Project R

[paskowitz]

Wow. Every time I look at what other people are do I am amazed. I do not have the money to put into a system like you are constructing but I can use it as inspiration.

Seeing your concept has given me the idea to make a completely upgradable setup. I too find something lacking in just a simple frame. However that is all I can afford at this point. However I can construct this frame to house a more complex set up in the future. Thank god I live near a bunch of engineers otherwise this would be way over my head.

 

[Mr Latte]

Kind words of support are appreciated, really they are.
Those of you that replied just wanted to say thanks...

Nothing has been done to the project this week however more bits arrived that were needed for the monitor supports. Also the 2x Buttkickers and some white Led lights. I have to say they do look stunning against the chrome and black.

Who Wants To Help?
Can some of you give me ideas on the height you have your steering wheel bases at and in relation to your seat heights for your own cockpits or purchased models. Im trying to see if an average is common?

I will bounce back with a big update before E3.

 

[jswilli1]

Kind words of support are appreciated, really they are.
Those of you that replied just wanted to say thanks...

Nothing has been done to the project this week however more bits arrived that were needed for the monitor supports. Also the 2x Buttkickers and some white Led lights. I have to say they do look stunning against the chrome and black.

Who Wants To Help?
Can some of you give me ideas on the height you have your steering wheel bases at and in relation to your seat heights for your own cockpits or purchased models. Im trying to see if an average is common?

I will bounce back with a big update before E3.

Have you thought about making the height of your wheel adjustable? or even your monitor height? This would be useful if anybody were to try out Project R and they were a different size than you. At work we use workstations with four monitors. The workstations use motor actuators to adjust the height of the workstation for sitting or standing. The mount that holds the four monitors also has actuators for raising/lowering the monitors along with tilting them up/down. The model of station is the Response and I provided the link so you can look at the site. Maybe you will see something that might inspire Project R.👍

http://www.evansonline.com/

I have been watching Project R come together and I can't wait to see it completed. Keep up the good work.

 

[snazzyles]

Good to see you back.

My setup has some adjustment but not much. My seat is 10 cm from the floor, the mount for my wheel is 50 cm from the floor, the monitors are 67 cm from the floor and my eyes are about 60 cm from the centre monitor. My setup is completely different from yours but it gives you some comparison.

 

[Mr Latte]

Have you thought about making the height of your wheel adjustable? or even your monitor height? This would be useful if anybody were to try out Project R and they were a different size than you.

The wheel platform will be at a fixed height but will attach Fanatecs wheel clamp. This will allow me to:

1) Change height
2) Angle
3) Easily remove for swapping wheel

I want to get a good idea for the height required compared to seat heights and be sure its at a good average for comfort. The idea so far is to allow this platform to move forward and back in relation to the seat position and pedals.

As for the monitors with triple screens and getting the optimium angle for games like FM3 their is a sweetspot so Im not wanting the monitors to have the ability to change in height. I think if the seat and pedal distances can be varied then a fixed monitor height shouldnt be a problem however in fairness Im not really making this to suit lots of people but do want the ability to independently move the seat,wheel,pedal sections forward and back.

snazzyles
Thanks for sizes...

 

[nfamas]

Glad to see you are back mate

Dont know if this helps but the sim im slowly building i have decided of a seat height of 200mm from the ground and a wheel mount height of 650mm from the ground. Hope this gives you ideas

 

[Mr Latte]

Glad to see you are back mate

Dont know if this helps but the sim im slowly building i have decided of a seat height of 200mm from the ground and a wheel mount height of 650mm from the ground. Hope this gives you ideas

The more I get from people the better really.
Im also comparing against my settings I use on a "Gamepod" racing frame. Its on a base platform of 90mm but from ground is approx 240mm for seat base and 650mm for wheel shelf.
Giving a 410mm difference in seat-wheel shelf heights.

Seems you guys have between 400-450mm from seat - wheel height differences which is likely to be common?
It would also give a decent amount of room for knees.


Going into the business today to get a bit more work done on these monitor uprights.

Heres a sample of the white led lights on the chrome tubing surround although its just on a wooden floor here.
This can be properly stuck on with its adhesive back.

