I think I need a cockpit... (7th November 2012)

  • Thread starter the_greeze
  • 347 comments
  • 71,858 views
grafpt
I love this build. Do you really drive in 3rd person view though? lol
Click to expand...

Thanks! No, I don't normally drive in 3rd person (bumper cam all the way) 👍 I used that view for the video so you could see the brake lights on the car corresponding with the backlighting on the cockpit :)
 
And so it's time for an update! 👍

Custom Sequential Shifter and e-Brake











6mm steel plate construction, powder-coated and bolted. Handles are laser-cut and bright zinc plated. Gear knobs are from Demon Tweeks (Touring car style). Weighs about 15kg! Seriously heavy-duty 👍

Fanatec GT2 Wheel



My new wheel; the Fanatec Porsche 911 GT2. Upgraded from a G25 and very, very pleased with it. An excellent bit of kit and no complaints about Fanatec from me. :)

Aura Pro Bass Shakers



I got rid of my old Aura transducers and went for these 'Pro' versions instead. Slightly more powerful and with a broader frequency range. Much better than the old ones with very noticeable and effective results.

And thats about it. Construction and upgrades are complete! I have no further plans to add anything else to the cockpit (except maybe the Clubsport shifter when it's out). Thanks for reading... :)
 
Sweet shifter! I assume you built it yourself? Is there anyway that you can provide info and pics as to how the rest of us can build one for our selves?
 
SilverDoc
Sweet shifter! I assume you built it yourself? Is there anyway that you can provide info and pics as to how the rest of us can build one for our selves?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comment. 👍 I can't really provide much more than the pictures you see here already as I designed and built it to suit my own setup. Unique measurements you see...
 
WOW! it just looks amazing. I think it´s one of the best cockpits I´ve seen. I really like the Aura Shakers. I still use some of the old ones. I think they are ok. are the new ones much better? I like the details you put into it.:)
 
bigbembem
WOW! it just looks amazing. I think it´s one of the best cockpits I´ve seen. I really like the Aura Shakers. I still use some of the old ones. I think they are ok. are the new ones much better? I like the details you put into it.:)
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Thanks! 👍

The Aura Pro's are certainly better than the older model but they're not what I'd call a huge leap. If you're happy with the ones you have now I'd probably advise sticking with them :)
 
Quality work and deserves lots of credit.
Enjoy it!

The shifter and handbrake what systems do they work on?
 
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Mr Latte
Quality work and deserves lots of credit.
Enjoy it!

The shifter and handbrake what systems do they work on?
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Cheers 👍

The hand brake and shifter work with both the XBox and PS3 (PC too I guess but I don't have one set up for gaming) as they're mapped directly to the buttons on the wheel; the Circle / B button for the e-brake and the shift-paddles (R1 & L1 / left bumper & right bumper) for the shifter.
 
Nice that you mapped the buttons for the shifters/ebrake.

I forgot to ask with you moving upto the "Aura AST-2B-4" whats your own opinion in general performance on those compared to the BKG you have.

Is your tactile configuration like this:
L/R & LFE = Seat
L/R = Pedal Base
C = Pedals and Wheel?
 
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@Mr. Latte:
Aura Pro configuration:
Two on the centre channel (one mounted on the plate behind the pedals and one mounted directly under the steering wheel), two for front left/right audio (mounted under the floorboard) and two for rear left/right audio (mounted under the seat). All the Auras are set (using EQ's) to process only lower frequency sound effects.

Buttkicker Gamer 2 configuration:
One on the LFE channel (mounted under the seat) and one on the centre channel (mounted under the floorboard).


The Aura Pro's compliment the Buttkickers pretty well I think. They're very responsive and more active than the ones I had that were pulled from the ancient Interactor vests. The BK2's obviously have their own amps and the Auras are powered via 12v car audio amps and matching EQ's. :)
 
Ok so the layout is pretty much what I thought.

Curious though to get your input, had you ever compared using the "Gamer's" (BKG) on the seat as the L&R tactile instead of the Aura?

