CHEAP Cockpit Alternatives ONLY

  • Thread starter mnarciso
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Kouki_AE86
- makes me dizzy (personally)
- radiation = cancer (even though the TV may be shielded to a certain extent)
- loss of vision after several hours that close to the screen (seen something about this in my TV manual somewhere?)

the reason why I don't have the TV any closer then 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet away from my cockpit... plus it simulates having a hood, with the gap from TV to cockpit. having it any closer would make it feel like my cockpit would be in the engine bay of the car during game play. also my TV isn't just dedicated to playing games I also watch on it too :)

great job on the cockpit you've made, keep up the good work! 👍
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So, you telling me you are more then 4 1/2 feet away from your computer screen too? :)

This was valid info for really old TVs, but its not the case with the newer TVs, and you would get damages to your eyes if you were only very close for long periods of time.

My eyes are exactly 34 inchs from the TV of my cockpit, which is fine. How far is you comp. screen? ;)
 
SimRaceDriver
I personally have my TV just under one-arms length away (3 & 1/2 feet about) from my sim setup...this way here, I still get the feeling of 'speed', and yet not jeapordizing my eyesight! ;-)
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That setup is almost like mine.. with different materials.

Are your speakers surround? i had mine on surround mode but since the back speakers were so close to my head, all i was hearing was them... so i switched them to stereo mode and the sound was way better oddly!

Where did you get that seat? i'd love to change mine for one of those... the color would match my rig too! ;)
 
Radikal
So, you telling me you are more then 4 1/2 feet away from your computer screen too? :)

This was valid info for really old TVs, but its not the case with the newer TVs, and you would get damages to your eyes if you were only very close for long periods of time.

My eyes are exactly 34 inchs from the TV of my cockpit, which is fine. How far is you comp. screen? ;)
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knowing that you'd bring up the comparison between TV and computer monitors when I made the sarcastic comment on sitting close to TV screens. first of all, no I don't sit 4 1/2 feet from my monitor :dunce: (that's a dumb question) and even though you may sit closer to the monitor. there is still a standard distance and eye level when you are looking at your monitor for hours. thus, this goes the same for TV screens. its a known fact that sitting "too" close to the (newer TV's) "does not" do any damage to your eyes or have any effect on sight but does have a serious effect on your brain, as headache, fatigue, myopia, and migraine... eye doctors recommend that you sit no closer than five feet from the TV. I too am 1/2 a foot too close to sit close to a TV by eye doctors standards...

you asked why people don't have their TV's mounted on their cockpits, well I gave you my reasons why I personally don't... so no need to knock it, even though I was sarcastic with the "sitting too close, mothers advice myth..."

with the TV/computer monitor jazz aside, I still feel strongly (my opinion) that having a distance from the TV gives the simulation of the correct position of the actual location of the cockpit seat according to the real thing. look closely at the "hood view" in GT4 and the distance of the road. sitting that close to the TV would have the feel and appearance that your steering wheel would be where the bumper would be and you'd be sitting in the place of the radiator (IRL) "your head would be the hood ornament". now if you where to give some amount of distance from the cockpit and TV, it would be giving it that hood feeling. not only that, you'd come closer to the correct location of the actual seat (IRL). [note: all measurements on my cockpit are taken from the actual car: 88' corolla gts sportscoupe]

overall, do what you need to do to make your cockpit feel more comfortable to your needs and feel free to to decorate it to your taste but when you ask a question why people don't mount their TV's closer? don't ask, then receive an answer and "try" to justify... so whats your point in asking in the first place? (even though you didn't put a "?" at the end of your sentense, its still in the form of one)

I've viewed everyone's cockpit (also on other forums) and appreciate everyone's creative ideas but there's always someone out of the crowd that always likes to stand out! LOL
 
arh screw it! I'm meant to be saving up for paint to paint my cockpit but I cant help it, i'm gonna go and play initial d at the arcade!!! Let's go R34JSE!!
 
If you've seen my cockpit you'll see i went with a tv mount about an inch behind my wheel. After reading Kouki's post I think I might try to move it back some. I'll take some measurements and see what works best for me. I think i'ts really a "what ever feels good for me" type of set-up. I'm gonna change my wheel mount to a pedestal style instead of the square frame I built so i'ts easier to get in and out of. I'll post new pics after. Thanks for ideas!
 

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Kouki_AE86
overall, do what you need to do to make your cockpit feel more comfortable to your needs and feel free to to decorate it to your taste but when you ask a question why people don't mount their TV's closer? don't ask, then receive an answer and "try" to justify... so whats your point in asking in the first place? (even though you didn't put a "?" at the end of your sentense, its still in the form of one)
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The reason i was asking is because the farther i am from the TV, the worst my experience of play is.. Thus my reasoning "why everyone hasn't got their TV closer or on their rig"

Read my post... i was laughing about it. not being sarcastic. Sorry if i didn't get your sarcasm the first time. :(
 
I got my black paint at last, it's Matt Black. I'll get pics up in here and in my wheel setup thread in a day or 2 when it's dried and all put back together again.
 
hey vtec i cant wait to see what it looks like that table has been calling out for paint for ages. but one question why black??
 
Small_Fryz
I just updated my Cockpit :D

Made pedals steeper and also rounded off many edges and made it much more flush.
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Hey fellow GTer, sorry if i barge in on your rig..

