Stream Deck Plus Review for Flight Sim: A Game-Changer for Aviators?

This is my review and thoughts on the Elgato Stream Deck Plus for Flight Simulation. Is this stream deck worth it for flight simulation or just another useless piece of equipment?
I've owned a few stream decks over the years but the new Steam Deck + really caught my attention. Is it worth upgrading from the Stream Deck or Stream Deck XL? How good are the rotary knobs and whats the software like? I cover all of this and more.
Strem Deck Plus
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Stream Deck XL
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Flightsim.to
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Flight Tracker
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Current Flight Sim Setup
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[@merekredthorn]

Great video. I wish more presenters would just talk and not have music in the background though. Would have rather just heard you. Great content though, keep up the great work!

[@g-locmedia]

Thank you. And thanks for the feedback. It’s all valuable for future vids.

[@53roger]

Your review didn't really explain the benefit. To be honest it sounded like a commercial instead of a review. Just sayin'. I was expecting more of how you use it in MSFS to make things easier.

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm planning another video on this soon going through how I use it and also giving away my profiles for MSFS and X-Plane.

[@53roger]

@@g-locmedia good to hear 🙂. my main interest is garmin flight planning and getting the knobs to respond...very frustrating

[@Not_Lewis]

​@@g-locmedia 7 months later. Where's that video bud? Your channel screams clickbait shill. I mean you put more effort into your thumbnails.

[@g-locmedia]

@@Not_Lewis Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately I'm not a full time youtuber so sometimes it's hard finding the time to make content. I'm also fairly new to KZbin and still working out the whole video making thing. Thanks again for your feedback. Super valuable.

[@Not_Lewis]

@@g-locmedia Personally, I think your channel lacks authenticity. I mean, from the first video you hit the ground running with Clickbaity titles and wacky thumbnails, really feeding into that algorithm. And all your videos are just showcasing products, feels very heavy handed in the advertising. Like the top comment said, it just feels too commercial like. Production quality aside (which lets be real there's an unspoken standard on youtube in regards to production quality)

[@TheJack4000111]

I just Bought the XL and MKII Cant wait to get programing lol

[@g-locmedia]

Great little devices

[@stevenjoan-figuerola757]

It looks great and thanks for a great review. Question I have is, can you set the rotary knobs to change altitude, speed etc?

[@g-locmedia]

Not sure about this. If there’s a shortcut for it then yes. I’ll check it out though.

[@SirJer]

@@g-locmedia I’m also wondering the same thing. Like to control GA avionics like a GNS430?

[@becksvideoproductions]

I would really like to know this as well. I cancelled an order for the Stream Deck Mini because I saw this. I especially wanted to look into those knobs for speed and altitude changes

[@alainthiry3965]

why a music for not well hearing the speech?

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for the feedback. My newer videos don’t have so much music.

[@MoonerBros]

Thnkinig about getting it for camera control only. Can I program the rotary dials for DCS or MSFS ?

[@g-locmedia]

You can for MSFS. I think you can for DCS but if need to double check that for you but My sim is in bits at the moment as I’m making some upgrades.

[@MoonerBros]

@@g-locmedia another upgrade? I am copying your setup. Plz let me know what would be your next item.

[@g-locmedia]

@@MoonerBros I’m looking at implementing triple 55”inch 4K monitors. I’m trying t recreate more of a life size feel in the cockpit.

[@jay-rus4437]

Built my entire sim based on the a320 using stream decks. Have a total of 13 placed in various locations per the actual aircraft hardware. Multiple decks for overhead panel, console for transponder, comms etc, and others for EFIS, Auto Brake panels etc. Covers so much hardware.

[@g-locmedia]

that sounds insane. Would love to see a pic

[@jay-rus4437]

@@g-locmedia ….you on discord? Could post a pic there

[@cptairwolf]

I think it would be really nice if you actually showed how you setup those knobs to work in a sim. This video screams of a sponsored video because the only way this thing is going to work for sims is if someone takes the time to create all the required profiles. Im assuming you did so why not show any of them in action?

[@g-locmedia]

I've got that video on the pipeline

[@chimuel]

The background music is incredibly distracting, otherwise great overview of the product.

[@g-locmedia]

Thank you! I’ve noted this for next time.

[@Frexxom]

@@g-locmediabtw what background music you use

[@walterg74]

So where is the review...? Haven't shown an actual single thing done with the flight sim... 🤷‍♂

[@g-locmedia]

This one's an old video. Made some improvements since then. Thanks for the feedback though.

