Community Event / Creation The C-Pod: A DIY Command seat (build log)

ThereIs0nly0ne

ThereIs0nly0ne
Warning: The DSD button box shown in this post does not currently work with ED


Tempered said:
I have one. I tested it out when it first arrived and have never used it since. Their is a fairly small zone that it will read your hand gestures in, and it does not always read them accurately.

I haven't used it since it first came out. They may have improved the software or sensors over the last year.

Question, where do you source your pots and push buttons from? I really like the look of those dials.
Click to expand...

That sounds a shame. I think I will wait for the newer version and pay attention to the reviews for it. Thanks for the feedback.

For the dashboard, I looked around at parts and boards but eventually plumped for a Derek Speare Designs P1 which I promptly tore apart, re-wired and re-assembled.

http://www.derekspearedesigns.com/p1p2.html



It worked out very cost effective - international shipping was included in the price.

Attackmack said:
A big, built in trackball would get my vote!
Click to expand...

A backlit trackball would be very cool. I think the issue with it would be the depth. It'd likely be a bit bulky to mount in the centre. One at the side would certainly work. I guess a trackpad is also an option but this can also be emulated on a tablet.

Gomisan said:
Well this is awesome work and I've subscribed to the thread to keep an eye on what you do. This is teh sort of mad project i occasionally embark on.

I read earlier some mention of control panels and may i suggest an excellent option for that is the iPac arcade control interface. Very easy to setup, works as a USB keyboard and fully programmable.

I used one for my own control panel project
Click to expand...

Thanks for that and your control panel looks great. The mesh is very effective and I really like the paintwork under your missile switch cover! Being able to see through it also gives it an effective industrial feel too.

Yes, the Ultimarc iPac, I used one in the first project I ever undertook - a MAME cabinet :)



The iPac is a great piece of kit.

This is turning out to be a really good thread for capturing options. Once I've completed the project, I'll update it to list all the suggestions everyone has chipped in with.

Thanks for everyone's on-going interest with this and please keep the feedback and suggestions coming!

@Sanderson, I've been thinking a lot about that expanding foam!

Edit: Those backlit trackballs do look great:

 
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Joat

Joat
ThereIs0nly0ne said:
A backlit trackball would be very cool. I think the issue with it would be the depth. It'd likely be a bit bulky to mount in the centre. One at the side would certainly work. I guess a trackpad is also an option but this can also be emulated on a tablet.
Click to expand...

If you got an old mouse you can gut it and turn it into a trackball. It's quite easy to do and there is possibilities for some cool lighting effects if you choose the right type of trackball to use.

You can find an example here.

All in all, a very impressive build you are doing. My only nitpick is that I would have put the backrest on a axle so I could adjust the angle.

Also, make sure you can adjust the distance to the control-pods, 1 inch or 2 is all it takes for it to become tiring to use them during longer gaming sessions. One way to achieve this is to mount the control-pods on telescoping slides and some sort of locking mechanism to fix the position.
 

ThereIs0nly0ne

ThereIs0nly0ne
Thanks for the link Joat.

Your idea about adjustable positions for the HOTAS is a very sensible one. I took a great deal of care to ensure I had a good level of adjustability in the R-Pod and I have used it. I'll rethink the attachment method.

It would be great to have the rake on the seat moveable but it would significantly add to the complexity. I've made sure that the angles are correct as far as a comfortable seating position is concerned but I'll not truly know until I sit in it!
 

Enride

Enride
ThereIs0nly0ne said:
Edit: Those backlit trackballs do look great:

Click to expand...

Yeah, they look fantastic!
I had plans for one when my build was planned as a full cockpit.
Ive toned it down alot, but still bought a cheap trackball. I dont use it atm but will later when my project gets finalized

But if you get the barebone hardware, you could build it into your pod. It shouldnt be too bulky, and by your pics im sure you would find a way to make it just awesome :)
 

Joat

Joat
Bah!

Crap! I hate you ThereIs0nly0ne ;) :D

My setup feels entirely inadequate now which means I have to do something about it, which means shelling out some money... :eek: :mad:
 

Enride

Enride
Joat said:
Crap! I hate you ThereIs0nly0ne ;) :D

My setup feels entirely inadequate now which means I have to do something about it, which means shelling out some money... :eek: :mad:
Click to expand...

