CS 747X CDU and PSX integration with CS Bridge

[voipmeister]

Looks like I need to put those on the wishlist too. Thanks for all the feedback guys!

[JG]

Hi Kurt,
Interested in your decision for a lower EICAS monitor in your installation?
J.G.

[Kurt]

Hi Kurt,
Interested in your decision for a lower EICAS monitor in your installation?
J.G.

Hi.

For now I am just placing the two CDU´s in a 1.5cm wooden frame on top of one of my 24Inch monitors (with a defunctional touch) so I can have the lower EICAS in between.

The with of my 24" monitor is exactly matching the with of the actual 744 pedestal down to the milimeter

The lower 1.5cm deep "hump" of the CDU´s are also acceptable from my viewpoint but lets see how it looks when I get the cutout done tomorrow.

I do want to explore possible 22cm wide monitors for flush install in the future but not sure its worth the hazzle and if its even possible to find such displays at a resonable price,

Cheers

Kurt

[Rhetro]

hello!
currently an FO in 744 and looking at getting one of these to couple with Aerowinx/psx and practice loading flight releases, flt mgmt, etc.
Was originally thinking of just getting a touchscreen, but this seems to be the way to go. Building a 1/2 mockup from the ground up. Thought this would be invaluable in helping for upgrade later on down the line.

Actually...going to be in Hong Kong tomorrow. Just wondering...
cheers

[Kurt]

So got the CDU´s installed in the 1.5cm thick MDF panel (painted in Boeing Brown) and USB-C connections moved to PSX server PC. No config needed (CS Bridge defaults to PSX at 127.0.0.1) !! - just started the CS bridge and it instantly connected to PSX server - simply just works !!

Have been flying and messing around a week now and I am so happy with the CDU's that I will probably buy the 3rd CDU unit now to use as the center CDU for consistency which means that I will skip the winwing CDU I have on preorder.

Only "comments" worth mentioning for now with the CS CDU´s are:

1: Slight uneven backlighting on BRT and EXEC buttons - they (especialy the BRT button) have higher brightness compared to all other buttons when observed from Captains side. Not an issue at all but the difference is there.

2: The PC where you connect the CDU´s needs to have a local PSX instance running for the CS bridge to connect to PSX server. (I have my PSX Server/Boost running on that PC so not an issue at all)

3: Colour of the announciators (DSPY, MSG, OFST, FAIL) are orange and red instead of white and yellow in the real LCD CDU.
 
4: ... nothing else - no issues of any kind experienced - they just work

Cheers

[voipmeister]

Thanks for the feedback Kurt, re issue 2: can the default of 127.0.0.1 be changed at all?

[Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers]

(if it cannot be changed, a handful lines of code can make a stupid port forwarder to temporarily allow the installation on larger setups)

[Kurt]

Thanks for the feedback Kurt, re issue 2: can the default of 127.0.0.1 be changed at all?

yes yes - you can change it to whatever IP address of the PSX server instance you have. Just note that if you have PSX server instance running on a different PC than where you have the CDU´s connected then you must have a local PSX instance running for the CS bridge to detect that the CDU´s should connect to PSX.

Again this is a non issue- just connect the CDU´s to any PC where your PSX server or any PSX client(s) are running.

[voipmeister]

(if it cannot be changed, a handful lines of code can make a stupid port forwarder to temporarily allow the installation on larger setups)

True that, I was curious if the bridge software was customizable though. The less spit and tape, the better

[Kurt]

True that, I was curious if the bridge software was customizable though. The less spit and tape, the better

You can download the software and see how it is arranged even though you dont have any CS products (yet)

https://www.cockpit-simulator.com/software/

[Kurt]

Just a quick update if anyone is tempted to go get the CS CDU´s.

I now have all 3 CS747CDU units implemented in my sim and it is an absolute blast. Besides updating firmware to the latest version when you recieve it some days after ordering it is the closest to a plug'n´play addon I have ever experienced.

In short:

1: Connect via USB
2: Download and run CS Bridge SW
3: Update firmware and enter PSX server address
4: Start PSX server and CDU´s just connect automatically (you can assign the diffent CDU´s to L,C or R as needed via simple drop down menu)
5: Go fly - they simply work without any hickups so far and the immersion they bring compared to touch is substantial...

(Just wish they will produce a 744/757/767 MCP/Dual-EFIS/EICAS combo but not holding my breath.. Luckily I have the old full rack MCP747 from Aerosoft with the missing added functions implemented on one of my SimStacks)

Cheers

Kurt

[macroflight]

4: Start PSX server and CDU´s just connect automatically (you can assign the diffent CDU´s to L,C or R as needed via simple drop down menu)

I just got the single one I ordered. I was hoping to be able to do some Stream Deck magic to be able to switch it between L, C and R CDU by opening the Bridge window and using that drop down.

Only problem is... there is no dropdown menu. Where is it supposed to be?

EDIT: is seems Aerosoft sold me a v2 CDU (metal shell, USB-C) but delivered something else, which I suppose is a v1 CDU. It it made of plastic, has USB-B and no movable handle. Maybe that's why the option to choose L/C/R does not appear in the Bridge application. Time for a chat with Aerosoft...

[Kurt]

EDIT: is seems Aerosoft sold me a v2 CDU (metal shell, USB-C) but delivered something else, which I suppose is a v1 CDU. It it made of plastic, has USB-B and no movable handle. Maybe that's why the option to choose L/C/R does not appear in the Bridge application. Time for a chat with Aerosoft...

Ohh - this is not good - does the CS bridge recognize the CDU when you plug it in?

[macroflight]

Ohh - this is not good - does the CS bridge recognize the CDU when you plug it in?

It was recognized, and it worked fine in PSX as the left CDU, but I never found out how to switch it between Left/Center/Right CDU from the Bridge app.

Anyway, Aerosoft admitted quickly that they sent something other than what I ordered. Hopefully the replacement unit is an actual v2 CDU and can act as left or centre CDU as well.

I also discovered that those physical tactile keys means I need a sturdier mount than what I use for the iPad... touch screens do have some advantages.

[Kurt]

I also discovered that those physical tactile keys means I need a sturdier mount than what I use for the iPad... touch screens do have some advantages.

Yes - also my experience - I had to beef up the mounting as well - the supplied aluminium stand is pretty good and stable as far as I remember (I dont use it as I have embedded my CDU´s in the sim)  - not sure if that is included with the v1?

You will be pretty surprised with the feel and quality of the v2 and good to hear that Aerosoft fixes fast  

Cheers

[macroflight]

The replacement CDU arrived yesterday. The inner box still does not say V2, but inside was definitely a V2, handle and all...

It's even more solid than the V1. And I figured out a way to place the supplied stand on the desk that should work for now.

And with the V2 I'm was able to use the CS Bridge app to switch between L, C and R CDU! I even made a few Stream Deck Macro buttons that opens the Bridge and does the mouse clicks needed to switch.

Overall: very happy so far.

But it's a VERY different experience from using the iPad app. My CDU entry speed is now maybe 30% of what it was with the touchscreen... Those buttons are designed for being used by a ham-fisted Senior Captain in moderate turbulence. 

[Kurt]

But it's a VERY different experience from using the iPad app. My CDU entry speed is now maybe 30% of what it was with the touchscreen... Those buttons are designed for being used by a ham-fisted Senior Captain in moderate turbulence. 

hehe yes indeed - the tactile feedback is amazing but no speed dialing as on touchscreens