Superbike81's Multi-Purpose Cockpit

[superbike81]

It will be slightly farther away simply due to the nature of the new cockpit, but it is still going to be closer than most people do it. I like it how close it is, the immersion feels complete, especially with the side screens (which I only got to test for about 3 hours before the third projector crapped out) it really takes up my entire vision area.

 

[Jav]

I could get an adaptor I think but most likely I won't be playing GT5 any more.

So you're feeling the same way I am about the game...

 

[superbike81]

Go easy on me, I know it looks rough now, but when complete it will look great!

One day's work here. I got the basic frame built, got the door panel mounted, the dashboard partially mounted, seat mounted. Still have to install the floor, and build the mount for the shifter, cut my entryway on the left side, etc, etc. Just a bunch of little details really.

I'm taking into account the ClubSport Wheel and CST F1 pedals.

The ClubSport wheel base (same as CSR-E) is pretty big, so I'm going to have to cut out a significant portion of the lower part around where the stock steering column fits. I won't be able to use the stock location tachometer/speedo/etc gauge cluster (not that I was going to use them anyways). My 7" USB monitor will be mounted over the gauge holes in the center.

The screens will be significantly lower (flush with the dashboard) and a little closer, the screen mount was just a test fit to see if my 1x4's would support the weight (they will).

I'm very pleased that the TH8RS shifter fits through the hole just like stock (even though this is from an automatic Supra). Just gotta make a shift boot for it.

Gonna be very busy with work this week, so there won't be much progress made, but hopefully a little here and there.

 

[Mayaman]

Awesome dude, you're going to have some extreme immersion. I get the same experience

 

[superbike81]

Got these in the mail today from Derek Speare Designs. I only paid for the SLI Box, he included the switches/buttons/caps as a "Support Our Troops" gesture.

The box will be slightly sunk into the top of the dashboard in plain view for me.

 

[urunatural]

looking good, enjoying the progress, keep us posted

 

[Mayaman]

I keep looking at the cockpit and its going to look so freaking cool. It wraps right around you. hehe

 

[left888]

Got these in the mail today from Derek Speare Designs. I only paid for the SLI Box, he included the switches/buttons/caps as a "Support Our Troops" gesture.


The box will be slightly sunk into the top of the dashboard in plain view for me.

Derek is a great asset to the Sim racing community and that was a great gesture towards you.

A quick question, the image of the CST pedals on the previous page are not yours are they? In reading the iRacing forum it seems you are still waiting for Todd to complete yours or am I confused

 

[superbike81]

No, those aren't mine, I found them from a Google image search, they are just like the ones I ordered, which is why I used the photos.

I'm waiting for my order from Todd still, I'm guessing it will be a couple more months, but in the mean time, I did find a F1 set for sale on the iRacing forums that I put in an offer on. If I can get them, I'll just use them now and then when mine gets here I'll re-sell the ones I buy now for probably the same price I pay. That's one of the great thing about them, resale value is amazing.


No real updates for the cockpit, I ordered a CSR-Elite wheel (shipped today!) to hold me over until the CSW gets released. Already found a buyer for my CSR wheel and CSR-Elite pedals as soon as I'm ready to sell them.

I've got the floor built, as well as the structure to support the center console and where I'll be mounting the shifter. Got the screens mounted correctly now as well. All that is really left is to build the mount for the wheel, which I'm going to hold off on until I get the CSR-E in so I can get it just right and not guess based on measurements. Then of course all the little stuff like mounting/wiring the buttons and switches, and doing all the trim stuff to make it pretty.

One problem I am running into is how exactly to locate speakers, so I am thinking about just using headphones instead, when my wife and son are home I'll just have to wear them kinda halfway off my ears and at low volume so I can hear them. Gotta figure out how to wire the Bass Shaker in with headphones as well.

 

[Mayaman]

Put the speakers in the heater vents!

 

[superbike81]

The cockpit is nearing completion, but the triple projector plan is dead because no matter how I configure the entire setup, I just don't have the required room.

So, I'll be taking full advantage of my TrackIR5 and have ordered a single Panasonic AE7000 1080p 3D projector and will be using it to project a single 110" or so screen.

