Apache Sim pit chair

[markturner1960]

 

Hi fellas, thought I would post a couple of pictures of my efforts at an Apache sim pit. I have used several older bits of hardware such as my old warthog, but did buy a collective. Using an Xbox controller for the TEDAC.

It’s on a 3 DoF motion platform that I have not got set up yet, but hopefully soon. I made the chair base and collective mount using valchromat.

 

I fly mostly in VR and with the jet seat, it’s fantastic.

 

ED have given us an amazing product here, so pleased.

 

Cable managemnt needs some work though!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Edited April 1, 2022 by markturner1960

[sirrah]

Some nice setups you have there! 

Definitely "dedicated DCS room" worthy 

 

EDIT:

One question though. Why don't you get rid of that overly large Warthog stick base plate? Isn't that in the way of your legs? (I removed mine and mounted it on a smaller customized plate)

Edited April 1, 2022 by sirrah

[markturner1960]

Thanks buddy! I am lucky to be be at that stage of my life where I am starting to have the time and money to be able to spoil myself with my hobbies..!

It's a WIP....I am currently deciding whether to splash on a Brunner FFB base, so that will require building in if I do. I had not planned to use the warthog base, ( so the mount is a bit makeshift) but found the Virpil warbird base I got does not work great with an extension and the weight of the metal TM grip. I had planned to use my real simulator F-18 grip on the warbird base, but could not get all the buttons working properly. So thats my big dilemna currently, do I keep the current cyyclic set up? I am tempted to change to a Virpil CM2 base, as I have pone of those for the Hornet sim pit and its great. They do a nice S shape extension as well and an Alpha grip would give great functionality. 

However, I feel that with the success of the Apache module, it wont be too long before we see a good choice of Apache specific grips on the market, so I may well wait a bit to see what releases.....

This weekend, I made a better system for my trackball and keyboard, see below: I also switched in a Logitech controller for the TEDAC, as its better ergonomically. I have also ordered damper and combat pedals for the rudders which I am using without a return spring which seems to work well. 

I have been looking at the Komodo site a lot recently, but its a big investment, probably £2K for cyclic and collective with the bases.......

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 4, 2022 by markturner1960

[Fabou78]

what pedals are you using for your sim?

[markturner1960]

Crosswind V2

[Gruman]

2 hours ago, markturner1960 said:

I have been looking at the Komodo site a lot recently, but its a big investment, probably £2K for cyclic and collective with the bases.......

I sure hope Komodo has improved their quality in the last 8 years, because otherwise you would be dissapointed by what you get for that kind of money...
I wouldnt pay 100£ for my Komodo V1 UH1 Collective, if I've seen it before purchase.

Edited April 4, 2022 by Gruman

[markturner1960]

Wow thats surprising.....have you reached out to them to address the concerns? It look pretty good product from the pictures....?

[Gruman]

Of course. But got excuses like "bad batch". Then he dissapeared for some time, said he was moving. So more excuses. After a couple of months, I simply gave up.

I undusted the collective for the AH-64. It kinda works. Just not worth the amount of money.
- Friction System doesnt work smoothly. Had to improvise with counterweight or steering dampner
- Twist Throttle was blocked after the third movement
- 3d Plastic feels cheap, including the 8 way dome switch
- The used Leopodnar Board was not mounted correctly. Couldnt even access the USB Port on arrival. Had to unscrew the cover to fix it myself.

Btw, Nice setup :).

[markturner1960]

OK......Thanks for the heads up. When you consider that kind of money being spent these issues are a somewhat off putting! 

I found these people meantime, .....while not DCS focused ( No Apache, Gazelle, Huey..)  it looks like a quality product at a more sensible price.....http://oe-xam-simulators.blogspot.com/

But the requiremnt for floor mounting would be an issue with my motion platform, i would need a shorter stick.

 

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by markturner1960

[Gruman]

I assume you are mostly looking for a cyclic, correct? Since you have the Virpil Collective already?

[KoN]

9 hours ago, Gruman said:

Of course. But got excuses like "bad batch". Then he dissapeared for some time, said he was moving. So more excuses. After a couple of months, I simply gave up.

I undusted the collective for the AH-64. It kinda works. Just not worth the amount of money.
- Friction System doesnt work smoothly. Had to improvise with counterweight or steering dampner
- Twist Throttle was blocked after the third movement
- 3d Plastic feels cheap, including the 8 way dome switch
- The used Leopodnar Board was not mounted correctly. Couldnt even access the USB Port on arrival. Had to unscrew the cover to fix it myself.

Btw, Nice setup :).

Send it back . Sounds like you have bad batch . 

[Gruman]

To late and not worth the shipping. I had the collective open. Bad design is a bad design. Nothing fixable about that. Simply wanted to point this out so Markturner doesnt throw out 2000£.

It's usable with some fixes, but I'm planning a swap to Virpil in the future.

 

[markturner1960]

19 hours ago, Gruman said:

I assume you are mostly looking for a cyclic, correct? Since you have the Virpil Collective already?

Yes, cyclic is most important. The warthog is OK, but I know from my CM50 on the other set up that there is a world of improvement available.....

 

 

[Gruman]

Why not a Virpil Base for the grip, a long bended extension? Attach some oil dampers to the extension? Almost no centering force, but the grip shouldnt move. No trim needed. You can still swap out grips as you want.

Just an idea. Not my setup. I'm happy with my extended Virpil Base with a Hornet Grip.

[markturner1960]

Yes, thats probably what I will go for. I just cant bring myself to spend the money on the Brunner or the Komodo stuff.....