Trak Racer TR8 for Flight Simming

[Slartibartfast]

Is anyone familiar with Trak Racer's TR8 simpit:

It's made by an Australian crew and appears to be primarily designed around sim racing rather than flying but looks as though it would lend itself to flight simming well enough. While there are plenty of generally favorable reviews of the rig in regard to racing, other than the manufacturer's website I haven't been able to find any discussion of it being used as a flight sim rig, and even then their 'Flight simulator" page keeps touting it suitability for racing, even saying: " The left and right-side flight sim mounts are included, as are the racing wheel mount, gear shifter and pedal mounts; just in case you decide to get into driving simulation also!"... which definitely gives you the feeling that flight simulation was an afterthought.
 

The things that concern me are:

• The seemingly fixed location of the throttle and sidestick mounts
• Apparent limited adjustment and location of the yoke mount
• Seeming lack of ability to mount a centrestick
• Size and shape of the seat (I'm a big lad and plastic/fiberglass bucket seats always give me pause for thought)

 

Is anyone familiar with this setup or know of any others that would be suitable?

Edited October 7, 2021 by Slartibartfast

[GPatricks]

Looks very well made for Racing, the flight stick and throttle placement look a bit low and wide for my taste. I will assume the seat can be adjusted for angle and is on sliders. What is neglected is a place for a KB & Mouse, though if the Steering wheel mount is big enough you can possibly velcro the KB and add a mouse plate/pad as I did on my Next Level Racing Flight stand.. IF you look at Next Level keep in mind it isn't wide enough for most sim rudder pedals, the MFG crosswinds with width adj kit or CH Pro is about it...

[Slartibartfast]

Yeah, it's kind of hard to tell from just the photos, which is why I have the concerns I have. There is a keyboard and mouse swivel tray available that looks as well made as the rest of the kit, so I'm not worried about that.

 

If it's good that I'd be happy to spend the money; I just don't want to drop 1200 AUD on it only to find out it's poorly proportioned for flight sims.

 

I do actually own MFG Crosswind pedals and am concerned about them fitting as well.

 

Edited October 7, 2021 by Slartibartfast

[Thermal]

I have a TR8.  For racing its simply excellent.  Assemble in an hour all up, start driving.  Its comfortable, and the adjustments are all about right.

For flight sims - the TR8 flight-sim mounts didnt work for me.  Note that I had a Fanatac wheel and race pedals mounted on the pedal plate. 
I attempted to go for a "seat forward = drive", "seat-back = fly" strategy.  I dropped in rudder pedals in front of the main wheel plate.
I made my own side mounts using the original mount holes.  Everything worked.  It was fairly serviceable, if a little hard to get in and out of with the RH side stick.

There is 500 +/- 1 mm inside edge to inside edge of the main tube work on the TR8.  The actual pedal plate is about 390mm wide.

I decided to "upgrade" to the TR160 using 40160 aluminum profile.  I was specifically after the extra height it gives you above the floor, I now have my rudder pedals sitting half under the top race pedals plate.  "Legs up = drive", "Legs down = fly".
Upside is everything is adjustable. Downside is everything is adjustable.  It probably took about 20 hours to build via trial and adjustment to get it "right", although that was both for driving and flying.  I made custom mounts so the side-stick is mounted to the seat.

If your just going to fly in it, a TR80 might be a better option.  I wouldnt hesitate to buy from Trakracer, they have been great.

For your specific concerns:
Side-mounts, might work for you if you are pure-flight and have the rudder pedals on the pedal plate.
TR8 - centerstick would be a pain.  It would make it hard to get in and out of the rig.  Would not recommend.
Yoke mount... yep might be a pain.  The philosophy of the TR8 is you adjust the seat/pedals around the wheel (*)
Height wise and of their rigs will fit.  If your worried about the seat size, get the rally seat.  The seats work for anyone up to at least 6'4.

That being said, I have a TR8 in great condition with a full Fanatec CSLE setup for sale

 

(*) I am not sure the "wheel" position is a great match for a yoke position.  I think a yoke should be a bit lower.

Edited October 9, 2021 by Thermal