My VR Sim Rig for Elite and other games...

Hunchy

Hunchy
[video=youtube;FxA1qGaLZ1o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxA1qGaLZ1o[/video]

P1070176-thumbnail.jpg

Having entered the world of virtual reality last summer I decided to design and construct my own sim rig as I could not find anything commercially available that had all the features I wanted. The video documents how I set everything up, including my PC build and Rift sensor placement.

I designed my system for flexibility and comfort. It can be used for both racing games and flight sims. The seat frame can be adjusted forwards and backwards so when I am not using the steering wheel and pedals, I can move the seat back over 30 cm which allows me to stretch my legs while still having access to the HOTAS, mouse and gamepad. I included this mobility specifically with Elite Dangerous in mind to avoid feeling cramped during long play sessions.

Playing Elite in this rig is joy and the bass shaker really enhances the experience. I hope it inspires others to do the same. It was well worth time and effort I spent building it!
 

Gortron

Gortron
Very nice. I'm toying with idea idea of turning my garage into a sort of holodeck and something like you have made would be great if I do it. What is the frame made of, I can't remember the name of that stuff? I really like the idea of replicating the seating position in ED and adding a buttkicker (or bass shaker) into the mix.

Took me a while to spot where the PC was... very nice touch!
 

Hunchy

Hunchy
Thanks!

The frame is made of slotted aluminium which I ordered from here. Basically, you just send them the desired measurements and they cut everything to size. If you need any advice let me know.

I can't recommend replicating the ED seating position enough! When you are playing it feels like a weird (in a good way) merging of the virtual and physical worlds.
 

VR Mr Teatime

VR Mr Teatime
You are not alone :)

[video=youtube;rsf-ZKM0_rA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsf-ZKM0_rA[/video]

and here's my home built CNC machine making more mods for it:

[video=youtube;4Fpve-cjTSc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fpve-cjTSc[/video]
 

Hunchy

Hunchy
I need to get a Warthog! It's only the lack of stick twist rudder that is putting me off right now.

I envy your CNC milling machine. I would love to have one of those!
 
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dutchy2000

D
Hunchy said:
I need to get a Warthog! It's only the lack of stick twist rudder that is putting me off right now.

I envy your CNC milling machine. I would love to have one of those!
Click to expand...

Seriously, the lack of twist stick is the BEST part of the joystick. Get some rudder pedals, everyone that has switched from the flimsy useless twist stick joystick to a warthog + pedals have gone, why didn't I do this a long time ago.
 

Cliché

Cliché
Very nice design. I've made a bunch of stuff with T-slot channel.

It's kind of amazing. You see this sim pit crammed in a corner and you'd think it would feel claustrophobic (I can't believe I spelled that right, lol). Anyway, and then you put on your VR HMD and you're no longer in the corner, are you? :cool:

I doubt I'll buy another desktop monitor again. I already have a couple spares. :rolleyes:
 

[HJ]-RedRaven

[HJ]-RedRaven
Zayphod-B said:
View attachment 115066

Seems great minds think alike !! With butt kickers fitted to the seat and VR headset you won't look back :D
Click to expand...

Nice Car on the desktop Zayphod-B (is it yours?)... I own a Birkin haha

Back on topic - great sim spaces/pits/chairs everyone.... my pit is too untidy to post now lol...

- - - Updated - - -

dutchy2000 said:
Seriously, the lack of twist stick is the BEST part of the joystick. Get some rudder pedals, everyone that has switched from the flimsy useless twist stick joystick to a warthog + pedals have gone, why didn't I do this a long time ago.
Click to expand...

I put the rudder on the throttle thumb hat. Forward for yaw left, back for yaw right. Press for boost. Woorks a treat.
But yeah, rudder pedals would be nice too. Slaw etc...
 

Hunchy

Hunchy
Seriously, the lack of twist stick is the BEST part of the joystick. Get some rudder pedals, everyone that has switched from the flimsy useless twist stick joystick to a warthog + pedals have gone, why didn't I do this a long time ago.
Click to expand...

Rudder pedals! As above, you can't go back.
Click to expand...

Ok I'm sold on the Warthog + rudder pedals combo!!! Guess my X55 is going on Ebay. Arrrghh just when I thought my Sim Rig was finished...

Very nice design. I've made a bunch of stuff with T-slot channel.
Click to expand...

