rec.autos.simulators

by **pdot..** » Sun, 17 Dec 2006 05:19:35

> I think the coMents are just based on initial reaction to the looks. in
> b this genre, aesthitics as well as functionality are applauded. people
> want something that looks like it came out of a race car for that
> immersion factor.

I agree. See what you think of the production model once it comes out.
It won't look like a race car since it's just a chair, but it will
look better than the prototype.

Have you had a chance to read the review in Autosimsport? Lou Magyar
came to my house and tried the seat. The article has some good
information about how the seat works, plus his impressions of the
experience.

The chair frame does not move. Only the pads move. See my response to
Plowboy for more details. To summarize, each pad moves independently
in response to G forces calculated in the simulation physics. The pads
recreate the sensations you feel while sliding around in a real car
seat. You get true 3D motion feedback on your back and posterior.

The I-Vibe seat cushion would actually complement the GS-1 nicely.
While the GS-1 is designed to provide lower frequency-high amplitude
handling force response, the TFS2 can create higher frequency
vibrations. I've talked to Craig about adding his hardware directly
to the pads in my seat. That may become an option in the future.
Everybody seems to be experiencing a bit of "sticker shock" at the
moment, so we'll have to see! :)

Pat Dotson
UltraForce Simulators
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

by **Plowbo** » Sun, 17 Dec 2006 05:24:52

Well, thanks p.

I wish I was near a place to try one, sounds pretty cool! good luck, maybe
you sell enough or I win the lottery and price wont matter, still seeing the
small image didnt look that bad. some people choose form over function...
not me, you should see the POS I drive daily...

>> What is the IETAG.dll that your site is trying to feed me, pdotson?

> That file is a Microsoft Office component. I don't know anything else
> about it yet. Maybe it has something to do with fact that I used MS
> Word to create the web pages.

> I'll go through the code this evening to see where it's coming from.

> Thanks,
> Pat

by **news** » Sun, 17 Dec 2006 05:28:59

> I agree. See what you think of the production model once it comes out.
> It won't look like a race car since it's just a chair, but it will
> look better than the prototype.

what about partnering with Logitech or Momo or ??? to build the ultimate
racing setup? $3500 for the ultimate seat and wheel combo?

I told my boss (who has a bad back) he should try and get it prescribed
for him by his doctor. :)

by **Tony Rickar** » Sun, 17 Dec 2006 07:23:58

> I agree. See what you think of the production model once it comes out.
> It won't look like a race car since it's just a chair, but it will
> look better than the prototype.

Interesting that you have designed a chair rather than using a basic
race seat. Is this because the customer would need to mount a race seat
to a frame (and probably have to bolt it down to the floor) rather than
the more portable chair approach?

For those of us with racing rigs with race seats is there likely to be a
diy kit where we can fix on the pads? Presumably with some additional
bracing to the seat, or is it unlikely to be a solid enough structure?

A very inventive product Pat.

Cheers
Tony

by R » Sun, 17 Dec 2006 08:28:54

>> Sounds extremely interesting, but the price seams way high at $3295 (US) :(.

> The materials required to build the GS-1 G-seat are expensive. For
> example, there are 14 individual motors driving the chair motion.
> Metal costs for the steel and aluminum tubing are also very high right
> now. I can't apologize for the price.

> This is definitely a high-end product, but it delivers high-end
> performance that isn't found anywhere else. I hope everyone will get a
> chance to try it eventually to see what it does - and how well it
> really works!

> Pat Dotson

My "criticism" of the price is not that I think that it is not worth
that amount, I just think it is a lot of money for a racing sim device.
It is certainly not in the price range of try and if you don't like
it, your only out a few bucks. Also, it needs to be supported to work
in all future sims to guarantee its value in the long run. That may be
the plan, but one never knows how things turn out.

As with most of these "add on" devices, there is usually no way to ever
try before you buy. That's not a criticism specifically of this
product, but just a general comment.

I hope this device is very successful so that so many are sold that the
price can come down and then I can buy one :) :) :)

by R » Sun, 17 Dec 2006 09:41:11

Another thing I wanted to mention, there should be a version available
that is much lower. At this price and state of the art, the real
customers are the die-hard racing sim fans. They probably already have
a***pit/race frame setup and would be looking for a low seat, not one
that just mates up to the standard height computer desk (with a seating
position like driving a truck or a van :). It looks like it would be
easy to adapt this seat to a race frame mount, but I am not sure and for
the price (here we go again) it would be nice not to have to make
modifications.

by **jwilson5** » Mon, 18 Dec 2006 04:56:50

> Well, thanks p.

> I wish I was near a place to try one, sounds pretty cool! good luck, maybe
> you sell enough or I win the lottery and price wont matter, still seeing the
> small image didnt look that bad. some people choose form over function...
> not me, you should see the POS I drive daily...

>>> What is the IETAG.dll that your site is trying to feed me, pdotson?
>> That file is a Microsoft Office component. I don't know anything else
>> about it yet. Maybe it has something to do with fact that I used MS
>> Word to create the web pages.

>> I'll go through the code this evening to see where it's coming from.

>> Thanks,
>> Pat

you know,your almost up there in price with force dynamics,a hole bunch
of money for movable "PADS"

by **pdot..** » Mon, 18 Dec 2006 16:28:41

> you know,your almost up there in price with force dynamics,a hole bunch
> of money for movable "PADS"

Not sure where you are getting your information. A FD 301 costs at
least $20K as far as I know. I've seen prices mentioned as high as
$30,000. They don't put the price on their web site.

