*FIRST LOOK* - Airbus Mini FCU | Full Review & Setup - Now Shipping
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- The MiniFCU for Airbus is now shipping and I'm lucky to be one of the first to take a look at this amazing piece of hardware. In this video I'll take you through the setup of the unit and review exactly how it works within MSFS to see if it really will replace flying with a mouse. This was one of the fastest selling titles on Kickstarter when the campaign was released, hitting their target in a little under 2 minutes.
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For me, the lack of Fenix compatibility is a dealbreaker. I wanted to buy one at the start of the campaign but the developers only announced shortly before the end of the campaign that the Fenix was compatible, so I was annoyed because the low prices were already over. Now I'm glad I didn't buy one. Hopefully Fenix will open up to more third-party providers. I'm now very happy with my Stream Deck Plus, which taps and displays flight data with Quartz and also offers physical knobs with the Fenix.
Would have been great if they made it look like an airbus but was compatible with most aircraft.
I think that for the Fenix problem the team should look at a software fix where you enter the current status of the displays at the start of the flight and you make the numbers change on the fcu based on the movement of the knobs, it would be some kind of fake synchronization but still better than nothing at all
The way it’s gonna work is it will work via the sim but just won’t display on the unit
This seems like the most likely solution. I guess some kind of initial calibration would be required somehow. Perhaps you could enter the values displayed on the Fenix into the datalink app upon spawning in and sync that way.
@@MatthewKiff I don’t think any will be needed. The unit can’t read sadly the fenix data or something like. The MC team have basically said you can use your unit and it will work in the sim but will not update on the unit and will show blanks or 0000s
It is possible for the unit to get the data, just wouldn't be "officially" supported. The community will probably bring something together to make it work. Probably integrate it inside of "FenixQuartz"
Fenix uses Prosim for avionics, not likely the product will gets rights to read their software. Legal issues, just saying.
Even with the Fenix limitation, it's absolutely amazing!
I'm just so happy that I took the risk and was one of the first pledgers ... can't wait for it!
Next plans btw ... miniEFIS and miniECAM!
PS: There are even the first copy cats around of this ...
Great to see one for real has arrived. I have started making sure my FBW Neo is up to date in readiness.
Got mine today. Little test flight LEPA-LEBB in A32nx. This piece of kit is fantastic, a gamechanger, literally.
Just bought mine! I'm super excited to get it and try it out. Phenomenal details just seeing this thing via a video! Thanks Gav🍻
Glad I could help!
Perfect for Fenix in VR! Cant see the unit anyway!
A quite good solution
Take my money. I am in VR so the screen don't bother me but will allow me to feel the real buttons and put them mirroring the aircraft position
Really can't wait for mine to arrive! A little disappointing about how it works (or doesn't) with the Fenix but hoping there might be a workaround for it at some point.
Its not just them allot of hard ware suppliers seem to have issues with the development teams of the fenix
What kind of shipping & taxes did they request to send you your unit ?
Where the hell did u order it
It’s worth mentioning that Airbus wants you to look at the screens when manipulating controls, not through control itself. FMA, PFD, ND, ECAM all should be verified on screen. So this kinda forces you to do it the way Airbus wants anyways (for the Fenix)
It is depending on which environment is running
For example, I have a 55inch 4K TV and seat on front field, all the cockpit instrument can be read clearly.
Howere some user still using small monitor the sync of fcu display is very useful.
Great add on received mine 2 weeks ago and enjoying it immensely, but I had a shock this morning. I have received a duty and tax invoice for £50.79 from FedEx. Perhaps I am naive, but with a price of £221 I assumed taxes would be included. I think potential buyers should be aware before they buy.
Looking forward to receiving my mini FCU I was 903 so will receive in the first batch hopefully. I think there is an element of disappointment regarding the lack of display in the Fenix giving the impression of a half empty glass. I am going back the A320 FBW as i am experiencing severe stuttering with the Fenix of late of which I cannot resolve. Thank you for your tutorial always a pleasure to see another of your presentations.
