MIP: First order and disappointment... a story of Poldragonet MCP

There is a sad story behind my first MCP plug'n play Collins-like layout panel ordered at Poldragonet  (symulatory.com), real picture below.

Unfortunately, the panel was broken at start e.g. encoders were not soldered properly to PCB, switches lock down when pressed, selected digits had different brightness and as far as I remember VSPEED display didn't work at all. It looked like third quality product...

Shit happens, it's just an an electronics...but the problem started from not being able to get in touch with Poldragonet for support. After several weeks of silence I was asked to send it back and stuck with the same problem, again no response for weeks. I gave up, requested a refund and I successfuly received the money back.

My negative recommendation for Poldragonet is because of their horrible approach toward the customers e.g. massive challanges in getting response by email, unanswered phone calls or voice mails, and the most important: delays in delivery measured in months.

Another story is that the MCP panel I received was built on a very old FSBUS v2.2 electronics, not supported natively by ProSim737.

So, think twice before placing the order...

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GALLERY: Weekend in the Netherlands / FSweekend 2012

2-5 November 2012

Well, that was very funny and long weekend in Amsterdam. Actually, it was as it should be in Amsterdam, so nothing to complain at. But, the main purpose was to attend the biggest flight simulation event in Europe FSweekend and visit Aviodrom at Lelystad Airport.

Apart to commercial part and aviodrome there was an opportunity for cockpit builders to show their babies ;-) I can't imagine transporting my cockpit out there, so full respect to those who did it!

See you next time!

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GENERAL: Seats

I tried to repeat a few times here that my project is not necessarily real copy of Boeing 737NG cockpit. This is a hobby and having fun from constructing or virtual flying is much more important than sticking to measurements in millimeters.

So, my seats were taken from regular passenger car. It was Chevrolet PT Cruiser and I find them excellent even if platform had to be created. Note that the best choice are those from a car with driving wheel on right-side. Otherwise, you will  be having challenges in operating radios because seats are equipped with armrests. They have a few more advantages e.g. leather upholstery, built-in two on-off-on momentary switches originally used for heating, electric height regulation or you can change the distance from MIP as in your car. But, the biggest surprise was the price itself, 55 EUR for two!

 

By the way, two heating push buttons are connected to my FSBUS card and I use them to change outside  camera view. The electric height regulation may be a nice feature, but requires dedicated +12V power supply capable to deliver min. 6A per seat.

DON'T BE AN IDIOT! and be very careful when connecting anything to the sockets if your seats are having side airbag. Airbags can easily explode, so it is suggested to remove them before doing any work. See below a few Russian-speaking chuckle-heads and how dangerous it may be for your health.

Here you have a photo showing the distance from the floor, click on it to zoom. It was taken probably in 747, but seems to be also relevant for Boeing 737.

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