Alpha and number keypad

jc2da

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2009
Messages
279
I was curious if Dynon has ever thought about an alphabetic keyboard? I just really hate having to scroll thru letters, which seems so 1990's to me. ;)

Having watched some Cirrus videos, i drool over their alpha keyboard and number keypad.

garmin_perspective.jpg
 

Dynon

Dynon Staff
Staff member
Joined
Jan 14, 2013
Messages
14,232
Location
Woodinville, WA
Most homebuilt panels would have a hard time fitting a full alpha panel when we've done mockups. We have some thoughts though.....
 

jc2da

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2009
Messages
279
Yes, i would have to agree. Anyway, keypads are quickly becoming outdated today.  Keyboards are so 2000's. ;)

I would love to see something better replace the conventional knobs and buttons. Maybe a touchpad with gesture inputs like we have on the latest laptops.

Anyway, thanks for letting me day dream! Looking forward to what the experts at Dynon come up with. ;)
 

NASA515

I love flying!
Joined
Oct 23, 2012
Messages
169
The LAST thing I EVER want to see come out of Woodinville is anything with a "Touch screen" or gestures!!!  I hate 'em, hate 'em, hate 'em!!!!!!!!

If you think getting a knob pushed right in turbulence is a challenge, you ain't seen nothing till you try it with a touchscreen.  And gestures?  Holy mackeral.  Save me.

I have a hard time using a touchscreen sitting in my easy chair, let alone my airplane.  I have a Garmin built-in GPS in my car with a touchscreen and just changing the radio station is an adventure in frustration.

I can't be alone - the latest laptops with touchscreens and gestures based on Win 8 aren't exactly flying off the store shelves.

Take me back to the 2000s - the Good Old Days with keyboards and mice.......

Bob Bogash
RV-12
N737G
 

swatson999

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
1,689
The LAST thing I EVER want to see come out of Woodinville is anything with a "Touch screen" or gestures!!!  I hate 'em, hate 'em, hate 'em!!!!!!!!

If you think getting a knob pushed right in turbulence is a challenge, you ain't seen nothing till you try it with a touchscreen.  And gestures?  Holy mackeral.  Save me.

I have a hard time using a touchscreen sitting in my easy chair, let alone my airplane.  I have a Garmin built-in GPS in my car with a touchscreen and just changing the radio station is an adventure in frustration.

I can't be alone - the latest laptops with touchscreens and gestures based on Win 8 aren't exactly flying off the store shelves.

Take me back to the 2000s - the Good Old Days with keyboards and mice.......

Bob Bogash
RV-12
N737G

I'll second that...I hate touchscreens.  I can't imagine doing anything remotely complex in an aircraft, possibly in turbulence or clouds, that could be easier done with a touch screen than with some other more "standard" input device.  As much of a pain as it is sometimes, at least the big knob/small knob Garmin 430/530 paradigm allows you to steady your hand *on the knob* while rotating one of them.

And don't get me started on autocorrect or voice recognition.  My car doesn't understand half the names in my directory, and forever seems to want to "callback" instead of "call Jim", etc.  Frustrates the s**t out of me.

I may be old-fashioned, but I like knobs and buttons and things with tactile feedback. (Not to mention, a place to rest your finger(s) just prior to pushing or rotating, so that they are *steady*).
 

jc2da

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2009
Messages
279
I understand the misgivings with touchpads, but i think the issues could be worked out. New macs come with wireless touchpads which are beautiful to use and look at.

Screen%20shot%202010-09-18%20at%203.09.02%20PM.png


What if the touchpad could be located anywhere and not just on the panel. One option would be on an armrest for instance. The problem with controls on a vertical surface, is that turbulence is usually up and down causing difficulty keeping your finger on a vertical surface, button or knob.

Thinking about it, it seems silly that we have to extend our arms out into space to touch a vertical surface with buttons and knobs on it like toaster ovens, microwave ovens, and cars. Cars dont have vertical turbulence like planes. Even our TV remotes with its buttons are usually on a flat horizontal surface, as well as our keyboards.

I am pretty sure most input devices in Star Trek was on a flat surface, too. :D
 
Top