Introducing the Saitek Pro Flight Multi Panel PZ70, an interesting bit of kit. Its not a flight controller per say but is something you can invest in improve the overall immersion factor any flight simulator you play. The saitek pro flight multi panel is modeled after the autopilot panels found on civilian aircraft. Saitek have taken some artistic liberty in designing the panel however all the major buttons, switches and knobs are where they should be to allow you to control auto pilot functions comfortably off the keyboard and on a real panel.
Buy the Pro Flight Multi Panel Cheap at Amazon!
For those who demand the utmost fidelity in flight panels, then the saitek flight multi panel may not be the 767 look and form factor you want, however if you fly many different types of civilian aircraft, than the multi flight panel is generic yet useful enough to contain all the controllers you need to make on the fly autopilot adjustments.
Update: Saitek Multi Panel looks to be on sale at Amazon!
Saitek Pro Flight Multi Panel Design
In the box you get a multi panel and installation cd. Unfortunately you can not plug and play, you must install some drivers before the panel will work with MS flight simulator.
On the left of the panel is a knob selector allowing 5 selections. Then in the middle is a large LED panel display, easy enough to read. Under that is the AP master button and next to that 7 smaller orange buttons. To the right of the panel is the large rotary encoder to allow you to change values. Finally you also have a auto throttle switch, flaps rocker and a rotary trim wheel.
As you can see all the knobs and buttons you need to control auto pilot functions within arms reach. The use of rotary encoders also means that they can keep spinning forever with no set stop, values are sent for each click through the rotary encoder.
Saitek Pro Flight Multi Panel Features
- LED Panel
- Switches to control
- Auto Pilot (AP)
- Auto Throttle
- Flaps
- Elevator Trim
Technical Details
- USB Connectivity
- Works on all versions of Windows
- Works with both MS Flight Simulator 2004 and X
- To buy the Saitek Pro Flight Multi Panel,you can find them here at Amazon
Review Conclusions
The look of the flight multi panel is quite professional and certainly adds a little more realism to your virtual cockpit. The LED panel is big and bright enough to be read and all the major buttons are illuminated, which adds a nice ambient glow when you fly with the lights turned off in the room.The panel is rectangle in shape, and shares the same dimensions as the other saitek pro flight panels. You have the option of mounting these panels side to side or on top of each other, if you also own a saitek yoke than the saitek pro flight multi panel will attach straight on top. However, just be aware you will need to reach over the flight yoke to make any adjustments.
Unfortunately the rotary encoder is not very accurate and the distance between each registered click is too small. In practice this means tuning to the right flight level or heading always leads to a bit of over and undershooting the actual target value you want. Similar criticism can be painted at the rotary encoder used for the trim wheel.
The Good:
- Easy driver install, integrates properly with MS Flight Simulator. Panels update to reflect changes in game.
- Standard sized, can be mounted stand alone or stacked
- Sexy backlit buttons and easy to read LED makes the saitek pro flight multi panel fun to use
The Bad:
- Pricey for just a panel
- Requires a powered USB hub. (you may be running out of these before you know it)
- Cant find anywhere to make it work with X-Plane
User Reviews
Check out what other users had to say…
Amazon Review #1
Been using the multiplanel for a few weeks now…here is a very honest review… I think the over all build quality is very good indeed…. #The Selector knob was very hard when it came out of the box but is getting usable everyday…I thinks its better that way than having a floopy knob that requires surgeon like precision to work..:) [...] Read the rest of the review >
Amazon Review #2
This is a really impressive module to add to my sim setup. I like the realism it adds with all the dedicated auto-pilot buttons and the flap and trim controls. However, I have two complaints which the saitek pro flight multi panel have greatly decreased the “fun factor”. One is that the mode selector for the AP controls is very hard to turn so it detracts from a more fluid sim experience, and two is that the setting knob for AP values like altitude and heading “drifts” [...] Read the rest of the review >
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