Snacko Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I received my new Volair Sim Cockpit a few days ago. Here is my gigantic old desk. I got this from an friend about 25 years ago.. It's an old secretary's desk with a spring-loaded typewriter platform that pops out of a door on the left. I use that for my throttle, and the slide out writing platform on the right for my joystick. It has a lot of wasted space behind my monitor since it's about 3.5 feet deep. The top is a 2 inch thick piece of solid wood that weights a ton. As a cockpit setup it's not the best. My joystick (on the right) has always been about 3 inches higher on than the throttle. So, now it's time to go.. Scout is ready to open these boxes.. The box came UPS and was lined with over 1 inch of solid foam board all the way around. The first think you see is the seat for the Pit, which I was very impressed with. The materials used seemed good quality and stitched together very well. The material looks like it will take a lot of wear and tear, and has a nice Volair Sim logo embroidered on the top. And it's comfortable too, which is very important. It is mounted with runners on the bottom so you can slide it forward and backward like a car seat. The platform that sits in front of the monitors was packed under the seat. Then all of the other parts were packed in a separate box. The instructions were pretty good, but you also need to watch the video instructions online to get everything figured out. Once you get all the parts laid out, you realize there really are not that many parts. And it's pretty easy to put together Sitting in the pit is great. Every control is adjustable, so you can move it where ever you need to make it comfortable. I'll know more once I get all my controls in there and report more then. But my first impression was awesome! The only problem that I encountered was mounting the center monitor. The monitors that I bought stick out 20mm at the bottom of the back. This is not a problem for the two side mounts. But the center mount is taller (to allow for one large monitor if you like) and hits this bottom, causing the center monitor to push out at the bottom. Hence the mounting screws will not reach and it will be at an angle. The manufacture suggested longer mounting screws and washers for spacers. I bought those today and that worked fine. One thing to keep in mind when buying monitors is where the plugs are on the back. On my center monitor, the VGA plug is blocked by the support post. The DVI is very close too. I think I can get the DVI plug in, but I might have to cut off one of it bolts to get past the support. The next step is to take apart my current rig and put it together on the new one. So, I'm logging off for now.. Wish me luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snacko Posted January 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I got the cockpit built several days ago, but had a hard time deciding where to put it in the room. 'For a sim cockput' it looks nice, but it's not a piece of furniture you usually see in your living or dining room. And that's where I was putting it. I finally decided in a bay window corner. Here are some pics. There are still several tweaks that I want to do, but this is basically it. This cockpit was NOT designed to support 4 monitors. I emailed the manufacturer for an suggestions... But he said the put the 4th monitor on the front table 'horizontally', like it was designed. I said thanks, and ignored that advice because that simply would not work. Sitting the monitor there would cover up almost my entire center screen. The front table has 2 tubes slide into tubes in the base and allow for height adjustment. I simply flipped the table around, making the flat table top part now verticle, and mounted my touchscreen onto that. I had to make my own mounting surface out of oak, and bolted it to the table using existing holes, then mounted a standard VESA monitor mount to the board and now I can snap it on and off when I need to. It seems pretty stable. But after using it for a few days I think I am going to adjust it up about 2 more inches so it lines up with the bottom of the main screens, and is further away from my legs. Since I mounted this touchscreen, the keyboard stand cannot swing out in front of me to be moved aside. It has to swing toward my belly and has a tight fit. And it goes right over my joystick each time, so I have to move them both to get up. This needs to be fixed. I've got some ideas, but am still thinking on it... Here's what I have so far: IL2 & Clod: DCS Blackshark: I also need to work on my touchscreen profiles since most of them are designed for 800x600 resolutions. And starting making new ones for Clod and the other sims that are in beta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverDhill Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Looking good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum Pooka Posted January 6, 2014 1. DDz Quorum Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I've seen these video's of unpacking computer parts, always thought it was kinda dumb, watching someone open a box. But this black dog takes it to a different level. Going to search You Tube and see if Scout has other unboxing videos. Snacko about how much did this cost, not counting moniters and such. Good Luck, hope it works out for you & Scout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snacko Posted January 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 $579 + shipping Pook. It's heavy, so shipping is expensive. They are in Indiana, and shipping to Columbus Ohio was $160 Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadAim Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 That looks pretty good! I'm like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snacko Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 BTW, I don't know if Scout has any other unboxing videos. I have found some boxes that appeared to be unboxed in a hurry. And she paid very close attention as I unboxed this pit. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 with Tapatalk 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snacko Posted January 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 I posted some screenies of my pit all put together in the 2nd post in this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum B16Enk Posted January 13, 2014 1. DDz Quorum Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 That looks gobsmackingly beautiful Andy. Almost tempted to sell the kids, except I know they are old enough to kick the crap out of me now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snacko Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Here is their main competitor cockpit company, called Obutto. http://obutto.com/ http://www.mainperformancepc.com/product/obutto-gaming-cockpits/obutto-r3volution-gaming-cockpit This is their 'R3volution Gaming Cockpit' for sale in the US at $799. But it does come with a cup holder, mine didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snacko Posted January 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 I finally finished building my slide away keyboard tray. The manufacturer is also working on a solution to this since they are modding the cockpit like I did to allow for a touchscreen. This is the second tray that I build. The first time I used 24 inch sliders which stuck out to the side 2 feet! Way too big. This one is nice and compact, and actually very stable. It pivots at both the support and keyboard tray. So it's quite flexible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OverDhill Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hey Snacko you need add something like this so you can fly without interruption.. hehehehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snacko Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Now if that thing has wheels it would be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snacko Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 My rig is on the News page at Volair Sim cockpits. I'm famous... Today, couple of interesting examples of Volair Sim in action. The first application is use of the cockpit with four monitors. The way to make it work is ingeniously simple (courtesy of Andy – one of customers). Flip the center avionics table support tubes180 degrees and voilà, the 4th monitor support is ready. Just drill 4 VESA holes in the table depending on the size, position, bolt pattern, and of the 4th monitor and you are done. Andy actually elected to make the 4th monitor removable (by using an inexpensive VESA mount) so he can mount and dismount the monitor during entry/exit from the cockpit. Great work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum Pooka Posted January 27, 2014 1. DDz Quorum Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Your famous, I thought Scout set this up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snacko Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 She only watched. She'll setup the next one. When you order yours I'll send her over. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 with Tapatalk 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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