Hi Michael,
Regarding your question on fitting switches below the G3x touch screen, it is possible, however only with the 1/4" switches. These are available from Stein and are good for up to 3 amps if I remember correctly. They are perfect for things such as the landing light switch, TOGA or any other discrete input for your GAD27 or GEA24. The small shuttle switch protectors are available from
www.periheliondesign.com and I would recommend them in this location (actually, I appear to use them everywhere) because of the risk of clipping the switch with your foot when getting into the aircraft. There is also room for the potentiometers required for adjusting lighting if you have a GAD27 (which I would recommend). My pot is a 10K miniature linear version from Sparkfun (COM-09939), and runs the standard Van's LED glare shield strip via the GAD27 PWM function.
You could order a deeper panel, but it's not an absolute necessity and don't disregard the extra inches or leg/knee room a deeper panel may take up.
I hope this helps.
Tom.
