Real Flight Simulator

[Alex_68]

Hey guys,

I am looking for a flight simulator to purchase for myself. Not just a software to play on PC or on a console, but the whole kit composed by the chair, the cockpit, instruments, pedals, levers, etc.

Something like this:

Any ideas, hints?

Thank's!!

 

[wonderings]

I wonder if you should be looking at the new VR stuff coming out. I can imagine that chair and all the controls with VR would be amazing. Downside I guess is you cannot see the buttons on the controls.

 

[Titan]

I believe you just posted a picture of what you need there Alex. Buy that

 

[Alex_68]

I wonder if you should be looking at the new VR stuff coming out.

What are you referring to, Wonderings?

 

[wonderings]

What are you referring to, Wonderings?

Something like this:

Get full emersion in the flight simulator... or at least much more then a few screens put together.

I think the only difficulty is the controls. If you want that realistic dash with all the buttons and dials a plane has, not sure how you could use those when not seeing it while in virtual reality.

 

[Alex_68]

Something like this

Okay I see. Looks intriguing but, as you also have said, it seems to be difficult to look at the cockpit easely. Thank you for your hint!!

 

[Alex_68]

I believe you just posted a picture of what you need there Alex. Buy that

Titan, I wish. Problem is that such application is home-made and not produced in series by a company, so I should buy all single components and put them together. Impossible for me because I don't have the proper skills to do it. I need an equipement which is ready to use, or almost.

 

[wonderings]

Okay I see. Looks intriguing but, as you also have said, it seems to be difficult to look at the cockpit easely. Thank you for your hint!!

You cannot see through the Oculus Rift, when it is on you only see the VR. Do you use all those buttons? I have only done a few flight simulators and they were pretty simple. I would think full emersion in a VR flight simulator would be pretty awesome and might be worth losing the ability to control whatever it is you control with everything on the cockpit.

 

[Alex_68]

I think I have found something interesting here:

http://xforcepc.com/index.php/flight-simulation/computers/xplane-dream-system.html

 

[wonderings]

I would seriously wait this year before investing in a system like that. Some really cool things coming with VR. HTC Valve is a VR headset that has a camera on the front of the headset, so certain things from the real world it can see. If you want real immersion, VR is the only way you will get it. Some large monitors will just not compare, no matter how big they are. The HTC Valve looks like it would incorporate the best of best worlds, VR with the potential to see the control board outside of VR without removing the head gear.

 

[Alex_68]

I would seriously wait this year before investing in a system like that. Some really cool things coming with VR. HTC Valve is a VR headset that has a camera on the front of the headset, so certain things from the real world it can see. If you want real immersion, VR is the only way you will get it. Some large monitors will just not compare, no matter how big they are. The HTC Valve looks like it would incorporate the best of best worlds, VR with the potential to see the control board outside of VR without removing the head gear.

You are right my friend, wise suggestion, thank's Wonderings

I will keep on playing with my MFSX on my PC screen for the moment, without dreaming too much. Eventually I will buy one of those cloches for 50-60 bucks, just to have the sensation to drive a plane... lol.

 

[wonderings]

I ordered an Oculus Rift, does not ship till June. Super excited about it as I have been waiting for VR my entire life. Reading a tone of reviews and watching a ton of youtube videos, seems it does such a good job at tricking the brain. They have videos of people standing up in a room with the VR headset on. In the virtual world they are on a roller coaster and people are losing balance and falling down as they think they are going down steep hills or loops. Pretty funny to watch, but amazing that your brain can be tricked like that. You know you are in a room, you know you are not really on a roller coaster, but still the sensation is supposed to be pretty real. Can only imagine what it would be like flying and looking around being IN the airplane cockpit.

 

[Alex_68]

I have tried something once in an amusement park where I watched a roller coaster movie, projected on a 180° screen, very similar to a huge shell. I was standing and, really, I risked to fall down... :grin

Anyway yes, the near future will offer us a lot of fun with that VR technology, I agree again.

 

[Oberon]

.... as I have been waiting for VR my entire life...

Ive been using VR for some time now,albeit in a slightly down specced form.
All you need is a decent phone,google cardboard or one of the huge amount of plastic headsets out there.
See here for more info: http://ps4forum.com/20-off-topic-lounge/8071-google-cardboard-other-vr-headsets-mobiles-phones.html

 

[wonderings]

Ive been using VR for some time now,albeit in a slightly down specced form.
All you need is a decent phone,google cardboard or one of the huge amount of plastic headsets out there.
See here for more info: http://ps4forum.com/20-off-topic-lounge/8071-google-cardboard-other-vr-headsets-mobiles-phones.html

Oh I know about that, and not interested in that version. I have a PC that can power the Oculus rift and looking forward to where it goes on machines that can handle a lot.

I can only imagine how amazing this must look in VR:

 

[Alex_68]

Okay, my new equipment has arrived

:

Can't wait to crash a couple of planes while I learn how to use it. :grin

 

[wonderings]

How much does that cost? Do you need specific games that would be able to use those controls? Looks like it would be an easy to use control while in VR. I am looking forward to Eve Valkrie, a space dog fighting game. Would be cool if that would work with it.

 

[Alex_68]

How much does that cost? Do you need specific games that would be able to use those controls? Looks like it would be an easy to use control while in VR. I am looking forward to Eve Valkrie, a space dog fighting game. Would be cool if that would work with it.

Its name is T-Flight Hotas X.
I have purchased it on Ebay, from a professional shopper who delivered it new within three days. Paid 60 Euros, shipment included.

It comes with two default configurations: HawkX for PS3 and Microsoft FSX for PC.

The instructions sheets show a link where you can download (for free):
- the drivers for Windows OS
- the complete PDF manual
- the access to various games settings

The controller is splitable. Means that if you remove two screws below the chassis, you can separate the joystick from the throttle lever to make it more real and ergonomical. The weight is enough to play without moving it on your desk.

All the buttons on the controller are programmable, so I assume you can use it also with Eve Valkrie. I suggest you to visit this forum because it's very specific for many flight simulators and I am sure you will find the answers you are looking for.

 

[wonderings]

Its name is T-Flight Hotas X.
I have purchased it on Ebay, from a professional shopper who delivered it new within three days. Paid 60 Euros, shipment included.

It comes with two default configurations: HawkX for PS3 and Microsoft FSX for PC.

The instructions sheets show a link where you can download (for free):
- the drivers for Windows OS
- the complete PDF manual
- the access to various games settings

The controller is splitable. Means that if you remove two screws below the chassis, you can separate the joystick from the throttle lever to make it more real and ergonomical. The weight is enough to play without moving it on your desk.

All the buttons on the controller are programmable, so I assume you can use it also with Eve Valkrie. I suggest you to visit this forum because it's very specific for many flight simulators and I am sure you will find the answers you are looking for.

Cool, will have to check that out. Love that it is splittable. That was the only thing that did not look appealing about it.

If it is programmable it should work then no problem. Only so many buttons you need for a pilot shooter game.

 

[Alex_68]

Cool, will have to check that out. Love that it is splittable. That was the only thing that did not look appealing about it.

If it is programmable it should work then no problem. Only so many buttons you need for a pilot shooter game.

Another feature I have been nicely surprised about, is the joystick's strenght adjustment: right below there is a big knob that you can rotate and that makes your joystick harder or softer to move.

Look at this picture:

The gamer is not playing neither PS3 nor MFSX but something very similar to Valkyrie (if not Valkyrie itself). Much probably he has configured the controller to suit his game. I didn't try it so far, but the instructions say that, when you download the drivers for Windows, you also get a Control Panel able to "tell" to every button what to do.