a knobster
Yes it can be used outside of Air Manager in other applications. Axis & Ohs for instance supports knobster. It has a published API so support can be added to other applications if the devs so desire.
If you prefer the haptic feel of controls, buttons and knobs over touchscreens or mouse clicks, I find the Logitech panels quite cool actually.
Also for GA - flying Cessnas and Mooneys etc. - I recommend this:
You can get it from simmax.it
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I have the same yoke, throttle and rudder pedals. If you don’t already have one the next peripheral I recommend is a VR headset, probably the Reverb G2 as its easily the best value for money headset with superb audio and visuals for flight simming.
Staring a monitor screens just feels like I’m watching a Youtube video of somebody else flying.
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Anther vote for a Streamdeck. Tactile, customisable and can offer realtime feedback as well on your flight as well. Saves having to remember key mappings or other controller assignments.
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All this mention of tactile as if Air manager can’t do tactile. What’s the knobster if not tactile. AM does it all, hardware, touch, and instruments. No mouse required. In fact I don’t operate any of my controls with a mouse so let’s dispel that myth. There is not another solution that I know of that does all this. I could certainly make the equivalent of a Logitech panel in Air Manager for way less money and I can have it exactly as I want it. If you prefer mass produced over priced plastic that’s ok but I’m yet to be convinced on why people shell out for that stuff. Take the FIP panels $239 for one where I live and that’s only one instrument. What happens when you want to fly a G1000. You can’t with those. Air Manager wins again. It’s a no brainer in my eyes but I accept if you have already shelled out for the Saitek stuff and are happy with it that you will defend it’s usefulness to you. This topic is about what to buy next after all the main flight controls and I simply can’t recommend anyone getting into the Saitek eco system if they haven’t started already when there are better options out there. Air Manager just happens to be one of many better options IMHO.
I always hear this argument from VR users but they always fail to mention how rubbish an experience it is when trying to operate in cockpit controls. Until that big big problem is resolved I have no interest in VR at all. Point is it’s not for everyone and in fact the majority.
I’m not sure what you mean, I use my flight peripherals to operate the flight controls.
a pretty monitor that gets netflix and youtube without an external cpu
when i sit right in front of it, i feel like i am in the cockpit
next is charlie rudders in 2022
For me VR is the most important part of the sim and I have no issues using my alpha and bravo units because your brain is more than capable of learning your surrounding space and objects without using your own eyes. Blind people can do amazing stuff and we have the same brain. I’m also using the sky4sim pad and I never have to remove my headset to find frequency, METAR, ILS, and more…It is so amazing and beautiful in VR (if you have the right gear : I own a 3080 RTX with the reverb G2) that I would simply uninstall the simulator if VR was removed. I will never be able to go back to 2D, even if you pay me…
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Yes exactly this. I’m only flying GA aircraft, maybe airliners are different but there’s no difference for me between flying blind with a VR headset on, or being able to see my flight controls.
It’s the same in real life, I never look my at my clutch, gear stick or steering wheel when I’m driving and I’m not looking at my keyboard as I type this. I just intuitively know where things are, as does everyone I assume? I don’t get that complaint at all.
I wouldn’t carry on with this sim if it was only 2D either. I have a 4K 70 inch TV as a monitor and feels utterly underwhelming to fly on it.
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For you perhaps but not for the majority. To address the control issue I was not talking about yoke, throttle or pedals but things like knobs and buttons, switches etc. How are they to operate in VR. What about doing a direct to or using an FMS. All that pointing with a controller is a PITA and even worse than using a mouse. Sorry I’m out until this part of VR is resolved.
You have the exact same controls available in VR as out of it. I’ve never used VR controllers in VR. I use a mouse to navigate things like ATC and airport selections, or to open tabs/windows, browse maps etc the same as I would if I wasn’t in VR.
I can use all the same switches and buttons in VR that I can use out of VR as well. I don’t need to see them, neither would anyone else who used them regularly. Can you not touch type, or turn on your car’s air con in the dark at night without staring at the button?
I use the mouse as well to control the gps. It’s very convenient and I also use the knobs and buttons on my bravo. I know exactly where my stuff is no problems.
I don’t want to use a mouse that’s the whole issue. You don’t use a mouse in a real aircraft to operate a switch or button so doing so in the sim is a real immersion buster for me.
Perhaps I should recommended to the OP to explore any option that helps eliminate the need to use a mouse while flying.
But if you don’t need to use a mouse outside of VR, why would you need to use it in VR? Just use whatever you use in 2D in VR as well.
Because I can’t see what I use instead of a mouse with a VR headset on. Operating controls in VR without a mouse/controller is a big issue and until the technology evolves to solve it VR will never be an option for me and many others. It’s why professional sim’s build these full replica cockpits at great expense.
If you’re in the U.S. it will run around $130. Exchange rate plus PayPal conversion fees jack it up. I considered it but decided to build my own for less than $75. It requires just a little soldering knowledge to assemble the Encoder and the little circuit board. Used a wall electrical box as enclosure ($1.19). The ‘knobster’ plus the Autopilot buttons on the Bravo eliminate the mouse for me.
I ended up putting in a bit more, and bought the HP Reverb G2 
Dunno if its a good buy, but we will see.
Thanks for the input guys.
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Streamdeck.
I never knew how much I needed it until I bought one.