Why are Flight Simulators and their components so Expensive?

Рет қаралды 9,722

2 жыл бұрын

ℹ️ This video helps answer the questions: Why are Flight Simulator, and Flight Simulator Components (or Flight Sim Gear) so expensive? The Video dissects some components and explains the basics of Fidelity and Electronics used in building Flight Simulators. Three examples tackle the cost of different types of electronics and how their quality, complexity and quantity can noticeably drive up the price.
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www.digitaljoshua.com
Florida Flight Center: floridaflightcenter.com/
FlightSimExpo: www.flightsimexpo.com/
Aviatek: aviatek.com/
Brunner: www.brunner-innovation.swiss/...
Flight Velocity: flightvelocity.com/
Stay Level Avionix: staylevelavionix.com/
PropWashSIm: www.propwashsim.com/
HoneyComb: flyhoneycomb.com/
RealSimGear: realsimgear.com/
Logitech ProFlight Gear: www.logitechg.com/en-us/produ...
Cost of Frasca Scimulators: www.frasca.com/how-much-does-...
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#flightsimulator #flighttraining #aviation #flightsim #gaming

Пікірлер: 41

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

Add cool 🔆LED Switches and Pushbuttons to your Simulator 🕹: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rpZ6a7Zy0Je8aWQ.html

@PaulGuy 2 жыл бұрын

I get why the custom sim gear is expensive, but the Logitech stuff? They're working with levels of scale on manufacturing and procurement that the custom builders can hardly imagine.

@fredymarius8767 2 жыл бұрын

This topic is very important, because one can realize how expensive are flight simulator for the students who needs to be a good private pilot, besides to know the quality and fidelity of these instruments. This video is worth watching.

@lddutra 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing you knowledge! I just recently discovered your channel and I’m very impressed with the quality of your videos!!!

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for the nice comments. More to come, stay tuned :)

@pcos8337 2 жыл бұрын

Nicely Done! For the highest level pilot training devices you can add the Aircraft Data Package into the mix.... that will usually be a massive cost, but required for any serious level of certification.

@joesonwong 2 жыл бұрын

For concentric dual rotary encoder, try alps ec11 series. They are so much cheaper yet functions ands feels exactly like the $100+ one.

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I will definitely check those out.

@G_de_Coligny 11 ай бұрын

Ec11 are not dual concentric…

@grivello 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent and to the point. Appreciate this !

@joshuamarius Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the comment :)

@dominikmilien 2 жыл бұрын

Hopefully the video is doing a bit better now, while I searched "Why is flight simulation expensive" on KZfaq, it showed me this video as the first result. Then new thumbnail looks very good I just open the video with my other 2 accounts to boost it a little bit

@christianreynoso2807 2 жыл бұрын

Always wondered why. Given this info now I wonder how they’re able to keep costs down. Great video!

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed👍

@atistheso Жыл бұрын

I don't think that video really answers the question. Not every flight simulator component is high fidelity, and yet they are still relatively expensive compared to more streamlined electronic products we use everyday. The real reason it's expensive is the economy of scale. Flight simulation is growing, but it's still a small niche market. When you can sell a couple million products, you can produce them for cheap and still make a profit. If you only expect to sell a couple hundred, it's gonna be a lot more expensive to produce, so they need to be sold at a higher price. If you look at racing simulator hardware, it's already a much bigger market and therefore prices are somewhat cheaper (more competition and cheaper to produce). Another factor is that there are so many type of planes with different cockpits, so if you want a specific panel for a specific plane it's a gonna be a small nice inside an already small niche.

@joshuamarius Жыл бұрын

You make a good point, but what you have said is very generic and only applies to a small aspect of the video. Remember the video also tackles DIY projects and standalone electronics. There are tons of industries (boating, house improvement, renewable energy, etc), not "Niche" at all in which these components are exactly identical and the cost is about the same. Same with DIY...if I build a portable panel with 5 Toggle switches and a controller for my LED lighting system in my porch, I can then use this for my simulator and also my boat; the components and price remain the same as the devices are interchangeable. Racing simulator Hardware is not a very good example because cars are not as complex as aircraft and the knowledge to operate them is readily accessible in contrast to the difficult access to the Aviation industry. High fidelity hardware even in racing simulation is just as expensive. And if you compare products in Racing/Aviation simulation that share almost all of the same components, quality and fidelity, you will notice the price is almost the same. Furthermore, for the units that have sold millions or even billions (which you say should bring the price down), compared to non-electronic counterparts, they are still expensive. This has to do with the fact that electronics and labor is expensive, no matter the industry or the niche market.

@Everything-Wii Жыл бұрын

As expensive as they are, when you are talking about large scale projects, like my 737 overhead panel, 3d printing and DIY wiring is a life saver. I could buy an overhead for 2500 dollars or build one for 400. It takes a lot of time but I have it right now!

@joshuamarius Жыл бұрын

Very good point. 3D printing is making many things affordable and I love that I am seeing many companies picking up on creating add-ons for flight simulation Hardware 👍🏻

@pgreenx 2 жыл бұрын

Great video and shoes why Aviatek is so good. the RSM stufff is nice but theclicky buttons are no go for me

@canadajointops 2 жыл бұрын

I find the prices very fair. I was able to build a very realistic simulator for roughly $2500. And for me that's a very small investment that allows me to progress my flying career in the comfort of my own home.