How do you buy it
Thanks for the review. I'm eagerly awaiting mine. The number of times I've been given a heading by VATSIM and turn the HDG knob, then lose the mouse pointer part way through the selection. This is just what we need. Could also do with them developing a Tiller, MCDU and a Radio unit. 😁
I fly exclusively VR so I'm happy with it
Yep, one in our favour at last, even if a bit of a fluke. 😊
This looks every bit as nice as the photos promised, if it was for sale I would have bought one. Thanks for showing it.
Holy shit this looks so cool. And since I play in VR I absolutely don't give a damn if I can't see the IRL display when flying the Fenix for example. SO EXCITED!
Mine just turned up today. Looking forward to trying it out.
Looks very nice, fair price, however main aircraft I fly is the Fenix. That said the display doesn’t work with Fenix, therefore it’s a deal breaker. Maybe there will be a fix update. I really want one for the PMDG 737, I guess I’ll wait.
Check out a more recent video on the channel, there is does now work with displays and the Fenix A320. Also use the code EASYJETSIMPILOT at checkout when you buy it to get 10% off. 👍
Thanks Gav for an excellent review, I'm patiently waiting for mine. I'm sure you'll really appreciate the Mini FCU whilst flying on VATSIM and I look forward to your first stream with it in use.
It would have been an excellent review if he'd bothered to give us even an indication of the COST of this.
Hi Gavin. Thats awesome that you have been so lucky to be one of the first to receive your unit. I was backer #1824 and had only received my survey email two days ago. Hopefully it doesnt take too long to ship it to me here in NZ.
Personally seen the price of the unit and the quality of the Fenix, i ma, very happy anyway better than nothing. I fly the a330 and the 320nx too so not a dealbreaker for me!
Thanks Gavin. It does look very nice but there's no way that I could get rid of my mouse as the maker's video claims. Such a shame that full two-way comms with the Fenix is not possible.
Thanks for the video. Really excited waiting my unit!! Best regards from Boeing in Seattle, WA USA
Looks very impressive, but the shipping costs, explained very transparently on their website, are huge for those in the UK (unsurprisingly!). I’d already gone down the route of a Streamdeck Plus instead powered by Axis & Ohs. A bit more technical to set up, and not as Airbus authentic, but lots of profiles (payware or free) for different aircraft available, including Horizon mods and non Airbus planes, and functionality is the same or greater, and can be customised.
Yes, UK customers are hit quite hard, sadly.
I use an X-Touch mini configures with Spad.next.
Very cheap option.
Why though?
@@graemejenkins3423 Their website explains it.Minicockpit followed by a well known suffix, then navigate to the Wiki and "Can you explain my shipping cost?" where impressive use is made of onions!
@@graemejenkins3423 - Because they're based in Papua New Guinea.
Ive tried and tried to get one of these. Hope they become available soon. Ive never had so many issues trying to give away my hard earned cash. Havent even found an opportunity to actually place an order yet
Nobody is able to order one yet. Only those who funded the original Kickstarter campaign many months ago.
While yes it’s disappointing about the Fenix, BUT to be fair to the Minifcu team, they have been completely open about this situation and sadly it’s a decision the Fenix team made when they designed and built their module.
Personally I think the Fenix team made the wrong choice to allow themselves to get so tied down to the terms and conditions that purposely restrict home cockpit interaction unless you purchase very expensive professional equipment which realistically will never happen, BUT credit where it’s due to the MiniFCU team who have come up with a workable solution.
All we as simmers and customers can do is keep the pressure on Fenix so that one day they will remove these restrictions.
You can use the displays ....
@@VonycBlnyes I know, never said you couldn’t, BUT the fact the displays DON’T work on an external device due to poor planning and poor decision making on the Fenix Devs side is still not really acceptable that Fenix do not allow it. Like I said it’s NOT the fault of the minifcu team, and they have come up with a reasonable workaround, BUT they shouldn’t have to.
We NEED to get the message across to Fenix that these artificial restrictions on home equipment are unacceptable.
