Racing sim hardware

Started by Dewey, May 10, 2006, 04:09:24 PM

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Doorman

Found one review, it doesn't seem like a piece of complete poo










     

Romus

Quote from: romus;214833Viewsonic VX1940W on its way. I wanted 1680x1050 resolution but small enough screen so that I could use a fresnel lens with it, that I bought some time ago.

That never happened, bought a 22" el-cheapo Benq T221WA instead. It had the worst default colour settings I've ever seen, but I got it better after adjusting it manually.

Doorman

Quote from: romus;215985That never happened, bought a 22" el-cheapo Benq T221WA instead. It had the worst default colour settings I've ever seen, but I got it better after adjusting it manually.
With freznel lens?










     

Romus

#63
Quote from: Doorman;215993With freznel lens?

No, I decided to do without the lens.

I have used my lens with the old 15" lcd screen (now I dare to admit that I've been using such a screen this far). The lens gives a great immersions to the game, as instead of focusing on the surface of the display your eyes focus to almost infinity because of the trick that the lens does to your eyes. Also of course as it increases the size of the screen from 15" to about 30" or so, it makes everything look so much more real.

This is my lens:
http://www.3dlens.com/shop/large-fresnel-lens-f330.php

But I never had a permanent installation and with that focal length I would have needed to sit a bit too near to the wheel. So to make my cockpit permanent I decided to forget the fresnel for now.

But the 1024x768 resolution was just not enough, so I am happy for the change, even though I lost a bit of the immersion. I have not found a big enough fresnel for the 22" screen, but I would definitely get one if I would find it. I know that there are lenses of old people to magnify the TV screen, so somewhere I should find it. Those do not give as good sharpness as these ones from the 3Dlens, but the immersion should be there still.

Doorman

Quote from: romus;215996....I know that there are lenses of old people to magnify the TV screen....
:roflmao:We 'younger' people simply go out and buy a 42" plasma jobbie! Nothing wrong with OUR eyes!










     

Aquilifer

That doesn't seem to cost much. How do you mount it? Does it come with a mounting (a leg like in a monitor?)?

Romus

Quote from: Aquilifer;216000That doesn't seem to cost much. How do you mount it? Does it come with a mounting (a leg like in a monitor?)?

For a permanent installation something like this: http://forum.rscnet.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=311171&stc=1&thumb=1

My temporary installation was made of cardboard and tape.

OldBloke

Quote from: romus;216026For a permanent installation something like this: http://forum.rscnet.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=311171&stc=1&thumb=1

Up periscope :D
"War without end. Well, what was history if not that? And how would having the stars change anything?" - James S. A. Corey

BigFatCat

Does it defrost stuff and go ding when the race is over?
Will strip for badges

Romus

#69
I'm currently just dreaming, but it requires dreams to make it happen - a few links:

A pretty cheap G25 wheel add-on: http://forum.racesimcentral.com/showthread.php?t=294212

A digital external dash from Frex:
http://www.frex.com/gpshop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=30
The price is just too high, but does anyone know if something similar exists but with cheaper price? Or can outgauge be used to output that data to second screen? I would like to stop using ingame gauges, because sometimes I have to use too high FOV just see gauges on the screen.

Then this might add something:
http://www.cluboverclocker.com/reviews/sound/Buttkicker/page2.htm
A pretty cheap equipment, and according to review an excellent addition to gaming gear.

Even better for racing, but without proper support for LFS at the moment:
http://ivibe.com/default.htm

It would be nice to hear what you have done to improve your racing environment. Do you use any of these equipment? I know some of you are using high quality shifters and TrackIRs, but what else do you use that has made your simracing experience better?

I've not done much yet, except that I've build me a cockpit from MDF and have a dedicated PC just for LFS. That means that I can use every minute available for just racing, no time is lost in putting the wheel in place or changing settings on the PC.  I'm getting a real car seat this week, from Saab 9000, to replace the old modified office chair in the cockpit. When installing it I will also make a place for the G25 shifter and start testing it.

Doorman

Mmoss seems to have a winner on his hands if only he could get it into production










     

Romus

#71
I've mentioned my cockpit a few times. I made it first december 06 and have been improving it slowly. Latest improvements are the shifter on place and modified G25 pedals. They really are a lot better now, especially with the Nixim brake mod installed.

EDIT: added some pictures here
1st picture: Pedals. Now as I've started using the shifter, the position of the throttle makes heel and toe possible. I must admit that I'm not changing gears like a pro quite yet. =)


Total costs for the cockpit this far is around 150â,¬. The seat was 100â,¬ with shipping, it's from Saab 9000, and the 28mm thick MDF around 50â,¬ and then a few cents for the rest.

It is very strong construction, and very heavy as well. With a regular table the force feedback from the wheel was shaking the table, and I was thus losing some feedback to my hands. Now as the cockpit is so strong, it's moving only an few millimeters when the wheel is shaking hard, I get all the feedback directly to my hands. I think it makes steering a bit more accurate as well.

Edit nov-2008:
Added three new pictures and had to remove some old ones.

Keyboard finally got a proper stand/arm. I have kept it on my lap or on the chair just beside the cockpit. New shifter in place (go to http://www.sim-gear.com/794354.html for more information.) Three displays are a nice upgrade from the earlier picture. They also required a strong stand. Displays on sides are cheap, the other one is our first LCD display from 2003 and the white one I got for free from work.

Next things to do with the cockpit is to improve the ergonomics. I've noticed now after starting with the shifter that I cannot 'dance' on pedals as easily as I would want to. Earlier I just kept the left foot on the brake pedal and the right one on the throttle. Now I'm moving the right one a lot all the time between the throttle and brake, and I should be even trying to press both at the same time sometimes!

Doorman

Good looking job on the pedals. It must have taken a moment of faith to have disassembled them! :ohmy: Oops! There goes my warranty! More pictures.










     

Aquilifer

Looks great. That is more realistic as the pedals are not coming from the floor now.

The only excpetion I have ever driven IRL is the old VW beetle where the pedals actually raise from the floor and driving it felt tiring to my ankles when you kept the loud pedal floored long :norty:

Lameduck

Particularly like the accellerator offset- easier heel'n-toeing?



Quote from: Aquilifer;222648The only excpetion I have ever driven IRL is the old VW beetle where the pedals actually raise from the floor and driving it felt tiring to my ankles when you kept the loud pedal floored long :norty:

Replace the words 'ankles' & 'loud pedal' with wrist and mouse respectively.:D