The perfect DESKTOP setup for Elite

HarryWraith

H
I did a forum search and couldn't find any threads on this. Closest I could find was one about joysticks back in July. So, apologies if this has been asked before.

I know virtually every Elite enthusiast has thought about this at some point or other, so what would your perfect peripheral/accessory setup be for elite dangerous?

The caveat I place here is that is must be reasonably attainable i.e. no custom chairs or overtly DIY jobs (that quite frankly I lack the skills to achieve).
 

Ashnak

Ashnak
Problem is, my perfect setup would neccessarily involve DIY - or some rather expensive, although not neccessarily full custom, hardware.

At the moment, I'm playing in VR on the Oculus Rift - but, from the existing sparse information, I'm sorely tempted to switch to a HP Reverb next spring. Also, at the moment, I'm using a Thrustmaster 16000 HOTAS combo - but a dual stick setup is currently in the truck making its way to me. That dual stick setup, at least in my mind, would then also mandate an additional full custom extension keyboard, although something like a Razer Tartarus could do the job (but then, for VR, I'd like a layout where I can feel which key I'm using, and I want a few toggle switches as well).
For a chair, though, I'm thinking about using my Ikea Poäng and mount the controls there (without drilling holes into the plywood).
 

HarryWraith

H
Ashnak said:
Problem is, my perfect setup would neccessarily involve DIY - or some rather expensive, although not neccessarily full custom, hardware.

At the moment, I'm playing in VR on the Oculus Rift - but, from the existing sparse information, I'm sorely tempted to switch to a HP Reverb next spring. Also, at the moment, I'm using a Thrustmaster 16000 HOTAS combo - but a dual stick setup is currently in the truck making its way to me. That dual stick setup, at least in my mind, would then also mandate an additional full custom extension keyboard, although something like a Razer Tartarus could do the job (but then, for VR, I'd like a layout where I can feel which key I'm using, and I want a few toggle switches as well).
For a chair, though, I'm thinking about using my Ikea Poäng and mount the controls there (without drilling holes into the plywood).
Click to expand...
I think minor DIY is fine (screwing and fixing), but I've seen some custom chairs that require far more than my very basic skills.
 

Morbad

Morbad
I'm reasonably content with my stick and throttle affixed to the surface of my desk and a good lumbar support cushion giving me a few extra inches of lift while still allowing me to use my pedals without smashing my thighs into the drawer.
 

VanBurenPhilips

VanBurenPhilips
For controls: HOTAS, a second flight stick and a wheel + pedals. I use HOTAS in supercruise, twin stick + pedals in normal flight (although can still use HOTAS when I want). Twin stick is way better for combat (2nd stick for lateral/vertical thrust), and generally more pleasant to fly agile ships, but the HOTAS still feels right for big hulking bricks like a T9/10.

Wheel + pedals for the SRV. Main flightstick to control the turret. Feels much better than the HOTAS, and driving around shooting stuff with one hand on the wheel and one on the stick is great fun.

^ all of the above is set up to go all at once, no profile switching or programming software needed. ED's controls menu might not be pretty but the functionality is excellent.

You don't need the latest & greatest stuff, no need for FF wheel. My wheel and HOTAS were 2nd-hand and the extra stick was only £11 delivered. No DIY needed, but I do want to build some chair mounts. Right now it's all on the desk - I bought a tenkeyless keyboard so it'd fit between the sticks.

I use VR and I think it's the best experience, but if that's not an option get the biggest screen you can and head tracking. Then a second screen or device for eddb/inara/netflix/etc. Doesn't have to be a new monitor, if you've already got a laptop or tablet you're all set. Surround speakers or good headphones - no need to break the bank, you really don't need to spend much to make PC games sound great.