[@hamradioshack9066]

Can you plz make video how to use turning nob in msfs2020 like change heading or speed ect on airbus fenix

[@becksvideoproductions]

Very high quality content production. You clearly has a clear idea what you wanted to do. If I would suggest something, it would be to show off more of what can be done with MSFS, so you would not just present and talk about the product, but rather show the value

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll try and implement that in to future videos.

[@ladamiwu]

I was just shocked when i saw how few subscribers and views you have. This video was recommended for me even though i dont play sim games and watched it from start to end. Great quality, Amazing sound and well structured. You have so much ahead of you, love seeing it from the beginning :)

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks so much for your kind comments. Yea the channel is quite new and I’m still learning KZbin. Thank you for the encouragement.

[@DingoTactical]

Anyone know if you can use this as a radio controller in DCS? Interested to know if you can use the dials to control radio frequencies and have the display show the selected frequency?

[@DingoTactical]

Anyone know if you can use this as a radio controller in DCS? Interested to know if you can use the dials to control radio frequencies and have the display show the selected frequency?

[@gregjfair]

Not really agree that "it just works seemlessly". There's a big learning curve and no clear documentation.

[@Bryster51]

Background music is not in background, seriously competing with your narration. Totally unwatchable episode. Please learn proper audio levels

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for your feedback. The newer videos are a bit better. And my latest video I pulled the background audio out for most of the video. It’s still a learning process for me at the moment.

[@Bryster51]

@@g-locmedia All it takes is for you to review the video post upload, and check such things as a subscriber would like, or not like. Plus research on proper audio levels between background and narration. You can always fix bad videos, and re-upload them, so we do not have to endure the bad ones. Thanks

[@tasercs]

The content in this production is of a very high standard, but like so many similar videos, part of the post production process is to add music at a relatively high volume and throughout the entire video. This is both unecessary and distracting and really ruins the final result. I stress that this is common and by no way is intended to 'pick on' just this vid. If you watch a professional production such as a BBC programme, there is a lot of music and it is so important that you couldn't imagine the programme without it, but it comes and goes and is there to add to the programme. It usually goes completely or is very low in volume if someone is portraying detail or the content is otherwise complex in nature. If there was music in this vid as part of the intro sequence but none at all throughout the rest, would it detract from the quality of the programme? If the answer is no, then there is the reason to fade it out completely. This could equally apply to thousands of KZbin videos though :(

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for the feedback. I will be implementing your suggestion in future videos.

[@jimmyh9119]

Turn your terrible music down

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for the feedback. Always looking to get better at making videos. This one is an oldie and my new videos aren't quite so bad.

[@manic_miner]

Love your videos, very high quality and I have been looking for something like this for MSFS and X4. Perfect, thank you.

[@g-locmedia]

Thank you so much

[@chadfahlenkamp1134]

I love being able to change VS up and down with a knob instead of trying to click the buttons in the sim! Wish I could control pan and zoom on the Garmin map though (no keyboard shortcut)... Any chance you've figured that out?

[@g-locmedia]

Are you using the Stream Deck profile from Flightsim.to? And no I’ve never tried to set it up to control the map view but that’s a very interesting idea. Might have a look at that.

[@TrueBlade-1889]

Great video. All of 10 secobds showing it in use. Some people really do like the sound of their own voice.

[@g-locmedia]

Kind of new to making KZbin videos. Thanks for the feedback though. Always great hear what people thing good or bad.

[@Spybee007]

Great video! I am picking one up for sure. How did you mount that tablet to your Honeycomb yoke?

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks. The tablet is just sitting in a little tablet stand mate.

[@thatguy7085]

Everyone is home screaming now… they are making money

[@robertpelland5649]

Love the video, and info, but while your discussing the various functions, I could really do without the music.

[@g-locmedia]

I’ve had that feedback before and jn my new videos i’ve toned down the background music. Thanks for reaching out, all feedback is good feedback.

[@TattedTech]

So how many camera angles you working with buddy? I only got the two

[@g-locmedia]

Just running with two camera mate

[@mikepapahotel]

I'm really enjoying your style, your content, and your production! 👌🏻 As for the music, and at that volume?? Nope! 😐 It distracts from you, your content and your style - I'm here for what you have to say and present - not listen to music... Congrats on your current heading! 😊👍🏻

[@g-locmedia]

Yea I’ve had a few comments about that. Still a learning process for me. Thanks for the feedback.

