Advise on Sim Seat

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

I want something cheap/entry level sim cockpit. Requirements: supports center column, supports multiple sticks and throttles. 

[Nightdare]

I noticed, once you enter center columns territory, you're not at entry level anymore (nor at 'cheap')

 

[Wostg]

Same, been looking at Dardoo Flight Sim Cockpit with Black Seat Fit HOTAS Warthog T150 Logitech X56 | eBay which seems to be the only thing out there before you get to the more expensive Monster/NLR stuff. Seems to have the middle column and potentially may creatively fit panels / MIP on there.

Can't see anything in the way of reviews so any thoughts appreciated!

e: Center flightstick might need to be creatively mounted but the two bars look like they might be a solid base for a massive ffb...

Edited August 11, 2024 by Wostg

[Wostg]

Have taken the plunge. Hard to see in that pic but ebay store has assured me there is a central flights tick mount as well as central steering wheel/panel etc mount. (I can see it in the competing ebay sellers but wasn't clear it was included from these guys). Good comms which is encouraging. 

[Mr_sukebe]

I had my centre mounted stick bolted to my IKEA Poang for a couple of years.  Very cheap solution that also happens to be rather comfortable.

I’ve since moved to an aluminium profile base with a car seat.  Definitely better, but clearly a lot more expensive.

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

2 hours ago, Mr_sukebe said:

I had my centre mounted stick bolted to my IKEA Poang for a couple of years

Tempting. Do you use the ottoman?

[AngleOff66]

Being on a budget,  I have decided that a wooden box that I can add weights to(heavy books or weights) is the way to go. I'm trying to avoid slouching my right shoulder. 

Finding a box of the correct height is the trick.  

Attach joystick to top

Finally you have to scoot forward on the seat, so you will need a firm foam pillow or firm foam the size of your seat back to support your back and maintain posture.

This is how I plan to try at least.

[Hempstead]

If you want to support multiple sticks/throttles, including center mount, it means you want to support multiple aircrafts so you need flexibilities. For that, I would suggest 80/20 type of aluminum extrusion, which allows you to easily reconfigure to match DCS' "inaccurate" 3D models, and use quick release handles/screws for quick reconfiguration/adjustments. I build a basic pit using just some stock 80/20 extrusion and home made brackets, over a weekend (and will be forever "improving" it.

 

If you are going with the 80/20 type of aluminum extrusion, I would highly recommend that you make your own brackets. Aluminum L-brackets will be cheap and easy enough to make, yet strong enough for our purpose (cut to the right length, drill two holes, that's it!). I mean, it's not like we are building an electron scanning microscope that require utmost rigidity and stability. There is really no need to buy those very expensive and exotic brackets from manufacturers. Yes, theirs are better, but mine are good enough. The "screw nut" blocks are too much trouble to make by yourself, unless you like tapping hundreds of threads.... they are cheap enough to buy from the manufacturers. But avoid buying screws from them. There are a lot of companies who sell screws in bulk that are much cheaper, like Tacoma Screws, or on Amazon, Grainger, McMaster-Carr, etc.

Note that I did use the original US-made 80/20 extrusion, because I have a pile of them in stock. But you all know Amazon sells a lot of cheaper alternatives, those which shall not be named, nor the names pronounceable.

 

 

Edited August 12, 2024 by Hempstead

[Nightdare]

5 hours ago, Hempstead said:

I mean, it's not like we are building an electron scanning microscope that require utmost rigidity and stability.

 

You seem to underestimate the rabid thoroughness of Pit builders 

an electron scanning microscope won't be precise enough

 

[Wostg]

Got it, starting to put it together. Seat is pretty comfy and I've committed some kind of crime against common sense and the good people at Virpil trying to get the collective mount to fit on, but it might even hold...

Edited August 18, 2024 by Wostg