 

[Mayaman]

Ah man are you sure? You're doing 42" each screen right? You should only need 4.5 feet. Too bad. Let me know if you want to sell your triple mount. PM me and good luck with the rest of your build, I know its gonna be awesome.

 

[superbike81]

It's just a matter of logistics. The room simply isn't wide enough to support everything, and it's a multifunctional office room. If I could get my wife to agree to have it be a single use room, sure, I could do it.

Maybe later on when we move to the US I'll be able to set something up, just depends on space.

I've been doing a lot of experimentation with the TrackIR5 on a single screen, and I think I'm one of the people who will do well with it. Many people complain that it's awkward and they can't get used to it, but I'm really liking it.

Sending you a PM Mayaman.....

 

[Mayaman]

Track IR is awesome dude. Most people who complain don't set it up correctly. You have to adjust it to each game and save a profile. Got you PM.

 

[Hwangm]

Got these in the mail today from Derek Speare Designs. I only paid for the SLI Box, he included the switches/buttons/caps as a "Support Our Troops" gesture.

The box will be slightly sunk into the top of the dashboard in plain view for me.

Hey Superbike81, wandering if you have picture of this mount with SLI pro, I've just put an order for one. but leo haven't sent mine yet.

and you putting those encoders + turn switches on the button box or on the DSD Sli box?

 

[superbike81]

The bottom holes of the box will be filled with warning LED lights. The encoder switches and other buttons I connect to it will be placed in various areas throughout the cockpit.

Small update, cockpit is nearly complete, just waiting for my wheel now, which should be here in the next day or three. I received my CST F1 pedals today and will be hard mounting them to the floor board tomorrow. I must say I am absolutely amazed by the engineering and the sheer weight of these F1 pedals. They make my CSR-Elite pedals and the CSP's feel like toys in comparison.

Also ordered a single 1080p projector, the Panasonic AE7000U, it will be projecting a 110" single screen and I will use my TrackIR 5 for head tracking. I gave up on the triple projectors simply due to ergonomics and not having the required space needed in our office room.

 

[superbike81]

Still quite a bit of work to be done (little stuff like carpet, trim, paint, wiring, more buttons/switches, etc, etc). Once I'm finished, you should only be able to see a little bit of the wood, but it will be painted black anyways. So still work to be done, but it's functional. Now I'm just waiting for my new projector to get here (Panasonic AE7000) so I can replace my 720p Acer H5360 projector.

I'm ordering a SymProjects RevBurner and a eBay 5" 11k rpm tachometer next week.

 

[Mayaman]

Man that's sweet!

 

[NeoAgent]

man that's sweet!

+1

 

[capchaos]

Nice saw your rig on the I racing forum. A tach and revburner would be sweet. I thought bt the same but don't know if I need it with the sli pro

 

[superbike81]

Nice saw your rig on the I racing forum. A tach and revburner would be sweet. I thought bt the same but don't know if I need it with the sli pro

Only reason I want the tach is for nostalgia. It will feel a little more authentic driving in GPL, rFactor(2), or iRacing with the classic cars.

 

[capchaos]

Ya bt the only reason I want one too. Just the realism factor. I want to buy into rfactor 2 right now but will not until sli is fixed so I can run my 3 monitors. Been enjoying project c.a.r.s. quite a bit. It progressing nicely

 

[Mr Latte]

The integration is coming along really well...

While dropping the triple screens is a step back in I think your systems full enjoyment/immersion potential. Having owned 3 Panasonic projectors in the past including the AE2000 in quality image terms your going to be getting a massive jump in performance over those Acer models.

Look forward to your comments on how this new Panasonic performs.

* I think you should consider having the wheel shelf on an adjustable mount that can be locked/tightened in place, just an idea though. Also getting a motorised screen would add a great deal of class.

 

[left888]

The Tach IMO is better for immersion then the sli pro. WOW look at them pedals, me jealous

 

[superbike81]

The integration is coming along really well...

While dropping the triple screens is a step back in I think your systems full enjoyment/immersion potential. Having owned 3 Panasonic projectors in the past including the AE2000 in quality image terms your going to be getting a massive jump in performance over those Acer models.

