Can I drive real gauges for a J-3?

[Titan_Bow]

So, I want to commit to building a simpit along with the new system I am putting together for FSX.

[nemesis19]

The question I have, is how difficult, and where would I start,

How difficult depends on how realistic you want it to be and on your DIY skills. Where to start? Read as much as you can on this forum and other cockpit/simpit building forums.

I'd like to drive real gauges if possible, but if thats not feasible, whats the best way to go about a 4th monitor and make it actually look like real gauges and not a screen?

Real gauges are possible using servos and interface boards such as Phidgets and/or OpenCockpits (links in the sticky at the top of this forum), however the 4th monitor may be the cheaper solution using gauge software such as FSXpand (again you'll find the link in the sticky), which is not too expensive, is fully configurable from J3 type gauges to B747 and you can try before you buy. You place the monitor behind your instrument panel, with cutouts for the gauges. If the instrument panel is not too thick and with some neat gauge bezels in front, these can quite look the part.

No doubt John (Darth Vador) Baymore will soon be along to welcome you down this dimly lit way with a few more suggetions.

Regards,
...........Adrian19

[westside]

This is the next best thing to real gauges

http://www.flightillusion.com/

[Romflyer]

This is the next best thing to real gauges

http://www.flightillusion.com/

This is the next best thing to real gauges Flight Illusion gauges   ;D
http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/fip.html

[westside]

Hey Guys

I just got two of those Saitek Pro Instruments working last night. I have had them for a year but they are extremely taxing on the video portion of the computer. Last week I was doing some research on them and discovered that you can use them on a separate networked computer. Last night was the first time these gauges came to life without messing up my framerates. The networking process took a bit of time and the help of my local computer guy but in the end it worked. I would still like to try a set of flight illusion gauges. They look really well built but the whole importing from Europe thing is the question. They are quite expensive as well. As far as the networking thing goes it opens up many more new possibilities (FSWideVeiw and separate Avionics suites such as Ellie)

Peace
Mark

[Romflyer]

I always have thought that the cost of the Saitek gauges didnt make any sense, at $150 each it turns into $1200+ to make a sixpack of the primary instruments.....if you undock a seperate window with gauges and move them to a second monitor........cut six holes in a piece of MDF and stick it in front of the gauges monitor and your on your way....