HOTAS + Couch

Depends on the HOTAS.

I have the X55 which has screw-hole mounts. I got some wood, put some pins into it, and the X55 can just be slipped onto the wood. Then they can just sit on the couch besides me.
 
Warthog HOTAS and i currently use a wooden cutting board from kitchen. but its not perfect and the joystick still wobbly on the couch.
 
That seems awfully expensive for what it is.

Just putting them on each side on some hard cushions to put them at the proper height is enough to me.
 
I have my stick on a magazine on one side and the throttle just the other.
Not ideal but I fly bad anyhow. Looking for a piece of flexiboard at the moment but there are only some many skips you can go thro.
Good OP
 
Hiya guys seeing as I don't have a dedicated game room and I have to play on our main hdtv in the living room I was thinking of trying to make a mini couch simpit so to speak. Like the OP I though of the couchmaster but it does not seem to be quite right for a joystick/hotas set up, that said I am looking to maybe use it as a kind of basic pattern to make my own version of a couch master.

Right now I play most of my games with the KB on my lap and (usually mouse in in the spot where my wingman is placed in the photo) mouse on right arm rest at least for fantasy type mmos/games. For games using a joystick I sometimes play like in this photo:
sFNazHll.jpg


or I sit on the couch leaning forwards and play set up like this:
K90zxval.jpg
 
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My Hotas X just sits on my lap on a cushion, works for me. (Of course the throttle and joystick are attachable which is ideal)
 
Hi,
anyone using a HOTAS on a Couch?
Maybe in conjunction with http://www.nerdytec.com/COUCHMASTER/?XTCsid=fheq4esibf17ppqjav65n4n156
?
Would like to hear some feedback

Yes! I have mounted my X52 Pro throttle and joystick to a lapdawg using tie down straps. Works great with my feet up on the ottoman. You'll probably want a HOTAS with a twist rudder (such as the X52 Pro). I will be getting a Warthog eventually, but when then also need pedals - and then the couch won't work as well.

http://www.lapdawg.com/lapdawg-x4.html
 
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I can't convince my wife that it's critical that I have access to the 55" TV in the living room....

She banished me to my den and the 27" monitor....
 
I can't convince my wife that it's critical that I have access to the 55" TV in the living room....

She banished me to my den and the 27" monitor....

Simple solution - get a big screen TV for your den. I play on a 64" screen in a media room - it is awesome. So much so, in fact, that I don't play on the DK2.
 
Yes! I have mounted my X52 Pro throttle and joystick to a lapdawg using tie down straps. Works great with my feet up on the ottoman. You'll probably want a HOTAS with a twist rudder (such as the X52 Pro). I will be getting a Warthog eventually, but when then also need pedals - and then the couch won't work as well.

http://www.lapdawg.com/lapdawg-x4.html

Hmm that lawpdog looks like it has possibilities, from what I see it is made of aluminum, I imagine that includes the adjustable "legs" and the push button adjustments?

I am kind of wanting to make something that will allow me to have my keyboard centered right over my lap with place for my mouse on the right side BUT I would like to be able to put a joystick, throttle on each side of that.

I would like the keyboard to be at an angle but the mouse to remain "flat" like it was on your mouse pad on your desk.

Here found an image that is close to what I would like to have while looking up base dimensions of various sticks:

8MEg6OA.jpg
 
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Hmm that lawpdog looks like it has possibilities, from what I see it is made of aluminum, I imagine that includes the adjustable "legs" and the push button adjustments?

I am kind of wanting to make something that will allow me to have my keyboard centered right over my lap with place for my mouse on the right side BUT I would like to be able to put a joystick, throttle on each side of that.

I would like the keyboard to be at an angle but the mouse to remain "flat" like it was on your mouse pad on your desk.

Here found an image that is close to what I would like to have while looking up base dimensions of various sticks:

8MEg6OA.jpg

The tray is metal and very solid, and the legs are heavy duty plastic with no flex. The whole thing is extremely adjustable - the tray angle is adjustable, the legs are adjustable at the joints, so you can set it up virtually anyway you want. Beware Chinese clones on Amazon and elsewhere though - they're apparently known for the adjuster mechanisms getting stuck - unlike the original, which has worked flawless for me since I got it. It doesn't budge when you have it in front of you/over your legs. Great for couch gaming.

Edit: I just checked and the legs are metal/aluminium, not plastic. Each leg has 3 adjustable joints/elbows. You just hold in the button on the leg and rotate for the desired angle. No tools/assembly required.
 
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I just have a sheet of solid plexi that is big enough for my laptop plus HOTAS, cut to size so its the right width and depth. Its about 1/2 inch thick. When I'm on the couch, it sits comfortably on my lap and is also super convenient for me to grab my entire rig to cart off to a different room if I want. I stuck small rubber feet on the bottom and glued a mouse mat to it also so it sits nicely on any hard surface I want to use. Total cost, a couple of bucks. :)
 
My HOTAS X and a small keyboard and mouse fit quite nicely on my couch. I have a bench in front of me and alternate between that and my lap (which as mentioned before, because the X can be joined together, works well). It's the most comfortable spaceship in the galaxy :)
 
I like that Couchmaster thing but it is a serious rip off at that price. I salvaged a plank from an old set of drawers and velcro'd my x52 to the plank then velcro'd the plank to the arms of my tilt office chair, I just tilt and lie back nice and comfy while navigating the stars.
 
I started on a cardboard prototype, a couple pics of what I would like the top to look like:

eQuyE6ll.jpg

h2TIV5zl.jpg


on the left I made a spot where I could put a throttle either next to the KB or closer to me for the right side there is a spot for a stick and a mouse a little further away. I would like it if I could make the whole thing modular.

Thinking maybe make it in three or 4 pieces that can be added on or removed as needed.

1 ~ center piece for KB
2 ~ left piece for throttle or second stick
3 ~ right piece for stick
4 ~ far right piece for mouse .......maybe combine piece 3 and 4.
5 ~ Base piece.....will depend if I go foam cushion route or lapdawg frame route.

Now I need to decide:

1 ~ find right combination or set up for max comfort, basically find the spots for each piece of equipment,angle of KB, distances etc.
2 ~ do I use a lapdawg as a "frame" or go the big foam cushions route like the couchmaster.
3 ~ what materials do I want to use for max durability, comfort and low cost.

Most likely the old wingman force 3D I have will be replaced by a CH Fighterstick or maybe a VKB Fat Black Mamba it is so smexy but so costly so will have to think about it although the quality of the VKB looks really good.

@xxThe_Dice_manxx I agree about the couchmaster being a rip off!
 
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Simple solution - get a big screen TV for your den. I play on a 64" screen in a media room - it is awesome. So much so, in fact, that I don't play on the DK2.

There is a simple solution....yes but convincing her to allow me in the living room with the game is easier than convincing her I "need" a new TV in my den...:)

I love the setups here. I'm going to get the pole mounts and attach them to my chair.
 
For anyone not currently playing ED, or playing ED with a mouse, and who is also thinking that they absolutely must get an X52 in order to play because of the enthusiasm expressed on these forums...
You really don't have to. I'm sure they're great, but they're not a pre-requisite for fun.
I'm using a PS3 dual shock sixaxis controller and it's great! I don't have any control issues in any circumstances and there are just enough buttons to map the important stuff to.
So don't get stressed out about paying a hundred squid for an X52. As a bonus, remember that you can relax back in your armchair whilst the HOTAS guys and gals are probably creating all sorts of wacky stuff :)
Chillax all and happy flying.
 
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