Superbike81's Multi-Purpose Cockpit

[superbike81]

Original post being edited. The rig is nothing like originally described.

It's getting there, still many small details (carpet, trim, wiring, etc, etc) need to be done.

Currently:

 

[VWMasteR]

Nice setup dude.

 

[Rotorist]

Very nice job pal! Merry Christmas!

 

[Mayaman]

Awesome!

 

[sandboxgod]

Always warms my heart to see another iRacing addict. 👍

Hey whats running on that little TV screen??? iSpeed? Is that monitor powered by the same computer? I've been seeing that little screen in some uber setups lately running some sort of data

CSTs?! Wonder how that will compare to CSPs?

Update us when you find this out for real

 

[superbike81]

Always warms my heart to see another iRacing addict. 👍

Hey whats running on that little TV screen??? iSpeed? Is that monitor powered by the same computer? I've been seeing that little screen in some uber setups lately running some sort of data

CSTs?! Wonder how that will compare to CSPs?

Update us when you find this out for real

Yeah, that is iSpeed, I also use it for hardware monitoring as well as a couple other programs. It's a simple USB 7" monitor 800x480 resolution. One problem I am running into is that screen gets disabled when I go into 120hz refresh rate in Windows. So I have to figure that problem out.

It's going to be an almost unbearable wait for the CST pedals, but I know it will be worth it.

 

[urunatural]

wow this is very serious gaming, very nice

 

[sandboxgod]

Hm, it appears that iSpeed is a must for me then. Thank you for telling me about the screen setup I never thought bout it.

Yeah I've heard bout those legendary CST waits but it must be worth it.

 

[Raitziger]

You must be a big guy, because shifter looks to be quite far away from the wheel.(might just be optical illusion though)

Edit: "I'm 6'2" and people as short as 5'5" have played it and done just fine."
And I must be blind.

 

[superbike81]

Yeah, I've got long arms and long legs, the shifter feels fine to me, but I could understand that people smaller than me might want it a little closer.

Once I move back to the US in a few months I'll probably construct version 2.0 of this cockpit with more adjustability and have everything built into one unit.

 

[left888]

Coming along nicely SB81, can't wait to see the console done up in Carbon Fiber Vinyl. I plan on ordering a set of CST pedals soon.

 

[superbike81]

CST Pedals require the 50% deposit, which will at least get you on the production list. If you've got the $350 or so now to put down, and think you'll have another $350 available in 2 months or so, I'd place the order now.

 

[superbike81]

I'll show the "multi-purpose" part later when I get everything finalized. It's very simple though, I bought a $20 TV stand and cut it down so it slides in perfectly and the top portion wedges in about 2" above my legs. Perfect position and plenty of room for a keyboard, mouse, and the Saitek X52 setup.

 

[superbike81]

Question.....

For electronic switches, like power on/off, is it as simply as opening up the computer/receiver, etc and extending the wires leading to the current power switch?

Basically I'm thinking I would like to use buttons mounted on my cockpit for turning power on/off/reset for my computer and maybe my A/V receiver. This is all a big learning experience for me, I've never done much stuff with electronics, but I'm getting the hang of some stuff at least.

My version 2.0 rig will likely be a modified version of this, very similar to it, but with my own touches added:

http://www.kolthar.com/makingaracecockpit.htm

 

[Patrick]

Nice rig mate! How's the CSR? I'm thinking about ordering one, but can't decide.

 

[superbike81]

Nice rig mate! How's the CSR? I'm thinking about ordering one, but can't decide.

If the CSW wasn't so near on the horizon, I would probably love my CSR. I had a G25 before it, and I think the wheel is MUCH better than the G25. But I've already got cash set aside for the CSW, so this waiting for pre-orders to come up is killing me and making me dislike my CSR, haha.

I'm not a fan of the wheel rim, it looks like a toy to me, but this is a low-mid range wheel so I can understand that. Lots of buttons to use, and nicely placed for me (I've got big hands), great paddle shifters, force feedback is strong, but a little sluggish at times I feel. I ordered the CSR because my G25 died and I wanted something to hold me over until the CSW came out so my expectations weren't super high.

If your choosing between the CSR, G25/G27, etc, honestly I think *I* would go with the G27 just because there are so many mods available for it. But then by the time you are done modding it, you are probably over halfway to a T500 or CSW.

 

[Patrick]

You said it looked like a toy. Does it feel cheap? Im choosing to get this wheel because of the Xbox compatibility.

 

[left888]

CST Pedals require the 50% deposit, which will at least get you on the production list. If you've got the $350 or so now to put down, and think you'll have another $350 available in 2 months or so, I'd place the order now.

It's not a question of cash but logistics. I have several items arriving that need to be placed on my rig, for example I need to finish my dash with tach and speedometer. Elite wheel should be here soon as well as the shifter, button box etc ..

Then another photo excursion is in the works.

 

[left888]

Question.....

For electronic switches, like power on/off, is it as simply as opening up the computer/receiver, etc and extending the wires leading to the current power switch?

