I have been enjoying Air Manager for the past few weeks and realize that touchscreens is the direction I am taking for my pit.
I found two options for dual encoders. But very little information or reviews for the Flight Velocity one. Anyone have any experience with it? It is slightly cheaper and the design is a bit sleeker than the Knobster.
Can anyone lend some insight on which is a more advantageous purchase?
Thanks.
the flight velocity one sure looks expensive for what you’re getting
have the knobster and is working great. you can customize as you want.
Flight Velocity I can get for $109 on Amazon. Knobster is about $124.
I saw knobster for $106 on their own website , both seem expensive for what you’re getting, but it’s only money, I guess
I built a button box using a Leo Bodnar board, four dual concentric rotary encoders w/pushbutton, and six regular momentary pushbuttons. Total cost was about $120 USD. Combined with SPAD.next, it seamlessly controls all my radios and basic major functionality of the Garmin GPS units.
For controls that need a little more customization and finesse and modularity between aircraft, I have a stream deck plus.
I am going to try the Flight Velocity one. Might post a review since there are so few of them.
Please do. I am in the market for one of those as well and would love to hear if its any good.
That cost is impressive. I paid $32 (+ shipping) for one Bodner dual-concentric rotary encoder w/ knob.
Price drop Flight Velocity Dual Encoder
Yeah. But I am not into all the wiring this go round. About 23yrs ago I had a full 737 pit in my garage with switches screens and wires and boards. It was fun. But now I am on a much smaller scale. Just on a desktop. So I need a clean fully encased module.
Got it at that price. Thanks.
I got the encoders from PropWash Simulations. Requires a bit of soldering and needs an enclosure, but the cost I mentioned includes all of that (and the labor was free 
).
Thanks. I was directed by the Class Echo creater to buy from Bodner. Never considered buying elsewhere. Caveat Emptor I suppose.
The Flight Velocity Dual Encoder came in today. Packing was nicely done.
Installation was fairly easy if you follow the video on the website. One thing to note, it appears to need a specific driver. So the instructions to update the device from Device Manager did not work for me since it had a 2023 driver. I had to download the driver from their website, the 2019 one, then the flash worked.
I mounted mine with command strips onto my yoke until I can afford the VF panels.
So far so good. I tested it out and it feels OK, functions as expected with Air Manager. I gotta get used to the strong detents. I will give another review after flying with it for a week or so.
After using it for 5 days the reduction in mouse use during flight is definitely noticeable.
Especially is it useful when flying the G1000 when the dial encoders really shows it’s worth.
Loving it so far.
The real knobster is absolutely a pleasure to use. It uses a good quality encoder and the difference between it and the cheap prop wash encoders is noticeable in operation and performance. Not sure what encoder FV are using but the whole thing is too expensive for what you are getting. It’s basically a DIY knobster in what very much looks like a 3D printed case. You can make a DIY knobster for much less than that and it’s real easy. On top of all that anything other than the real knobster is not supported in their VR apps and if I’m not mistaken also third party support such as Axis & Ohs etc. If you are spending $100+ on a knobster then the small difference in price thereafter means it has to be the real thing for all the reasons given.
Fair points. For what I am using the FV version for, it is well worth it. Also, expediency was a priority for me. FV borders the state I live in so I had it in a couple days.
Not quite on topic but currently limited as to what I can do on this forum, so sorry for this.
Anyway I am in the process of making a simple radio stack with 2 x 6 digit displays and need to use a dual rotary encoder as normal for the frequency change input. The rotary encoders I can find through numerous suppliers but not the knobs. Is there a UK supplier for these?
Hey there - just discovering this - curious if you have any tips on how you built this? Looking to do the same exact things. Thank you!
