Community Event / Creation An Elite: Dangerous custom gaming seat build...

ThereIs0nly0ne

ThereIs0nly0ne
I certainly find it interesting. Great job! I love the way you have your son helping you with this - I can't convince mine to assist.

The seat looks great and the frame and structure nice and rigid. It looks like you were going to attach some panels to the sides. Is this still in-view? I think it would really add to the look.

Custom Seat - the way to go for Elite. Rep incoming.

Edit: I can see the panels are included in the 'to-do' list ... Kick some ideas around here, you'll likely get some really valuable input / feedback from the community.
 
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jxl98c

J
ThereIs0nly0ne said:
I certainly find it interesting. Great job! I love the way you have your son helping you with this - I can't convince mine to assist.

The seat looks great and the frame and structure nice and rigid. It looks like you were going to attach some panels to the sides. Is this still in-view? I think it would really add to the look.

Custom Seat - the way to go for Elite. Rep incoming.

Edit: I can see the panels are included in the 'to-do' list ... Kick some ideas around here, you'll likely get some really valuable input / feedback from the community.
Click to expand...

Hi,

A really big thank you for the positive comments, it's been a really good build and learning exercise for both myself and my Son - I'm really hoping my son can experience what I experienced at his age when I played the original Elite. Most games now days are just too linear and I really wanted him to appreciate the art in flying from one station to another and enjoying 20 minutes of free-flight.

With the HOTAS setup the game really is a fabulous mix of simulation vs. arcade feel - so it really made sense to build a chair for us both.

The side panels are DEFINITELY still in scope. The original design had them there largely to increase stability, we were really surprised though at how rigid that Aluminium and those connectors were. Even the uprights for the controllers are as solid as welded metal. I'll likely get the chair design, as built, back into SketchUp and experiment with some different designs. So yeah, if anyone has any thoughts then feel free to suggest them as I have no idea what might or might not look good.

Thanks again,
James
 

charognard

charognard
I really love your job, you make me considering about build mine... Really great Work !

I think, ad a central pannel with a tablet and roccat power grid App, will be really immersive, like in ED cockpit...
 

ThereIs0nly0ne

ThereIs0nly0ne
No problem and you are amongst friends with similar interests! I love to build and also enjoy watching and reading about other people's projects. Enride and I are doing something similar with custom builds.

You have a distinct advantage with your setup as you already have the structure in place. You can go a bit crazy with ideas.

A couple of examples of paneling I've created:



 

jxl98c

J
charognard said:
I really love your job, you make me considering about build mine... Really great Work !

I think, ad a central pannel with a tablet and roccat power grid App, will be really immersive, like in ED cockpit...
Click to expand...

Hi,

Thanks, I'm currently using my Surface tablet as a network based keyboard / mouse which works great with the Mouse Without Borders app (a Microsoft garage project app). I'd not even thought about creating a custom UI for it which just fires off key events, I certainly need to do this!!

I did actually consider a centre mount, but wanted to keep the seat small and easy to pack away so didn't include one - there is the option of creating a separate stand though which would work.

If you are okay to wait you can pick up a pretty good seat off one of the auction websites, I was too impatient though so went straight to my local scrapyard with the intention of finding a seat at all costs. With hindsight, I reckon I could shave £30 off the overall cost.

Thanks,
James

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ThereIs0nly0ne said:
A couple of examples of paneling I've created
Click to expand...

Ha ha, it wasn't until after I posted that I spotted your build, that looks nice, I'll be following suit for sure - I love the mesh work.

Thanks,
James
 

odbarnicle

odbarnicle
Nice job buddy, and well done to Thomas for getting stuck in. You have now got me thinking how I could make my own chair.

Like the Triumph getting itself on a couple of pics, I ride a Gixxer 750 on roads and a nice little Kwak ZX6R on trackdays.

All the best, and shiny side up m8y.
 

jxl98c

J
odbarnicle said:
Nice job buddy, and well done to Thomas for getting stuck in. You have now got me thinking how I could make my own chair.