No, you do not want to do that. In my Woodshop I have a Router table that I fixed into the base unit, rather then open the table to turn the Router on I hardwired a switch to the exterior for easy access. I have several tools such as this that I hardwired to another on/off switch. Just check out the power rating for each particular switch you need and go to Radioshack and get a toggle switch or similar.

 

[sandboxgod]

Curse you superbike and left888. I can't stop thinking bout getting a little monitor to run iSpeed now.

 

[Mr Latte]

Lots of new updates coming.
Not sure about your planning or what changed my friend?

You had a nice shaped rig with nice decals.
Now you've added a big bulky coffin (lol) to one side hiding much of your previous work, damn. Was it an after thought' err why kinda spoils the nice work already achieved, of well just does't look properly incorporated.

Triple projection does now seem to be the way big boys are going, well done on that. Please tell me you got the BD versions of the Acer's with 3D support? It seems finally AMD with their new cards will have a one card solution suitable to power 3840x720 in stereoscopic 3D. Now the thought of a single card solution offering that makes my toes tingle and tempts me to PCs playing lots of games with multi 3D screens.

Oh an don't just give up on GT5 in such a triple setup it would be immense fun, still a nice game to enjoy. Seems however your going more sim enthusiast than general racing game fan.

Look forward to your updates

 

[left888]

Curse you superbike and left888. I can't stop thinking bout getting a little monitor to run iSpeed now.

You must have an old monitor kicking around the house, or a friend with an unused one. We have 5 or 6 computers in the house, my main PC has 4 monitors connected and all the rest have a minimum of 2 monitors, so every few years I donate the older ones.

 

[superbike81]

Lots of new updates coming.
Not sure about your planning or what changed my friend?

You had a nice shaped rig with nice decals.
Now you've added a big bulky coffin (lol) to one side hiding much of your previous work, damn. Was it an after thought' err why kinda spoils the nice work already achieved, of well just does't look properly incorporated.

Triple projection does now seem to be the way big boys are going, well done on that. Please tell me you got the BD versions of the Acer's with 3D support? It seems finally AMD with their new cards will have a one card solution suitable to power 3840x720 in stereoscopic 3D. Now the thought of a single card solution offering that makes my toes tingle and tempts me to PCs playing lots of games with multi 3D screens.

Oh an don't just give up on GT5 in such a triple setup it would be immense fun, still a nice game to enjoy. Seems however your going more sim enthusiast than general racing game fan.

Look forward to your updates

Yeah, the center console was an afterthought, once I get it painted and everything it will look a little better. I just didn't like how cramped everything was getting, and when I decided I wanted to go with a triple projector setup I knew things were going to have to change anyways. The rig in the state it was before just didn't have enough room for everything I needed, so the console was added. Eventually I'll rebuild the rig from scratch and it will look much better, like I said, I'll probably use a full real dashboard, although I probably won't bother trying to use real gauges, I'll just stick with my SLI pro and iSpeed.

I do still like GT5, it just doesn't get much play time any more. I guess if I run across a really good deal on a couple more copies of the game and a couple more PS3's I might jump on it, but even a really good deal will have me spending ~$350 on something I might play once or twice a month. Also it will add considerably more wiring and complexity to the setup.

My projectors are not the BD version, however they do fully support Nvidia 3D Vision and I love the experience. I already have the full 3D Vision setup although I hear they released updated glasses which are a little better and a little larger. I prefer Nvidia cards anyways, I've got the space for the SLI setup, so that's what I did with the two GTX560's. Another thing I may do when I redesign the rig is try to build the computer into the rig and use a car stereo for my sound system. This would eliminate much of the external wiring as well.

 

[superbike81]

Got my screen mount in today and also the Saitek X52 Pro flight controls as well! I had to go back to work though so haven't been able to open it up though.

After doing some research, decided I'm going to go with a real dash and center console install from a Japanese-spec MKIV (1992-2002) Supra. I think it will be perfect for a sim cockpit due to the center console being aimed slightly towards the driver. Checked out a junkyard today real quick and found a couple wrecked Supras with dashboards, but many of the trim pieces were missing. I might try to go next weekend to pull a dash out and then piece together the rest or I may wait until I find a complete one.

Second option is from the RX7 (FD3S):

I'll actually probably get a door panel as well.

I won't bother with making the original gauges work or anything like that, I'll just mount my SLI-Pro in there. Should be a fun project, hopefully something will come up in the next few weeks.

 

[left888]

I won't bother with making the original gauges work or anything like that,

I think you should make the gauges work, get yourself a couple Rev Burners Nothing shouts realism as having real working gauges.

 

[Mr Latte]

I think what happens though is you get deeper and deeper involved in trying to replicate a car that it becomes rather silly.

I went through the same emoitions and still have a complete dash with dials from a car sitting around.
Weve even had people replicate their own car seating and wheel angles before on these forums.

In the end I reconsidered because I found it laughable that Id be sitting in a fake car that in your case may be an "RX7" but I asked myself how silly will that look with a toy wheel and playing say an F1 game or Nascar/Rally title. I will also admit that I have a load of stuff I've bought that I will never likely use now in my own cockpit as ideas can change and you re-evaluate things or in my case upgrade ideas with alter previous ones.