The reason I ask is with the BKG having a 200-250Hz frequency range compared to the "Aura Pro" frequency range of 80Hz. You may get more responsive tactile from those as stereo tactile and run the Aura on "LFE & Centre". I suppose a simple swap.

Also the "Aura Pro" being bigger and probably stronger might be better than the BKG in the LFE role?
Let me know if you had tried this, perhaps you have but Id like to know your comments on each. Is their much difference in performance between the BKG and Aura Pro?
 
Well, I'm not in a position to be able (or willing) to swap these units around (all the wiring has been tidied/sorted etc :)) but I can say that the BK's are way stronger than the Auras. I can see where you're coming from but I'm getting good feedback with the current configuration :)
 
the_greeze
Well, I'm not in a position to be able (or willing) to swap these units around (all the wiring has been tidied/sorted etc :)) but I can say that the BK's are way stronger than the Auras. I can see where you're coming from but I'm getting good feedback with the current configuration :)
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No worries just wondered if you had tried then in both roles.
How many watts are you sending the Aura models as surprised you say the BKG is way stronger particulary with it using 2ohms so practically half the wattage/power its own amp has to a 4ohm unit? Not sure though if the BKG amp is rated in (2ohm or 4ohm)

You mentioned car amplification so do you use a battery on trickle charge from the mains or just some 12v power supply with ample wattage? ( A PC Power Supply perhaps). I remember one time looking at that as an option before going the AV amp route.

Hope it gives you lots of enjoyment.
 
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Hmm, I think I need to review my power supplies (mains adapters) for those amps running the Auras. Not sure of the specs off-the-top-of-my-head but I suspect they may not be pushing out enough wattage. I think they're 12v and 4A PSU's (which would make them only 48W) but need to check.

Got me thinking again Mr. L! :)
 
the_greeze
Hmm, I think I need to review my power supplies (mains adapters) for those amps running the Auras. Not sure of the specs off-the-top-of-my-head but I suspect they may not be pushing out enough wattage. I think they're 12v and 4A PSU's (which would make them only 48W) but need to check.

Got me thinking again Mr. L! :)
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From what I remember car amplifers were quite hungry in the amount of amps they used. Im not into car hifi tech but one of the things that put me off I think was the issue regarding the drain car amps used which didnt seem suitable for typical mains voltage adapter appliances. I think some car amplifers I looked at required 15-30 or more amps in power drain, depending on how many channels, could be wrong though.

Like you say worth looking into.
Welcome to the issues of tactile, lol.
To me those Aura should hit a lot harder than the BKG. Havnt used mine in a while but think they were stronger in whack than even the Mini LFE BK models. Maybe your right and you need to give them more amplification.
 
I agree and thinking about it, those Aura units should be kicking more than they are. I mean, they look brutal but at the moment I'd call the effects subtle. I'd be happy with something in between...

Here we go again! Need to source a new PSU and run a few tests :)
 
Okay, just wanting to help out.
Maybe a cheap 2nd Av amp might be less hassle though.

PM if you need or want to.

(btw you deserved gift for all your effort)
 
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Did you ever get the Aura running off better amplification.
Think you mentioned Behringer somewhere?

How are your new ideas going?
 
Things are going very well (not so well for my credit card though!) and I'll be updating the thread shortly. In a nutshell, I now have triple-screens sorted, rack-mounted audio equipment to power the tactile stuff and a complete re-wire ongoing. Work is getting in the way! :)
 
the_greeze
Things are going very well (not so well for my credit card though!) and I'll be updating the thread shortly. In a nutshell, I now have triple-screens sorted, rack-mounted audio equipment to power the tactile stuff and a complete re-wire ongoing. Work is getting in the way! :)
Click to expand...

I definitely wanna see pics of that!
 
the_greeze
Things are going very well (not so well for my credit card though!) and I'll be updating the thread shortly. In a nutshell, I now have triple-screens sorted, rack-mounted audio equipment to power the tactile stuff and a complete re-wire ongoing. Work is getting in the way! :)
Click to expand...

Excellent, for triple screens Id love to try F1 2011 and Dirt 3.
Are you for running consoles/PC for triples?
 

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