Buying my first flight seat! Open minded. Any recommendations?!

[redmantab]

Hey all. 6 mo into DCS. Run it in VR and absolutely love this sim. It's time to start setting up a nice gaming flight seat and sim area at the house. I have the x52, 1080ti, 34" monitor, oculus, etc. Please advise -

 

1 - What would be a good flight seat? I'm googling and really am not sure what to look at. I found these (see below) and they basically are a swivel chair with areas to set my x52 on. I run in VR so am not too worried about monitor use as I prefer VR. What do you guys think makes sense for a flight seat? Don't we want something that also has an area for the keyboard just for navigating the desktop? Using some rare commands etc?

 

https://www.google.com/search?ei=2JgQW6qoCMS4tQWex5vIBg&q=flight+seat+sim&oq=flight+seat+sim&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0j0i22i30k1l9.2733.3837.0.4284.6.5.1.0.0.0.116.464.4j1.5.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.6.463...0i67k1j0i20i263k1.0.NMgDaWy9vww

 

 

I'm very open minded. Thank you in advance

[wildari]

For inspiration: https://www.monstertech.de/en/product-category/sim-rigs/

 

they're using industry std. profiles, so it shouldnt be too much hassle sourcing them locally.

[ouPhrontis]

Cool, very green with envy here. If I was making that decision; I'd go for one which would accommodate a stick between the legs, rather than off to one side. So a gap, much like you see with an ejection seat.

[Greyman]

Perhaps towards the other end of the scale, i have a Wheelstand Pro Warthog HOTAS deluxe

 

http://wheelstandpro.com/products/wheel-stand-pro-for-thrustmaster-hotas-warthog-saitek-x-55-x52pro-x65---deluxe-v2-

 

Maybe not as pretty, but that doesn't matter when you are in VR and it does the job perfectly well, if you are on a budget and/or have a wife :)

[christiankirk81]

+1 on the Wheelstand pro.

 

I have it set-up with the joystick center mounted with a 15cm extension.

[Redeye]

In case you haven't seen this one.

http://obutto.com/gaming-cockpits/r3volution-gaming-cockpit/

[lasvideo]

The ultimate cockpit!

https://www.nextlevelracing.com/products/gtultimate-v2-flight-simulator/

 

Then add the motion platform and VR for a mind boggling real flying experience http://www.nextlevelracing.com/products/next-level-racing-motion-platform-v3/

[Buckeye]

The ultimate cockpit!

https://www.nextlevelracing.com/products/gtultimate-v2-flight-simulator/

 

Then add the motion platform and VR for a mind boggling real flying experience http://www.nextlevelracing.com/products/next-level-racing-motion-platform-v3/

 

Can't even mount a stick extension, no thanks.

[Forcit]

The ultimate cockpit!

https://www.nextlevelracing.com/products/gtultimate-v2-flight-simulator/

 

Then add the motion platform and VR for a mind boggling real flying experience http://www.nextlevelracing.com/products/next-level-racing-motion-platform-v3/

 

For the total price of all that I would rather buy the dof reality motion platform. One guy on youtube even modded it so that the screens move with the platform.

[tintifaxl]

Take a look at the Speedmaster Flightseat, which I think is perfectly geared towards flightsims. I myself will probably go for an Obutto Ozone, because I want to be able to mount my racing controls, too.

[BlacleyCole]

I got the speedmaster flight myself

[redmantab]

This Obutto Looks great! I'm leaning towards that. A couple questions -

 

- One thing I like is that this seems like an all purpose cockpit. Is this comfortable for regular office use as well? How about games like overwatch, dota, etc?

 

- Arm rests are a must for me with my current office chair. Does Obutto's side rests on the main chair provide enough "relief" that it works the same or as well as arm rests? Want to stay comfy

 

- Obutto's website says earliest delivery is July 31 or so. 2 months is a LONG time for an impatient person. Any tips on getting one quickly? I'm in the Los Angeles / Orange County California region.

 

Great advice and tips guys. Thank you in advance!