Like the Triumph getting itself on a couple of pics, I ride a Gixxer 750 on roads and a nice little Kwak ZX6R on trackdays.

All the best, and shiny side up m8y.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Thomas did really well with it all - he was itching to use the angle grinder more than anything though :)

It's been a good year for the bike hasn't it? I've just pulled a nail out of the front tyre so really need to give it a bit of TLC and get the wheel off, but... winter is on its way and I have a gaming seat to build :)

Cheers,
James
 

ThereIs0nly0ne

ThereIs0nly0ne
Regarding controls, if you have a headset with a mic look into VoiceAttack also if you haven't already. Your son will love that (and you as well I'm sure). The ASTRA pack looks great. I can't give a first hand recommendation as I'm waiting for a new headset to arrive and will purchase as soon as it's here. It's all about immersion ...
 

Winterwalker

Winterwalker
jxl98c said:
http://elite-gaming-seat.co.uk/

...just thought you guys might find it interesting.

Kind Regards,
James
Click to expand...

This is a really entertaining blog and think you can both be very proud of the solution you've made. Completely agree too about that feel of original Elite; and there's nothing like the shared investment of building a seat, to recreate that. (I think in our day it was fooling with tape recorders and fiddling around in the back of the telly when allowed?).

Such a seat bought new, and you'd be paying upwards of £300, you've done yours for £100 and had some fun (and safety inductions!) into the bargain? It's terrific. One of my favourite threads in forum.

If you're looking at side panels there are a couple of interesting ways to go ..
Check out Ven's grungy work on his panels .. here
There is of course ThereIsOnlyOne's amzing build .. here

And if you're looking to really push the boat out .. I've organised Name Patches, to sew to your pajamas .. here

I've also got another cockpit / spaceship immersion project, which I'm near ready to publish in future, and which you and Thomas might find interesting to look at later .. hence the contact request.

Right On Commanders! :D
 

Enride

Enride
jxl98c

What a fine blog and amazing work by you and your son, you should both be very proud!
I must say that looks really comfortable!

But seriously….There are two of you….Go build another one! ;)


And forgive me, but on some of the pics I just couldnt stop trying to get a better view of that Triumph!!! Its a conflict of interest when you put two awesome things into the same picture :D


But again, amazing work and please do keep us updated as you progress on the build. We love these kinds of things!
 

jxl98c

J
Given where the seat is going to be used I think ThereIsOnlyOne's style of panel is best suited for my build. I have a load of MDF in the garage and I'm fairly happy to use a router to create some nice bevelled edges - Although I think I'm going to investigate vinyl wrapping for the finish as you can do some real crazy stuff with it...


http://www.exclusivegroup.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_9652-Medium.jpg
http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/...-starry-font-b-wrap-b-font-font-b-vinyl-b.jpg
 

Rafe Zetter

Banned
Rafe Zetter
Nice job on the frame and SCORE! on the RX-8 seat for £50 - ebay prices are way higher than that.... although I saw a full front / back set right here where I live.... but no space for simpit anyway.
 

jxl98c

J
Rafe Zetter said:
Nice job on the frame and SCORE! on the RX-8 seat for £50 - ebay prices are way higher than that.... although I saw a full front / back set right here where I live.... but no space for simpit anyway.
Click to expand...

At first, I think the chaps at the local scrapyard thought I was crazy - so maybe they took pity and gave me a good price. :)
 

Zephyriel

Zephyriel
Congratulations to your and your son, this is really cool!

Personnaly I don't care much for the visual aspect of my "cockpit", since I'll be playing with the Oculus Rift. Having a comfortable seat and easily accessible HOTAS and pedals will be enough for me :) But kudos to all who have the courage and skill to build a simulation seat!
 

Splette

Splette
Great job James!

I wish I had the skills and the space for a custom made Elite Dangerous chair like this.
Your son really seems to enjoy it too. Might be a 'bonding' experience and in the future he will proudly tell his kids or grandkids about 'back then when I built that Elite Dangerous chair' ... :D
 
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