I think it might be too much using this on the whole surround tubing for the cockpit.
Besides being a lot of work it could be distracting if playing and wouldnt be cheap neither.
However for the centre section of the frame where the player has to step into the cockpit here it should look smart and help prevent tripping on the chrome tubing surround.

 

[snazzyles]

Have you though about taking a few measurements from real cars to see how the height from the set to the wheel compare?

Love the lights but I would agree that too many would be distracting. When I race I like to have all the lights off and the room as dark as possible.
You wont need to worry about heating the room, with all that kit it's going to get hot. You might even need to think about some cooling.

 

[Delphic Reason]

Have you though about taking a few measurements from real cars to see how the height from the set to the wheel compare?

That's exactly what I did. I based my cockpit off of a Porsche 911 (993). I'm glad I did. Feels just like sitting in the car, as far as comfort/ergonomics.

 

[Mr Latte]

Have you though about taking a few measurements from real cars to see how the height from the set to the wheel compare?

Love the lights but I would agree that too many would be distracting. When I race I like to have all the lights off and the room as dark as possible.
You wont need to worry about heating the room, with all that kit it's going to get hot. You might even need to think about some cooling.

Snazzyles
No im not interested in that as quite frankly the steering wheel, pedals and gear changes wont feel like a real car neither. I just want decent comfort and some degree of adjustability.
Personally I dont see the benifit in replicating a real cars driving/seating position. I do however see a benifit in making a cockpit offer a level of comfort and adjustability thats tailor fitted to personal preference.
Each to their own but thats the beauty with d.i.y sim rigs.

Yeah heat in the summer could be a factor have a couple of nice tower fans in the room though. The lights will be on a 240v-12volt adapter and will easily be turned off either via a switch or just unplugging them.

 

[nfamas]

everyone has there own opinion but i love the look of the lights, i think once the whole thing comes together they will not be as noticeable

 

[Mr Latte]

everyone has there own opinion but i love the look of the lights, i think once the whole thing comes together they will not be as noticeable

Well yeah I thnk they can add to the look but dont want too much to make it tacky either. Will be doing more messing around at some point and Ive ordered a couple of strips of red and blue that I might incorporate into the side of the base. These could compliment the LEDs on the subwoofers matching the GT logo theme.

The feet for the base were ordered a week ago and havnt turned up yet.

Doing more work on the project tonight...

 

[stega]

Snazzyles
No im not interested in that as quite frankly the steering wheel, pedals and gear changes wont feel like a real car neither. I just want decent comfort and some degree of adjustability.
Personally I dont see the benifit in replicating a real cars driving/seating position. I do however see a benifit in making a cockpit offer a level of comfort and adjustability thats tailor fitted to personal preference.
Each to their own but thats the beauty with d.i.y sim rigs.

Yeah heat in the summer could be a factor have a couple of nice tower fans in the room though. The lights will be on a 240v-12volt adapter and will easily be turned off either via a switch or just unplugging them.

I am having a problem where my racing/gaming room gets super hot with all the equipment in there.. any solutions?? You say you have tower fans?? What are those just fans that go on the floor??? I am welcoming all ideas of how to keep my room cooler. Between the 60'' plasma 3 360's, a PC, 2 sub-woofers, 3 butt-kickers and some other stuff it gets dammn hot when its all been on for a while.

I live in South Florida so its hot outside...

 

[snazzyles]

My room also gets very hot so I have the window open most of the time. I have 4 LCD's 3 Xbox's, 1 Amp, 2 subs, I computer, 1 switch, and the wheel all making the room very warm. I was thinking of puting in an extractor fan to try and expel some of the hot air away from the amp and xbox's. I could try an air con unit but is is very loud so I will only use it as a last resort.

 

[Mr Latte]

Hey feel for me my gameroom is in a loft...
Summer can be very warm and winter freezing...

Mind you Id swap UK weather anyday for Florida's

 

[djustiz]

Massively impressive project! Kudos! :-)

 

[Mr Latte]

Massively impressive project! Kudos! :-)

Well thanks, although I need to get cracking soon to actually give you guys following something to see. So far its lots of little things and nothing that looks like a proper cockpit. Within the next couple of weeks it should start coming together, stay tuned.