[redmantab]

Thought I'd bump this

[mhe]

Obuttos are amazing, have been using them for years. The seat itself is a bit on the narrow side, so if you have broader shoulders it might be a tad uncomfortable in some cases. Pillows as neckrest help quite a bit. I'd love some armrests but have been unable to make that happen so far but the rather low position of the keyboard/mouse tray makes you comfy even in long sessions.

 

In the US, Main Performance PC are the distributor if I recall correctly?

[redmantab]

I'm now leaning towards the Volair Sim

 

http://www.volairsim.com/home.html

 

I like that it has armrests I may purchase separately, that the chair is rumored to be more comfortable, and that it can arrive in a week or two. Obutto is showing 60 days or so. Again I like the armrests of Volair and other features I mentioned as well. The only complaint I"ve seen people say about the Volair is the monitor distance is a bit far. I wonder if I can adjust that somehow anyway or if anyone here has any thoughts?

 

Thank you!

[redmantab]

Pardon the bump. Father's day sale currently and deciding tomorrow. Any of you kind gents able to chime in regarding my questions above?

 

Mainly worried about the volairs monitor distance

[mhe]

Well, the Volairsim is nice but everything is fixed! On Obutto, everything swivels and adjusts without having to get tools out once you completed the basic build.

 

While I'd love to have armrests on my Obutto, the ones of the Volair seem to be an interesting solution. However, they seem to be pretty wide, even at the most inward position they seem to be quite wider than the seat itself which would mean you'd have to be a quite broad-shouldered guy to use them - in which case the seat will not be comfy for you as it hugs you from the rear and seat dimensions would have to correlate with your shoulder width.

 

I plan to replace the seat on my obutto and mount a NobleChair Icon to it at some point which does come with armrests, if I succeed with that it will be the best of both worlds.

[NineGzuz]

Volair does not allow for normal gaming as the keyboard tray is not as articulating

[strike277]

I have a Volair I can tell you I love it. I use it for Everything. Fly,drive,FPS. No issues. The seat is very comfy as well. Everything is adjustable too (no tools needed to do so). The mounts can be adjusted to your preference. And, it’s cheaper than the others.

 

As you can see, I took the table and flipped it over,attached a 4th monitor to it for dials and such. I moved the stick to the center from the side since this pic was taken. OH, and the Keybard tray does articulate. I have it sitting off to the side at an angle. Pretty comfortable.

Edited June 12, 2018 by strike277

[redmantab]

I have a Volair I can tell you I love it. I use it for Everything. Fly,drive,FPS. No issues. The seat is very comfy as well. Everything is adjustable too (no tools needed to do so). The mounts can be adjusted to your preference. And, it’s cheaper than the others.

 

As you can see, I took the table and flipped it over,attached a 4th monitor to it for dials and such. I moved the stick to the center from the side since this pic was taken. OH, and the Keybard tray does articulate. I have it sitting off to the side at an angle. Pretty comfortable.

 

Thank you Strike! This is such a good answer. A couple quick points if I may -

 

1 - Some people above say that Volair does not have articulating keyboard but you say it does. Perhaps they have an older Volair? It seems like it articulates on their website so I SHOULD be able to game FPS type games and perform standard office work comfortably, correct?

 

2 - Any thoughts on monitor distance? If you tell me it is a bit far, is it adjustable somehow? Are there solutions such as a wall mount attachment aftermarket and simply extend the monitor forward?

 

3 - Any further thought on Volari armrests? Obutto doesn't have any and Volair does...which is huge to me.

 

4 - Oh and I like the way you seem to have it in the pic. Thruster on left, stick on right instead of mid, and then I prefer keyboard in middle. Basically x52 on sides and keyboard middle with articulation. This is possible out of the box, correct?

 

5 - Finally, even thought I use my regular desk at home with x52 on sides and think I will want the same with Volair, any thoughts on what I'm missing and that I may want flight stick in middle as some people do? I really think I'll want x52 on both sides but thought I'd ask

 

Good stuff here. Anyone chime in please not just strike277 above. Making a purchase today so I truly value all of your varied input and perspectives.

Edited June 12, 2018 by redmantab
additional thoughts

[rrohde]

I have an Obutto Ozone (but removed the monitor and pedal mount), and I have to say I don't really miss an armrest while flying, considering that I have a center mounted stick.

