F-18 DCS PANEL OPTIONS:
AN HONEST COMPARISON
Three main options for physical F/A-18C console panels. They're different products solving different parts of the same problem. This comparison tries to be accurate about what each one actually does and who it's for.
The three options
TekCreations has the longest track record in the DCS pit building community. WinWing came from the HOTAS market and extended into panels. BuildACockpit is newer, built around one specific capability that TekCreations and WinWing currently don't offer: bidirectional DCS-BIOS sync via the DCSPitHIDC board from DCSPit.com. None of these is the wrong choice — it depends what you're trying to do.
Established community reputation. Modular approach lets you buy sections as budget allows.
- Long community track record
- Modular — buy incrementally
- Full Dzus frame compatibility
- Large knowledge base
- Input-only — no state feedback from DCS
- No motion platform
- No indicator sync
Best known for HOTAS hardware. Panels extend their ecosystem. SimApp Pro is good software.
- Consistent build quality
- Matches WinWing HOTAS visually
- SimApp Pro is well-built
- Available through retailers
- Input-only — same as TekCreations
- No motion platform
- Designed around WinWing ecosystem
Built around bidirectional DCS-BIOS sync via DCSPitHIDC (DCSPit.com). Panel indicators respond to DCS state. Newer to market.
- DCS state feeds back to panel
- APU, Master Arm, fuel, ECM sync
- Single USB-C for input and output
- Optional 3-axis motion platform
- Config stored on board
- Dzus frame compatible
- Newer — smaller community
- F/A-18C only currently
- Config app in active development (DCSPit.com)
Feature comparison
| Feature | TekCreations | WinWing | BuildACockpit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sync direction | Input only | Input only | Bidirectional |
| DCS-BIOS | Input | Input | Input + output |
| Indicator feedback from DCS | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Motion platform option | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ optional |
| Dzus frame compatible | ✓ | Partial | ✓ |
| Config on board | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ 8MB |
| Single USB-C (in + out) | Input only | Input only | ✓ |
| VR use case | Inputs work | Inputs work | Full sync |
| Helios compatible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Community resources | Large | Growing | New |
| Current module support | Multi | Multi | F/A-18C (more coming) |
When bidirectional sync matters and when it doesn't
It matters most when: you fly in VR; you run startup procedures and want the panel to confirm each step without looking at the screen; you want APU READY, Master Arm state, and fuel warnings on the physical hardware rather than the DDI.
It matters less when: you primarily use panels as input devices without caring about indicator feedback; you fly on a monitor and can easily see the virtual cockpit; you're early in your build and focused on getting inputs working first.
TekCreations and WinWing are not worse choices — they're established, documented, and supported by large communities. If bidirectional sync doesn't matter for your use case, either is a valid option with more community knowledge behind it. If it does matter, that's the specific problem BuildACockpit panels are built to solve.