For flight simulation enthusiasts, few things are more frustrating than trying to adjust radio frequencies with a mouse during a busy VATSIM session or a demanding approach. Scrolling endlessly with the mouse wheel, often overshooting the desired frequency and having to scroll back, breaks immersion and slows everything down.
If you watch Swiss001 on YouTube, you may remember him joking about this exact issue, calling it a kind of “mouse wheel hell.” It’s a repetitive, error-prone task that almost everyone in the flight sim community has experienced. If this sounds familiar, then the piece of hardware featured in this article might be the missing puzzle piece in your home cockpit.
Ⅰ. Rowsfire: Affordable, Purpose Built Hardware for Sim Pilots
Rowsfire is a company that has been gaining visibility in the flight simulation hardware space over the past year. Their focus is clear: Airbus A320 style simulation panels offered at relatively accessible prices. As frequently shown in Swiss001’s videos, this new generation of hardware is making home cockpit building more achievable for everyday sim pilots.
Rowsfire’s product lineup includes overhead panels, autopilot controls, and most relevant here, the RMP/ACP communication control panel. Unlike professional grade hardware that can easily cost thousands of dollars, Rowsfire follows a different philosophy: keep costs under control while delivering solid hardware and the most essential functionality. The goal is simple: allow more simmers to build a convincing “home cockpit” without breaking the bank.
Ⅱ. Unboxing and First Impressions: Compact and Practical
The packaging is clean and unmistakably Airbus inspired. Inside the box, the first impressions are positive:
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Metal Base
The unit features a solid metal construction with well finished edges. It feels stable on the desk and has a reassuring weight that immediately suggests durability. -
Realistic Yet Streamlined Layout
The panel integrates VHF1 and VHF2 frequency selectors, an Audio Control Panel (ACP), and a transponder section. Compared to full size, 1:1 panels, Rowsfire has deliberately omitted rarely used components such as HF radios. This focus on core functionality aligns well with the “practical realism” philosophy often promoted by creators like Swiss001. -
USB Type C Connection
A modern and welcome choice, making cable management easier and more future proof. -
Adjustable Backlighting
The panel supports backlighting that can synchronize with the simulator’s cockpit lighting, adding a strong sense of atmosphere during night operations.
The included desk mount is especially useful and clearly designed with limited desk space in mind, something Swiss001 often mentions and something many desktop simmers can relate to.
Ⅲ. Core Functionality: Finally Saying Goodbye to the Mouse
The real value of this panel lies in one thing: turning the most frequent and tedious cockpit interactions into physical controls. This directly addresses a long standing pain point frequently highlighted by experienced sim pilots, including Swiss001.
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Frequency Selection
Dedicated rotary knobs allow precise adjustment of VHF1 and VHF2 frequencies. The knobs have a satisfying resistance, with clear tactile and audible feedback. Compared to scrolling with a mouse wheel, the experience is vastly superior. -
Audio Panel Control
Switching between audio sources (COM1, COM2, NAV, etc.) and adjusting volume can be done instantly and intuitively. -
Transponder Control
Squawk codes can be entered directly using the panel, along with mode selection (STBY, ON, ALT). -
One Button Frequency Swap
Active and standby frequencies can be swapped with a single button press, closely matching real world Airbus procedures.
In practice, tasks such as tuning ATIS or contacting approach control become smooth and intuitive. The physical interaction dramatically improves immersion and workflow efficiency, exactly the kind of realism upgrade sought by creators like Swiss001 and everyday simmers alike.
Ⅳ. Software Setup: Flexibility with a Learning Curve
Currently, Rowsfire panels rely on third party software such as MobiFlight to interface with the simulator. This is a common approach among smaller hardware manufacturers.
Advantages:
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High flexibility
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In theory, almost any simulator function can be mapped and customized
Things to Keep in Mind:
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The setup process is more involved than true plug and play solutions from larger brands
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Users must download configuration files and ensure the required software environment is properly installed
For users accustomed to one click installation, this may require a bit of patience. However, following the official instructions step by step, most simmers should be able to complete the setup successfully. As Swiss001 often points out in his hardware reviews, a bit of DIY configuration is part of the flight simulation hobby itself.
That said, a more integrated proprietary software solution from Rowsfire in the future would significantly improve the overall user experience.
Ⅴ. Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Strengths
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Excellent Problem Focus
It addresses one of the most genuine pain points in flight simulation, which explains why it resonates with practical minded creators like Swiss001. -
Strong Value for Money
Core communication and transponder functionality at a fraction of the cost of full size professional hardware. -
Solid Build Quality
Metal construction, clear labeling, and satisfying knobs and switches. -
Compact and Desk Friendly
Ideal for simmers with limited space.
Considerations
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Software integration still depends on third party tools
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As a small scale product, it lacks some of the refinement found in top tier brands, but performs well for its price range
Final Recommendation
If you are a serious flight simulation enthusiast who is tired of constant mouse clicking and scrolling and you want to improve both efficiency and immersion during online flying or complex procedures, Rowsfire A105 All-in-One RMP+ATC Panel is absolutely worth considering.
At a reasonable price, it brings one of the most important cockpit systems into physical form right on your desk. As Swiss001 often says, a single piece of hardware that solves a key problem can be far more valuable than a collection of purely decorative panels.
It may not be perfect, but it clearly understands the core need and delivers a compelling solution. For sim pilots with limited desk space who still crave a more professional and immersive experience, this might be exactly the panel you have been looking for.