Plus, it's like the comedian Steven Wright says about "You can't have
everything - where would you put it?" Here's quote from their web
site:

"Q: How hard is it to move?...
A: It's easiest to move the 301 with a fork lift..."

I'm not running the 301 down or anything. It's awesome! I want one.
If I sell a couple thousand GS-1's maybe I'll get one :) But, the
GS-1 is in a totally separate category when it comes to price.

Pat Dotson
UltraForce Simulators
http://www.ultraforcesim.com

by **pdot..** » Mon, 18 Dec 2006 16:35:35

Great idea!

Actually, the lower portion of the chair can be removed, or you could
buy just the seat without the base. I will offer a version of the
chair with mounting rails on the bottom. It will be a drop-in
replacement for a regular racing seat - Sparco, etc.

In fact, I'm shipping a seat to Europe this week that has no base. It
will be installed in a mock-up of an airline***pit for flight
simulation. So it can definitely be added to an existing race***pit.

Thanks,

Pat Dotson
UltraForce Simulators
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

> Another thing I wanted to mention, there should be a version available
> that is much lower. At this price and state of the art, the real
> customers are the die-hard racing sim fans. They probably already have
> a***pit/race frame setup and would be looking for a low seat, not one
> that just mates up to the standard height computer desk (with a seating
> position like driving a truck or a van :). It looks like it would be
> easy to adapt this seat to a race frame mount, but I am not sure and for
> the price (here we go again) it would be nice not to have to make
> modifications.

by **Tony Rickar** » Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:44:20

> Great idea!

> Actually, the lower portion of the chair can be removed, or you could
> buy just the seat without the base. I will offer a version of the
> chair with mounting rails on the bottom. It will be a drop-in
> replacement for a regular racing seat - Sparco, etc.

To replace these?

http://www.baldrick.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/gpl/images/seats.jpg

:)
Tony

by R » Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:34:18

> Great idea!

> Actually, the lower portion of the chair can be removed, or you could
> buy just the seat without the base. I will offer a version of the
> chair with mounting rails on the bottom. It will be a drop-in
> replacement for a regular racing seat - Sparco, etc.

That's very good to know. Thanks for the information.

by **jwilson5** » Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:25:07

>> you know,your almost up there in price with force dynamics,a hole bunch
>> of money for movable "PADS"

> Not sure where you are getting your information. A FD 301 costs at
> least $20K as far as I know. I've seen prices mentioned as high as
> $30,000. They don't put the price on their web site.

> Plus, it's like the comedian Steven Wright says about "You can't have
> everything - where would you put it?" Here's quote from their web
> site:

> "Q: How hard is it to move?...
> A: It's easiest to move the 301 with a fork lift..."

> I'm not running the 301 down or anything. It's awesome! I want one.
> If I sell a couple thousand GS-1's maybe I'll get one :) But, the
> GS-1 is in a totally separate category when it comes to price.

> Pat Dotson
> UltraForce Simulators
> http://www.ultraforcesim.com

Maybe I came across wrong,what I'm saying is at $3000,if your hoping to
get a diehard simracer to buy it,it should look like more than a massage
pad on a lawn chair.It may be as awesome as you say,but,it doesn't look
like the technology justifies the cost.Judging solely on the picture and
discription of the "pads" I'd be hardpressed to shell out $50 for it.And
thats from a fellow Hoosier.

by **jwilson5** » Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:29:39

>>> you know,your almost up there in price with force dynamics,a hole bunch
>>> of money for movable "PADS"

>> Not sure where you are getting your information. A FD 301 costs at
>> least $20K as far as I know. I've seen prices mentioned as high as
>> $30,000. They don't put the price on their web site.

>> Plus, it's like the comedian Steven Wright says about "You can't have
>> everything - where would you put it?" Here's quote from their web
>> site:

>> "Q: How hard is it to move?...
>> A: It's easiest to move the 301 with a fork lift..."

>> I'm not running the 301 down or anything. It's awesome! I want one.
>> If I sell a couple thousand GS-1's maybe I'll get one :) But, the
>> GS-1 is in a totally separate category when it comes to price.

>> Pat Dotson
>> UltraForce Simulators
>> http://www.ultraforcesim.com

> Maybe I came across wrong,what I'm saying is at $3000,if your hoping to
> get a diehard simracer to buy it,it should look like more than a massage
> pad on a lawn chair.It may be as awesome as you say,but,it doesn't look
> like the technology justifies the cost.Judging solely on the picture and
> discription of the "pads" I'd be hardpressed to shell out $50 for it.And
> thats from a fellow Hoosier.

Oh Yea the 301 starts at $10000

by **pdot..** » Tue, 19 Dec 2006 14:01:51

Really? Where did you find that price?

BTW, I'm with you on the appearance issue. The seat will be available
as part of an integrated***pit. Work on that project is progressing.
Expect some really cool new products.

Also, since you are in Indiana, if you ever find your was to Kokomo
give me a call and you can try the seat for yourself :)

Pat

> Oh Yea the 301 starts at $10000

by **jwilson5** » Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:12:50

> Really? Where did you find that price?

> BTW, I'm with you on the appearance issue. The seat will be available
> as part of an integrated***pit. Work on that project is progressing.
> Expect some really cool new products.

> Also, since you are in Indiana, if you ever find your was to Kokomo
> give me a call and you can try the seat for yourself :)

> Pat

>> Oh Yea the 301 starts at $10000

It was listed on thier site about a year ago,and I just might take you
up on your offer.

rec.autos.simulators

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat

UltraForce GS-1 G-Seat