for each group are +$80, +$150, or +$200.   All RTA panels are sandblasted, primed with metal etching solution, then painted in a durable satin grey. 


Glareshield Options

If you wish to add a glareshield the added costs per group are +$100, +$160, or +$200 for the large cockpits.  The DCP panel glareshield is made of ABS plastic. All other are made of 3/4″ plywood that has been sealed, epoxied, then coated with hard rubber.

Please know that if these costs seem high it is because we  have to produce each item one at a time. Due to all of the various different designs we offer, all the options available, and different desires of every customer we do not / can not stock inventory.  We are a boutique style of business that makes items on demand as orders come in. But also please remember that this is an investment that you will own and use for the rest of your life.  Isn’t that worth it!? 

We think so!

Our fully equipped panels with LCDs, or LCD touchscreens, various tactile equipment, wired switches, and USB-PC control board can run up to $3,000 or more depending on what equipment is desired and whether or not you want for us to pre-purchase and pre-install any of the equipment for you. In most cases customers separately purchase various equipment and hardware they want and will self-install it into our panel and cockpit. 


MFP – Multi-Function Panel

We now also offer a new Multi-Function Panel for $300 that comes with 5 rotary encoders, 7 large metal pole toggles, and two paddle switches.  If you order a panel design file we can also include the MFP panel blank design which will allow you to build one yourself and this will include the parts list and complete wiring instructions. (the parts / supplies for the MFP cost roughly $100)

Also note that the MFP  covers a lot of bases with sim functions common to all aircraft as the 5 rotary encoders are meant to operate the main core functions of every aircraft which include items like the Kolsman (altimeter knob), the Heading Bug, OBS-1, OBS-2, and one for an ADF or RMI

In addition to this are 7 momentary pole toggles (for up to 14 user functions) and two momentary paddle toggles which can be assigned to Landing Gear and Flaps or flaps and speed brakes, etc.  The MFP micro-panel comes with all switches as seen and is pre-wired to a very high quality USB-PC interface card. It can be mounted on our instrument panels as shown or can also become a “desktop only” unit if desired.  If you wish to receive the MFP as a BareBones kit with all parts and DIY instructions for self-wiring / self soldering, the bare bones micro panel kit is a very reasonable $160.

Notes on Commercial Sim Panel Vendors

There are of course many equipment vendors that sell comprehensive instrument panels with full tactile avionics which typically cost $5,000 or more, some even up to $20,000 just for a full Cessna 172 panel, but just know that these are obviously made for emulation of a single specific aircraft or two so we greatly caution you to fully consider these types of expensive “eye candy” purchases.

This is mainly from the standpoint that such choices greatly limit you to flying just one or two aircraft and again, offer no other added flexibility to use your PC for any other daily purposes much less give you the option to learn the many different types of avionics stacks in both general aviation and jet aircraft. As we said in our article in the left column, there are a lot of different avionics types that must be mastered by any pilot and therefore limiting yourself to just a single set of avionics is A; very costly, and B; very limiting in comprehensive training.

Lastly, the more affordable consumer level avionics and radio stack hardware we typically use along with our 2D-VIP panel sets are from GoFlight, Desktop Aviator, Saitek, or the more professional level Flight illusion and Emuteq. You can also find other hardware vendors and or 2D panel set software vendors (including some freeware) by searching the top aircraft download sights and various online sim software stores.  

If you are looking for something specific please let us know as we are very familiar with this industry!  

Whatever you decide, we are here to help!