Regardless of whether you’re using X-Plane 11, FSX or Prepar3D, the bridge will connect the CDU to your aircraft. With the Cockpit Master 737X CDU, those challenges are removed as the bridge handles all of that for you. Often hardware like this requires other services such as FSUIPC or custom coding to ensure it works. If you’re a cockpit builder, you will know the difficulties of finding hardware such as this that will easily connect to your specified aircraft and then just works. After you’re connected, you can then boot up your simulator and launch your flight. You will need to have the bridge software running at the same time as the simulator to ensure it connects to your aircraft, but rest assured that it is super lightweight and has no performance impact at all when using the simulator. Once connected, you are able to test the CDU unit and download firmware updates. The bridge software is a fairly straightforward affair. ![]() After that, you will need to download and install the bridge software that seamlessly connects the unit to your simulator. Once that has happened, you will see the Cockpit Masters logo with some text to say it’s awaiting the connection. You connect the cable into the unit itself, attach the other end into the PC and wait for the drivers to configure. That aside, the actual set-up really is as simple as plugging it into your PC. After years of pressing buttons with a mouse click, having something physical is hugely immersive and makes programming a flight a lot easier and quicker. The buttons have a distinctive and satisfying feeling when pressed, with some feedback to tell you the button has been clicked. It looks incredibly good and lifelike in comparison to an actual 737 CDU. It comes as no surprise that Cockpit Master chose to replicate this hardware as it’s somewhat universal to other Boeing aircraft, too. One of the most popular and flown aircraft in the world is no stranger to the world of flight simulation with numerous add-ons replicating it for virtual pilots. The unit itself, as you likely have realised at this point, is modelled on the Boeing 737. I found that setting up the unit on the stand was a bit fiddly, but once it had been put together, it felt nice and secure. There are several notches so you can place it to your needs. You can lie it flat or use the stand to create a more angled approach. Conveniently, Cockpit Master has included an adjustable stand to house the unit on your desk. Even after a few weeks of testing and usage, the unit continued to feel stable and no buttons felt loose as a result of that. ![]() Despite its lightweight design, it feels sturdy and incredibly durable. Perhaps more impressive is the fact the unit weighs just 500g. In terms of dimensions, the Cockpit Master 737X CDU is 228 x 145.8 x 32mm. Even if that was just a sheet of paper saying to download the bridge software and a very quick overview on what specific buttons do – or even a list of compatible aircraft. Whilst I know that the unique selling point of the hardware is how easy it is to connect and use, that shouldn’t stop Cockpit Masters from providing at least some basic information to help users set it up. I will note that this was a sample unit sent to us, so perhaps in the final retail version, there will be something inside. What I found particularly odd was the lack of basic instructions or hardware overview. Inside you will find the CDU unit itself, the adjustable stand and the cables required to connect the hardware to your PC. That said, if the cost was cut due to having a less fancy box, then it’s perfectly justifiable. From a presentation standpoint, there is a lot left to be desired since there is no nice branding or design to make it feel worth the money spent on the hardware. The product itself is packaged in a secure fashion, with plenty of protective foam and material ensuring that your new purchase is safe from marks and scratches throughout transit. ![]() We were sent a pre-release unit ahead of its upcoming release later this year. One such piece is the upcoming Cockpit Masters CS 737X CDU. We often see yokes, throttles or sticks as the primary bits of kit, but there are also specialist pieces of equipment that simulate very specific parts of hardware. Another way many choose to enhance that experience is through the use of hardware that simulates real aircraft parts. Whether that be through great software products or improving our PC hardware to push the simulator to visual limits. As simmers, we are always looking to find new ways to make our simulation experience as immersive as possible.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |