Small screen displays for GPS

**mepdraft** · 04-04-2012, 02:05 PM

I have looked for a few pictures and YouTube for FS cockpits and I have seen a couple with a small screen that seems to display the GPS.
I am curious as to what are those small screens and how do they interface with MSFS, and how do they connect to the PC?

Michel E Paquette

**lolaloa22** · 04-05-2012, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by mepdraft

I have looked for a few pictures and YouTube for FS cockpits and I have seen a couple with a small screen that seems to display the GPS.
I am curious as to what are those small screens and how do they interface with MSFS, and how do they connect to the PC?

Michel E Paquette

Hi Michel,

There are probably a few types out there but it is probably just a normal 7-8 inch monitor that plugs in to the PC...most newer ones (at least the only ones I've ever seen) connect through USB. The size might throw you off thinking it is some special hardware but it's just a monitor...only 7 inches instead of 17. What you would have then is a 2-monitor setup. For an added experience, you can even buy 7 inch touch screen monitors and they are expecially cool for use with GPS. I was looking at one for $137 on Amazon which had great reviews but they don't shiop to Canada or I would have picked one up today.

**mepdraft** · 04-05-2012, 01:28 PM

Thank You Iolaloa22.
I was looking further into the forum and did noticd some mention of USB monitor.
It's almost as much money as the 17" monitors. At that price I might as well get a 17" or 19" and put all the intrumentation I need. That way it will free up my 2 monitors for window views. Or I just keep going the way I am now with one monitor (27") for virtual cockpit and my second monitor (23.5") for a top view and my different instrement panel. If I can ever afford a third monitor, I definetly would consider a touch screens.

Michel E Paquette

**Terry N** · 04-05-2012, 01:37 PM

I use a 42" LED monitor with my Trackir virtual cockpit and a 2nd 24" screen next to it that I drag my GPS and ATC windows. It works very well for me.
Terry

**lolaloa22** · 04-13-2012, 03:32 PM

Hey Michel....if you look around they aren't that expensive...I would know becasue I'm CHEAP!! I live in Canada and saw a 7 inch touch screen for $79 but you can get them on Amazon as well for around $129....not sure what your budget is but that's not too bad a price.
I recently started my home cockpit a few months ago. Used spare wood from the garage. Made the main panel and cut out holes for the instruments but instead of using real gauges I just printed life sized photos, laminated them and screwed them onto my panel...yes I used screws to give it a more realistic look. I have a light behind the panel so when I turn it on the light glows through the gauges making them appear lit up. Already had flight yoke and Saitek throttles that I bought years ago. Bought 80 toggle switches for $50 (I don't need 80 I just ordered too many and it's a long story) I printed a life size over-head 737 panel and laminated it and installed it...glueing it onto a sheet of plywood. I'll drill out holes where the switches are and install the switches I bought and assign keystrokes to them so they will work. Other than the switches I only bought a Saitek multi panel and radio panel that were on sale...both for under $200 so I have a pretty cool set up going for little cost really. Oh ya...to interface the switches to the keyboard I bought (over a year ago) 2 boards from Desktop Aviator. He gave me a deal on a board he normally sells for $35 and sold me 2 for $50 so I will be able to hook up 40 toggle switches.