Reddit mentions of Logitech G PC Farm Sim Vehicle Side Panel

This one

CH pro throttle is ideal for this and strafe control in space sims. The analog thumb stick is perfect. In DCS I use it for sensor slew, just like what you're asking for. In space, it's an ideal strafe control for full 6 DOF.

Also, what's your budget? If you are set on a stick control and don't mind a more colorful device, I'm kinda curious about this thing: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M1B2MJX/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492648484&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=saitek+farming+simulator

Frame: Volair Sim Universal Flight or Racing Simulation Cockpit Chassis with Triple Monitor Mounts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGYXUKW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_miyVAb55BEEJF

Monitors: Acer Gaming Monitor 24" XFA240 bmjdpr 1920 x 1080 144Hz Refresh Rate 1ms Response Time AMD FREESYNC Technology with Height, Pivot, Swivel & Tilt (Display Port, HDMI/MHL, & DVI Port) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYHZ6R6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sjyVAb2BBS676

HOTAS: Logitech G Saitek X52 Pro Flight Contol System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ1MQTL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_okyVAbPZ9H8N0

Side panel: Logitech G Saitek Farm Sim Vehicle Side Panel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1B2MJX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ElyVAbGR3K2HG

I've had plans for a button box brewing for a while now. I'm still in the planning phase, but I have the tools and sourced most of the parts I want to use. So here are my 0.02$ on the issue:

> To go along with (meaning, can connect with) the most popular HOTAS, which, IIRC, is the old thrustmaster model.

Arduino/Teensy boards just register as a regular old joystick with your PC, and E:D has no problems handling multiple joysticks. There is going to be no problem here. I have no idea how that might work on consoles though, but my guess is: can't be done.

> To completely remove the need for a keyboard

Why? You'd still want to chat or search for systems from time to time.

> To have at least a few "blank" buttons, similar to logitechs g-keys

You are building your own, custom button box. Every button is a blank button if you don't label it. In fact, my plan is to make my box exactly A4 in size, so I can just print my labels on one continuous sheet of paper. That way I can easily change out labels or have entirely different setups for different games.

> 20-35$

That's probably just the cost of your arduino/teensy board including shipping. Double that and you might be able to get some nice buttons and switches. Include some tools that you might still need, some wire and a box to attach everything to, and you are at about 100$. Mind you, this is still super optimistic. Something might break, you change your mind on some of the buttons halfway through, etc. I mean, look at some commercial solutions. The Saitek Farm Sim side Panel is essentially what you want to build, but commercially available. They should get parts on the cheap and they have their production sorted out, right? Yeah, they still have to charge 150$ bucks for that. Cheaper is definitely possible, but 20$? No way.

All in all, a project like this is highly dependent on the individual. What kind of tools/resources do you already have? How much experience do you have with these tools? I don't have a 3D printer, but I have some old MDF boards that I'm gonna saw into size and drill some holes into. But that's not going to be a solution for everybody.

My recommendation: get an arduino/teensy/whatever, follow some tutorials on how to add a button to it and how to set it up so it gets recognized as a controller by your PC. From there, everything else comes naturally. Want to add more buttons? Read up on button matrices. Want a nice box? 3D print something or cut up some cheap plastic/wood.

And it would probably be quicker and cheaper to just buy one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Saitek-Farm-Vehicle-Panel/dp/B01M1B2MJX

If you mean the package that is designed for FS 17, the only part in that package that is worth it is the control panel. You can chuck the wheel and pedals away. The only dodgy part with the side panel is the little wheel down on the left.

You should've just bought this and bought some other wheel and pedal combo.

Technically, a direct drive wheel lol (OSW for example)
Very expensive, but very powerful and unmatched in quality (since its something you build, or order to be built for you)
https://www.simracingbay.com/
They're fully customizable, any rim or amount of buttons you want

One option for a button box is to use the Logitech Side Panel, but I don't own one so I don't know if they would be worth it.

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Saitek-Farm-Vehicle-Panel/dp/B01M1B2MJX

Of course, if you are looking for expensive but technically the best, you would probably be looking at these http://derekspearedesigns.com/button-controllers.html

https://evolpcgaming.com/store

What's the purpose of HOSAS if you have HOTAS?

I'm not using Voice attack yet or a keyboard, everything fits on the Warthog HOTAS (with pedals) so no need to touch-find the keyboard, though I added some caps/covers to a few of the switches on the throttle base so they would feel different and I could tell which one my fingers were on. I have one of the hat switches on the throttle control lateral/landing thrusters.

However, I just got a ship launched figher bay, which adds 6 more keys and I'm not sure where to put those yet - perhaps an excuse to get one of these if I can figure out where to mount it.