well, I've finally decided to pony up and build a simpit for my enjoyment and relaxation therapy
I really decided to do this this past week after ordering and taking delivery of my latest simulator additions...
I've decided to try and model my cockpit after that of a standard Cessna 172/182 (without the glass cockpit).
I currently have the following products:
(1) Saitek Proflight Yoke -
http://saitek.com/uk/prod/yoke.html(1) Saitek Rudder pedals -
http://saitek.com/uk/prod/pedals.html(1) Saitek Multi-panel -
http://saitek.com/uk/prod/multi.html(1) Saitek switch panel -
http://saitek.com/uk/prod/switch.html(2) Saitek Radio panels -
http://saitek.com/uk/prod/radio.html(1) Saitek Trim wheel -
http://saitek.com/uk/prod/trimwheel.html(1) TrackIR setup (with track clip)
I currently have all of the above with the exception of the 2nd radio panel. I plan on using one as comm/nav and the second as dme/transponder but I'm sure that could change (easily) with the multifunction switch on the panel.
Unfortunately my multi-panel is encountering some display issues with numbers being displayed on the screen so I have to work with saitek/madcatz support to get this sorted out. If I do end up getting good support from them I will probably order 6-8 of the FIP's
http://saitek.com/uk/prod/fip.html to run the 6 pack and possibly VOR1/VOR2.
My goal once I get all of the panels/instruments at the house is to take CAD drawings of a real Cessna 172 and create drawings that show all of my instrumentation/panels installed which will give me a good basis for either creating a panel out of wood or sending off to a third party for laser cutting. After that I figure I'll start building the enclosure complete with a stock or close to stock cessna 172 seat/cockpit door.
I also have an ASUS B121 tablet PC running windows 7 that I would like to setup as a networked PC to run the GPS/moving map/G1000,ETC.
At this point I'm going to probably end up using my desktop PC as my primary source for driving the system since it runs FSX with no issues but with an A/B switch or KVM so that I could still use the computer at my desk for normal day to day activities.
Will the system ever become a partial or full motion simulator? One may never know...however with time I'm sure that something will begin to develop.
I'm sure I'll be back with tons of questions, troubleshooting, triumphs etc!