Logitech (Saitek) Flight Panels | Don't buy until you watch this video! | MSFS | X-Plane 

I have a Logitech setup and don't regret it at all. It's totally immersive and I love turning dials and pushing buttons. Yes, it was expensive but I wanted the experience. If trying to save money, then definitely go Air Manager and Knobster. Also, I agree that the FIP's have bad graphics that come with them; however, you can buy great graphics from a 3rd party. Again, dollars, but I really enjoy my setup.

I have all the panels and six fips. I just put them back in their boxes and have gone with air manager, knobster and a touch screen. Way more versatile and I have my desk back.

Dear Ivan!! I completely support your opinion and approach . Thanks for sharing pls keep it up❤

I love Air Manager... Been using it for years... Plus building your own gauges and panels is great fun...

Old video but new to me. I'm relatively new to flight simming. I have the Honeycomb Alpha/Bravo setup. The radio panel is the only Saitech panel I have because the Honeycomb apparatus include all the other function switches and buttons. But...the Air Manager/knobster combo is it!

Thank you for the informative video. I want to get a sim in the next 6 months and I didn’t know where to start. I have a 20 year old sim that was ok for me but it’s outdated now. Thanks again.

It's actually up to how much you're willing to expend. I have most of them and they'r like 15 years old already and still running. I wanted to change the autopilot by the one made by go-flight, but it was over 500usd, so I didnt change it. The only flight simulator saitek panel I dont have is the FIP. After reading reviews I didnt buy them. As I said, its up on how much money you're willing to expend. I literally made my home cockpit with cardboard and grey paint, and man, it is not as realistic as some cockpits Ive seen on RU-vid, but it's pretty immersive

They offer discounts constantly. Never pay full price! Your message is confusing. You compare a screen app (Air Manager) to the tactile models (Logitech). Apples to oranges comparison. The whole point of the Logitech radio stack is to get away from using mouse manipulation on the screen.

They're expensive new, but you can find them used for a bargain. I got the autopilot panel, the com/nav panel, the switch panel, and three gauge panels for $500 total. Not bad. I know all about Air Manager, but there is no comparison to having actual physical switches to operate. I tend to fly smaller, CRF type aircraft so there fit the bill quite nicely. Using them with an airliner would be possible, but a bit odd, I guess. The least useful piece of this setup is the FIP, of course, and I am thinking of selling mine. For gauges an Air Manager setup is quite nice.

I had the Logitech switch panel and autopilot / multi-panel a while back. Once I got Air Manager and a Knobster, I realized they had become obsolete. Especially after getting the Honeycomb Alpha and Bravo, which duplicated all the controls anyway. Since then, I've gotten rid of my Logitech gear. I don't even use the hardware switches on my Honeycomb peripherals. I use Air Manager for everything.

Love the large radio and autopilot pannel, but agree 100% on the small logi lcd panels - such a waste of money compared to the setup you've described (which I also use). Air Manager and Spad are great - though Spad has a steep learning curve.

Hi. Great video I enjoyed watching it and it was very informative 😁

I only purchased the radio panels since they have the tactile feel of a “real” radio panel. But you need to purchase spad to run them, which is yet another software to add to the mix.

If you have the honeycomb alpha/bravo the switch and AP panels are redundant. I only have the radio still connected. The rest are dust collectors.

Bought mine years ago for use in FSX and P3D but I don't use them as much since I got the Honeycomb Alpha and Bravo, and use those for MSFS with my Saitek X56 Rhino. These will also work with DCS and I have used them there as well. The only part from this set that I don't have is the Saitek TPM because they no longer make it.

Interesting views! I’ve initially been feeling like the tactile option might work better for me as someone who feels I might be flying real planes one day. Particularly the trim wheel and radio dials. However I think the touchpad with the six pack and other indicators is a far better option than the buy-one-at-a-time Logitech instrument panels. I can’t understand why Logitech haven’t developed an all in one comparable product..

The radio panel is totally worth, it is still better than Air Manager just for the knobs. However, for everything mainly consisting in just screen and gauge, Air Manager is obviously better for the flexibility and price. So I think it is a mistake to put the radio panel at the same level as the other panels, VR or not VR.

my favourite plane to fly is the 747 in msfs, but the radio is automated, all freqencies are automaticly filled in, so for me buying a panel while everything is auto tuned would be a waste?