Very nice gadget, undoubtely. But I prefer a minimalistic approach in my setup and my HC Bravo + TM A320 stick do the job quite well...
can't wait for mine to arrive, thank you for the video!! by the way, any idea what the VESA mounting mentioned in the documentation is for? is this something that could mount on top of a Bravo throttle? personally I don't mind the Fenix restriction and think it's going to be a far superior solution to using the mouse!
I provided my details yesterday, can't wait to get mine
Wow…they are opening new orders for next month. But WOW….$270. Thats crazy high
This looks amazing. I'm going to try it in VR.
Glad they made compatible with Fenix. In the start of the Kickstarter campaign, their stance was not to support Fenix as it would be only “halfway” implementer like shown here. But me and other VR user suggested they made a “one-way” function there the buttons worked with the Fenix although the display would not. So glad they did, and it’s working with the Fenix, as I don’t need the display in VR.
there is a hint at the campaign page how to get it work .... its pretty the same way how to use the displays on the Stream Deck: Using FenixQuartz...
Any idea if they plan to release this for the xbox in the future or is this a pc only?
Nicely done - I cant get mine to work - there is no DOWNLOAD page - i see you are on WIKI page ??
I managed to dig out the DLS file but now Im getting WASM error ?? OMG another black box.
Looks awesome! Next should be a mini MCDU/Fms
The FlyByWire allows you to remote the MCDU out to an old tablet and place it on your desk, giving an excellent sized touch interface directly on the MCDU buttons, works beautifully. I'd agree the EFIS is a good next step.
@@iantill which app do you use for this?
Great video. Congrats. It's a shame you can't change the colour of the numerics on the unit.
These things are lovely but not for me - ironically, it would take me 'out' of the sim and would kinda break immersion for me. Enjoy though! :)
The colour of the digits are Amber in colour, though in the video, it does come across as more white.
Actually, come to think of it, the A320 NEO's are white. yes? @@Easyjetsimpilot
Naughty question, what happens if you load up a Boeing or any other plane? Will it still update the numbers etc?
Can't wait to get mine. Not much info on the quality though. Does it feel well made, sturdy, solid? It looks very plastic like but I'm hoping it's a decent quality.
Very well made. Not heavy, but solid.
It s a very tempting product. It s a pity I didn t know about the kickstarter cause I would have ordered one.
fine for me, I use multipanel and a loupedeck with all my aircraft so the limitations are nothing new for me. Can't wait for mine.
am excited for this but i wish they made it the full size but i no a ecm module is to happen as well
Oh man, this is amazing. I wish id known about this sooner as Id definately have supported it
Can I get a link to the highspeed cable required so I get the same one as you
Awesome review, quick question, does it work with other aircraft? 737, bae146? I know it says a320. Just wondered. Be awesome if it does.
Thank you for the vid! I just got mine and tested it out with the FBW (latest dev version, e2b8623) and noticed that my knobs don't always register a click. Like rotating the alt knob jumps from 6000 to 8000 and back to 6000 skipping 7000 altogether. And turning the heading knob sometimes does not register a click, or the heading will settle on say 180, but then jump to 181 even though I didn't continue twisting. I'm using DLS 1.1.8 and start the software before the sim. Ever see this before?
I have, but only if I srtaed the MiniFCU software late and when I was in the aircraft. Launch this before msfs and it should be better.
13:00 a little concerning how the heading twitched after you let go of the knob.
When will these be available to buy?
Hopefully the fenix problem can be fixed. The main problem I have with it is the lack of orange text on the display. I get that the 330 has the white light but personally I just prefer the dimmer colour.
The actual text is more Amber than is shown in this video, it was just the camera setup.
@@Easyjetsimpilot In that case I will probably be trying to get my hands on a copy of it when if officially releases.
Hi,my minifcu doesn't want to connect,i've tried everything and i can't get it to work!...very disappointed!...i've followed all the setup steps and nothing!...does anyone have this problem?😢😢😢
Thats a shame about the Fenix, that's an absolute deal breaker for me. If you can't see the numbers and have to look at the sim anyway then you may as well just save some money and carry on doing what you're doing without out. Hopefully it will be allowed soon..