Progress Report:
I spent six hours last night doing what I thought would be an easy couple of hours work. My problem is fussing too much over things.
Had the base section all measured out for the monitors but got kinda concerned because if I mess it up and dont get it right then it will be an expensive mistake and only put me back further.

So what Ive done is build a test setup for the monitors on a new basic platform and this way I can get the final required positions and measurements for the base section already made.
The shop brackets for the monitor mounts finally arrived as they were out of stock. Been building at the new mounts for the monitors which means cutting actual purchased shop fittings, filing these, measuring, aligning and drilling. Hate tedious things like this...

However the new version for the mounts looks better than the first attempt but I had to overcome a few issues which caused a bit of head scratching.

New layout has the centre bracket seemingly floating and not supported off the previous shelf
PS3 shelf will now be supported from the two poles instead.
Q: Does the "Chicane" style curve stay or go. Im undecided if to keep or cut top/bottom straight?
Give your thoughts....

Honestly I am working at it
Heres the above mentioned temporary test base for monitor positioning.
Monitors are at 45 degrees but future update will show you a clever liitle idea which makes them moveable, ha ha.

Still work in progress.
The new mountings that take all the hassle/effort.

Those two brackets attach the Vesa monitor mounting and the centre oval tubing.
They are now sandwiched in between two horizontal fittings from the upright poles and drilled/bolted together.
Benifits are its more secure and the monitor weight now doesnt pull the centre tubing forward like it used to slightly.



Comparison
Heres the previous rejected version from the first beta build

Too busy and cluttered/ Considered centre uprights for PS3 shelf.

Notice no attachments from the Vesa/Monitor bracket.
The shelf supported all the weight.


Oh yeah and the wooden base feet arrived today so will get them shown on a later update.

 

[Timppaq]

Can some of you give me ideas on the height you have your steering wheel bases at and in relation to your seat heights for your own cockpits or purchased models. Im trying to see if an average is common?

I have the vertical distance from the seat front edge to the center of the wheel around 350mm, but it could be a little higher I think.

About the "s" shaped curve on the screen holder.. if it has / will have a purpose leave it, otherwise you just could cut it off.

 

[zed300]

Looking awesome mate, I say loose it the chicane. It only sticks out and has no purpose(function) really.

 

[snazzyles]

Looking good, not sure about the chicane. Could you make use of the chicane for a small shelf or use it to mount some lights?

I'm interested in how you'll make the monitor stands movable. Will they be movable to move them out off the way or will you be able to adjust the angle of the side screens??

 

[Mr Latte]

Looking good, not sure about the chicane. Could you make use of the chicane for a small shelf or use it to mount some lights?

I'm interested in how you'll make the monitor stands movable. Will they be movable to move them out off the way or will you be able to adjust the angle of the side screens??

Positioning will allow changes in the angle of the monitors yeah this is important. Will also have approx 1" of movment forward back and to each side.

Ive preferred to have the centre monitor frame/borders overlapped in the past with those from the L/R monitors. This might cause alignment problems in GT5 if GT5 even supports it (remember we are not fully certain yet). So I will be able to have some amount of scope and possibly the ability if I ever want to upgrade to 26" or 27" monitors in the future.

By next week I should be able to show how these will move...


Q.
Does anyone know a good place in the UK for rubber seals for holes driller in metal.
Need something suitable for an approx 50mm oval hole drilled in the tubing (for the cables)

Also needing some plastic end caps, Ive found a few suppliers but most want large quanitity orders.

 

[nick09]

So far I have found this, this, this, and you could ask for special parts here.

I hope this helps in any way possible. I can't wait to see this project fully built.

 

[NickA]

Hey feel for me my gameroom is in a loft...
Summer can be very warm and winter freezing...

Mind you Id swap UK weather anyday for Florida's

Can I ask how you plan getting all this gear into your loft??
That seems a pretty big task in itself considering your 3 monitor setup etc etc 👍

Nick

 

[Mr Latte]

Thanks Nick 09 for links...

