The SimDeck

What is a SimDeck?

A SimDeck is a USB input device designed and manufactured by Borealis Light Industries and consists of a number of discrete buttons and switches - a device commonly referred to as a "control panel" or a "button box".

The primary purpose for a SimDeck is to be used as an input device in a simulator environment - flight, space, driving, and others.


TL;DR
    It's a USB gamepad with 30+ buttons.

Advantages

Why use a SimDeck?

To enchance the user's immersion in the simulation by providing a set of physical controls which closely resemble those found in the piece of hardware being simulated.

To increase the number of controls the user is able to use, aiding muscle-memory with tactile feel and logical control grouping - especially when compared to a typical keyboard.

To simplify the control scheme, by allowing functions in the simulation to be mapped to a unique button press or a flick of a switch - as opposed using two, three, and sometimes even four-key combinations on the keyboard.

For those interested in creating a sim-pit, the SimDeck is a cost, time, and space efficient alternative to designing and fabricating your own control panels.


TL;DR
    Get one step closer to the real thing you're simulating.  
  

Compatibility

Will it work with my OS or software?

The hardware behind each SimDeck is designed to function as any regular USB HID (human interface device) and will appear in the operating system as a "joystick".

Unfortunately it is impractical for us to test every single hardware and software combination. However the rule of thumb is if your hardware and software are able to use any off-the-shelf USB peripheral (specifically joysticks and gamepads), you should have no problem with a SimDeck.

In Windows 7 and later, as well as just about any Linux distro, the drivers are automatically detected as soon as the SimDeck is plugged into the USB port. No additional software needs to be installed.

Any software that allows custom control bindings from a joystick or gamepad will be able to detect input from the SimDeck.


TL;DR
    Windows, Linux, Mac - good to go!
    Xbox, PlayStation, etc - not so much.
    Software where a joystick can be used (pretty much all PC sim games) - good to go!
    Software where only keyboard and mouse can be used (i.e. Excel) - not so much.      

Construction

How is a SimDeck constructed?

The outer enclosure is sourced by Hammond Manufacturing - an electrical and electronic hardware manufacturer with over 100 years in the business.
The enclosure is made from 14-gage (1.6mm thick!) powder-coated aluminum and sits on a set of grippy rubber feet.

The buttons and switches are from various sources however, in all cases they have been chosen for their superior tactile feel and aesthetic appearance. The buttons are not mushy and provide definitive feedback when pressed; the flat anti-rotation handles on the toggle switches are easy to actuate in a hurry. See Types of Inputs for more info.

The microprocessor running the device is an ARM Cortex-M0+, a very capable processor with plenty of power in reserve. In fact this is the same processor the researchers at University of Michigan used in 2018 for their "world's smallest computer".

Internally, all electronics are mounted on custom designed and professionally manufactured circuit-boards and wired together with ribbon cable. This provides the greatest degree of electrical stability and resistance to vibration and shock.


TL;DR
    You could hammer nails with this thing, but please don't - the finish may get scratched :)

Quality Control

Even before an order for a SimDeck comes in we already begin our Quality Control process.

First, each component and circuit board is verified for electrical and mechanical functionality.

Next, each micro-processor is uploaded with a test program and is ran through its paces to verify full functionality.

Once an order is received and the aluminum enclosure is milled, the work is then verified to sub-millimeter tolerances.

After the hardware is installed and interconnected, each electrical connection is verified both with software and metering equipment.

Lastly, before shipping each SimDeck is thoroughly tested for functionality and finish.

Using the SimDeck

How easy is it to use the SimDeck?

Absolutely no software or drivers need to be installed - the SimDeck is completely plug-in-play:

• Plug in the USB cable
• Give your computer a minute to recognize the new device
• You're ready to go!

The rest is entirely up to the software you're using. In the case of many flight-sims, you'd need to go into the options to configure the controls and assign buttons to functions.


TL;DR
    Not any more difficult than setting up a basic keyboard.

Multiple SimDecks

Is it possible to use multiple SimDecks at the same time?

Yes, absolutely!

The only "gotcha", is that certain software might keep a separate controls profile depending on the number of SimDecks plugged in. Meaning it is not an issue if you're not planning on removing and adding SimDecks on a regular basis.

TL;DR
    Yes!

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Specifications

Dimensions: 170mm x 150mm x 60mm / 6.7" x 5.8" x 2.3"

Interface: USB 2.0 via included 2m (6-ft) cable and USB-B port on the device

Standard layout Total number of inputs - 38 Push buttons - 14 Toggle switches - 7 LED buttons - 2 + 1 w/ cover Safety cover switch - 1 Rotary encoders - 2

Click to enlarge

Custom layout

Total number of inputs - up to 60
Buttons or switches - up to 48 inputs (toggle switch is 2 inputs each, a button is 1 input)
Rotary encoders - up to 4 (each encoder is 3 inputs)

Use our SimDeck Customization Utility to create you very own custom design.

