Getting into a sim racing is a commitment, one many people understandably have a hard time making because of the cost involved. Sure, you can play with a controller, but the full experience — and often the fastest times — belong to those who shell out big bucks for the best gear.
Buying just a wheel usually isn’t enough, because, of course, you need something to attach it to that doesn’t leave you with spinal injuries from being hunched over for hours on end. To that end, a gaming seat or rig is perfect, but then you’re spending even more — not to mention, you’ll have to find room for the whole thing.
If such concerns are keeping you from taking the plunge, there’s a Kickstarter that’s just been launched with your name on it. It’s called the Vamtor LD10, and it’s functionally a surface that you can strap to your legs designed with this specific purpose in mind, so you can race comfortably from your couch.
Now, normally we don’t cover Kickstarter campaigns — you never know if everything’s going to pan out just right, and we’re not in the business of inciting hype where it may not be totally justified. That said, the Vamtor appears to be a little different for a couple reasons.
First, it looks like it could be the solution to a very common problem. Second, it’s relatively low-risk. The Super Early Bird version — which is projected to launch in December provided Vamtor meets its goal, but more on that later — is just £50. While that is pricey for what is effectively a series of platforms you attach to your legs, it’s considerably cheaper than the hundreds more that seats go for.
The product itself consists mainly of two surfaces: one that rests on your legs, and another tiered above it that a wheel can mount to. There are two straps on the underside that will keep the whole thing from tipping over on your lap, and a side desk that can be clipped to either side for the gearshift. As it’s just a surface, it’s universally compatible with loads of wheels, as well as flight sticks and farming simulator equipment.
The campaign began on April 23, and has until May 28 to reach its ultimate funding goal of $543,000. It seems that might be a little ambitious; at the time of this writing, the Vamtor LD10 is sitting at $1,107, with 31 days left to go. UK-based product engineer James Fowler, who is heading up the project, admits the target is high but says it is necessary to break even.
Regardless of what happens with this particular campaign, the idea appears to be a solid one. A video featured on the Kickstarter page shows various people using the product, and they seem comfortable enough — or at least more than they would be at a desk or with a folding dinner table. The Vamtor LD10 could provide a serviceable sim racing experience to those struggling with the genre’s high barrier to entry, and hopefully more gamers will soon have the opportunity to try it for themselves.
See more articles on Accessories, Racing Seats, and Simulator.
