Hardware & Technical Any ideas for a Couch HOTAS rig?

Connor Caple

Connor Caple
Yes, I now play on the sofa/couch most of the time and I have my G29 wheel and pedals set up on a mobile desk (40" Monitor) that I can pull up in front of me and which stays there owing to brakes on the wheels.

I also have a HOTAS (X52) and I'm struggling to figure out how to use it from a sofa.

I tried a lap-tray with bean-bag backing and it sort of works, but it's not attached and the X52 tends to move around during extreme in-game movements (dogfighting, etc.)

I considered attaching the throttle and stick to the board permanently, but that still leaves nowhere for the flight pedals. (In my office, I have a desk it all fits on/under where I used to play but my wife wants to see me occasionally so...)

My other option seems to be one of those metal rigs that has a floor piece to attach the pedals and an upright with two flat trays to attach the x52. That means having the desk further away to leave room for the pedals, but it's doable.



I can lift the racing pedals (G29) out of the way and replace them with the Saitek Rudder, but that still leave the HOTAS issue up top.

I can't be the first one ever to have this problem, can I? I'm hoping someone has worked through it previously and can offer sensible ideas. [up]
 
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mp4x

mp4x
I have one of these for my G27, but it's an easy solution for the x52 as well. Buying a second gearstick mount and using those for your HOTAS, and KB in the middle in place of the wheel, works well.

Gtart-mount-automobile-race-game-mount-font-b-g27-b-font-dfgt-t500-csr-font-b.jpg
 
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KellyR

KellyR
This is probably not what you want to hear, but I think you need to hear it. A HOTAS is not designed for casual gaming. It's not designed for couch play. It's designed for those who want complete immersion and is best used with a VR headset but even without the VR, it is still not designed for causal gamers who want to sit on their couch and play video games.
 

Connor Caple

Connor Caple
KellyR said:
This is probably not what you want to hear, but I think you need to hear it. A HOTAS is not designed for casual gaming. It's not designed for couch play. It's designed for those who want complete immersion and is best used with a VR headset but even without the VR, it is still not designed for causal gamers who want to sit on their couch and play video games.
Click to expand...

I needed a laugh. Thanks. [haha]

Now, back to the topic...
 

Connor Caple

Connor Caple
KellyR said:
That wasn't meant to be funny. That was meant as constructive commentary on the real purpose of a Hands On Throttle And Stick rig.
Click to expand...

You probably believe that. Thanks once again for the light relief. [yesnod] [up]

Now... back to the Topic.

I've considered something using two VESA mounts, maybe with some re-engineered arms attached to the desk.

The Wheel Stand is the other sort of thing I was looking at.
 
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Daitya Zo

Daitya Zo
KellyR said:
That wasn't meant to be funny. That was meant as constructive commentary on the real purpose of a Hands On Throttle And Stick rig.
Click to expand...

You lost me at VR, haha. How long do you think HOTAS has been around? Do military flight simulators require that you wear your screens on your face, or do they use panel screens? What possibly would possess you to casually dismiss the hundreds of thousands of hard-core sim players who-- long before VR-- created the demand and market that has resulted in the current HOTAS rigs, and who prefer the experience of sitting in a hardware cockpit in real space? WARNING, THIS MILITARY SIMULATOR IS BEST USED DURING A PROLONGED FACE-PLANT, WITH NO ACTUAL HARDWARE IN VISUAL RANGE.

Are you going to off-handedly dismiss all the racing enthusiasts with their mega-thousand-dollar rigs because they don't wear their screens on their face? Is IS very funny. Price-out a high-end racing steering wheel and then tell everyone how you shouldn't put a screen in front of it so you can actually look at your investment and simulate a control environment and windshield. Your ideal experience is certainly not the ideal experience of the market that sustains HOTAS, either currently or in the past.
 

Zeeman

Zeeman
mp4x said:
I have one of these for my G27, but it's an easy solution for the x52 as well. Buying a second gearstick mount and using those for your HOTAS, and KB in the middle in place of the wheel, works well.

http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/...nt-font-b-g27-b-font-dfgt-t500-csr-font-b.jpg
Click to expand...

