First cockpit design, tell me what you think.

[The-Hitman]

Hey guys, first post here, ive been reading alot of your posts and browsing your cockpit designs. Since ill be buying GT5 and the new Nascar 2011 game I decided to take a crack at building one myself. Let me know what ya think. The wheel and pedals in the pictures are xbox 360 only because i couldn't find a 3d model of my Fanatec 911 Turbo S and the Club Sport Pedals and i didn't feel like modeling them myself. This is the first Semi-Enclosed cockpit that I know of, the roof does come off if your too claustrophobic. You will get into it in the classic "Race car/Dukes of Hazard" way through the window, I might cut a door in the side also for easier access as well. Major props to Elderchop29 & Chapman2424 for some if the inspiration that went into it.

Components:
Fanatec 911 Turbo S Wheel & Club Sport Aluminum Pedals
Logitech Z-5500 Digital 5.1 Speaker system w/ 188 watt Sub-woofer
Xbox 360
PS3
40" LCD Tv
AnzoUSA Racing Seat

 

[LostBoyNZ]

Wow! I'm also working on my first cockpit, so I'm sure other more experienced members will give better feedback, but I'll try.

Love the design You must have spent a long time on it, and also have lots of space there. I imagine a door would be a great idea to go with though, you don't wanna break or scrape anything trying to get in or out.

The pedal area looks a bit tight with the consoles on one side and the huge sub on the other. Sadly I couldn't find a way to fit the Z-5500's into my design, try as I might, so hopefully you can there. Hopefully no one accidentally kicks the consoles when putting their legs in either.

A couple of things to consider too, a cup holder maybe, and have you thought about a buttkicker? Mine is in the mail still but people that have them swear by them. Might want to make sure the TV is well mounted if you do get one though.

For the TV mount, maybe a pole at the front with a thin wall mount system attached?

Looking forward to seeing the cockpit come into reality

 

[SchuMito]

4 Points Mate:

DO make an easy in/out access for the cockpit. It will help you so much.

Will the heat generated by the PS3 next to your feet annoy you? It will most probable make your feet sweat especially if you live in a hot country like I do.

Do a cup holder somewhere in the cockpit, it will be handy.

Put the cockpit on wheels.

As for the design, you have to like it mate, it's your cockpit

 

[UK-Gamer]

4 Points Mate:

DO make an easy in/out access for the cockpit. It will help you so much.

Will the heat generated by the PS3 next to your feet annoy you? It will most probable make your feet sweat especially if you live in a hot country like I do.

Do a cup holder somewhere in the cockpit, it will be handy.

Put the cockpit on wheels.

As for the design, you have to like it mate, it's your cockpit

I mostly agree with this guy, cup holder must, consoles your choice and so are the wheels, if you need to push it around just put some lockable wheels on, they shouldn't cost much.

The door, just make it like a WSP latch cut the wood so its like a door, then put a latch there.

Nice design you've got there, hope you go through with it.

 

[familyvalues]

OK...I like it, its cool...so let me get that out of the way.

Not sure on the top, doesnt seem like it would be very beneficial (e.g. the front posts on the top are already shown on most dashviews of games...so it would be like 4 front posts in your view).

I like it, but if you wanted a top for sound reasons and better lighting, enclosing the whole thing is another way to go...but then again, those generally look odd and the w.a.f. would be at an all time low. Just make sure you like the tv distance before you build it as you might like it higher or closer than that.

 

[The-Hitman]

Thanks for all the comments guys, this is just a rough idea right now anyways, there were some tweaks here and there that i am going to do, wheels on the bottom is a yes, I'm also going to cut the cabin in half sideways in front of the seat so it can easily slide through door ways. Cup holder is a yes as i always have a mug of iced tea with me, I'm not sure about the consoles being where they are either, basically i couldn't envision where to put them out of the way and saw the space and put them there, might have to think about that. I was going to put that sub in the floor to get it out of the way but i would then have to raise the height of the deck and i don't want to be top heavy. As for the top the side posts are just on the sides, they are perpendicular with the sides and don't wrap around in front of the screen so you most likely wouldn't pay attention to them anyways, they are basically there to complete the shape of the cabin. Anyways again thanks a lot, i look foreword to reading more of your comments.

 

[Teh_Loserer]

Looks like a pretty good starting point, in my opinion, man. A few things you may wanna consider, though...

As was mentioned in LostBoyNZ's thread, you might think about (re)moving the rear speakers. Having rear channels that close to your head relative to the rest of the system is really gonna overpower any surround effect. If you're dead set on putting speakers there, it's possible for a good 2.1 system to mimic surround sound really well. Or you could leave it open top and properly mount the 5.1 system in the room, as Delphic Reason and myself do. Going that route would also be much cooler for the driver. I get pretty worked up when I race, and I get warm. Also, leaving it open would allow for spectators.

If you really want it enclosed, also think about putting a fan or something blowing cool air in and/or warm out. Especially with the consoles and sub in there with you. Additionally, I think having all that heat in there combined with having expensive toys in kicking distance is a bad idea.

Just some constructive criticism