Hardware & Technical Is a Buttkicker worth it for Elite Dangerous?

Aussiedroid

Aussiedroid
I am looking to enhance my cockpit setup, and was looking into the Buttkicker Gamer2 or one of the other models.

Is anyone using a Buttkicker with ED? and if so what is the experience like? Is it worth the money?

Is there a particular model I should go for? (I am a bit confused between the different versions or what is really needed to setup. My cockpit says it supports any model - RSeat RS1)

Are there alternative brands worth looking at?

From what I was reading, it says to plug into the Subwoofer, but I am using headphones. Can this be changed?

And finally, would anyone know where can I buy these in Australia for a reasonable price? On the official website say they go for $149USD, but I am seeing prices locally up to $1000AUD (750USD) from the official reseller here! Seemed to have found one on eBay for $450AUD ($350USD), but still seems rich for what it is. Happy to import, but do need a 240v version (or some adaptor etc I guess).

Are these no longer made? Seems most places I have found are out of stock or have been for a long time.

Thank you in advance for any assistance/info you can provide :)
 

AtrociKitty

AtrociKitty
I have an Earthquake Shell Shoxx and really love it for Elite. It's similar to the Buttkicker gamer in terms of how it connects (clamp), but has a much more powerful 320W amp. It cost me $270USD, with the Buttkicker Gamer 2 going for $150 if you can find one. I'm not sure if the Buttkicker is different, but for what I have you don't want to use the subwoofer channel. It works much better with the standard left/right channel, or front left/right if you're using surround sound. You can use a splitter cable if you only have one jack, or you can duplicate the channel you need to an unused jack if your sound card supports it. I ended up using an extra microphone jack as a duplicate channel, although a splitter is included with the amp.

Compatibility with the cockpit is probably just a fitment thing. I have a R3volution cockpit, and I had to bolt up some extra pieces I had underneath the seat to create a mount suitable for the clamp. Also, isolation is really important if you have your cockpit on a hard surface or if you live with other people. Without properly isolating the cockpit, you'll end up shaking the entire room, house, or apartment. I put a rubber treadmill mat under mine, it also helps keep it from sinking into the carpet. Isolation is also important for your stick too, depending on where you have it mounted. I had to make some adjustments to mine because discovery scans can really rattle things when you use a tactile transducer.

I find it's most effective with the sensitivity relatively high (so you're not restricted to the lowest of sounds), and set to a medium strength. You don't want to set it to be so powerful that it's distracting, but set right it add a really nice enhancement that makes the game feel much more real. It's really neat to feel going through the mail slot for example.
 
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IndigoWyrd

IndigoWyrd
The last time I saw something like that I discovered I had wandered into the "wrong" part of the store... an adult was required immediately.

Actually it seems kind of neat, but you have to admit, it does look really... wrong.
 

Masagmarod

Masagmarod
I had the Buttkicker LFE kit and it was worth every penny. You could feel the landing gear raise and lower. When you set down in a station, you can feel the engines shutdown. Charging the FSD is awesome and might shake loose a filling or two. So in short, yes, once you play with it, you will never want to play without it.
 
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yibble

yibble
Kinda of related, but Bethesda have a sale on at the moment. $50 off of the Vault-Tec branded Subpac M2, and Subpac S2. Checkout with the code KALDWIN for an extra 20% off!

I've ordered the wearable one, primarily for VR experiences.
 

Turranius

Turranius
I say its worth it when you have company over, playing with your VR headset. As for long sessions in ED, I find myself powering it off more and more lately. Fun for a while.
 

Polared

Polared
Yep it's worth it (but only at the RRP), damned noisy though, so i only tend to use it when i'm playing during the day!
Sorry can't help you with where to get one i'm afraid, even the company that make it never seem to have it in stock and on amazon when they come up, they ask ridiculous prices for it! it took me years to finally manage to track one down, ironically from a shop only about 10k from where i live!
good luck
 

Polared

Polared
Bobbydylan said:
Is there any way to get one of this in the UK?
Click to expand...

they're notoriously difficult to find mate, anywhere! but there's a post on eBay.co.uk selling one for 10 quid at the moment, he says it's faulty, but they are pretty tricky to set up so it might be that he was just doing it wrong, might be worth a punt at that price! apart from that when i was looking for a second one a while back the only place i found was on amazon, the seller was asking north of 350 quid, definitely not worth it for that price!

Just in case anybody's interested, here's a link to another forum that's got some good info on shakers!
http://tinyurl.com/jsygy8u
 
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Lordxenu

Lordxenu
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0034JI3EE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B018U98RC0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use these 2 and some cable and a power supply the whole lot cost me £40 and gives you the buttkicker experience I plug it into my oaudio out (I have a usb headset) and use voicemeeter to split the sound output would definately recommend added loads to the game best single upgrade beside a HOTAS and VR that I did.
 

Masagmarod

Masagmarod
I had a discussion with the company that makes the Buttkicker, they are currently out of stock with most of the systems they sell. They seemed to get really popular during the holidays (go figure), but they said that they will restock soon. I would just google Buttkicker and go to the site. The company is fantastic to work with, their customer service is the best I have ever dealt with.
 

Shar

Shar
You will need a sub output from your sound card to drive it, and yes in general powerful sound does add a lot to this game, i,m using 3000 dollars worth of yamaha gear inluging 2x 250w down firing subs and its mind blowing only problem is i cant do much at night as at full power it can be heard half way down my street.

But in general you should be able to pick up a good quality self powered sub for 200.00-300.00 dollars on the second hand market if your sound card can drive it.
 

Andovar

Andovar
Turranius said:
I say its worth it when you have company over, playing with your VR headset. As for long sessions in ED, I find myself powering it off more and more lately. Fun for a while.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have one too, but have rarely used it since I sold my DK2 rift.
It really does add that extra layer of immersion when using VR.
On the downside, it really irritates the wife. Though that could be a plus depending on how you look at it. ;)
 
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