by Jody "Marvin" Levesque

  Controllers/Control

Every sim builder out there will tell you ( Extended Programmable Input Controller ) is the answer to flexible, versatile programing. With EPIC you have the world of control in your hands for an affordable price. With the basic EPIC card you can have to up 300+ switches with numerous programming options similar and more powerful to that of Thrustmaster's gear with EPL (EPIC Program Language).

EPIC also has the options of joystick port cards for ultimate in calibration and control, gauge and meters controllers, lights and tones controllers, and many more things to come out of them. A very nice addition to EPIC are the aftermarket made motherboards for TM and Suncom HOTAS. With these new motherboards inside your stick your gear runs under EPL. With this, now I can make my CMS switch count down my Chaff Flares inventory on my CHAFF/FLARE panel. Just a small example of what you can do with EPIC.

So what do I have anyway?

Well, although I wanted a real F-16 simulator, I ended up with something better in my view. Real Mil Spec simulators are nothing like Falcon. There are no big time campaigns giving a different experience every time. They are just trainers with basic 3D graphics like GSC's F/A- Hornet 3.0, with a very accurate flight, weapons, and avionics model. Using Falcon I can play online and I can create my own scenarios, having a new fun experience each time. The downfall is that Falcon only offers so much in avionics and flight modeling.

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But with patch 1.07 and soon 1.08 things are really looking good. With the help of EPIC and my panels, I can make use of almost every switch in the panels. For instance, with the CHAFF/ FLARE panel there is a master arm switch. With this engaged I can now operate the chaff and flare dispensers. With the auto/manual mode, the Falcon software takes care of it.

Along with single and multiple mode, I can make one press dispense 3-4-5 or even singles. With a single switch I can change the dispensing options. Once again, these are just basic operations you can do with EPIC, I will be spending the whole winter just setting it up!

By placing a 19" monitor at low level so the HUD is directly in front of me, I look slightly down to see the instruments. I have realistic HOTAS, rudders, levers, and switches. I have a kick ass 12 " bass speaker pounding the seat, giving the "Ultimate Falcon Ride!" Without the keyboard and mouse, I can have my checklists, lineup cards, maps, and recon photos in front of me. With the touch of a switch just arms-reach away, I have less task saturation, giving enhanced play and realism!

Tips and Politics

The most important tip I can give is research. Like anything else, you need to study and find the options and what you are able to do. Many simulator builders are electronics and computer geniuses. My profession on the other hand is far from that, but if I can do it anyone can. It all comes to one important thing, dedication!

Trying to convince the wife, girlfriend, or even mother, can be a job in itself. When I first came up with the idea, my girlfriend thought I was nuts. After seeing the stage it is at now, I somehow managed to get her into sanding the past weekend.. =)

Transportable and upgradable is a good consideration. I plan on adding to this simulator in the future, so making it upgradable helps to make it transportable. The simulator can be broken down into pieces making it easy for two people to carry through doorways and stairs. But as far as bringing it to LAN meets.. well, let's just have it at my house.

Go to Part IV