111: New Clothes for Saitek Switch Panel

Saitek’s Switch Panel adds a lot of fun to FSX.   However, it doesn’t like its younger brothers in the Pro Flight family — all switches on the panel have no illumination and most of them are in black color.  They are very difficult to identify in a dark environment with no extra lights but the monitor only.

Here’s my newly modified switch panel with some colored switches replacements.

Switches are now a lot more easier to identify in a dark environment

Soldering is an easy job compared to the finding of the right components

In fact, my original plan was to replace all of its switches with LED illuminated ones — red, green and amber.   However, I simply couldn’t find the required components to replace them, not to mention the panel’s current USB circuitry couldn’t supply the power required.

When I was younger, there was a whole street selling electronics components.   We called it the “Component Street”.   You could find almost any components as long as you could name them.

Now, there are only a few shops remain selling components.   All others are turned into mobile and accessories shops or lighting shops.

And even in those few component stores, most of their products are actually computer parts, rather than ICs, resistors, capacitors, relays and switches.    Stocks and choices are very limited too.

The switches I used were bought many months ago.   They are out of stock and still no new supply.

If I can find the right components in the future, I will make the panel lit.

Anyway, my Saitek switch panel has got its new clothes after my FIPs’ got theirs.   And by replacing those rocker switches as shown, I am now a lot more easier to identify which is which in a dark environment.

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I also replaced the three tiny black knobs on my Multi Panel and Radio Panel with larger red-color knobs.

The handling now is smoother and a lot more responsive.