But... You always look at the PFD to confirm what you have selected and not the FCU, so in essence, you're still going to have to look at the sim anyway, even if the FCU numbers were there.
@@Easyjetsimpilot I hope they manage to get some sort of access to the data because we need hardware like this. I'd probabaly snatch one up along with an mcdu😁
I think fenix will have to look at hardware like this and look at options to get certain devices working, be in their interests.
The restriction is a licencing issue with the software they use, so it might be out of their hands.
@@Easyjetsimpilot that's a good point. Hopefully they can make some kind of agreement with the licence but guess it depends on the details and reasons for the restictions. Still I use VR so it isn't an issue for me the controls will still be great
Would the fenixquartz software make it possible for values to be visible? I already use this for my battery voltage for my overhead
I was hoping for the same thing. @easyjetsimpilot - could you maybe check on that? Would be amazing!
Yes, as long as this product gets support from another company such as myself.
This looks as good as i hope it would - just entered my shipping details so hopefully wont be long until i pay for shipping and get the unit. Any idea how it could fix on top of a Honeycomb Bravo unit?
Its a shame it doesn't fully work with the fenix. I bought the simple FCU and it works fully with the fenix
Awesome! I can't wait for my unit. I may have missed it, but does the push / pull work on the miniFCU? Does it feel okay?
Yes it does!
Winwing is releasing one too for $130 in January 2024. It looks like a carbon copy
hopfully you can just buy it normally insted of winning the golden ticket
Looking forward to receiving mine. Surprised to hear it doesn't work with the Horizon modded LatinVFR. I suppose that also means if you try to use it with any non-Airbus aircraft, nothing will happen either?
Hey! Nice video. I'm interested in buying it though I don't know where. Can't seem to find a place to buy it. Could you please provide a link where I can get it?
Thanks :D
Link in comments. However, they are clearing the initial kickstart orders first before being released again.
8:30 what a bummer that it doesn't work (100%) with the Fenix A320.
Thanks for the info.
We need one of these for the 737.
I have had it for a while now. It is a game changer especially in VATSIM!! The Fenix limitation is not a problem for me. We airline pilots always look at the PFD for confirmation and not the FCU anyway.
Exactly! 👍
Any thoughts on inibuild A320N on SU14 beta?
This is awesome, I just filled out the shipping form yesterday, one question, I am also in the UK and was wondering how much are the shipping costs for this?
Shipping costs and UK tax will total about £80, so I'm told 😢
@@Termite5656 oh man that’s tough
That's obscene...@@Termite5656
Blimey! So if you got in on the launch price of $99.00 let’s say £85.00 the shipping cost must be £65.00 making it £150.00 plus 20% VAT totalling £180.00. As mentioned in the video it’s not a very heavy unit but £65.00 shipping is a bit OTT even with an expedited service. Does anyone know what warranty these have and should a problem develop is it RTB?
@@steve83803 exactly !! Doesnt seem as much value for money all of a sudden, does it. As for warranty.. and the costs of shipping for repair etc... god knows.... I dont... but Ive asked.
I've connected mine but not getting a green connection light. Its installed in the correct folder too, its the same with XP12. Not sure what else to do?
Are you using the supplied USB cable?
@@Easyjetsimpilot I did yes, but have ordered another one now and lets see if thats the issue, the cable is quite loose in the connector at the back.
Thanks
is it just me or on the website, theres not place to order it
What about using it for any other plane? Is it compatible with planes using Garmins's interface?
Great execution on this mini FCU. Just to be clear, is it full scale? Because it looks like it is.
Is it slightly smaller than full scale. There is a picture on their website with the Mini FCU sat on top of the real FCU and you'll see, it is only slightly smaller.
@@Easyjetsimpilot Yes, I later read it's 80% of the size. How much did it cost during the kickstarter? Can't find the price anywhere now.
How much did the shipping cost work out for after to the UK?
does it work in xbox?
Can someone please explain how to purchase one of these
How would you get your hands on this hardware? Do you know if any more shipments will be shipped out during December?
They are clearing the initial kickstart orders first before being released again.
What scenery are you using for KSEA?
Are there still orders able to be placed? Can’t seem to find the purchase function on the website.