Icing on the cake for VR users is virtual screens in (or outside) your cockpit. Can't tell you how good it is to have a massive cinema screen floating above my ship while I'm mining or travelling. And for VR and non VR users alike, audiobooks are good :)
 

HarryWraith

H
VanBurenPhilips said:
For controls: HOTAS, a second flight stick and a wheel + pedals. I use HOTAS in supercruise, twin stick + pedals in normal flight (although can still use HOTAS when I want). Twin stick is way better for combat (2nd stick for lateral/vertical thrust), and generally more pleasant to fly agile ships, but the HOTAS still feels right for big hulking bricks like a T9/10.

Wheel + pedals for the SRV. Main flightstick to control the turret. Feels much better than the HOTAS, and driving around shooting stuff with one hand on the wheel and one on the stick is great fun.

^ all of the above is set up to go all at once, no profile switching or programming software needed. ED's controls menu might not be pretty but the functionality is excellent.

You don't need the latest & greatest stuff, no need for FF wheel. My wheel and HOTAS were 2nd-hand and the extra stick was only £11 delivered. No DIY needed, but I do want to build some chair mounts. Right now it's all on the desk - I bought a tenkeyless keyboard so it'd fit between the sticks.

I use VR and I think it's the best experience, but if that's not an option get the biggest screen you can and head tracking. Then a second screen or device for eddb/inara/netflix/etc. Doesn't have to be a new monitor, if you've already got a laptop or tablet you're all set. Surround speakers or good headphones - no need to break the bank, you really don't need to spend much to make PC games sound great.

Icing on the cake for VR users is virtual screens in (or outside) your cockpit. Can't tell you how good it is to have a massive cinema screen floating above my ship while I'm mining or travelling. And for VR and non VR users alike, audiobooks are good :)
Click to expand...
I'd love to try VR. I have specific concerns about it because I'm visually impaired. I heard you can get some with adjustable optics or extra lenses? I suppose I could buy from Amazon and send back if it doesn't work for me.
 

Agony_Aunt

Agony_Aunt
I use single screen. If i had a decent tablet i'd be running the G19s companion app for ED on it to the side of the monitor. HOTAS above keyboard and steering wheel when needed between the HOTAS. Pedals on floor. One of those MFDs would also be nice for extra buttons to avoid needing the keyboard as much.
 

Abysinth

Abysinth
I'm getting there, T16000 HOTAS [but I find the throttle too big for my hands so shall try another if/when it breaks] quad scrns [2 x 2560x1080, 2 x 1920x1080] running from a GTX960-4GB with

1] Elite,
2] Spreadsheet [doing housekeeping, I'm a spreasheet nerd :D ]
3] ED Engineer, Market Connector etc
4] browser for inara, coriolis and thunderbird for RL emails

Want: 2080 or better, new scrn for Elite [3440x1440] and VR

I did have one major milestone though, I convinced the wife that mine is a cheap hobby ... :D
 

Ashnak

Ashnak
HarryWraith said:
I'd love to try VR. I have specific concerns about it because I'm visually impaired. I heard you can get some with adjustable optics or extra lenses? I suppose I could buy from Amazon and send back if it doesn't work for me.
Click to expand...

You can either get full custom inserts for (almost) any VR headset, or you can go to e.g. Thingiverse, download the data and print the mechanical part on your own (or have it printed for you), then get the lenses (mounted in a cheap frame which you discard) from a chinese internet optician.
 

KhaiJB

KhaiJB
hmm I had'nt considered hooking my steering wheel pedals in...

right now I'm running dual screens, a T-Flight HOTAS, my N52te Speedpad, keyboard and mouse and my old kindle fire via the aux in for Spotify etc...

would like to add in a third screen, a small audio mixer (PC and Tablet/phone in > headphones out) and some proper supports for tablets and a better HOTAS....
 

VR Jay Le Chardon

VR Jay Le Chardon
HarryWraith said:
I did a forum search and couldn't find any threads on this. Closest I could find was one about joysticks back in July. So, apologies if this has been asked before.

I know virtually every Elite enthusiast has thought about this at some point or other, so what would your perfect peripheral/accessory setup be for elite dangerous?

The caveat I place here is that is must be reasonably attainable i.e. no custom chairs or overtly DIY jobs (that quite frankly I lack the skills to achieve).
Click to expand...

