Can't wait to see it!
My Elite Dangerous control panel (cheap jury rig/iprovized setup)
- Thread starter mossfoot
- Start date
To ring in the new year, here's what my rig looks like now (updated front page with this info).
So, the basics, here's the large overview of what it looks like. Sandro's old hat I consider part of my rig. My headtracker/headset/microphone beside it. There is a new desk that is smaller but wider, and high enough for me to slip my lets right under so I can get the chair right up to the edge. You might notice that I pulled out the panel on the right hand side so that the computer could rest in its nook but not overheat from lack of ventilation.
The keyboard now has the PS3 eye permanently mounted on it, which gets it closer to me without blocking the TV screen in any way. Also gives it that "HAL" vibe
Raising the angle of the keyboard makes it look/feel more like a control panel and less like a keyboard. The mini logitech keyboard (for detailed communication needs) fits nicely under it between the HOTAS...speaking of which...
I mounted a bracket into the throttle of the HOTAS and added a simple numerical keypad to it, spraypainted to match the control panel's color scheme. It is a solid fixture now, no give at all, and positioned perfectly for ease of use. While I don't have the keys assigned yet I'm hoping to get it to be a "Quick Comm" panel, allowing me to send standard pre-written hails for most situations. Any other suggestions as to what it could be used for will be welcomed.
Now, I know this isn't as flashy or elaborate as some cockpits out there, but the misspelled thread title says it all - this is a jury rig and improvised setup, meant to be done on a super-budget for those who want something more but can't afford expensive customized kit. The initial keyboard was a spare I had lying around, and the numerical keypad was something I found over the holidays. The HOTAS I've had for ages (and is the best budget joystick on the market anyway) and the PS3 Eye is only going to get cheaper as time goes on (and the forums here had helpful advice on how to adapt it to FaceTrackNoIR).
So, the basics, here's the large overview of what it looks like. Sandro's old hat I consider part of my rig. My headtracker/headset/microphone beside it. There is a new desk that is smaller but wider, and high enough for me to slip my lets right under so I can get the chair right up to the edge. You might notice that I pulled out the panel on the right hand side so that the computer could rest in its nook but not overheat from lack of ventilation.
The keyboard now has the PS3 eye permanently mounted on it, which gets it closer to me without blocking the TV screen in any way. Also gives it that "HAL" vibe
Raising the angle of the keyboard makes it look/feel more like a control panel and less like a keyboard. The mini logitech keyboard (for detailed communication needs) fits nicely under it between the HOTAS...speaking of which...I mounted a bracket into the throttle of the HOTAS and added a simple numerical keypad to it, spraypainted to match the control panel's color scheme. It is a solid fixture now, no give at all, and positioned perfectly for ease of use. While I don't have the keys assigned yet I'm hoping to get it to be a "Quick Comm" panel, allowing me to send standard pre-written hails for most situations. Any other suggestions as to what it could be used for will be welcomed.
Now, I know this isn't as flashy or elaborate as some cockpits out there, but the misspelled thread title says it all - this is a jury rig and improvised setup, meant to be done on a super-budget for those who want something more but can't afford expensive customized kit. The initial keyboard was a spare I had lying around, and the numerical keypad was something I found over the holidays. The HOTAS I've had for ages (and is the best budget joystick on the market anyway) and the PS3 Eye is only going to get cheaper as time goes on (and the forums here had helpful advice on how to adapt it to FaceTrackNoIR).
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Great stuff, moss!
Digging the keyboard, cool idea
If you got a spare laying around and are on a budget, for sure
I think the numerical keypad is going to work well, if I can just find a solution to the damn Voice Attack/Head Tracking conflict.I can highly recommend the EDTracker (http://www.edtracker.co.uk/) I use one quite often and it's been a great experience (cheap too!).
Update - Thanks to a generous gift, I was able to add an iPad with Roccat's Power Grid app.
Right now I have it just set up with something basic (really just about every button there is already on my keyboard) but in time I might be able to figure out something more useful for it
Right now I have it just set up with something basic (really just about every button there is already on my keyboard) but in time I might be able to figure out something more useful for it
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I like the idea of it, but its features are a bit thin at times - very few landscape Elite panels, and it doesn't support tablet rotation so I have to use it the way it's set up (can't turn the tablet the other way).
Do you know if it can support text macros (ie pre-typed messages that can be spat out with the press of a button for quick comms use?) If so, then I definitely have a use for it and just need to think about how it will affect my cockpit layout.
Can't believe nobodies asked this, what does the panic button do ? I have to know !!
HA! It's a dummy button I bought as a novelty. Held on with glue. Though I am from time to time tempted to make it an actual key (maybe Dump All Cargo for emergency pirate situations
)I do think the pannels for ED lack a lot. I was going to make my own one for landscape, nothing special just functional.
I remember reading some where, a posting not here though about making it do a text macro, I can find it though.
I know you can do it on the teensy board and therefore the ardrino via sketches, but that's not helpful.
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HA! It's a dummy button I bought as a novelty. Held on with glue. Though I am from time to time tempted to make it an actual key (maybe Dump All Cargo for emergency pirate situations
Ah the dump all cargo key....i unbound that after dumping several hundred gold outside a station thinking i was hitting the landing gear key.......
Ah, the old button guard:
or even
I still want to add something like this to my setup.. If not for dump cargo, then for startup/shutdown.
I found some very small keyboards at a Micro Center... Look for the 10 keyless type (no keypad). looks a lot like this http://www.ergoprise.com/adesso-ack-595ub-mini-keyboard-w-embedded-numeric-pad/
Next level stuff right here
well, not really, but it is cute.
someone disposed of a track ball based mouse thingy and I thought, "I can use this!"
Since the numerical keypad on the control panel is superfluous, thanks to the keypad mounted on the throttle, I pulled out the keys and sealed it, then mounted the trackball setup on it, after a nice coat of black paint over most of it.
since this mouse doesn't need to move, it's okay being fixed in position. Before this, I had a normal mouse tucked away behind the panel, but that sometimes got awkward. This, I'm hoping will work more naturally.
Whaddaya think?
well, not really, but it is cute.
someone disposed of a track ball based mouse thingy and I thought, "I can use this!"
Since the numerical keypad on the control panel is superfluous, thanks to the keypad mounted on the throttle, I pulled out the keys and sealed it, then mounted the trackball setup on it, after a nice coat of black paint over most of it.
since this mouse doesn't need to move, it's okay being fixed in position. Before this, I had a normal mouse tucked away behind the panel, but that sometimes got awkward. This, I'm hoping will work more naturally.
Whaddaya think?
Philip Coutts
Volunteer Moderator
Really impressive (and low cost which makes it even more impressive) set up. I love a bit of a DIY set up. You can create something completely unique and cool.