Mr.Fenestron

Looks great DM. It will make a fine addition to the mount system and the new Volta rig I'm going to build when Nvidia drops it. I really like the leather too, looks well made.

Damn that looks good :). Do you know if your going to use a short version or a standard length tube for your mounting system?

I always used a TV because of the superior image quality, cost comparison wise, except when portability was a concern, which is when I bought a palm sized projector for deployments. I've just done a lot of research on them because I enjoy reading up on tech. I had a feeling you were leaning towards projector so I insisted on a quality screen. If you dont mind me asking, are you hooking this up to your PC and if so, whats GPU(s) do you have?

Something people often forget, if you go with a projector make sure you buy a high quality screen. I cant tell you how many times ive seen very expensive home theaters wasted potential because they used a cheap screen.

And if your going to go through all that trouble, VR is better because the whole point of projecting onto a curved screen is for an immersive experience. If Immersion is your goal, a G chair and an Oculus/Vive headset blows any projection system out of the water; but I know you don't dig on VR just yet. The only advantage projection has over tv is size. If size is your biggest factor and you have the budget to match a decent 4k tv but in projector form (about $1.5x-$2x cost). If we get into the topic of 4K Short throws and Ultra short throws, we are talking crazy expensive all the way upto $20K. If you want 4K im assuming you'd be doing it for the extra resolution candy but a good 1080P tv beats a crap 4K any day of the week. By that I mean, if your going 4K, get a good one (around $2,500). In projector terms, for the same quality, expect to spend $4,000. Also, dont forget to factor in the GPU's to run a large screen at 4K (if you are hooking it up to a pc that is). If thats the case, wait for Volta to release, its expected late Q3 or early 2018 Q1.

TV by far, even when you don't factor in cost.

Woohoo! Is this a required componant to connect all of the panels together or just a backlighting controller? Also, do you have a cost in mind for it?

I was just trying to help you and anyone else out that may be trying to replicate the real displays. Maybe I can end up helping you or someone else find what they need; I figure that's the entire point of the forums.

Bummer. By any chance could you share what they wanted for one? How about http://pixelscientific.com/resizing-lcds/ they cut displays to spec instead of making them from scratch.

Have you tried contacting these folks? http://www.driven-technologies.com/simulated-flat-panel-displays/simulated-military-displays/a-10-multi-function-color-display-mfcd.html

I thought you had trouble getting screens that match the exact sizes, and getting them cut was crazy expensive.

My honest opinion is, it would be much easier for you, and you would receive a lot less support emails about configuration hardware, if you altered your website to reflect one of two ideas. IDEA #1: Something similar to a custom computer website; here is an example of what I mean: https://www.sagernotebook.com/customize.php?productid=1316 (NOTE: I am not personally endorsing this brand; I am merely providing an example, it just happens to be the brand of laptop I own). Do you see how you can select some features and the price is reflected as you select the features? Instead of simply going to a "checkout cart" you can see the price immediately change. Secondly, only those parts that are compatible are available for selection. In my example I linked, you are configuring options for a 15" laptop. Notice there is no option to get a bigger screen because that is not possible on a 15" laptop, it simply doesn't make sense. I think if you take this concept and apply it to your available hardware then people will only see the options available to them for the specific aircraft they are choosing to build for. The advantage here is that, you can have greater future flexibility should you add more hardware options like your FTR module, different cyclic designs, etc, that all apply to the same aircraft. The user would choose between Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing (like in the example I linked, I had to choose between a 13" laptop, a 15" or a 17 to get to the configuration page"). IDEA #2 This is less flexible than the first idea but essentially you offer your hardware as complete "packages". The user would click on systems, and would be presented with two options; Fixed Wing or Rotary Wing. After they make a selection, they see several more options; “Electrical Components” (boards), “Mounting Systems” (chair and mounts), “Control Inputs” (cyclic, collective, etc), “Other” (screws and what not), “Panels” (self explanatory), and “Complete Systems”. In “Complete Systems” the user has several boxes with the name of the aircraft, a little picture of the aircraft, and a price of all included hardware. Clicking on the picture shows the user all of the hardware that comes with the package by default. This takes the guess work out of it. Just as in Idea #1, there are drops down menus to manually deselect options that, perhaps the user already has". All of these individual hardware options are accessible from the page after choosing which type of aircraft, Fixed Wing or Rotary Wing. I hope I helped In some way, I understand it would require you to re-code a good deal of your website but I think it would save you a lot of time and headache in the long run, plus help make your hardware more approachable to the less savvy folks. Also, I'm sure this isn't the "description" you were looking for, but I figured these suggestions would give you the best results in the long run. Good Luck Yogi and thanks for continuing work on the mount system, I can't wait. :) P.S, I'd do it for you but I don't know any PHP or XML. I could probably throw a slide show together to demonstrate the basic layout of what I'm talking about if you'd like.

I wont be using real instruments. VR all the way.

My father is a machinest (not CNC). I have access to metal and machines as long as they don't need to be CNC. Though I suppose wood will work. Theres something just so satisfying about metal though.

Would it be as simple as replacing the wood with metal and aluminum or are the measurementd also different to work with more easily attainable wood standard sizes?

IIRC weren't those plans drafted based on wood?

I don't think words can properly render how completely jeleous I am of your pit DM. Seriously, it looks great. Please keep the pictures coming :). By the way, what kind of metal is the frame for thr MIP and subsequent structure made from? In the second picture, you have a bent silver metal tube running laterally, over the pedals and circuit breaker panel hole. What is it for, a cable of some kind?

Thanks DM. Any idea on how long your going to have the knobs up for? I'm strapped for the moment. College is expensive. P.S, no idea on the force feedback. I only have a cruddy Logitec Xtreme 3D Pro.

Hey Lynx, just a heads up, your message inbox is full. No one can send you messages until you delete some.

Oh yes I would, I've contacted all the ACES II replica seat builders. Even those guys don't build in G-force simulation systems and their garbage replicas cost thousands. I think I found maybe one replica shop that made good looking seats but their prices were around the 40k mark O_O ! I think that is insane for what a CNC machine and a sewing machine can make with a good set of plans. Plus, the little servos that drive the harness belts, seat pads and what not can't be "that" expensive. I wish someone would post a complete set of drawings for the ACES II.

Good looking out DM, that should help save some $ and where not applicable, new knobs to accurate spec will do :). I ran across a cool article for the pit building folks. http://www.machinedesign.com/motion-control/flight-simulators-go-hydraulics-all-electric Pay particular attention to the end of the article with regards to the Moog G-seat. Very interesting. BTW, DM, absolutely NO ONE to my knowledge, is building a replica ACES II with built in features like the Moog G-force simulation for the small simulation market. Sounds like an untapped market to me, and one I'm hoping someone fills soon. http://www.moog.com/literature/ICD/G-Seats.pdf Here is a second company that does something similar. http://www.acme-worldwide.com/products/dynamic-motion-seats/dynamic-motion-seat-overview/ One of these systems would make an excellent addition to your pit this summer ;)

I asking because I was thinking of you putting your weight on it getting in and out of the pit. As for the thickness, I hope you dont intend to get shot at in your pit too, haha

How heavy is that? By itself, is it strong enough to support you?

Oh, I thought shapeway was kind of an ebay service. Any luck on the backlit?

Are there still some knobs and things not yet on Shapeway?