They are clearing the initial kickstart orders first before being released again.
@@Easyjetsimpilot Ah I see, thanks for the reply 👍 Any ideas when they will release again?
Hi sir
Iam using fenix a320 when I request in mcdu init there have error please help me
Should have waited for the Winwing one
Will still have the same issues with Fenix though. NO product unless it’s by Prosim works with it, due to licensing restrictions with the software
Amazing but slightly gutted about functionality with fenix. Still, I’d rather that than not have the mini fcu.
What the length of the provided USB cable? Also are both ends USB-A male?
Around 1m, you can replace the cable with any good quality microusb to type a cable.
The USB port should be Type C and atleast 5feet long.
This was raised in the kickstarter campaign a few months ago. The response was that USB-C would increase the production cost too much with little benefit, as the current USB design is sufficient for data and power.
Deal breaker fenix...glad I use fbw😅
Me too. Fenix is a stutterfest. FBW is 70 FPS. No competition.
It's the same issue as with the logitech Multi panel. If I got it right it's due to some licensing issues fenix faces with used sources. So there can't be a solution at all.
There is a solution out there. Fenix Quartz for example.
@@de-flightFenix Quartz??? Worth googling then I take it
@@de-flight thx for the tip :)
Also mysoftware as well. But that is different.@@No1BRC
Probably a stupid question but could you run this on Xbox for MSFS?
Afraid not.
How much is it going for ? No information on their website
and no information in this video either. Odd isn't it?
Is it only a limited time thing or more will be made available later on??
More will be made after the initial kickstart backlog is cleared.
Yes, but we only have half the FCU. Why didn’t they do the entire FCU (from baro to baro)?
This is the next step of their production.
They’re smart. They do it twice to make more money.@@Easyjetsimpilot
It's built to a price. If it were the whole FCU it would have been 3x the price. So they wisely made the most important part.
Yes Obviously@@DavidR_192
Sadly its been released, but there's no price listed on the website?
They are clearing the initial kickstart orders first before being released again.
Awesome to see this in action. Is the metric alt button also customizable?
Not that I know of, as this serves a purpose. The Expedite button is as you can use it to turn on/off the FD or LS if you wish.
@@Easyjetsimpilot I think an option for metric alt button would have also made it little more flexible. None the less, looking superb.
Have you seen this being released by Winwing? Full size.
and Winwing are not charging *twice the cost of the unit* to ship to common Western countries.
Does it work on Xbox?
Is thus available to public yet?? Who is selling the MINI FCU??
You didn't watch the video then? The answer to your question was given in the video.
Awesome, will it work on X PLANE 11 .?
Yes smooth like a butter
how much is it?
Hi is this actually for sale yet,looked on website but couldnt purchase one
They are clearing the initial kickstart orders first before being released again.
For heaven's sake, the amount of lazy people asking that question, when the answer is in the video. Just watch it!
Hi,
what is the price of such unit, and why isn't it compatible with fenix's addon ?
that is rather disappointing.
This is the licensing policy of fenix, not tech related.
@@huijohn4454 Thank you for your reply.
Fenix functionality a deal breaker for me. I was excited for this product, but seeing no readings on hardware = RTO from this would-be purchaser.
It's a shame, but it sadly isn't in the hands of the Mini FCU guys, it's all about how Fenix operates their aircraft and their licence with ProSim.
Do we know if fenixquartz would enable values to be visible like for other readable values such as battery voltage? I have this working for my overhead
@@leontgiscombe993 - No, unfortunately not.
pretty cool but how do you buy the damm thing
They are clearing the initial kickstart orders first before being released again.
@@Easyjetsimpilot - I feel sorry for you having to keep answer that silly question, when the answer was included in the video. All these attention deficit kids who can't be bothered to watch a video about something they're interested in!
I want one but the price is absurd. 269 dollars excluding taxes and oh they're also charging you customs fees if you live in the US. not a good deal at all, and doesn't display any information when using it with the most popular a320 addon in the sim (fenix a320).
Please See latest video.
Oh gawd why did they use micro usb
Same here