Its great I think for those replicating a particular car as that's were their passion is in recreating that experience and playing that car in a sim. When you want to play lots of different games (my own position / yours may vary) then and for me I ended up thinking it was a bit too much fantasy. Not only that but sitting with a real car cockpit, triple screens and driving an onscreen car thats opposite "hand drive" would look/feel pure weird.

Everyone to their own, sometimes I think less is more, if done with a bit of style but then Im a fussy type too. Personally I'd suggest you consider involving using multuiple tactile and combine them with subwoofers built into your cockpit. I know how good that can be and in that area alone as your perhaps aware I went kinda bonkers but the experimentation with it has been a great discovery for me. Maybe for you upping the audio to match the great video experience would work out in being a better idea as well?

That would certainly give you more enjoyment and immersion than a ripped out car dash and door but heck its your cockpit and decision my friend. Were do you draw the line though on incorporating real car parts? Great if they make you rig look stylish but not so good if they look kinda odd or not well implemented.

 

[superbike81]

Well, main reason I want to do the real dash is just for the ergonomics and clean look that everything would have.

I don't think it would be akward to be LHD on the screen and RHD in the cockpit or vice versa really. If you have the FOV set up correctly, you will barely notice anyways. My center screen will be centered over the wheel, so I don't think it will be a problem. For open wheelers, again, the FOV makes this not much of an issue. When I've got 3 42" screens about 26" from my face, I don't think I'm going to be paying too much attention to the cockpit anyways, but the ergonomics of button/switch/shifter placement without having to fabricate anything is a great solution in my mind.

Another thing, I'm not trying to replicate any particular car, to be honest I don't even really like Supras or RX-7's that much, I'm more of a Euro car guy. What I did though is look at what I have available to me fairly commonly in junkyards, and browsed around looking at the interiors, I looked at everything from Nissan Bluebirds to Toyota Altezzas to Nissan Skylines, the two interiors to me that seemed they would function best in a sim racing environment were the Supra and RX-7.

Another benefit is then having some space underneath everything to work with for running (hiding) wires and even building a place for my computer to go (under the center console I'm thinking). So I could have everything kept internal in the cockpit for a much cleaner overall look.

Oh and I do have a single Aura Bass Shaker mounted to the seat rail, forgot to mention that one in the original post. One is enough for me, but maybe eventually I'll add more.

Take a look at this thread, posts 289 and 290 specifically. Here's an example of it:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/11266718-post289.html

Due to my cockpit design, my wheel would be centered on the center screen though, so it wouldn't have that awkward offset.

I'm going to do it, not for the immersion factor and not to replicate and certain car, but for the ergonomics and the obvious "bling."

 

[superbike81]

Some stuff started showing up in the mail today.

The screen mount got here and I assembled it, very quick and excellent quality, it's from FastTrackSims, I'll be doing a full review on it once I get everything mounted for testing. Picking up my screens tomorrow. Also got my Saitek X52 Pro flight control setup as well.

After making my final measurements the screens will be 16:9 42" diagonal each and should sit about 27" from me.

This is the work in progress for the "multi-purpose" part of the project a simple table that I cut down to wedge in on my sides and sit a couple inches above my lap. It's very stable and will be excellent for other types of games. Once I get the Fanatec CSW I'll be able to utilize the quick release mechanism to get the wheel out of the way.
(pardon the mess, everything is taken apart right now)

 

[Mr Latte]

Well we all have our own ideas and preferences and I guess thats good in many ways as each person goes their own path. Yes I have seen some nice dash installs indeed many do look well done. Ive seen more though that were not so well finished.

I just found and it was only when having the bits in front of me doing mockups I really didnt like the idea of a normal car dash looking to show added realisim in the real cockpit setup only to look silly playing an F1 car in a game, exacltly like your pic of the rig used shows. Man dont ask me why but I just found it odd.

I guess it's maybe me, Im just odd that way mate. However I want to be immersed with a high quality visual,audio,tactile,lighting experience recreating/surpassing the deluxe arcade units of yesteryear combined with the comfort and feel of sitting in a proper race seat.

The fantasy is in that sensation of all that combined not so much the actual cockpit or a dashboard. What it does and achieves from the games not how much it looks like a real car. For me I dont call it bling, I call it over pretending Like I say its not criticising your own direction just commenting on how I had similar ideas but decided differently for the personal reasons I had.

Will be interesting to see how things turn out...


* Enjoy your new toys, really like the screen mount.

 

[superbike81]

Yeah, everyone likes different things.

Aesthetics has always been something that is very high on my list, almost as high as the experience itself. I don't like the look of the metal or 80/20 rigs, and I don't like the look of most the wooden rigs (including the way mine looks right now). So minimal wood used for the base and the structure, and then use the dashboard, center console, and door panel to make it look nice and add nice ergonomics as well.

Also if you look at that one that I posted, he's playing with a console game with a terrible FOV. Using something like iRacing, rFactor 2, pCARS, etc, etc it should be much less odd since seating position and everything can be adjusted easily.