Can I ask how you plan getting all this gear into your loft??
That seems a pretty big task in itself considering your 3 monitor setup etc etc 👍

Nick

Well the loft has proper stairs but the cockpit will dismantle easily enough.
I hope

 

[snazzyles]

TLC Direct have 50mm rubber grommets, not pretty but functional.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/GR50.html

 

[chilicoke]

Q.
Does anyone know a good place in the UK...

Also needing some plastic end caps, Ive found a few suppliers but most want large quanitity orders.

I'm not in the U.K. but are you referring to something like these?

If so I got a local supplier I deal with regularly and can get them for you. (as long as you think it's worth the shipping cost that is)

 

[Mr Latte]

Hi Chilli, customs may add extra charges and with shipping from USA is likely to make these cost more than if from UK supplier.
Some hardware stores may cater for them so I can keep looking but appreciate help from all you guys.

More options I have the better, I have found some suppliers but it seems many of them want bulk purchases.

Snazzyles, thanks as well.


Ive only been able to get around 5-7 hours freetime into working on the project over the last few weeks which isnt enough so will be ramping this up more to increase the progress.

 

[nick09]

Maybe you could find a place to put this little thing as a decoration. I have also found this list that list's all of the big DIY shops in the UK.

 

[Mr Latte]

This recent talk of having the cockpit in my loft requiring to dismantle it and then rebuild to get it up the stairs. The issue that when cranking the volume it may cause a bit of a problem with the wife and neighbours has all been playing on my mind...

I could now decide to keep the whole cockpit at my business premises as this has some benifits and no not that I could play this when Im meant to be working but mainly being the noise/sound will not annoy anyone or neighbours. So in true GT fashion Ive decided to add an upgrade to the setup and although this may delay the completion by adding new features meaning more work it will I believe complete it better as an arcade unit/cockpit project.


Audio Update
Although amplification for the Buttkickers and Subwoofers was going to be included anyways the audio also required my home 7.1 AV setup.

Now instead of just bass onboard speakers and their own AV amplification will be included into the build rather than just using my home AV system. This will fully intergrate the cockpit meaning everything needed is self contained now. Ive already purchased the speakers (ebay) for less than £100 which of course are compact but stylish and should improve the looks of the cockpit even more when finished as well. Not gonna show these yet as they will require a bit of modification to where I plan to place them. So these will be a surprise for later


Amplification
I will try to get a decent 2nd hand Sony AV home cinema amplifer which offers 7.1 decoding/amplification with HDMI input. I fancy a SONY STRDH800 or something like that. Its a budget but decent seperate unit and will be more than adequete to drive the speakers purchased. The ipod connectivity will also come in handy as I will include my ipod into this cockpit when wanting to just chill with music and surf etc. I will sell off a few bits and bobs to help finance it and look for one on the auctions online.


Multi Channel Madness
So basically now the cockpit is going to include 7 speakers but using 2x subwoofers and also 3x Buttkickers.
How do we get all that into a cockpit, well I already have it planned out...

[Youtube]AOppb4vVDjU[/Youtube]

Latest Purchase
Discussing Buttkickers with guys on one of the other threads. A few times Ive referred to how using an amplifer with EQ can benifit tunning of game audio for Buttkickers by boosting or reducing certain frequencies.

Tonight I won an auction for a Technics Graphic Equaliser which will give me added control benifits for either the subs or Buttkickers and also a nice twin visual display. I had missed out on a Sony model the other week but this is a better product. This will be installed under the steering wheel allowing instant changes for the audio potentially replacing what originally was going to be reserved for a keyboard tray. Besides I was always a sucker for those visual displays back in the 80s/90s.

Heres one somebody has shown in action
[Youtube]TzU4IPtNDeA&feature=related[/Youtube]


Still not bad for £65

 

[No46_TheDoctor]

Don't mean to hijack your thread Mr Latte, but do you, or anyone know of a way to increase the output of a buttkicker type device, I think I need some sort of Pre-Amp, anyone know of a suitable device?