For the radio, I can hardly build it for that price myself...10bucks for the knobs, 50 for all lcd screens plus casing and wires..... heck, knowing I tend to USUALLY underestimate the cost of diy it might even turn out to be more expensive. For the instruments I agree, build your own or get airmanager and the yoke is crap.

I do this, touchscreen monitors make it so I can swap stuff for different setups, I use it for MSFS, Star Citizen, Elite, DCS, all kinds of sims

Great video!! I have Air manager the desktop version an the tablet version and it's great. Instead of using two monitors I use two tablets to not maxout my video card and drag the panels to the tablets and sometimes I use a combo of the tablet version with the desktop version. Air manager it's very versatile 👌. I might buy a knobster to combine it with the tablets. Nice setup you have there👍

I think the panels are fine if you ignore the cost. The biggest problem however is that Logitech's software support for them is terrible. It was painful to set them up with MSFS2020 because the SW is a house built out of a deck of cards. But 8bxe it's figured out, they work OK and the realism feel is pretty decent. However, I suspect that if you have that kind of cash you could get better quality modules from other companies who specialise in this type of hardware.

I agree that the Air Manager panel is superior in every way ...compared to MSFS & DCS. I have 3 huge displays @ 43 inches each & a fourth above the center display for a menu screen. I use head tracking & have a Butt Kicker for realism. HOTAS is an X-56 & pedals ...the throttle buttons added a bit of realistic involvement that mouse clicking did not. However, on my second cockpit build I included 6 MFD's (2 are on a side panel to my right) while 4 are in my front panel ...I've programmed them to replicate every button accurately that the F-16 ...F-18 & AH64 uses in DCS & for me Sir ...that was IT. I still use the mouse of course ...but it only removes the involvement actual button presses do for me. So, my obvious next addition is these panels (or Winwing). Because a mouse click will never replace the immersion of using a panel with physical buttons. And of course ...replacing keyboard strokes that take BOTH hands while in a dogfight has no comparison. I don't know how I actually flew that way for years ...but I'm never going back. I honestly think, (in my humble opinion) that an actual panel with operational buttons was the second-best addition to my system ... oh ...& it looks so good with all the physical buttons lit up ...no touch panel is going to do that. No. 1 was adding triple screens & head tracking. Thanks for all the great videos my friend.

New viewer here. Great video. Very informative and honest. Thank you. I suspect I will subscribe to your channel. Gonna poke around a little more :) Have a great day Ivan and all!

To be honest, this video is about the prices of those devices and - all in all - the kind of only reason why not to buy them, instead of some functionality analysis or something and therefore somewhat clickbaity ... something about the devices itself, whether they work, how they work, what the limits are with xplane or whatever simulator would have been a much more helpful content. Nevertheless, thanks for the time and effort making this video.

Can't beat Leo Bodnar usb module (£38 $45)and create your own switch panels. Been using now several years.

Thanks brother i am your new subscriber daily learn from Mark chanel hope to learn more in here 2. lot of people they spend a lot of money in flight sim part after short time they put an Community web for sale with losing lot of $$$$$$ This is good informasion you just talking about in you chanel again thanks 👏👏👏

Thanks for the info you saved me a lot of money with this video

You could also just extract the panels out of MSFS into window panels and it would do a similar job. Not sure why you would go with Air Manager just to get virtual panels on the pc screens. I guess for tablets its good.

Trying to build a flight sim for my son who is very into flying. But I am so overwhelmed as I am not a tech guy and most of this seems complex. I feel the logitech seems like the easiest but pricey, or the alternative save money and learn about hardware and software and spend many frustrating hours putting it together and trying to make it work. Wish it was much simpler to understand so that could I buy it, set it, and forget it. *sigh* First world problems--i suppose.

Love your channel Ivan! Totally agree with your perspective. I went with 2 13.3” eBay touch monitors, a Knobster, the honeycomb controls and a Slavx panel to tie it all together. Love how flexible it is since I like to switch between G1000, Steam Gauge and the Icon A5. Only Logitech thing I have are the pedals, and I wish I had better ones :)

I like your idea, thanks.

Hi there. Enjoy you videos learned a lot. Can u please make a video showing how to download and use simstrumentation instruments to air manager. It would mean a lot. Thank you.

Much cheaper than a real plane, but the closest to reality. Get the Logitech panels. It's definitely worth it.

Hi, can I use the Logitech yoke and throttle quadrant on x plane 12

Hey Ivan, I have an Alpha Yolk and Bravo Throttle, I was wondering how you got those mounted underneath your desk?

