My TimeKiller, MoneyPit, WifeTickerOffer, PROJECT!

[Cammo]

I started this about 10 years ago. It's gone through 4 or 5 computer systems, 3 sets of joysticks, 2 sets of speakers, and 2 moves. It has spent years at a time with non-fuctioning motherboards or just no time. I just finished putting in a core 2 duo, what an improvement! So as of now it is functional, but still a work in progress.

Plans include instrument panel (the big hole in the instrument panel is for an LCD display for gauges, I hope the one I cut out the hole for still works by the time I'm ready to mount it!), a stick instead of the HOTAS setup (I like WW II sims), a custom throttle like the P-51, and multiple LCD monitors for view. That ought to keep me working on it 'till retirement (I never thought I'd use that word)!

And, it rolls on Casters!

[JBaymore]

Scorch,

Hi.  Welcome to the place the REAL SimV crazys hang out.  

Nice compact little project there.  Please keep posting as it progresses.  Likely yyou'll inspire some others to "tick off" the wife  ;D.

best,

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

[JSpahn]

I like the casters, as the most inexpensive motion platform I have seen to date. Now you have to get your wife to push you around while you are flying.  ;D;D

Just tell her you will take out the trash if her pushing skills are convincing enough

[JSpahn]

and yes I have been drinking [smiley=happy.gif]

[Dr.bob7]

sometimes you people scare me, I have ajoystick..... lol

(not gonna pay 80 bucks for rudder pedals or throttle add-ons)

[BTilson]

Nice project you got going there, Cammo. Very nice, with tons of potential for more!

Dr.bob7, I think this hobby is something you either love, or don't understand at all. My wife thinks I'm nuts for the money I've spent on my flight sim so far, and I've not even really STARTED yet! All I've got to show for my efforts so far is the yoke/quad attached to my desk, and a couple of currently non functional panels that I've made. But do I have ideas! Boy oh boy do I have ideas. Enough to keep me busy until my last days, I do believe. (And I'm only 25, so I've (hopefully) got a while to work!)  ;D

[JSpahn]

sometimes you people scare me, I have ajoystick..... lol

(not gonna pay 80 bucks for rudder pedals or throttle add-ons)

Watch out Bob, once you venture into the homebuilt cockpit forum there is no turning back :evil

[JBaymore]

sometimes you people scare me, I have ajoystick..... lol

(not gonna pay 80 bucks for rudder pedals or throttle add-ons)

Drbob,

Beware!  Ye have entered here!  The effect of doing so is relentless.  It will gnaw on your mind forever.  Slowly....... slowly...... and you will succumb.  Pedals......... throttle quadrant....... pilot's seat.......... sound system........... just one teensy panel......... more panels..... multiple monitors.......... full enclosure......... projection displays........BEWARE!

best,

.......................john  ;)

[beaky]

sometimes you people scare me, I have ajoystick..... lol

(not gonna pay 80 bucks for rudder pedals or throttle add-ons)

Then make some. Much cheaper, and more fun.  ;D


Very nice setup, BTW, Cammo!  8-)
One of the smartest features of my (still not finished) 'pit is the good casters I put on it. I can't move it very far (won't fit out the door), but I've already had to move it around quite a bit to work on it and clean under it.

[newberiffic]

I love it,  Portable, simple, functional, mobile.

I really like the wide stance on your pedals. When I get time I am going to build some and scratch the CH ones but they work for now.

[Cammo]

I love it,  Portable, simple, functional, mobile.

I really like the wide stance on your pedals. When I get time I am going to build some and scratch the CH ones but they work for now.

Thank you everyone for the comments!

Interesting comment above, I kept these because of the wide stance (not to be confused with the congressman from Idaho). I really miss toe brakes though. They are quite worn out however, and when I tried to get a bushing kit the mfg told me they no longer supported them Uh-oh! so a few years ago I bought 1 of the original metal ones and one of the black plastic sets from ebay before they disappeared from the market so I'll have spares for the foreseeable future.

[Cammo]

Has it been that long since I updated? (Yes, and that long since I worked on it too...)

I got a triplehead on Craigslist for $125.00, and the 3 (older) Dell monitors (bought 5 for $200.00). They're not the greatest, but they'll do for this. I broke the instument panel when it slipped out of my hand as I was drilling a hole in the metal mount...too lazy to remove it, that'll teach me. I may redo the whole thing. The panel is still a work in progress.

I'm not happy with the views from the tripleHead when I display the instruments with the scenery (not using the 4th monitor in the panel). The scenery looks awesome, but the intruments are huge and distorted. Is there anything I do about that?

Now, obviously, I want to put the instruments on the 4th monitor and only the external views on the 3 monitors. Which sims will allow me to do this??? I'm more interested in WWII (and A-10) sims and I want to kill people and break things (in the game, for you HomeLand Insecurity NutCases who can't build a fence to REALLY keep us safe, but want to spy on simbuilders!), rather than file flight plans and taxi with tower instructions (FS9 & 10 - no offense to those of you who do!).

[JSpahn]

If you have another PC laying around you can network some gauges using FSUIPC....

Here are some links to gauges used over a network:
Freeware of course

http://www.flightdecksoft.com/software/
http://www.learjet45chimera.co.uk/

And you will need a registered version of FSUIPC (payware) here:
http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html

Another option would be to run 2 instances of flight simulator using wideview, this would require you to also network at least one more PC to the setup:

http://www.wideview.it/

I am gonna switch over to X Plane and if Im not mistaken X Plane can be networked without any other software......I just ordered my copy and Ill be testing that out in the future


John

[JSpahn]

Ooops didnt see the line about blowing stuff up...Im not sure about that...ive heard there is a program called "MFD Extractor" for a combat sim