Customization

There are currently two customization streams - either basic customizing of an existing "standard" layout or creating your very own custom layout from scratch.

Standard layout customization:

• Customize button colors (as available in Types of Inputs)
• Option to omit the label holders
• The physical layout can not be changed

Custom layout design:

• Use the Borealis SimDeck Customization Utility to create your very own custom design
• Add and position buttons and switches to suit your needs
• Once a custom design is finalized, any additional SimDecks can be ordered at the standard price

Types of Inputs

Round push buttons - domed with flat top Quiet and smooth - slight resistance at the top and a soft click at the bottom Available Colors: blue, red, yellow, green Best used for controls with either a single function controls or where a single-button alternating toggle is sufficient: direct one-to-one mapping of any button-control - pylon selectors, master caution reset, trim reset, etc non-critical systems, where accidental cycling of the system is trivial - lights, display mode, etc auxiliary functions - TrackIR center, recording start, etc
Toggle switches - two position, self-centering Short-throw anti-rotation flat handle allows for quick and accurate actuation, and superior tactile feel Best used for controls with two mutually exclusive functions, each requiring its own control: critical systems where a single-button toggle is insufficient - landing gear up and down, radar on and off, etc logical grouping of similar controls - view internal and external, radar beam narrow and wide, etc
LED push buttons - illuminated with under-cap label Fair bit of resistance at the top followed by a snap down, producing a pronounced click at the bottom of the press. Key cap can be removed to insert a printed label. Available Colors: green, red, yellow, blue. Available Styles: square, round, round with safety cover. Best used for systems with few functions which need to stand out: emergency systems - eject, jettison, abort, etc primary control of major systems - autopilot modes, power systems, etc
Safety switches - single-throw, latching, with safety cover Significant resistance on both the cover and the switch - two action activation (flip cover push switch), one action deactivation (close cover). Available Cover Colors: red, black, white Best used for major mode control  - master arm, ignition, self-destruct, etc
Rotary encoders - two rotation directions and a push button Three total inputs - clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation, and a button press. Available Colors: blue, red, yellow, orange, white Best used for control of systems requiring a rapid two-directional control input: menu selection up/down with rotation and confirm with button press incrementing and decrementing a numeric value in tuning a radio or weapon parameter

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Placing an Order

Currently we accept order requests directly via our email: borealis.simdecks@gmail.com and payment via PayPal.

To place an order, please email us the following:

• If ordering a standard layout, please mention any basic customization options you'd like to include
• If ordering a custom layout, please remember to include the output from the customization utility
• The quantity of SimDecks you'd like to order
  
• Your shipping address
• Shipping method you'd like to use (Economy or Express)
  

Once we process your request will receive a PayPal invoice, including an exact shipping price.

Once the invoice is paid, the assembly of your SimDeck will begin!

Price

SimDeck    -    $195

Standard layout and basic customization    -    free

Custom layout design (non-recurring, i.e. cost per layout - not per SimDeck)    -    $35 

All prices are in US dollars.

Delivery Time

We strive to have each order complete in less than three weeks from the moment the invoice is paid.

In vast majority of cases, you will hopefully find the delivery time to be shorter than that.

Since we are not currently able to keep each combination of button and switch in stock in mass quantities we order them on as-needed basis. Therefore it is possible to experience delays out of our control - however you will be kept updated, especially If there the delays extend beyond the three-week time line.

Shipping Cost

Below are the average shipping costs per destination for a single unit - about 90% of addresses will fall in those ranges.

Your invoice will include the exact shipping cost and you only pay Post Office charges - we do not add a shipping surcharge.

All shipping methods and destinations will include tracking and have insurance coverage.

Destination	Economy	Express
Canada	$15~20 (5-7 business days)	$17~32 (2-3 business days)
USA	$20~25 (6-7 business days)	$28~35 (4-5 business days)
Europe	$40~50 (12+ business days)	$60~80 (6 business days)
Others	Please inquire

All prices are in US dollars.

Guarantees

Each and every SimDeck is thoroughly tested for functionality and finish before shipment - a video of your SimDeck's final inspection will be made available to you.

All orders paid with PayPal are covered by Purchase Protection:
    "If [the item] doesn’t arrive or is significantly different to how the seller described it, you can file a claim."

Additionally, all orders are shipped with insurance coverage upto the full value of the item to protect against lost or damaged shipments.

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