Affordable, yet excellent: My new MUST HAVE hardware - miniFCU | Real Airbus Pilot 

Also if you buy it early, its 99 bucks

Yep, that's the one I'm waiting for. miniFCU's QC is questionable from what I've seen so far, but it does look like a nice unit.

That's correct for me it'll be a day one buy

​​@@CrashEd1664yes it is. But winwing implementation looks better and it's full sized

@@ronaldjames ...which is why I'm waiting for one. Cheaper too and has the correct LCD colour.

Mobiflight is indeed a must have at this point!

I can't wait for it TBH with you

Yeah. Winwing is an established company with a track record of building good equipment and has an established manufacturing chain. I kinda feel bad for the minifcu folks, because I don't think there's any way a hardware startup can compete on price. That and most of the miniFCU reviews I have seen are specific review units to sim "influencers" (therefore, potentially cherry-picked units), and not regular buyers concerns me.

@@UD503J yes indeed. Even tho those reviewers liked it I personally am not spending $280 on one small unit with so many deficiencies. Then the other addons are going to be about the same price or a little less nah I’m good plus winwing is full price

We still need to wait and see if Winwing is going to feel right though. One thing I like so much about miniFCU is that it just feels like the real plane. Most FS pieces of hardware - including the multi thousand euro ones - just feel like cheap plastic.

Hi Emanuel, on Etzy you can find a good 3d printed mount for the Mini fcu.then the fcu has an Angle towards you and can bei mounted with screws. Cheers

Some shops have it in stock, just run some search.

Best solution for @A330Driver is to replace the cups by some adhesive tape like nanotape. You can also mount it on VESA desktop stands, it looks pretty nice and give a better angle

A dictionnary does the job for me the weight of knowledge 😅

Honestly mate it is worth the wait. The company is a group of dedicated pilots. The preorder gets this off the ground. I agree with you about preorder in principle but to be fair these guys have proved themselves trustworthy

Those additional modular sections are also planned for the miniFCU by the way.

@@A330Driver judging by the FCU you have it doesn't look like it will be fitting together like the Winwing version which has the slots for the other components. It looks like it will be neater and sit better on a desktop

Yep and early bird is , $99 , $130 at full price.

@@ronaldjames and regionalized prices as well as far as i've seen

We still need to wait and see if it's going to feel right though. One thing I like so much about miniFCU is that it just feels like the real plane. Most FS pieces of hardware - including the multi thousand euro ones - just feel like cheap plastic.

@@A330Driver true, but we gotta consider the price and the fact it's full size, I can imagine many would rather save 120$, have the fcu in its original size even if it doesn't feel 100% like the real fcu. After all, neither do the throttle quadrant or the sidestick. Hell I'm working with the streamdeck plus and i'm happy with that as well.

Plus free shipping! I was lucky enough to pay only $99 for my miniFCU but then had to pay for the shipping and import tax, which was another $97. I'm very satisfied with it (only wish it was a tad heavier), but would never consider it at the current retail price unless they set up an EU warehouse to make the shipping reasonably priced and hassle free. WinWing's unit looks very appealing, and although visually the miniFCU looks better with the correct font, better modelling of the knobs, recessed buttons, etc. I'd probably go with WinWing at this point just because of the hassle-free shipping experience with no extra charges. I recently got their Orion 2 set of F18 throttle and F16 stick from them and it feels very premium and sturdy.

That's what I was thinking too. Mine is due very soon. Can't wait.

I agree.

For pulling the knobs I have developed a habit to pull those with my thumb and middle finger whilst pushing my index finger against the top of the front frame above the display to counteract the force and it stays reasonably in place. When pushing the knobs I push with my thumb while gently resting the rest of my fingers on top of the unit which makes it very stable, as well. Note I have removed the rear suction cups to make the unit sit slightly angled and it actually improved the grip ever so slightly.

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5DaoDYXkhEU.htmlsi=HnrFJcoV2gUuf1p3

It works fine on Fenix. I have been using it for a few wekks now. I use SpadNext to configure it.

^This. I bought a Streamdeck + and use it daily as you can just switch profiles depending on what a/c you’re flying. It’s a Swiss Army Knife of controllers.

That's exactly the reason why I never went into full cockpit builder mode. Aside from the lack of space for a full sized cockpit, I would not want to restrict my flying to just one airframe. VR is the better solution for this.

go flight

Absolutely! I think they'll be great investments!

Nope, unfortunately not. Got to break the 777 a bit more to delay the release a bit further :P

It's the one on the top left: thespaceshop.com/mouse-pad-assorted-designs/ Bought it when I visited Kenndy Space Center on a layover in Florida. I just loved the design!

Behringer Xtouch Mini for $99 does the trick. Works with every aircraft and excellent in VR.

lol

Hi, the suction feeds are a pain indeed. It has four holes for screws in the bottom, but I have yet to experiment with it. I'll likely just stick it to the desk at one point. Good old speed tape, works in flight simming just as well as in real aviation 😂😂

Hi, it's 42".

@@A330Driver nice!

@@A330Driver can you share the model? It's a TV or a monitor? I'm looking to buy one this month..

Hi, it's 42" and indeed it's very very good. Everything I need is in my primary field of vision without the need to look around. That's PFD, ND, ECAM and the front window. Previously I used an ultra wide 21:9 setup and while my displays were perfectly visible I couldn't see the runway with that setup. Now it's just perfect.

😂😂😂

Make sure to suggest that to miniCockpit, I'm sure that would be easily implementable through a firmware update.