Boy, let me tell you...
Im in the middle of building a small simpit and ive been so happy with the result so far...Then TIOO comes here, showing off his previous builds that look professionally fabricated, and will soon be sporting a command pod dedicated for ED...
I could kill him if I wasnt so eager to see this build finished ;)
 

ThereIs0nly0ne

ThereIs0nly0ne
@ Joat and Attackmack, I could kill myself sometimes as well, there's always extra bits and pieces to consider when building. Thanks to Ben Ryder's thread, I've just ordered 2 of these:



And 1 of these:



Now I need to figure out where I'm going to embed them ...
 

Enride

Enride
ThereIs0nly0ne said:
@ Joat and Attackmack, I could kill myself sometimes as well, there's always extra bits and pieces to consider when building. Thanks to Ben Ryder's thread, I've just ordered 2 of these:



And 1 of these:



Now I need to figure out where I'm going to embed them ...
Click to expand...

Those are sweet!

The keychain one, I would incorporate a keylocked masterswitch somewhere on the pod and have it control the power to everything on the pod!
That way, it may remain a keychain
 

ThereIs0nly0ne

ThereIs0nly0ne
Those options sound like good ideas, thanks. I have some others also - sometimes it's not apparent what the best thing to do is until the build starts to take shape. Decisions, decisions.

Please do keep responding with ideas :)
 

Bikky

Bikky
ThereIs0nly0ne said:
That sounds a shame. I think I will wait for the newer version and pay attention to the reviews for it. Thanks for the feedback.

For the dashboard, I looked around at parts and boards but eventually plumped for a Derek Speare Designs P1 which I promptly tore apart, re-wired and re-assembled.

http://www.derekspearedesigns.com/p1p2.html



It worked out very cost effective - international shipping was included in the price.



A backlit trackball would be very cool. I think the issue with it would be the depth. It'd likely be a bit bulky to mount in the centre. One at the side would certainly work. I guess a trackpad is also an option but this can also be emulated on a tablet.



Thanks for that and your control panel looks great. The mesh is very effective and I really like the paintwork under your missile switch cover! Being able to see through it also gives it an effective industrial feel too.

Yes, the Ultimarc iPac, I used one in the first project I ever undertook - a MAME cabinet :)



The iPac is a great piece of kit.

This is turning out to be a really good thread for capturing options. Once I've completed the project, I'll update it to list all the suggestions everyone has chipped in with.

Thanks for everyone's on-going interest with this and please keep the feedback and suggestions coming!

@Sanderson, I've been thinking a lot about that expanding foam!

Edit: Those backlit trackballs do look great:

Click to expand...

Oh my... having the flippy buttons (or toggles as with the x52) for scoop/weapons/gear/lights

and some track balls for side/verticle/roll thrusters (maybe toggled on off just for station use/asteroid tracking or something).
 

ThereIs0nly0ne

ThereIs0nly0ne
Trackballs for docking thrusters seems like an excellent idea!

Just thinking about what I'm going to get done this weekend. I hope to complete the seat paneling and make the central bay for the stowable centre console. This will be sculpted around the lower seat area - I want to keep it fairly low profile to avoid doing myself a mischief.

I may get onto the 'L' shaped large side pieces if I get the time.

Looking ahead, my estimate is around 7-8 weeks to complete the build.

Expect a few more progress pictures tomorrow...
 
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Enride

Enride
ThereIs0nly0ne said:
Trackballs for docking thrusters seems like an excellent idea!

Just thinking about what I'm going to get done this weekend. I hope to complete the seat paneling and make the central bay for the stowable centre console. This will be sculpted around the lower seat area - I want to keep it fairly low profile to avoid doing myself a mischief.

I may get onto the 'L' shaped large side pieces if I get the time.

Looking ahead, my estimate is around 7-8 weeks to complete the build.

Expect a few more progress pictures tomorrow...
Click to expand...


Nice, eagerly awaiting updates :)
 

ZZleeZZ

Z
Lots of progress pics over this weekend will be most welcome. I have somehow got to keep occupied while waiting for my Oculus Rift :p You will be helping me through this difficult time. :D
 
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