A Cheap High Quality Setup For Beginners

[ZQuickSilverZ]

I decided to put together a list of high quality products that will give people the benefit of a HOTAS and Headtracking Unit for a minimal amount of money.

 

First the HOTAS

Thrustmaster Joystick T-Flight Hotas X

http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=149&PlatformID=12

33.95 Cost

0.00 Shipping

39.95 Total

 

Second the Camera

Microsoft LifeCam VX-1000

http://reviews.cnet.com/webcams/microsoft-lifecam-vx-1000/4505-6502_7-32079389.html

6.00 Cost

7.00 Shipping

13.00 Total

 

Third the HeadTracker LED's

Track Clip Pro

http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/02-products/product-TrackClip-PRO.html

34.95 Cost

0.00 Shipping (Unknown)

34.95 Total (Aprox)

 

Fourth FreeTrack Software

http://free-track.net/

0.00 Cost

0.00 Shipping

0.00 Total (It's Free)

 

So the total cost for the whole set up is

81.90 (Aprox)

 

Granted alot of this was priced on EBAY and prices fluctate but the prices are "in the neighborhood" so to speak and prove you can get a competitive setup for under $100 wich was my initial goal.

 

For the new simmer on a budget.

WH_QuickSilver

Edited April 30, 2011 by ZQuickSilverZ

[kylania]

Good ability to upgrade from that too. I remember that joystick from so long ago. :)

[power5]

Does Free track work with DCS series?

[ZQuickSilverZ]

Yes it does. However you may need to download TrackIRfixer.

[ZQuickSilverZ]

I would appreciate it if you guys could keep this list going. Don't let it get shoved into the back of the forums and die. Let's keep searching for low cost ways to introduce new simmers to quality equipment. Maybe equipment that is a little older but has a proven track record. Please don't post equipment you have not owned or not researched just because its cheap. When most people start these sims they have no idea what they really need or what is avaiable (like TrackIR / FreeTrack for instance). They also don't usually prepare for the cost of the hobby. Let's use our experience and expertise to help them get off to a good start. Just think of this thread as a public service.

[Kuky]

Sorry but High Quality and Cheap do not go together

[ZQuickSilverZ]

Kuky I think the list I set up at the top is pretty competative. I listed a Hotas, a LED headtracking unit, and a webcam for FreeTrack all for under $100 dollars. Everything on the list was researched. Everything on the list got multiple postive reviews from multiple websites. I would argue that everything up there is high quality. I would also argue that under $100 dollars is a cheap price for that kind of set up. There are plenty of products out there that are a little older yet still very usable for less money. This list is not only to find cheaper wares but to filter out the JUNK thats out there that may seem like a good deal but really is not.

Edited October 27, 2010 by ZQuickSilverZ

[Ragtop]

It's definitely a good start, and Kuky was being a little blunt :P

 

You'll just find that each of those parts over time might be a bit restrictive. Having personal experience with all the components you listed I have to agree to an extent.

 

The T Flight HOTAS is a pretty good stick, but has a limited amount of controls and customisability IMO. You just better be prepared to use a keyboard aswell to keep on top of things. I'd look towards maybe an X-52 second hand or even an X-45 if you're really on a budget.

 

As far as FreeTrack goes, I'm done with it. The amount of time I spent putting together a track hat, wiring up LED's, going through batteries, then going to the TCP, which broke very fast unfortunately, and still getting lame FPS in the software, just gave me a headache. All the time that I spent trying to get it running smooth, probably equated to half my flight hours in LOMAC. I tried multiple cameras, lighting settings, camera settings, LED's etc, nothing could get it just right.

 

I bought a TrackIR, and in 5 minutes it was setup better than Freetrack EVER has been in any setup. It was worth its money twice over is all I can say. Just the Vector clip is worth it to be honest, no wires or batteries!

 

 

As you say, it's a beginner setup, but you have to look at it practically.

 

You get into a sim for the fun of it.

You accept that you'll spend a long time learning the flight systems

You buy your cheap startup gear.

You spend about... Forever getting FreeTrack setup, and get it to a sub par level, but say "Screw it, I just wanna fly now!"

Plug in your HOTAS, and spend a couple of hours mapping keys, another couple testing them. Writing down what you can afford to keep on the keyboard and what you need on the HOTAS buttons.

You realise theres not enough buttons, and spend a while learning keyboard shortcuts.

 

After all this, you're finally ready to fly... Right about now, I would be ready for bed, and have a headache.

 

 

While Kuky was a little blunt, he was onto something. I'd just word it differently. You can get cheap gear that will work, and will last a long time. Sure, you could even call it good.

 

However, for the time and effort, but mostly the compromises you'll make to get it all good, you'll end up wishing you spent the money.

 

I say this cause I did. I got a MS sidewinder and setup FreeTrack. After about a month I bought an X-52 and gave up on FreeTrack, and that did me well for about 2-3 years. I just bought a TrackIR 5 and I've never flown as much in all my time in sims.

 

Cut short - Buy pricey, buy once.

[Succellus]

The all old all ever present :

Mr. Trade off.

 

Get it cheap(not essentially on price) or get it right.

 

IMHO i would screw TM cheap stuff.

I would go on a CH stick and pro throttle, this is where i learned to really fly before going to new heighs with Cougar, now its time to move to Warthog.

With the "cheap" CH stick and pro throttle you will learn if sims are your ice on the cake or just another dessert. They are good for all flying stuff, in or out earthly athmosphere.

 

I love my Cougar, the grip, the feeling, the flying, but i guess i will love the Warthog even more. And this baby will push me further to build a low tech pit, that with time, will become a medium tech pit. I miss some Xwing / Tie fighter simulator, if Lucasart could relauch the original PC X-wing/Tie fighter/Bwing sims with today tech it would be a blast.)

 

We are all childs with a denial complex. We grew and the toys too, but the essence is the same. The hard part is discovering what toys give us most pleasure.

Edited October 27, 2010 by Succellus