I’m Kayla, and I fly at home way too much. I use Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane 12 on a mid-range PC. That tower is mostly the same one I wrote about in this build diary; it hasn’t let me down yet. Over the last year, I used three autopilot panels a lot: the Logitech (Saitek) Flight Multi Panel, the Honeycomb Bravo, and the RealSimGear GFC500/700. I flew short hops and long legs, day and night, smooth air and messy winds.
You know what? A real knob beats a mouse. Every time. If you want the raw play-by-play of my testing process, you can skim the full autopilot panel roundup I posted earlier.
But they’re not all the same. Some feel great. Some fight you. Here’s what happened to me, for real.
My Setup (So You Know Where I’m Coming From)
- MSFS 2020 and X-Plane 12
- C172, DA40NG, TBM 930, and the default CJ4
- Powered USB hub (Ugreen 10-port)
- SPAD.neXt and AxisAndOhs for mapping
- Windows power plan set to keep USB awake
Small desk, two 27" screens, and a cheap IKEA chair that squeaks when I flare. Classic.
Logitech Flight Multi Panel — Cheap, Light, A Bit Fussy
I started with this one. It’s the little bar with a small screen, a big knob, a trim wheel, and AP buttons. It’s the most “just buy it” panel out there. I picked mine up after reading through the official spec sheet—if you need the hard numbers or the latest price, you can check the listing at MyPilotStore.
The Good Stuff
- The knob is fast. I can spin to 7000 ft in a few seconds. (If you’re curious how other simmers feel about the knob speed and overall responsiveness, this in-depth hands-on review mirrors my impressions.)
- The screen shows ALT, VS, and more, so I don’t chase the numbers in the sim.
- The trim wheel helps on final. It’s not real-plane smooth, but it helps.
The Not-So-Good
- It naps. Windows can put the USB to sleep. I had to turn off “USB selective suspend.”
- The default driver lagged with MSFS for me. SPAD.neXt fixed it.
- The SPD button works weird with some jets. The CJ4 didn’t like it. It would arm but not hold speed as expected.
Real Flights I Did With It
- KSAN to KLAX in the DA40NG (MSFS): I set ALT 7000, VS +1200 fpm, HDG to 285 for the SID, then NAV to GPS. It climbed steady. On the ILS 25L, I hit APR at the localizer. Glideslope came alive and the plane followed down. Easy.
- KBOS to KACK in the C172 (X-Plane): Set ALT 4000, HDG 120, then NAV to GPS for RNAV 24. Winds were 18G26. The panel held it. I did the last 500 ft by hand. The trim wheel helped me not over-pitch.
One Quirk That Drove Me Nuts
If I changed the baro in the sim with the mouse, the panel did not always catch up. Not a show-stopper, but it broke the flow.
Honeycomb Bravo — Big, Solid, All-In-One Feel
I moved to the Bravo for a “real desk” setup. Throttles plus a full AP section. Heavy base. It sits still when you twist a knob. Of course, none of that matters if the yoke feels mushy; the one that keeps winning me over is detailed in this yoke deep-dive, and it pairs nicely with the Bravo.
What I Liked
- The AP buttons feel crisp. You know you clicked VS or NAV.
- The altitude knob has a nice click. Fine control with winter gloves? I tried. It worked.
- Trim wheel is smoother than Logitech. Less jumpy.
What Bugged Me
- The LEDs and the sim can fall out of sync in MSFS. The AP is on, but the light says no. Honeycomb Configurator helped. SPAD.neXt helped more.
- It’s big. On a small desk, it eats space. I used 3M VHB tape to hold the mount.
Real Flights I Did With It
- KDEN to KASE in the DA40NG (MSFS): I used FLC at 90 knots for the climb. Then I set ALT 16000. The wheel made fine changes easy near the mountains. On the approach, I used VS ‑700 fpm. The plane stayed smooth in bumps.
- KSEA ILS 16R at dusk (X-Plane, C172 G1000): HDG vector to intercept, APR to capture. The Bravo lights matched modes fine here. Down to 400 ft AGL, then click AP off and land. Felt natural.
I thought the Logitech was enough. It was. Then it wasn’t—once I got used to the Bravo’s feel.
RealSimGear GFC500/700 — Pricey, But It Feels Like The Panel In The Plane
This one is for folks who want that “yes, this is it” click. The buttons, the wheel, the layout—very close to the real Garmin autopilot. It plays best with G1000, G500, or GTN setups.
Why It Made Me Smile
- The IAS, VS, and ALT modes act exactly like the real unit. No guesswork.
- The wheel is butter. Tiny trim-like nudges for VS feel so good.
- The AP/FD logic is tight. Mode lights tell the truth.
Where It Hurt
- The price. It’s a chunk.
- Needs a plugin and a clean USB setup. A powered hub is a must.
- Mounting takes thought. I used their stand plus two small wood shims. Don’t laugh—it worked.
Real Flights I Did With It
- KRNT to KTIW in the DA40NG (X-Plane 12): Set FLC 92 knots, ALT 5000. Smooth climb. On the RNAV 17, I used VNAV path and then APPR. It followed step-downs like a champ. Hands stayed off the mouse.
- KAPF to KMIA in the C172 (MSFS): Light chop over the swamp. VS +800 out of Naples, HDG for vectors, then NAV. On ILS 12 at MIA, APR locked both needles fast. Needles stayed centered even in gusts.
This one felt like “I’m training.” Not just “I’m playing.”
Quick Head-To-Head Thoughts
- Budget and simple: Logitech Multi Panel
- All-in-one desk rig: Honeycomb Bravo
- Serious GA IFR feel: RealSimGear GFC500/700
I still use all three, depending on the plane and the night. Funny, right?
If you’re still browsing options, the catalog at Abacus Publishing is a handy place to check current prices and see what else is out there.
The Little Fixes That Saved Me
- Use a powered USB hub. It stops random dropouts.
- Turn off “USB selective suspend” in Windows Power Options.
- SPAD.neXt or AxisAndOhs help map weird buttons and sync lights.
- In MSFS, set Assistance to “True to Life.” It avoids mode fights.
- For faster altitude changes, enable knob acceleration in your mapping tool.
One more thing. Keep your drivers and sim up to date. I know—it’s a pain. But AP bugs do get fixed.
What I Loved Most (And Least)
Logitech Multi Panel
- Love: Price, speed, easy knob
- Meh: USB naps, odd speed mode with CJ4, baro sync
Honeycomb Bravo
- Love: Solid feel, smooth trim, clear buttons
- Meh: LED sync in MSFS, takes space
RealSimGear GFC500/700
- Love: Real-panel behavior, amazing wheel, clean mode logic
- Meh: Cost, setup time, mounting
Final Call
Do you need an autopilot panel? If you fly IFR, yes. If you fly a lot, also yes. A real knob keeps your eyes outside. It cuts mouse hunting. It makes small moves feel right.
For me, the Logitech got me started. The Bravo made my desk feel like a cockpit. The RealSimGear made my brain relax, because the modes matched real life.
Honestly, I can’t go back to a mouse for AP work. Not unless I have to.
Pilots know the value of taking a good break between flights, and if your idea of “R&R” involves meeting new people—especially if you’re interested in connecting with vibrant