Buyer Selection Guide

 

There are now two products using Ergodex technology: The Ergodex DX1 and the CH Products Multi-Function Panel. Both use the same hardware: 25 movable, programmable keys (with an option for a second set of keys to bring the system to a total of 50 keys), a removable tray, an active surface for the keys, and a USB interface to the PC.

 

Both, however, register differently on the PC: the DX1 as an Ergodex Pad/Ergodex DX1 and the Panel as a CH Products/CH Multi Function Panel USB Hardware. Accordingly, each presents a unique interface to the PC, and functions somewhat differently internally.

 

DX1 Ergodex Manager

The DX1 comes with Ergodex Manager software that features: 4 macro types with unlimited macro sizes, macro editing, macro profile management for each application, automatic profile switching in sync with the application focus on the PC, skin/template creation, and user management.

 

Only 1 DX1 is supported per PC. Presently, the DX1 works with Windows 2000/sp3 and XP/sp2. Support for the DX1 on Windows Vista is coming.

 

Panel Control Manager

The Panel comes with CH Products Control Manager software that supports all of CH Products peripherals, including yokes, sticks, throttle, pedals and, now, panels. Control Manager includes a scripted programming language and support for programmed modes and shift states. Control Manager is optimized for Flight Simulation.

 

Up to 16 Panels are supported per PC. Control Manager works with Windows 98, ME, 2000, and XP. Support for the MFP on Windows Vista is coming.

 

 

Please Note: There is no transition path between the DX1 and the Panel: DX1 keys do not work with the Panel; Panel keys do not work with the DX1. Ergodex Manager does not work with the Panel; Control Manager does not work with the DX1.

 

 

Comparative Feature Set

 

Feature	Ergodex DX1	CH Products Multi Function Panel
Hardware
Pad, Tray, 25 keys	Y ($149.95)	Y ($189.95)
Second set of 25 keys	Optional ($49.95)	Optional ($72.95)
n-key rollover *	6 keys	6 keys
No. of pads/PC	1	Up to 16
Color	Blue	Black
USB Interface	Y	Y
Software	Ergodex Manager V1.3	Control Manager V4.2
Input Types
> Keyboard Key	Y	Y
> Keyboard Key Combinations	Y, unlimited strings	Y**
> Mouse Button	Y	Y
> Mouse Axis	N	Y
> Joystick Button	N	Y
> Joystick Axis	N	Y
Script Programming Language	N	Y
> Arithmetic Comparisons	-	Y
> Conditional Statements	-	Y
> Temporal Sequences	-	Y
> Logical Devices	-	Y
> Axis Scale Function	-	Y
> Select Function	-	Y
URL, File launch	Y	Y
Text Blocks	Y, unlimited size	Y**
On-the-fly Recording	Y	N
Programmed Modes	N	8
Shift states	N	8
Press/Release Macros	Y	Y
Macro Editing	Y	Y
Macro Timing Management	Y	Y
Profile/Map Management	Y	Y
Auto Profile Switching	Y	N
Game Controller Integration	N	Y
Profile/Map Sharing	Y	Y
Global Profile	Y	N
Profiles/Maps Included	60+	100***
Skin/Template Creation	Y	N
Skins/Templates Included	N	8***
User ID and Management	Y	N
Operating Systems	Windows 2000 SP3, XP SP2	Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, XP 64, Vista 32/64 bit
Under Development	Vista

 

 

* Number of keys recognized when simultaneously held down.

** Control Manager Key Combinations and Text Blocks are not sent as a single input and are limited to 256 characters total.

*** More Available via download.

 

 

 

Your Operating System is:	And you want:	Right Choice	Where to Buy
2000, XP	The features of Ergodex Manager: (4 macro types, macro editor, profile switching, macro timing, template creation.	DX1	Ergodex Store DX1 Resellers
2000, XP, Vista	The features of Control Manager: up to 16 panels/PC, Support for other CH peripherals.	Multi Function Panel	CH Panel
Vista	The features of Ergodex Manager: (4 macro types, macro editor, profile switching, macro timing, template creation.	DX1	Coming soon

 

If you would like to beta test Ergodex Manager Release 1.4, click here. This is a maintenance release, and does not include support for Vista.

 

At this time, neither the DX1 nor the Multi Function Panel support Mac OS X, Linux or Unix.