This looks like the way to do it, personally.

I'd add in that a VKB T-rudder MKIII or MKIV would be the ideal pedal for this set up, as the motion is up down (ie - more vertical than horizontal). Still, I think that rack would do the job nicely...

Z...
 

Connor Caple

Connor Caple
I've been experimenting and know at least 5 things now that don't work well. :)

My next plan is some way of mounting them next to me on the sofa, in a fixed position as if they were strapped on VESA mounts on a desk-chair's arms.

I'm still working out the plans, but will try a mock-up with some MDF and padding for the elbows this week.

I've used HOTAS for a lot of years in Flights Sims/Combat Sims and even flew in a virtual WW2 Luftwaffe Sqn. for some time in IL-2 Sturmovik. The desk rig is easy to sort, the couch presents extra challenges.

I have the pedals firmly mounted under the 'mobile' metal computer desk that's holding the 40" monitor and the Tracker works fine. Just need to alleviate the shoulder and elbow pain in long sessions now :D
 

Kozmyk

K
Flying from a bed or couch

I have to play from my bed due to disability.
I currently have my monitor to the side sitting on my PC case but I plan to have a screen suspended directly in front of me on a frame.
I use a bed-table with my HOTAS and keyboard attached.
See pics:

Bed Table
Offset Flying

N.B.
Old picture, throttle is now a TWCS
 

GunnerBill

GunnerBill
HOTAS on a sofa --> Needs some handy cushions for support beside legs (keeps it off lap).

a8PGVYE.jpg


The board has foam on both sides for grip and comfort and there is a small plinth for the wireless keyboard. I'm also using some of that sticky webbing you get for car dashboards to assist in the grip and have no problems with the stick moving.
 
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Connor Caple

Connor Caple
(Sorry for the late reply - didn't get a notification)

I like the fact that you've got the mouse/keyboard in there too. I've been doing something similar with a laptray up to now, but am looking at something more solid. Looks like a good Couch Hotas solution you have there! [up]

I've been sketching out ideas for something that passes under my legs and has a plinth each side to bolt the HOTAS parts on. I may reconsider and add a keyboard closer to me.

My current idea was influenced by the notion of being able to stand up without needing to move the board. I'll let you know what I come up with.
 

GunnerBill

GunnerBill
Connor Caple said:
(Sorry for the late reply - didn't get a notification)

I like the fact that you've got the mouse/keyboard in there too. I've been doing something similar with a laptray up to now, but am looking at something more solid. Looks like a good Couch Hotas solution you have there! [up]

I've been sketching out ideas for something that passes under my legs and has a plinth each side to bolt the HOTAS parts on. I may reconsider and add a keyboard closer to me.

My current idea was influenced by the notion of being able to stand up without needing to move the board. I'll let you know what I come up with.
Click to expand...

Standing up, yes a bit of an issue! It's not too bad as I just push it forward and put it on the coffee table that has the monitor/laptop; but why does the phone always ring when you get setup?

I like your idea about the something going under. I could do that with the big seat cushion set up on this sofa, and a keyboard plinth on a pivot. MMhhh, ideas!
 

BurnyBurns

BurnyBurns
@OP:

What about these things?



It seems to have everything in place including M+K, it at least looks more than stable enough for HOTAS use and it can be packed up and stowed away. At least if you've got a free corner of a room somewhere.

When I first got Elite I was looking for something like this to play Elite in the living room, but I didn't see that particular wheelstand back then. Would've probably been my goto solution. I've since moved away from trying to play Elite or flight sims in the living room, but if I still were to, I'd probably either try this wheelstand or some of the other ones, like the one mp4x posted.
 
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FrankMurphy

FrankMurphy
HOTAS is designed so you don't have to look at it and know by muscle memory where everything is.

You laugh at VR, I laugh at 'Hard-core sim player'.
 
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