Need Help With Cockpit Setup

[cbristow26]

I'm new to the racing simulation, but wanting a great experience. I'm looking to buy a cockpit,racing wheel, ect. It needs to be for pc as I own a decent sized YouTube gaming channel on the side. I'm wanting triple set monitors, but I would like to be able to use them normally, and not just for racing. So is there a good setup with like maybe the monitors on their own stand or on a desk and I can just easily drag a cockpit into and out of position when needed? What's the best wheel? Thanks everyone!

 

[TheORDL]

Hey bud, welcome to the world of sim racing.

Probbably the most expensive hobby you will ever encounter!

For PC wheel options there is only one choice really...the T500RS. I have owned the G27 also but much prefer the 500. People have their own preference and if you can demo either then I would to get a feel for them.

PC also opens up a whole world of options regarding add ons such as telemetry displays and of course triple monitors.

Regarding cockpits I am a little bias towards the rigs we build and if you want a custom rig then aluminium profile is the way to go because it is so easy to change and adapt. We have a demo listed on our website www.kbaluminiumprofile.co.uk

We can custom build anything you want and also offer stand alone screen mount frames.

I double up my rig as my office so the screens can be folded in or out as required. When I changed to triples it was the biggest step I have taken for immersion in a long while and something I certainly wish I had done sooner.

Next question is do you want to add motion? If you do then profile obviously offers more advantages. Motion is my next step and I mention it now because of my own experience and what I have seen others do....

Some people start with a DFGT wheel and upgrade to a G27 then to a 500. At the start they um and ahh over jumping in with a 500 to start with and end up spending more in the long run rather than bite the bullet and trust the judgement of those on GTP. Same goes for rigs, motion etc

Lots of options are available to you so let us all know exactly what you want, budget, space, game titles you are interested in etc

 

[Ricmotech]

If you are interested in putting something together yourself, we offer manuals and templates to put together your own cockpit either with or without triple monitors. Most guys (and some girls, too) build it without the monitor holders and drag it in front of their TV for racing. Some even put it on wheels to make that easier. You can always add the integrated triple monitor mount later.

I also recommend the T500RS wheel and the cockpit is designed to mount it in the proper position. It also mounts the pedals inverted at the right angle for optimal driving.

www.ricmotech.com/diy

 

[Sick Cylinder]

I'm someone who dipped a toe in the water by buying a DFGT first then upgraded later to a T500RS - I strongly recommend the T500RS wheel. There are three rims for the wheel - GTE which is a small rim with paddle shifters attached. An F1 wheel and the standard wheel with non-rotating paddles. I have the F1 wheel (which I hardly ever use because I don't often drive F1 or Le Mans style cars) and the standard wheel - I don't have a problem with the fixed paddles, but some people do.

You may want to think about tactile transducers to increase immersion - they are silent subwoofers which you bolt on to add engine vibration and kerb thumps etc. If you are using a PC you can run Simvibe software to control up to seven channels of tactile transducers (4 channels in chassis mode simulating the wheels and 3 channels for additional effects).

The most suitable amplifiers for tactile transducers are the Behringer Inuke range because they have built in graphic eq. What transducers to buy depends on what country you live in as there can be difficulties with supply.

As the ORDL said it can become an expensive hobby. Personally I think tactile transducers are high up the list for increasing immersion - second behind a good wheel and in front of triple screens.