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

Tell us about your setup 🙂

@CanadianTexaninLiguria 2 жыл бұрын

Basically pricing is based on what the market can bear and what the market expects. Right now just about everything is 2x or 3x what it "should" be. Quickmade sells a G1000 set (2 units) for less than Aviatek sells for 1 unit? Is the Aviatek better, maybe. Is it 150% better or worth 3x the cost? Unlikely unless you have money to burn. But again people will assume that being more expensive is better. A Level D sim sells for $6M (or did before COVID). More than likely half that money went to high overhead and high management salaries. When you start seeing any company with a board of directors, walk away. You're paying their indecent salaries. Suopport companies that bring value to the table and reject ones that think they have a right to charge ridiculous prices for FS stuff.

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. This video is not really about promoting anybody's products, but giving viewers an idea of what's out there and the different pricing. When I receive a product from a company, and real pilots are not able to tell me if I removed it from a real plane or had the panel made by a flight sim company, then you know the product is of the highest quality available in the market. This is the case with Aviatek so that is why their products are featured. They were the highest quality I could find and this is confirmed by other Sim companies high up in the ranks. You have to be careful when you say "is something worth it". Everybody's use case is different. Are you an amateur/advanced gamer, are you a real pilot, or do you have a Flight School where you want to use the most realistic, highest quality and higher fidelity components? The answer to this will determine what is "worth it" and what is not and also your budget.

@dominikmilien 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, but I'd suggest one thing if you want it to blow up. Try changing the title to "Why is FLIGHT SIMULATION so EXPENSIVE?" And also change the thumbnail image to let's say the citation simulator with it's big price written in big white letters down in the middle. This will hopefully attract much more people and you'll get more views.

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

Great tips! Thanks so much for the comment.

@pesto12601 2 жыл бұрын

too bad there isn't a "used plane parts" dealer down the block like I can find used car parts.... that would make these things MUCH cheaper!!

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

There are many, but you would be surprised that the prices don't come down much even if the aircraft is salvaged for parts after crashing. For example, I found a Garmin G1000 system for $11,000, and brand new you can get this system for around $18,000. Even used and beat up its still super expensive.

@pesto12601 2 жыл бұрын

@@joshuamarius amazing. Funny enough, I just did a web search after and agree.. the used prices are amazingly high!

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

@@pesto12601 crazy isn't it!!??? You can buy a car for the price of a Screen on an airplane.

@mikelehkamp7827 2 жыл бұрын

@@joshuamarius What happened to my comment from 10/05/2021? Censoring are we?

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

@@mikelehkamp7827 Probably KZfaq, I allow all comments, good or bad.

@humberto367 2 жыл бұрын

Very good this video, always good content and videos! I would like to ask you a question, what is your solution for magnetic switches, I am building a F-16 home cockipit, and Honeywell magnetic switches are very expensive, going after a DIY solution! Please would like your opinion on this! I'm subscribed to your channel! Thanks!

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

Can you please provide me with a link to these switches so I can look at the Specifications? Thanks!

@humberto367 2 жыл бұрын

@@joshuamarius Some references Switch type: ELEC OFF / BATT / MAIN, ECM OPR and ECM XMIT ON-OFF-ON Honeywell 12TW1-1A MS27721-21-1A FLAT HEAD (F) LOCK Type A Switch Type: JFS START1 / 2 MAG-OFF-MAG Honeywell 1TL1-7E MS24658-27E ROUND HEAD(R) LOCK TYPE E Switch Type: FLTC Digital / FLTC Alt Flaps / FLTC Manual TF Flyup / FLTC LEFLAPS / CMDS jettison / SNSR Right hardpoint / SNSR Left hardpoint / SNSR FCR - Note that the GEAR landing light switch is the same but with one head Special ON-OFF Honeywell 1TL1- 3D MS24658-23D ROUND HEAD (R) LOCK TYPE D Switch type: FLTC BIT / FUEL tank inerting / GEAR ground jet ON OFF Honeywell 1TL1-3F MS24658-23F ROUND HEAD(R) LOCK TYPE F Switch type: AV FCC / AV SMS / AV MFD / AV UFC / AV GPS / AV DL / AV MAP / TRIM AP DISC / ON OFF Honeywell 12TW1-3D MS27721-23-1D FLAT HEAD (F) LOCK TYPE D

@schakoska Жыл бұрын

Manufacturers buy everything in bulk for a way lower price than the price listed on amazon. Most of the prices are just pure profit

@joshuamarius Жыл бұрын

I don't think it's quite as simple as that. Manufacturers still need quality assurance, paid labor to fully test and assemble, and a whole bunch of other expenses. Electronic components are just expensive in general; more expensive per part than other stuff we buy in everyday life. They make a profit but it is not as high as we would like to think.

@skychaser996 2 жыл бұрын

Nailed it ! 🤣😂 I m a real time heli pilot and I truly can appreciate companies like AVIATEK. Yes it is steep but if you want to buy once instead of twice or more , it is the most realistic gear at still somewhat reasonable price. Their G1000's panels are just the real thing at home. You can make a FP on your PC and load it on it. That option is not available on other models. Trust me, programming a complex flight Plan in the G1000 is not the most fun experience one can have that day lol! The switches and knobs are just like the real thing. So yes It's twice as expensive but also much better. So yes a lot of people flying just for fun few hours a month, should not be interested in purchasing such product, but if you are serious about saving time and money for your real time IFR or if these panels are meant to be used by pilots in training, or the serious enthusiast, then it is a no brainer. Quality all day, reliability all day and fidelity all day! And with a great service. Do save up and bite the bullet! You'll be glad you did :)

@joshuamarius 2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't have said it better myself :) Thanks for the comment!

@rayjennings3637 2 жыл бұрын

The irony is that many of the people who complain about the cost of these assemblies would quite readily go out and drop twice the price on a couple of headlamp bulbs or coloured LED strips for their car, or three times the price on a pair of trainers just because they're fashionable at the time!

@egg_master7978 2 жыл бұрын

What?