Here's my suggestion to you...

Try making that for the ultimate experience...

setup7gd.jpg
 
Radikal
Hey fellow GTer, sorry if i barge in on your rig..

Here's my suggestion to you...

Try making that for the ultimate experience...
Click to expand...

thanks mate 👍, im working on it :P, hope to set up something similar to that 👍, not sure when but im looking into it :D.
 
I've so nearly finished my cockpit now. I've painted the table and that is all put together back up in my room, but the pedal box is still srying and i need to fix a piece of rubber car mat to the top of it so the pedals dont move about on it. It's looking sweet!, i'll post pics asap.
 
alech
I'd like to make something like this ... :
www.verparacreer.net_copiloto_de_gran_turismo.jpg

:D :D :D
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Hahaha... i can imagine them... going on the ring and racing each other... one on the real track and one with GT4!


Cool!

EDIT: Notice the stickshift.. If this was my car... i would stay in first gear forever!
 
I've just noticed how much the wheel blocks the screen, I guess it means you have to look at the dials through the gap in the wheel like in a real car.
 
I have finally done it. I am finished. From the base frame converted to the comfortable seat. Being able to adjust the seat is the best thing i have found.
 

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Been a lurker for awhile, time for me to contribute :)

seat2.jpg.JPG


Total cost for this setup was right around $40 and a weekend. I was looking for adjustability and portability, hence the wheels and the two sections connected with steel bracing. The seat was $10 from a junkyard and hails from a Ford Probe.

Most of the work went into reinforcing the front section so it could handle the stress from the DFP; aside from the external "shock" supports I have since added inner supports to the sides and the bottom has been reinforced with 1/8 inch steel.

The seat adjusts, and should my nieces come over to visit I can zip out a couple bolts and move the two sections closer together so they can reach the pedals too. I've got plans drawn up around here somewhere if anyone is interested :)
 
Well, I've been lurking around here for a while now as well. So I figured I'd contribute now that I got my cockpit done.

2 weekends worth of work. Free wood from my dad's work. An old MK3 Supra seat leftover from my car dealings, and a DFP for $50.

The seat base is 3/4 laminated mdf on top off a 2x4 bottom glued and screwed.
It's a little over-kill but I wanted to make something that will last a long time, and not tear up when transported. I wanted to raise the seat higher at the last minute so the 2x4s under the seat where added. The carpet was all I had. It's not the best color but it makes it feel more homey. We stained the wood so it wouldn't stick out so bad until I paint the whole thing in the Lancia Martini color scheme.

The dimensions for the seating position and wheel location were pulled from my AE86. Then modified just a bit. The position is killer. For me, I can get where I set low and right behind the wheel, almost eye level with the top of the wheel. The seat offers enough adjustibility so that pretty much anyone can get in a comfy position. It's so comfortable I ate dinner in it last night.
So far the only thing I'd like to change is the angle of the pedals. Their a little low at the moment. You have to kinda slide your foot up and down on them too much.

Now I just have to get my new Tv. I've got one picked out and I built the dimensions of the seat to match where the new tv will be. Should have it in a week or 2.

Also, the first new I got the DFP my buddy was playing around with it and managed to pull the shifter out of the base. It wasn't broke, I guess they just kinda stick in there. So, not being able to own a single thing that is stock, I took the shifter to work and the original shift knob from my AE86.
I used a cut-off wheel to remove the knob at the base. Then tapped some threads into the shifter stalk. I found a stud in my toolbox that was small enough on one end to thread into the shifter stalk without damage, and the other side fit the OE Toyota shift know. Screwed the stud into the shifter stalk, screweed the knob onto the stalk. Viola, custom shift knob. It's alot heavier and provides a very solid feel when shifting.

Waddya guys think?

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LOL I like the shift knob 👍

Do you get good side/side support? My original GT3 cockpit actually looked similar to yours but the sides weren't nearly strong enough for the FF on the wheel (the original GT Force wheel). Never broke but it had a good 2-3 inches of side to side travel if I was driving agressively.

The only problem I'm having with my current cockpit is the steel beams connecting the two sections. It's a year & a half old at this point and those steel beams are actually starting to get a little twist in them. I guess the ol' DFP is pumping out some torque :D
 
whoa.... that shifter looks like the one my dad had on his old 87 toyota Celica. ahh the memories.

nice looking c.pits guys. i'll build mine up at somepoint but atm, i'm actually very happy with my race position i have with my pedals in my computer desk w/ the wheel on the keyboard tray. it's actually very comfy w/ the office chair i have that sits really low to the ground.
 

left:gt4 right & center dual screens below center: tower & magazines

right & left: dual screens center:tv

i just have a tv tray and my computer chair, neither of which i bought. tv tray wobbles though, but i use two text books for ballast.
 
this is my cockpit... i havent got a cam to show you better...
croquis.jpg

and here is a simple explain.. to make it....
explicacion1.jpg

when i can take some pics i will show you more exact how to make it...

the rotation is cuz is next to my bed and i can watch tv and play gt4 with the same tv and sound system
 
My cockpit is nothing more than a vinyl piano seat that I threw the DFP onto.

I stick it next to my couch and bam. Instant cockpit. I don't know how cheap vinyl piano stands cost, but I'm assuming they're cheap. And I'm also assuming one has a couch.
 

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