The following was not written by xpecta...
I'm not sure how much you're talking about money-wise, but I built a
really cool flight/racing sim "cockpit" that I just love to
death..It's fairly bulky, but if you have your computer in a seperate
room all to itself, it's well worth the trouble and cost. You can also
easily unhook the rig and put it somewhere else if you really want to,
but I haven't done that yet. It just involves unbolting the roll cage
from the steel frame, and both parts can easily go through most
doorways.
Here goes..
1st, I got an old, large go-kart rollcage frame, and built a
wooden frame for the bottom. You actually have to step into the thing.
The wooden frame is pretty solid on the bottom, it's 2x4" boards
running width-wise.. On the floor, there are a set of Thrustmaster
rudder pedals for flight sims, and you can easily switch them out with
V3 pedals (or whatever else you want) for racing. The nice thing is,
there is an adjustable platform at the bottom where your feet go, so
you can tighten up the pedals and adjust them for your body. Really
nice, IMO..
2nd, I got an old Recaro-type (not real Recaro, mind you) seat
from a junkyard, and bolted that on a pair of steel runners, so you
can adjust the seat's depth. Behind the seat is a powered subwoofer
from the stereo, and mounted on the upper left and upper right support
columns of the cage, there are the satellite speakers. (Remote control
for the stereo fits under the seat.
On the left hand side, there is a small platform that swings
in place (hinges bolted to the frame) that you can set your throttle
on, which also has a clamp to hold it steady. On the right is the same
thing, used for the joystick. In the middle, the "dash" if you will,
there is a flat drafting board, also attached to the frame, that you
can either rest a keyboard on, or clamp your wheel to the middle, and
still have the keyboard a bit over to the left or right. It's about 3
feet wide.
Above, there is a black canvas top, and black canvas tie-down
flaps on the sides and back so you can basically immerse yourself in
the***pit, with only the front being the open part.
I don't use this setup for anything but flight and racing
sims, and the very occasional FPS. My other computer works better for
that.
The front of the "cockpit" can be altered to have a monitor
brace/stand, but mine is open, and I use my Seleco VT130 for the
screen.. It gives me a GREAT picture of about 9 FEET diagonal, from
floor to ceiling.. The***pit is positioned so that the screen is
basically all I can see from the***pit without looking out from the
front of the cage when the flaps are down.. Most people will probably
want to use their monitor for this, though..
Total cost involved (but WELL worth it, IMO):
Wood for the frame: probably around $75-100, with the 4x4" base frame
boards being the most expensive part...
Miscellaneous clamps for KB, throttle, and joystick: $15
Dark Grey indoor/outdoor carpet for interrior of***pit: $30
Roll cage for***pit frame: $150-$200
Recaro-type seat: $50
Canvas for shade-flaps: $30
Glue, nails, bolts, etc. etc. etc. : $20
Pioneer VSX-501, Bose AM7 speakers: $700 give or take..
Seleco VT130: You don't even *WANT* to know...
Any other connecting wires, joysticks, throttles, pedals, etc. you can
throw in yourself.. Even discounting the surround system and
projection video, you can probably make one of these yourself for
around $400, depending on your tastes. All you need is some time,
patience, and a bit of skill, but trust me, it's WELL worth it.
I've got the plans of the one I made, if anyone else wants to give it
a try.. E-mail me, and I'll scan them and send them to you.
Ben
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