Look forward to your comments on how this new Panasonic performs.

* I think you should consider having the wheel shelf on an adjustable mount that can be locked/tightened in place, just an idea though. Also getting a motorised screen would add a great deal of class.

I will consider purchasing a motorized screen once I move back to the US. For now I'm building my own fixed frame screen. It is about 107" (I think) and is nearly complete, I just have to add the trim. I just used cheap white vinyl from a fabric store, works very well IMO.

I thought about making the wheel mount adjustable, but the truth is, I'm really the only one who uses it anyways. I don't have any friends who are into sim racing, and the people who do test it out will just have to deal with the wheel being at my height.

I had the Panasonic AE900 several years ago and loved it, so I'm sure I will be pleased with the AE7000 as well.

 

[Mayaman]

cant wait to see this finished

 

[Mr Latte]

Yeah I have purchased similar material for my screens err whenever the time comes to be able to continue things. Don't you think though if the shelf had some adjust-ability it would be handy to get at the connections etc. Additionally if you would be changing wheels or rims this might later be useful. We do not know yet if various rims will be closer or further towards the player to the current FM4 standard wheel and for CSW.

Understand your situation is different if that one day you may have to dismantle and sell or leave this behind if you move.

If you had the AE900 your in for a massive surprise. Zero vertical banding or chickenwire effects for a start. Much greater contrast, deeper blacks and richer colours are heading your way. I think the AE700/900 had a slight issue with light greys or blues IIRC but great projectors at the time allowing 1080i with GT4.

Let us all know what you think of its 3D capability and it also offers a 2D-3D conversion feature (not often found on PJs) which might offer mixed results but hell nice to try some old school titles with perhaps.

With you living in Japan can you try and track down a pair of:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-MDR-...ultDomain_3&hash=item2a18aad298#ht_3390wt_952
These are unique for the Japan market, I have older models which are excellent.

Would be great if you could find a local dealer to give them a try and report back.

 

[superbike81]

Got my new projector today

This is a simple size comparison, the AE7000 is a monster compared to this little Acer H5360. I guess that was expected though when we are talking about a $3000 projector vs a $500 one. The image quality is not even in the same universe, the AE7000 blows it out of the way in every single way, including 3D. The only disadvantage is I can only play 3D games at 24fps, so shooters and racing games are out unless I drop to 720p, but other slower games look excellent.

With triple screens it felt good, but with the single huge screen (105") I feel like I'm in the car in iRacing as long as I set the view and seat position correctly.

Very happy with my purchase!

 

[Mr Latte]

Well really the advantages of this projector will show up even more with movies as it is a cinema projector than a gaming focused one of course.

It will likely be next year before any 1080p 60Hz per eye projectors are available. The current HDMI limitation with 720p is a shame but really having the picture quality benefits you see before you help say outweigh the additional resolution of inferior quality projectors.

Resolution isn't everything particularly from a sim gaming perspective using 720p with 60Hz per eye (120Hz) is likely to be the best option and experience for super smooth framerates.

I agree that a large image can be more overwhelming and personally I'm not caring in having triple projection to try and be like 1:1 scale as others have went for. I will go for the biggest size screens I can run with comfortably within my FOV to give the biggest wow factor and entertainment experience.

If I was you Id look to invest in a decent screen though and preferably a motorised one to enhance the picture quality even further.

Great to read your happy with it...

 

[superbike81]

Yeah, a nice screen (nothing more than $500) will be a future purchase. I guess once I move back to the US.

The 120hz was nice for 3D when I was sitting 10ft away. But at 4ft away it was really not very pretty looking. Most people aren't going to be sitting 4ft away from a 100"+ screen though. I don't have any 3D Blu-Ray movies yet, but I downloaded some 1080p 3D demo clips and it is amazing using the Tri-Def software. Also the Panasonic 3D glasses weigh half of what the Nvidia glasses weigh and have some cool extra features.

I just really like the combination of the "life size" screen with my cockpit positioned perfectly where the driver would be while using TrackIR. It really makes me feel like I'm "in" the game instead of looking in at it. 3D would make it that much better, but after seeing 1080p I can't go back to 720p.