Spend My $3000!! What would you get......

[stevehookem]

I have a budget of $3000 to build a "generic" Boeing two engine cockpit. It can be a mix of 737 and 777. I want all glass with a few back-up gauges. It needs to be able to fit in a small space, not a full room. Desktop size or a little larger would be best. Projected view would be great if it fits the budget. I have a 22" LCD and can add TripleHead2Go and two more if that is the best option.

I already have a computer to run FSX:
Q6600 quad at 3.2ghz
GTX 260 Nvidia graphics
4gb RAM at 800mhz

I have one other computer (medium fast) to use in a network.

I don't want to do any woodworking or electrical work (if possible). I just don't know how to do it other than connecting, etc. I am technically inclined and can follow directions very well. I don't want to get into heavy wiring/soldering.

So, BUILD MY COCKPIT!! I'd like a break out of all hardware and software you choose. Links would be great to the actual parts.

Spend my money and have fun!

[gokhotit]

http://www.goflightinc.com/order/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=85

there you are. 8-)

[stevehookem]

That's cool but only a part of a cockpit. I would think I need a panel, yokes, gauges, etc., before this!

[beaky]

So, BUILD MY COCKPIT!! I'd like a break out of all hardware and software you choose. Links would be great to the actual parts.

I wish I'd thought of this angle... let everyone else do the legwork...  ;)

[MWISimmer]

I can tell you one thing that you'll need, it's the most important component of a simpit and the hardest and most valuable to get....




































TIME!

[JBaymore]

I can tell you one thing that you'll need, it's the most important component of a simpit and the hardest and most valuable to get....



TIME!

I have to agree 200% to THAT one.

[stevehookem]

So, BUILD MY COCKPIT!! I'd like a break out of all hardware and software you choose. Links would be great to the actual parts.

I wish I'd thought of this angle... let everyone else do the legwork...

[JBaymore]

Stevehookem,

Welcome to the Homebuild Forum section.  Nice to see another person here with "a screw loose" like the rest of us.  Makes us all feel a little more sane.  ;)  

First step in my book IS the main flight controls.  With the exception of fighter jets, a typical computer joystick just doesn't cut it.

One thing to decide right off is if 100% fidelity to a specific aircraft is important to you.  DO you want the captain of a REAL 747 or A340 to think they stepped into the real aircraft... or do you want to just creat a reasonable aircraft cockpit "feel"?  

That will lead you in the direction on decisions.

Remember the closer to REAL........ the more it will cost.  For 100% fidelity...... that 3 Grand will not go far.  You'll likely spenf $1000 of it just getting a "real" yoke set up.

best,

..................john

[stevehookem]

We're not looking for 100% real. My son wants to be able to fly other aircraft in the sim with a major emphasis on two-engine "Boeing" style commercial airlines.

We have a CH Products yoke, rudder pedals and throttles. I will change them out for others if needed. I would like more realistic yoke and throttles if possible. I like the GoFlight.

What do you use? Do you have a full hardware/software list published? I saw your thread about the build but I don't recall an entire list.

[JBaymore]

I would like more realistic yoke and throttles if possible. I like the GoFlight.

What do you use? Do you have a full hardware/software list published? I saw your thread about the build but I don't recall an entire list.

Steve,

As far as I know, Goflight dumped the rudder pedals a while ago.  They had a special sale on them for past customers that was awesome at that time (maybe 4-6 months ago).  I've been "out of the loop" over in Japan for the past two months...... so maybe they have released some new stuff (like new perdals or a yoke) that you know about that I don't yet.

The two "cheap" yoke options are CH Products and Saitek.  Once you leave that world the price goes up REALLY fast.  Elite is the next tier, I think.  Then there are the few folks thaqt offer full scale reproductions.... with the $1000 price tags.

No, I don't think I have  a listing of all the stuff that I use in one place.  It is scattered in the thirty something individual threads that cover the pit build so far.  See my signature lines for some listing of basic stuff.

Off the top of my head....... with some fuzzy memory fom being away for two months........ there are currently four computers running the sim, eventual end point will be 5 or 6.  I'm running fs2004....... too much invested there to change to FSX.  Tons of payware scenery addons, including Aerosoft AES services.  (No payware aircraft....using freeware Murchison BAe 146-200 as the "base" plane with Liebrecht systems panels.)  CH Products Yoke, Pedals, and multi-engine throttle quad.  (Throttle quad will eventually physically get rebuilt but still use the electronics)  Goflight stuff: four VRP-166s, MCP, two GF-45s, one RP-48, one RMK-RP-48, ATC module.  Two Hagstrom KE-72s.   Three Phidgets TextLCD/8-8-8 combos, one Phidgets rotary encoder unit.  Lots of powered USB hubs.  Aura Bass Shakers with amp.  Software: FSUIPC, WideFS, formerly all FreeFD, primary flight now some Ellie Systems and some FreeFD; FSXpand for engines, SA-WXR, Teamspeak, Real ATIS (improves default), WeeTunesBeastie (online music in flight), FSCommander (flight planning).

The rest is home built including some minor VB6 code.

That's all I can remember right now  ;).

best,

.................john

[stevehookem]

Wow, I was glad to see that you use all the CH Products parts. We have those already! I'm going to read your construction post again now.

With that many computers, what exactly do you have running on each?

[JBaymore]

Wow, I was glad to see that you use all the CH Products parts. We have those already! I'm going to read your construction post again now.

With that many computers, what exactly do you have running on each?

Steve,

As I write this I am discovering that I left out some stuff in the hardware / software list above.

[Ferrari308guy]

Hey Steve,

A Home Built Cockpit is just a dream for me, I have not the time or the money to put one together (which is why I don't post here very often) I've searched through a lot of websites, and thought this one might come in useful:

http://www.737ng.co.uk/

It's a 737NG Cockpit, the builder explains almost everything, including where to buy lots of stuff. It might be what you're looking for.

Good Luck,
Ferrari

[stevehookem]

I've seen it---it does help, thanks!

John,

Can I see a photo of your monitors displaying the PFD, ND and backups without the front panel over them? I'd like to see how much monitor space it takes up. I am planning to use LCD screens since the price has dropped so much. I have two 17" screens just sitting here already.

[JBaymore]

I've seen it---it does help, thanks!

John,

Can I see a photo of your monitors displaying the PFD, ND and backups without the front panel over them? I'd like to see how much monitor space it takes up. I am planning to use LCD screens since the price has dropped so much. I have two 17" screens just sitting here already.

Steve,

In the threads on my pit build there are a couple with the MIP front removed.  Can't remember where.... but reading the whole shebang should prove educational in the long run.

Don;t have any other shots.  Sorry.

best,

.................john