SimTouch

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Now Available in 5" / 7" / 8" & 10.2" Touch Screens.

SimTouch is available in two version SimTouch Wince for mobile devices & SimTouch PC which runs on the same pc as FSX !
The Difference between SimTouch Wince & SimTouch PCl is explained in our information page.
SimTouch is available in two versions SimTouch Wince which is designed to work o a remote 5" Wince 6.0 Touch Screen device & SimTouch Local which works on your local PC. SimTouch Local has many extra features than our WinCE version like Flying real time flying in Bing Virtual Earth maps . SimTouch local sits perfectly on our 7" / 8" & 10.2 " touch screen monitors. The Wince version has a real GPS satellite navigation system built-in for use while you are on the ground. So both versions are available for personal choice. Both versions of SimTouch software can be purchased with or without our hardware, so if you already have a touch screen monitor or a Wince 6.0 device you can just buy our software. It is also compactable with Windows mobile 5.0 & 6.0. One your mobile device has a screen resolution of 480 X 272 or greater, please read information for full details.
SimTouch has over 100 functions for all aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator. You now have full control of your aircraft from a Touch Screen, buttons work and feel like real buttons. Completely synchronised both ways meaning if you start a flight in mid air or a mission all switches radio frequencies controls etc will be synchronised. There is no need to adjust all your controls to match the flight. No big boxes , no major usb ports required, no extra equipment to buy just plug in to one usb port and you are up and running.
SimTouch has Minimums call-outs , you will feel like you are in a real cockpit. Full call-outs 2500 1000 500 approaching minimums 400 300 200 etc. No need for special airplane or a specific mission for call-outs , just simply set ILS frequency and on approach call-outs will start. Other sounds built-in Altitude alert, stall, over speed, Autopilot Disconnect.
Supply your on Wince device or Touch screen monitor or buy from us.
In each section of SimTouch you will see aircraft Speed / Altitude & Heading in real-time.

Taken from www.simtouch.eu

Hi again,

I have recently had the opportunity to test a new device called SimTouch with FSX.
SimTouch is touch screen technology that can be used to control aircraft functions within FSX.

There are two versions of SimTouch , Wince version for Wince 5.0 / Windows Mobile 5.0 / WinCE 6.0 & Windows mobile 6.0 Devices and
a PC version that runs on your PC with a second monitor(Touch screen).

The version I will be reviewing is SimTouch 5" WinCE.

This is basically a 5inch touch screen device which you can mount on your desk.

Specs:
5.0 inch screen

Screen Resolution 480 * 272

Win CE 5.0 with 2GB of Nand Flash memory.

Built-in GPS / Speaker / Headphone jack / SD Card slot (up to 4 G card usually used for maps) /
Charger / USB lead / Car charger and Holder for SimTouch , Desk & Car mount.

I'm going to get straight into the most important detail, how does it perform?

Installation

Installation is relatively pain free. You need to install the SimTouch server software supplied. This software connects your device with FSX
and relays data to and from the device. All that you need to do next is connect your SimTouch device to your pc via usb, windows will install
the necessary drivers, and you are ready to go.
After starting FSX, start the SimTouch server and connect to FSX.

Available controls

The following tabs are available on the device:

Autopilot Controls

GPS Lights

Misc ATC

Radios Engines

As you can see from the above images the following data is always available to view:

Speed
Altimeter
Heading

Flying with Simtouch

SimTouch really enhances the virtual flying experience. It is very convenient to have all the controls and options available
without having to zoom in and use the FSX buttons. Radios and autopilot functions can be adjusted without changing your
cockpit window view. I found this particularly useful on approach and landing.

SimTouch has a cool feature in that it will automatically adjust to the current settings in FSX when it is connected. If you are
mid-flight for example and already have your aircraft set up, autopilot etc then Simtouch will start with these settings.
This also applies to missions.

The killer feature included with Simtouch has to be the Callouts function
Minimums Call-outs are built-in to SimTouch and perform call-outs 2500 /1000 / 500 / 400 / 300 / 200 / 100 / 50 / 40 / 30 / 20 / 10 /
Approaching minimums / minimums minimums (when reached as per decision height set) So if you set your decision height for 200 feet
you will hear around 250 feet "approaching minimums" and at 200 feet "minimums minimums"
Callouts will only happen when you are using an aircraft with GPWS. ie you will not hear callouts in most GA aircraft, as in reality.
To hear callouts you must be tuned to the ILS of a particular approach.

Test Flight

I used a short flight from EIDW (Dublin Intl) to EIKN (Connaught) in a 737-800 to test the functionality of SimTouch from gate to gate.
Starting at Gate10 EIDW I was able to set the following:

Intended Altitude
Speed
Flaps for take off
Con VOR freq into Nav2
Con ILS 27 freq into Nav1
Lights etc.

Basically almost everything needed for a flight can be set within SimTouch. Once airborne and a positive rate of climb is established
I could use the Simtouch to raise the gear, retract the flaps and engage autopilot settings. I like to leave my main view in Virtual
Cockpit from the pilots eye view and SimTouch helps greatly with this.
Preparing for the approach is much easier using the device as you can keep an eye on your main cockpit window for visual references
whilst making all adjustments via SimTouch. Flaps can be extended and ground spoilers armed without moving your view away from
the threshold lights. (Weather permitting)
Once established on the ILS and glide slope SimTouch will begin altitude callouts. You are
always kept aware of your altitude right down to the tarmac making the smoothest of landings possible. Once on the ground SimTouch
can be used to prepare the aircraft for taxi to the gate and upon parking can set the parking brake and even open the doors.

Conclusions

Simtouch is a very useful and worthwhile compliment to FSX. It makes flying easier and puts all the information you need
at your fingertips, literally.
It is a good alternative to more bulky and costly add on hardware panels though it is less realistic than physical panels and switches.
In my opinion Simtouch is a great addition to any home cockpit and is especially suited to those who may be limited for desk space.
I found it easier to use the stylus that came with SimTouch than use my fingers. I think the best option is the 7inch Hitachi
(see below) as it gives more room to move. In saying that I have quite big fingers Grin

Demo Videos

Full SimTouch Demo
Take-Off
After Tak-Off GPS
Changing Frequencies in Radio
ATC Call
Landing & Minimum's Call-outs
Engine Shutdown
Flying with Virtual Maps on Simtouch 7" Monitor PC version

For more details and purchase options visit www.simtouch.eu

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