just a note here
thought i would answer some of the questions asked in the last few days
about some of my design decisions in making the www.moonliteserenade.com
racing simulators.
1. Why did i use an "office" chair??? i used a very comfortable office
chair instead of a real racing seat for 2 reasons. one is long term
comfort - after a few hours in a real racing seat your legs dont work
anymore (ive tried it), and second - these simulators are "platforms" in
the sense that by changing programs and controls you can make a flite sim
out of them (or any other kind of sim). all of a sudden what might be
perfectly realistic for F1 driving position just doesnt work for flying a
plane. Nascar is also much more upright. I went for a neutral position that
is workable for hours and a wide variety of sims. Also, because everything
is fully adjustable its really easy to mount any kind of seat in any
position.
2.Why did i use the ECCI wheel/pedals???? the ECCI wheel setup with the
fluid damped steering is still the best ive ever used (i dont like ANY force
feedback wheels yet). ive tried everything except a few new entries from
Europe and have used the Thomas wheel side by side to the ECCI and its not
even close. I agree that the pedal setups look a little clunky but the
billet aluminum construction, very smooth response, progressively weighted
brake and incredible durability won the day. If youve got energetic,
e***d people racing all day long you bettter have a damn durable pedal
setup.
3. Why dont i have a "cockpit"???? with the huge video screen, 950 watts
of high fidelity 5.1 sound, sub woofer and bass shaker i really dont care at
all if im in a "cockpit". my eyes are on the road ahead trying to set up
properly for the next turn. the appeal of a "cockpit " is really more for
getting you interested in trying the simulator in a commercial environment.
once the lites are out youre on the track, not looking around at where youre
sitting. for a commercial installation i may do a "cockpit" surround to
increase the initial experience but here in my ba***t i dont need it. most
of the simulaator projects ive seen spend way too much time on the seat and
the***pit surround and then use a little monitor for the graphics. i think
thats backward. give me a HUGE screen so the track looks as much like it
really looks as i can do. i also tried to place the sound and video in the
best possible position to create the most realistic virtual reality
possible. they are both adjustable up/down and forward/back for that reason.
4. as i stated on the website, the whole digital world is moving so fast
that what works the best today will be obsolete in a few weeks. thats why
ANY simulator project relying on a computer engine is an ongoing project.
shortly we will be able to have a 3 screen wraparound display for reasonable
money. after that holograms in 3D, home motion platforms etc etc etc
thanks for looking and all the feedback/comments
keep the shiny side up
jim
www.mooniteserenade.com