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,
excited 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 basement i dont need it. most
of the simulaator projects ive seen spend way too much time on the seat and
the cockpit 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
