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The product arrived in a flashy green box with a cardboard frame securing the contents. In the box was the Multi-Function Panel, a clear plastic cover, a set of twenty-five buttons, stickers with different symbols on them, a quick-start guide, and a CD with an outdated version of the Control Manager on it; you'll need to download the latest, 4.51, from the CH Products web site. Before I go any further, make sure that you do not plug the MFP in straight away as you need to have the Control Manager installed.
The MFP is very simple in appearance - a modest black tablet with a removable clear cover on the top and two buttons on the edge. These buttons allow you to switch between modes when the MFP is setup using the Control Manager. The first thing to do is download some templates and CH has a wide variety available here. When you have your selections printed off, remove the clear plastic cover, put the template on the screen, and then replace the cover. Next, get out the buttons and you'll notice that the bottom is covered by a clear plastic protector. Carefully peel this off and then place the button on a suitable location in relation to the template. You can actually place these anywhere you'd like, and when you come right down to it the only thing the template does is help you remember what command each button does. If necessary, you can use one of the included stickers to label your new button. Now you're ready to set up your MFP.
Firstly, a brief understanding of how this product works is appropriate. When I first received the product, I thought that it functioned from the buttons exerting a slight pressure on the screen. However, after a conversation with Michael (very nice guy, by the way) from CH, I learned that, in actuality, the software is much more ingenious than I first expected. Each button holds a tiny transmitter which, when pressed, emits a signal that the MFP will pick up providing the button is close enough. This rather blew me away, and I had no idea that such complexity had gone into this design. As you'll understand, this is what gives the MFP its outstanding versatility - you can place any button anywhere you want on the screen, not just where that button is supposed to be or where there is a spot that will recognize this button. It also explains why an extra button set comes at such a pricey $72.95 US. For me, understanding this hardware even to such a limited extent (I'm sure I don't grasp the details entirely) completely justified this unit's price.
There are two ways of using the MFP: you can set up the MFP using the Control Manager software or you can make button assignments via the FSX menu. The Control Manager software, while simple in concept, has a fairly steep learning curve; the software installs a comprehensive manual but there is also an excellent tutorial on the CH-Hangar. I recommend looking over the tutorial and manual, then trying to program something to familiarize yourself with the software, and lastly giving both documents a thorough reading. It would be futile to try to sum up how to use the Control Manager software while keeping this review to a reasonable length, so you'll have to research those on your own. Don't take this as a complete guide, though, since it's just a rough summary. Firstly, click on the Map Wizard icon and create a map with all of the CH products that you own. Then, each device will need to correspond with a 'CH Device' - this is so that FSX will recognize all of your controllers rather than just one. Make sure each button or axis is set to a CH Device button or axis. After this, save your map and then assign controls just like you do normally in the FSX menu.
When it comes right down to it, the MFP is really just a convenience. Once again, CH took a very appealing concept and made it easy to use - just download a template, stick a button on, and then program it. This comes in very useful in a variety of situations where it's not logical to have to remember the awkward key commands (such as moving the viewpoint), or just in hectic situations where you need to have controls at hand like in a real aircraft. It was a particular blessing for me, as I have a rather awkward setup where I have to twist around to get to the keyboard - the MFP solved this for me. For the people who have the money, this is unique enough that there's no competition, and it will solve a lot of your headaches. However, if you're like me, and have flown on a cheap Walmart joystick where every penny counts, I think that you could probably do without this until you have the cash.
As always, CH maintains a very professional appearance about their products. This device is, in essence, a slim black tablet about 11x9x1". On the top left-hand corner, there are two buttons which will illuminate a red or green light to indicate which mode you're in; this will only function if you have the tablet configured using the Control Manager. The base of the unit is covered with safety instructions and has rubber grips to keep the unit from sliding.
There's little to feel about this product, except for the buttons - they feel just like keyboard keys except much quieter.
As I mentioned in my review of the CH Throttle Quadrant, I'm getting to the point of having too many buttons - I don't use half of them because I can't remember what everything does! The MFP probably would have pushed me over the edge, but thanks to the templates it's easy to keep track of what everything does. I haven't really talked about it in this review, but this device can easily be set up for plenty of uses other than the flight simulator - I guess you could even arrange it into a keyboard for chatting online. This is another very sturdy and reliable product from CH, and it's good to have a bit of 'Made in America' sitting on my desk.
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Kevin Glover |
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