[@mikepapahotel]

@@g-locmedia Despite my whinge about the music - I've still watched this video several times because there aren't many MSFS/Streamdeck Plus videos around yet. As you can gather I'm close to pulling the trigger on this unit but still trying to justify the cost difference between the Plus and the 15 button standard unit. My heart tells me I should get the Plus because if the rotary dials and the sluder/touch screen, but I've see MSFS profiles using the cheaper Streamdeck where using the + and - keys to change Altitude and Heading etc. looks very natural as well. May I ask: 1. Would you set up profiles for every aircraft or just aircraft categories? (single prop, turbo, twins, airliners etc.) 2. Did you set up your own profile(s) or were you able to find them online? 3.Because the unit is relatively new - are there enough profiles available yet? Thanks again! 😊👍🏻

[@davidhole8229]

If I had a arduino powered button box using dcs bios to interface it,,,, can I still use a streamdeck as well? Or will it use the Interface and I loose my Arduino buttons or can both co-exist together?

[@g-locmedia]

Hello David. I put my hands up here and say. I don't know mate! But the stream deck connects vis its own software using existing DCS keyboard shortcuts. I don't see why it wouldn't work.

[@davidhole8229]

@@g-locmedia appreciate the reply and the info, I have quite the large arduino setup with custom instrument panels that took ages to build and program so don't want to loose there functionality,,,, going to jump on the streamdeck option and see how it goes,,, love your setup and thanks for shareing it!

[@AlasdairMacG]

MSFS Dedicated zoom function (5:45) - this looks fabulous. I have been trying to set this up on the dials on my SD+ but have not been successful. I have tried every way I can with A&Os - no joy though. Can you elaborate how you did this please? Thanks in advance, Alasdair

[@g-locmedia]

there's a keyboard command for zoom in and out. I just attached the zoom in keyboard command to the CCW and the Zoom in t CW on the stream deck.

[@AlasdairMacG]

@@g-locmedia Thx for the reply, and for being so polite! I now feel a total idiot for not realising this was possible, so am sitting in corner facing the wall with dunces hat on for 10 minutes. Regards, A

[@g-locmedia]

lol. no worries@@AlasdairMacG

[@lebojay]

Man, you need a TrackIR (or DIY alternative)!! It blows away knobs for zooming, etc.

[@g-locmedia]

I actually have one. Only use it in DCS for vertical head movement.

[@lebojay]

@@g-locmedia I remember when it changed dogfighting for me. So cool being able to look up at your bandit while you pull your nose onto him! 😀

[@TrueBlade-1889]

Infinite number of rotaries effectively. I reckon it can repace an XL and 2 button boxes. Looks awesome.

[@g-locmedia]

I think in some cases yes. I’d love to see them make a bigger version. Like 6 rotaries and 12 buttons.

[@guillaumepare9651]

@@g-locmedia Just buy two 😉 BTW, you answered my question which is to know if the + is really worth it over the mk 2. The information I gathered is that both are worth it (even the normal one is recommanded). That being said, did you compare with somehting like GameTouch?

[@kidbrocoli]

What App do you have on the tablet?

[@g-locmedia]

The is Sim Dashboard. Works with MSFS.

[@RexRapido]

Can this be programmed as an Airbus FCU?

[@g-locmedia]

I don’5 fly the airbus so I’m. It that familiar with this but I expect there will be aspects of it you can dial in.

[@speedbirdsimdeck]

Great videos. Really useful. You can use the Streamdeck as the FCU but you might need to use SpadNxt to interface between the two.

[@MuscleMan38K]

How does this compare with loupedeck live?

[@g-locmedia]

Good question mate. I had a pipe deck live when it first came out. It was ok but very laggy in photoshop which was how I mainly used it. I had to send it back because of this. This may have been fixed though. Build quality is quite similar. If I had to choose one in would be the stream deck but then I haven’t used a loupedeck live for some time.

[@RedWolfe]

I not only enjoyed the video's high production value, I thought enough of your well thought out opinion that I removed the Deck+ sitting in my Amazon cart. I was impressed enough that I used your partner link to add it back my cart before buying. I also gave you a sub because I want to see more flight sim videos in the future from you. Good luck with the channel! BTW I loved the setup you are rockin! My system is very ad hoc in comparison. For GA I really like my Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight that I switched to from a t1600m HOTAS. After upgrading to a G7 32" I decided that I need to save up for two more and my wallet is not deep enough for everything on my cockpit wishlist. That leads me to adding the Deck+ because it adds so much more value than just a dedicated panel like those from Logitech.

[@g-locmedia]

Thank you so much for the comments on my channel and for using the link, it means a lot and supports my efforts on the channel. The stream deck plus is such a great addition. You can download some super profiles from flightsim.io also.