iProject - Elite

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ilonioum

ilonioum

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Since I started walking I realized that driving a car is more efficient than walking, then I thought that driving fast would get me there even faster and so I bought a fast car (relatively - Mitsu FTO 200bhp, click here for photos).
I like the simulation cockpits etc. but mostly was into real driving, but recently I became a father and decided that fast driving is not an option anymore and for this reason I bought a Golf MK6 TDI, boring? Maybe, but it is very very practical.

Since I still had the thing for fast cars I had to compensate the real driving with something and this is how I got here...

The first rig I made was for the G27 wheel (click here to see photos and below is the video)



Wonderful wheel, I enjoyed it very much but now I have sold it. Probably I wouldn't have sold it if it was XBOX compatible. I loved Forza 4 as well as GT5 so I need a wheel that plays it all so the CSR Elite seemed to be the obvious choice.

So, here we start with the new project, new wheel and here is how it all start...

The rig will be custom made but it will definitely be inspired by some of the existing rigs and one of those will be the RennSport cockpit, main reason - it is big and will fit on all the stuff I would like to stick to it.

I will not be using multiple screens so I will be using a single LED TV - LG 47''.
PS3 Slim 320GB with Move and XBOX360 with 250GB and Kinect and a nice PC for games such as GTR and GTR 2, GTR Evolution, rFactor and iRacing.

Some of my ideas were inspired by Project R of Mr Latte, if you read this Latte - thank you!

Now that I have the wheel, rig type, TV and the platforms sorted the time comes to some exciting bits and pieces.

I have ordered some tactile transducers to make driving closer to the real thing. There will be 6 pcs of tactile so it will be surround.

3 x Aura Pro Bass Shakers
2 x Clark TST209
1 x Clark TST239
(these are at FedEx office as I write and tomorrow I will have them and post the pictures)

I'm also planning to add surround sound to the rig as FM4 has an amazing sound and the only way to enjoy it is to have surround speakers.

To be continued very soon, any suggestions and criticism is welcome.
 
Do yourself a favor and go triple screens. I just completed my triple 46" rig last night and the difference is pretty overwhelming the first time you step in the cockpit.
 
Mayaman
Do yourself a favor and go triple screens. I just completed my triple 46" rig last night and the difference is pretty overwhelming the first time you step in the cockpit.
Click to expand...

Triple screen would be great but to play Forza or GT with 3 screens I will need 3 consoles and this is not the type of investment I would do now, however I definitely consider this as a future improvement :)
 
I was lucky and FedEx delivered today :)

Here are some pics I have made:
 






















The lighter is there just for measurement, I do not smoke :)
 
Last edited:
Look at all the toys!!!
OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!

Can you show me the 239 compared to the 209.
I believe they are the same size but is their much difference in the weight or feel/build?
 
Last edited:
Mr Latte
Look at all the toys!!!
OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!

Can you show me the 239 compared to the 209.
I believe they are the same size but is their much difference in the weight or feel/build?
Click to expand...

I will do the comparison as soon as I get back home, 239 felt heavier than 209 thou.
 
Latte, I have compared these and I have to say that the difference is not that big. They are roughly the same size and weigh about the same as well.

The main difference is the tactile power and the difference is as below:

TST239
Transduction force: 2.2 lb-ft/watt
Tactile force peak: 297 lb-ft

TST209
Transduction force: 1.6 lbs.-ft./watt
Peak tactile force: 216 lbs.-ft.

This means the 209 has the 2/3 of the power with half of the price, I believe you have mentioned this before.



 
Happy New Year everyone!

Yesterday I have finished my new rig and made some pictures.

Below are the details:

The setup includes the following parts:

1 x CSR Elite wheel
1 x Club Sport Pedals
4 x Clark Synthesis TI300 Neoprene Isolators
3 Aura Pro Bass shakers
2 x Clarks TST209
1 x Clarks TST239 (broken)
LG 5.1 speaker setup (300 Watt)
Yamaha HTR-3064 receiver
Buttkicker BKA-300 Amp for LFE
OMP racing seat (scratched it during setting the setup)
PS3 320GB with Move controller.
XBOX360 250GB with Kinect
LG 47inch LED TV


Wheel and pedals
The CSR Elite Wheel is simply amazing, so smooth, so strong. It took me a while to figure it out how to make it work with GT5 properly but when it did it was a pure joy. Comparing to G27 is much stronger and smoother. Comparing to T500RS the FFB strenght seemd similar but the CSR Elite delivers it much better. CSR Elite is FM4 official wheel but I think it works better GT5.

Club Sport Pedals are also great, way way better and more sensitive than G27 pedals, feel more real and precise. I have never used pedals that are so nice with so many available adjustments.
Only one note - the electronics board and the wires are not properly protected and can be easily damaged but I guess you have to be careful with a peace of equipment like this so it might not be as critical for most of the crowd.

Tactile
The Clarks TST209 are simply amazing, something that has to be experienced to be able to understand. These deliver both shaking and sound and doing both greatly. Since I have added them as a part of 5.1 surround system they produce a very nice engine noise if it is at the back and also simulate the back tires and the crash effects and other cars engine and exhaust noises while they pass.

I also have a TST239 but it is damaged and not working properly so I have removed it and will be getting a new unit (maybe a Buttkicked Advance) for LFE.

Aura Pro Bass are not as strong but the do the job right and for the price these deliver the best value available. I have placed 3 in the front part of the rig. One in the front of the rig vertically to simulate the front engine noise and the crash effects (center channel), 2 Auras are placed underneath and act more like front left and right wheels and add more "life" to the pedal section.

I was driving the SLS in GT5 with back view camera and I was literally feeling its magnificent engine and exhaust noise all over the rig and my body.

This leads me to the Clark Synthesis TI300 Neoprene Isolators. I can surely say that these are among the best parts I have invested in. While the add a unique flexibility to the rig, it also delivers a high level of isolation, I would say that it holds up to 99% of the vibration on the rig while none is passed to the floor. I have placed a glass with water next to the rig on the floor (30 cm) while putting the volume up and guess what... no waves at all!

Speakers
LG 5.1 system is more of a low end but they doing the job just right and the sound is very clear (compared to my high end Sony home cinema) especially keeping in mind that all the gear I have is bolted directly to the rig. The sub is not mounted properly but because of the holidays all the shops are closed so I will have to wait until tomorrow to fix it properly but that doesn't hurt the immersion at all.

Amplification power
I use the Yamaha receiver and a BKA-300 amp to power the speakers and tactile units, the quality and the power are quite good.

I'm planning on doing more modifications but the rig is quite nice after all effort and money I have spent. The estimated cost of the rig as it is - 2000 euros, not including the TV, XBOX and PS3.

Photos are here
 

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