I agree, T-slot aluminium is wonderful stuff...it's like playing with Meccano again. I only wish I had a high powered drill and saw to cut my own custom pieces. Actually, that's probably not such a great idea as I would probably end up going crazy and outfitting my whole house in the stuff :eek:

It's kind of amazing. You see this sim pit crammed in a corner and you'd think it would feel claustrophobic (I can't believe I spelled that right, lol). Anyway, and then you put on your VR HMD and you're no longer in the corner, are you?
Click to expand...

Indeed, when you put that headset on you're definitely not in Kansas anymore...
 

VR Mr Teatime

VR Mr Teatime
Hunchy said:
Ok I'm sold on the Warthog + rudder pedals combo!!! Guess my X55 is going on Ebay. Arrrghh just when I thought my Sim Rig was finished...
I agree, T-slot aluminium is wonderful stuff...it's like playing with Meccano again. I only wish I had a high powered drill and saw to cut my own custom pieces. Actually, that's probably not such a great idea as I would probably end up going crazy and outfitting my whole house in the stuff :eek:
Indeed, when you put that headset on you're definitely not in Kansas anymore...
Click to expand...

Hi Hunchy

If only it finished with the Warthog - there's a force sensing mod for that, like the one I bought for my Cougar (no more moving parts is great although a little weird in VR) ;)

Cutting extrusions can be done pretty accurately at home with a half decent chop saw (look for Rage 3 or similar), provided you get what I think is called a zero rake blade - Bosch do a fantastic blade for metals and I have had one for quite a while. Also extrusion sellers normally do a cutting service, which isn't normally too expensive, but costs can mount up. Its worth designing your pit in Sketchup or Fusion 360 before you start, as you can get an idea of total cost and doing the CAD is not hard for extrusions as you essentially make the elements by funnily enough extruding a cross section diagram :)

I would equate sitting in the pit in VR similar to what I've heard fighter pilots say about the Spitfire, F16 and others: "Its like strapping the aircraft onto you" especially the Eagle (I've not tried the SLFs yet). Other stand out ships for me are the Asp for the view and the Fer-der-Lance, which feels like you're in a GT sports car or large luxury speedboat.
 

Zayphod-B

Z
[HJ]-RedRaven said:
Nice Car on the desktop Zayphod-B (is it yours?)... I own a Birkin haha

Back on topic - great sim spaces/pits/chairs everyone.... my pit is too untidy to post now lol...

- - - Updated - - -



I put the rudder on the throttle thumb hat. Forward for yaw left, back for yaw right. Press for boost. Woorks a treat.
But yeah, rudder pedals would be nice too. Slaw etc...
Click to expand...

Cool, it is indeed mine massively modified Westfield 7. Took two years and a divorce to build it but gives me more time to play Elite. I suspect there are a large number of original 80's players with similar toys in the garage bouncing round the forums...

- - - Updated - - -

Although thinking about it, building this thing to play ED in VR for months at a time may well have also contributed to the divorce lol

20160607_181832.jpg
 

Zayphod-B

Z
Adding a nice linear curve using joystick curves massively improves using the brake pedals for left/right thrust, especially using the MFG pedals. Setup the analogue nipple stick on the Warhog throttle for up/down but never though this was the best solution for an analogue up and down thrust though.
 

BigDuke6ixx

BigDuke6ixx
Zayphod-B said:
Adding a nice linear curve using joystick curves massively improves using the brake pedals for left/right thrust, especially using the MFG pedals. Setup the analogue nipple stick on the Warhog throttle for up/down but never though this was the best solution for an analogue up and down thrust though.
Click to expand...

Isn't it linear by default?
 

TorTorden_VR

T
Zayphod-B said:
Adding a nice linear curve using joystick curves massively improves using the brake pedals for left/right thrust, especially using the MFG pedals. Setup the analogue nipple stick on the Warhog throttle for up/down but never though this was the best solution for an analogue up and down thrust though.
Click to expand...

Might be needed for racing pedals, but not with actual yaw/rudder/flight pedals.

Yeah I know, more gear.

But definitely no going back.
 
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BigDuke6ixx

BigDuke6ixx
Zayphod-B said:
Don't know about your experience but using the brake pedals as left/right thrust on the MFG's without a joystick curve doesn't give a very smooth experience when you need fine control at lower speeds..
Click to expand...

I'm talking about the toe brakes on proper rudder pedals and yes I have mapped them to an axis which is linear by default.
 
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