 

About the monitor mount: I never liked the one for the Ozone, because it is fixed, and as you said, it seemed too far away and cannot be pulled closer. Not so much of an issue in VR, but for other games I didn't like it at all. Ended up wall-mounting a VESA mount that I can pull towards me.

 

In the end, if I had to do it all over again, I would go with a Monstertech Rig instead (even though you have to buy a seat separately).

[Gman109]

RRohde, sound advice.

 

I've been waiting, watching, and reading opinions of others who have gone before me in this arena. We have large gaming tables from Bestar, 3 setups using 2 large gaming surface tables each meeting in the corners of our gaming rooms, and set up for our flying with DxRacer chairs, using desktops for our 2 VKB equipped systems, and the Virpil desk clamp/mounts for the other.

 

We decided on going with Monster Tech, I'm going to purchase 3 chairs/cockpits eventually, but am going to start with 1 first, and build it and see how I like it. Going with the entire setup, not triple monitor, just a single for my 34" Asus 100hz Gsync, but will be using the Rift/Samsung mostly anyway. Monster with the arm rest/etc is how I want to go, they also provide plates for all the various sticks I have so I can quickly swap them out as I want to (I have all the TM/CH/Vipril/VKB sticks and enjoy changing them about). This was a critical issue in my decision, but not the only one - Monster offers plates for every stick/throttle type for their mounts, and I want options for side and center stick.

 

Not going to be inexpensive, so near as I can tell, with all the stick/throttle plates I want, and the various arm rest/stick mount options I want, it'll be nearly $1500 CAD after tax, shipping, etc, just for a single unit. Ouch. Should be worth it though I think, I'll post pics once they are able to fill the order and send it out to me.

Edited June 12, 2018 by Gman109

[redmantab]

Interesting points fellas. Hmmm. Any thoughts on my questions 3 posts up about the volairs? The 4 or 5 questions that I listed?

[strike277]

Thank you Strike! This is such a good answer. A couple quick points if I may -

 

1 - Some people above say that Volair does not have articulating keyboard but you say it does. Perhaps they have an older Volair? It seems like it articulates on their website so I SHOULD be able to game FPS type games and perform standard office work comfortably, correct? YES

 

2 - Any thoughts on monitor distance? If you tell me it is a bit far, is it adjustable somehow? Are there solutions such as a wall mount attachment aftermarket and simply extend the monitor forward?

I don't have an issue with the distance of the monitor from where I sit. The seat is adjustable, as is the frame.

 

3 - Any further thought on Volari armrests? Obutto doesn't have any and Volair does...which is huge to me.

I don't have the arm rests. However, I'll order them ASAP. Just having the option is huge. You can also order extra mounting brackets for both sides giving you extra room.

 

4 - Oh and I like the way you seem to have it in the pic. Thruster on left, stick on right instead of mid, and then I prefer keyboard in middle. Basically x52 on sides and keyboard middle with articulation. This is possible out of the box, correct?

 

Yes

 

5 - Finally, even thought I use my regular desk at home with x52 on sides and think I will want the same with Volair, any thoughts on what I'm missing and that I may want flight stick in middle as some people do? I really think I'll want x52 on both sides but thought I'd ask.

 

You have the option to mount it on the side or in the middle OUT OF THE BOX. It comes standard with three mounting plates. You can even (If you have two) Mount one on the side and in the middle at the same time if you want. Out of the box.

 

Good stuff here. Anyone chime in please not just strike277 above. Making a purchase today so I truly value all of your varied input and perspectives.

 

1- Yes

2-I don't have an issue with the distance of the monitor from where I sit. The seat is adjustable, as is the frame.

3- I don't have the arm rests. However, I'll order them ASAP. Just having the option is huge. You can also order extra mounting brackets for both sides giving you extra room

4- Yes

 

5- You have the option to mount it on the side or in the middle OUT OF THE BOX. It comes standard with three mounting plates. You can even (If you have two) Mount one on the side and in the middle at the same time if you want. Out of the box.

[redmantab]

Alright. That's awesome. Ordering the Volair then. Final question - anything else additional that is sold that you think I should add to my order? I'll do armrests...but, anything else I'm missing?

 

Thanks again