Great video...but what is the difference of touch screen vs the X Plane screen?? And How do you coordinate operating this screen and the the X Plane screen??

I have a lot of equipment in my collection, in the full collection I have more trouble with my Logitech stuff than anything else. I would not recommend them. Too many problems with drivers.

DIY button boxes are more expensive. So this kind of stuff has a price.

Excellent video again, Ivan. Just to add to the conversation…have you watched Russ Barlow’s video entitled “OCTAVI: Worlds Smallest Cockpit…For Real?” I’m betting this will be a very cost efficient tool…

Wow US retails prices are crazy. I’ve been buying panels second hand here in the uk. Was a toss up between these any honeycomb quadrant but the honeycomb look unit looks too big for my desk.

Man, I wish I know about this before I brought several panals and just last night I ordered the real sims GNS 430/530 for 800dollars

I want to add another monitor for air manager but my pc has only one hdmi port what should I do ?

Enjoyed your video. Was considering buying 2 radios, 1 multi, and the switch panels. I already have Air Manager and the Cessna 172 gauges from Altimeter Motives so I assume I can add a touch screen on the right and a Knobster to get radios and autopilot and even switches, and trim. The cost would be the Knobster and the touch screen and maybe a pay panel or two. Certainly cheaper then the Saitek panels and would look more prototypical. Do you agree?

9:04 if you touch the center of the com/vloc button on (radio) panel with your finger does both the knobster knobs work for each radio knob or do you specifically have to touch the inner and/or outer screen knobs first? Also, Can you set up the main large viewing monitor to exclude the instrument panel so you only see out the window Thanks

Hi Ivan ,I have both including knobster but have trouble sometimes when trying to use both. ie flight manager and the Saitek panels , interference i think.

Now is it less expensive but stil its not worth it

Does your multi panel turn off with the alternator/battery? Mine doesn't and it's annoying.

Ivan, I enjoy your videos and your home cockpits 1.0 to 5.0 version, great! I have air manager, I fly mainly sim VFR and need this C172 classic panels, the same as this video showed of gns530, etc format, how can I get this settings? Thanks

i buy this switch panel and dont have support for Arma 3 or any other game only MSFS2020 and X Plane really sad.

How many of these can work on xbox series x?

Expensive ... blah, blah... In UK only buy 2nd hand market. on ebay shop around 35% (average) of retail. No regrets. Have radio, switch panel , throttle module , AP and Rudder. Not a single item has let me down.

Where did you get the enclosure from?

Bonjour. J'ai dernierement apliqué la nouvelle mise a jour 1.37 et des brouettes de msfs et depuis, mes saitek flight panel ne demarrent plus quand je lance msfs. Avant cette mise a jour, tous fonctionnais parfaitement, je n'était meme plus obliger de faire la manipulation du registre, de passer de 1 a 0. Aurais tu aussi le meme probleme ou suis je le seul a avoir ce disfonctionnement. J'ai meme fais la derniere mise a jour de fsuipc7 puisque c'est a partir du lancement de ce logiciel lors de la mise en route du msfs, que les saitek s'allumaient mais rien n'y fait, ils ne s'allument plus. J'ai meme essayé le logiciel Spad Next mais rien non plus. Voilà. Aurrais tu une solution a me proposer. Toi ou celuis ou celle qui liront ce message. Merci. Pascal...

Do any of these panels work with the series s/x? I have the tca captains pack and rudders set up but now I would like to take my console simming to the next stage. I’m just curious if these are pc compatible only or if the Xbox allows them to work before buying. Thanks in advance..

So everything works with this on MSFS 2020 except for one thing. The elevator trim starts out at 13%, and only moves a couple of degrees either direction no matter how long you turn the trim knob, and then automatically resets itself to 13%. Is there a fix for this?

Hi, enjoyed watching your videos, sorry I am not a fan of air manager, although I do understand its potential and flexibility. I prefer to make devices, and aim to remove any mouse clicking within the virtual cockpit, checkout the Vision jet video on my yt page.

Is this compatible with xbox?

Do the radio panel LED screens turn on and off corresponding to the master battery? Or is there a way to make it work that way if not?

I noticed on my Logitech radio panels an issue. Some of the digitally displayed numbers are garbled or missing display elements. For example, an 8 displays like a 3 etc. I don't know if this is a software/driver problem, or the panels themselves failing. I have a cheap digital clock beside my bed that has been running 24/7 for over 20 years. Still going strong.