I'm rocking an old car bucket seat mounted onto a swivel chair base, think of it as a redneck / homebrew gaming chair, recently upgraded the controllers to a pair of desktop vkb kosmosima's, although I used to run t16000's, and before that saitek x56. I'm also running a single 65" 4k samsung tv being used as a computer screen, and an oculus rift. Your main concern is making sure the joysticks are at a sensible height, ergonomically its better to have the chair higher than you'd expect to need it rather than your wrists higher than your elbow. If elevated wrists are unavoidable get some arm supports? the X56 stick was so tall it put my hand in a position that was too high for comfort, so I bought a pair of these arm supports and the difference was amazing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adjustable...rm+rest&qid=1569167255&s=officeproduct&sr=1-4

For a money no object build I'd recommend the VKB Kosmosima's, HP Reverb Pro, RTX2080ti, i9 cpu or 8th or 9th gen i7. For a more realistic budget, twin T16000 joysticks and maybe a throttle and or button box, 50"+ 4k TV as the screen if using something like a GTX970 but the more you spend on the graphics card the happier you will be, I'm sing a GTX1080ti with an i74770k.

If you get something akin to or better than GTX1070 you are all set for when you get VR as well. Less than a GTX1070 and I'd say stick to flat screen.
 

Ebel

Ebel
right beside the desk
other controls subject to change

144030
 

HarryWraith

H
Jay Le Chardon said:
I'm rocking an old car bucket seat mounted onto a swivel chair base, think of it as a redneck / homebrew gaming chair, recently upgraded the controllers to a pair of desktop vkb kosmosima's, although I used to run t16000's, and before that saitek x56. I'm also running a single 65" 4k samsung tv being used as a computer screen, and an oculus rift. Your main concern is making sure the joysticks are at a sensible height, ergonomically its better to have the chair higher than you'd expect to need it rather than your wrists higher than your elbow. If elevated wrists are unavoidable get some arm supports? the X56 stick was so tall it put my hand in a position that was too high for comfort, so I bought a pair of these arm supports and the difference was amazing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adjustable...rm+rest&qid=1569167255&s=officeproduct&sr=1-4

For a money no object build I'd recommend the VKB Kosmosima's, HP Reverb Pro, RTX2080ti, i9 cpu or 8th or 9th gen i7. For a more realistic budget, twin T16000 joysticks and maybe a throttle and or button box, 50"+ 4k TV as the screen if using something like a GTX970 but the more you spend on the graphics card the happier you will be, I'm sing a GTX1080ti with an i74770k.

If you get something akin to or better than GTX1070 you are all set for when you get VR as well. Less than a GTX1070 and I'd say stick to flat screen.
Click to expand...
Computer wise I'm good to go as my brother-in-law runs a custom build pc business and gives me stuff at cost. Consequently I'm running an i7, with RTX2070. So, yeah, I'm good to go with VR. Watched a fair view vids on which to get, but expert views and never a substitute for the experience of people using them for months on a specific game.
 

VR andysonofbob

VR andysonofbob
HarryWraith said:
Rift or Vive? Which is better specifically for Elite?
Click to expand...
Out of those two, for ED, I think the general consensus is Rift for its better sense of scale. But that was ages ago and Vive might have improved. Also both are legacy now.
That said, I have original Rift. I love it. I could be playing ED in a coffin but wouldn't know it.

My setup is twin T160000 with my G29 pedals, with Voice Attack.
Ryzen 2600x, 1070. 16GB
 

VR Jay Le Chardon

VR Jay Le Chardon
HP REverb pro has the best picture quality of the current crop of headsets, and is seemingly lightest and most comfortable. An alternative would be the Pimax 5k - but make sure yo get the XR model, as it has better display panels, then its a bit of a hackathon grafting a vive deluxe audio strap on to it, but you can buy the parts on eBay to make that so, as little more than a simple installation, and the result is seemingly worth the effort with a wide field of view, good quality and a comfortable headset.
 
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