Personally I don't need an EFIS at all. The FCU is where I need to make quick changes on, the EFIS is not. QFCU just looks wrong on the productpage already, I don't think I'll even need to try it to be able to say it won't resemble the real unit closely. That's for two reasons: 1) The switches. They just look nothing at all like the real unit. Also look at how they got the speed knobs shape wrong and the missing paint on speed and vertical speed knobs. That tells me a lot about the product. 2) The indication window. Well, it just doens't look like an Airbus, but it looks like cheaper parts you can get on the internet. And if it's that obvious on both the knobs and the screen, then I think we can judge the overall quality of the product from that. Now let's look at Java Simulator's Glare Pack X2. Fonts don't seem to be very accurate and looking at the EFIS CP the VOR/ADF selector is hugely simplified (misses the protections). Also it's quite a bit more expensive. 455$ for the FCU while miniFCU costs 250$.

No one needs an EFIS just as much as no one needs an FCU, but the majority of people buying this kind of hardware that goes beyond just the basic throttle quadrant/yoke/joystick are simmers that want to drastically reduce/eliminate the use of keyboard/mouse, so when they bring out the EFIS eventually, I will strongly bet that those that got the FCU will also buy the EFIS to go with it. My main disappointment is that I think it is a shame they didn't include both together. I take on board your comments regarding the fact the QFCU unit doesn't look aesthetically like the real thing, however that doesn't necessarily mean the quality is inferior, but you may be right I have not had personal experience with it. With regards to your comments of the Java Simulator's product, I'm not sure what is different with the VOR/ADF selector, and as for the font being different to the real thing, that is quite a minor issue, especially compared to a product that doesn't sit still on the desk when used.

Or you can buy an xtouch mini and spad that will work with all aircraft.

I'm actually an FO on the A330 now. But changing sides isn't hard, you do your training in flight school on the left seat, then fly as an FO on the right seat so any pilot has been there already any way. It does take a few hours in the sim to start getting used to it and to the different perspective in the flight deck, but that doens't make that much of a difference. Few flights and you're in it.

@@A330Driver Tank you for respond. I fly on VATSIM in vEZY and I don't want to ruin the touchdown... I'll practice offline then.

It's a Fenix issue with the Honeycomb Bravo

Yes, through mobiflight (freeware) and with the next fenix update it should also work out of the box.

out of the box it works, but the displays don't. So you have to look at your monitor to see which altitude/heading/speed/etc. you're setting. Buttons do illuminate, it's just the "miniFCU display" that doesn't work with Fenix. I've heard it will work, but not sure when. Or you can use some "3rd party" (mobiflight) to flash the firmware on the MiniFCU to work with it. But I haven't tried that.

@@gryzor Speaking strictly of the Bravo, even the settings aren't working, for example if I try to use the dial to input a heading, nothing at all happens. I just don't know if it's a known incompatibility, regardless of which direction I should point my finger to, or if it's a me problem.

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5DaoDYXkhEU.htmlsi=HnrFJcoV2gUuf1p3 because you need to redefine what is good

I do have a Bravo, but still like it very much. It's just a realistic option for an airliner while the bravo features more of a typical GA unit.

Absolutely! Thanks!

Yes if you use Mobiflight I believe.

I don't know, sorry. Best to ask the developers directly.

Is that with Fenix? Try Mobiflight!

thanks for answering. Yes Fenix. I tried Mobiflight without success. did I do something wrong

Using mobiflight you can link it to almost any MSFS aircraft’s autopilot.

CP Flight and Cockpit Master do a full Boeing MCP

hahaha, ask Boeing! Oh, wait.

I know. what you mean. I expected him to have at least a decent setup. 😉

Could be a little larger indeed. It covers maybe 80% of the primary field of vision, it if covered 100% I would not need to even consider VR anymore 😂😂

Nee, der ist einfach zu groß 😂😂 Sind 60cm.

It can not be compatible yet as Fenix is actively blocking hardware interfaces. However that's going to change with the next update so miniFCU will work for sure. I guess Winwings will as well then.

Thanks for your response Emanuel just to say a massive thanks for all you tricks and tips On your channel my knowledge and skills have developed so much more on the A320 👍🧑‍✈️

WinWing have said that it will once Fenix add hardware support.

Get it from a US retailer then 😅

Not now ;)

Don't say that until you have the Winwing on your desk. It might very well turn out cheap plastic like so much other hardware on the market. What I like so much on my miniFCU is the feeling which is correct. I only had a correct feeling on one other piece of hardware that I tried at FSWeekend (and I tried a lot of them) and that cost over a thousand bucks.

As far as I know miniCockpit are made up by two A320 captains.

Why with the Fenix? Does everything need to be Fenix?

@@A330Driver Exactly. You gave me a good chuckle sir. Everybody has this weird aversion to admitting that the FBW is a FANTASTIC aircraft. AND I DO fly the Fenix and the PMDG. The FBW A320 is a marvel of freeware generosity, and it never disappoints me. People need to go outside and touch grass more. We have TWO high-fidelity A320's to choose from and one of those is completely FREE. And still to come is the ONLY A380 for the entire sim and that will also be high-fidelity and FREE. I think if people uninstalled all of their 3rd party aircraft and realized they are left with just the default aircraft, they would soon realize how much they take things for granted. Love your content as usual. I also wanted to mention that I really enjoyed your discussion of that ATC situation that occurred yesterday while you departed Frankfurt. Excellent learning opportunity! Cheers to you Emmanuel and have a fantastic day and keep up the excellent work!

The unit only displays the numbers in the LCD screen when using the FBW. Fenix was limited due to their licensing issues but that has now changed with V2B2 and a new update coming soon will enable the display for Fenix. That being said, you can still use it with Fenix (just look in the sim for the display) and it works great!

@@liortaylor5305the proper answer.

@@liortaylor5305the proper answer.