view above desk- with old cougar



tarmac aces stick and throttle, simped pedals homebuilt switches/trim wheels run through a beta innovations (rip) plasmalite for 88 extra buttons, instruments on lower screen run through devicelink

Hey julian what web cam are you using for your head track setup? It looks like the Microsoft lifecam but what model. Did you have to remove the IR filter and if you did how difficult was that.

I would really be interested in more specifics on how you guys make your own controller. Are you using the circuit boarded of other controllers as the basis? If not how are you interfacing the controls to the pc? Any and all information anyone is willing to share would be a great service. There really needs to be a web site dedicated to this sort of thing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tully__,

Most people either use the circuitry from old joysticks or a dedicated USB controller like Leo Bodnar's BU086.

You'll find a lot more information here:

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/foru...9310655/m/5271012437

quote:

Originally posted by Superjew1:
I didnt realize how many people customized their flight controls. Did you make those switch boxxes yourself Cuda? Cool setup, I take it you like flying multiengined airplanes because of all the throttles you have.

My setup is only good for single engined fighters, Im not one for flying bombers.

yes I built the boxes never can have too many axis

quote:

I would really be interested in more specifics on how you guys make your own controller. Are you using the circuit boarded of other controllers as the basis? If not how are you interfacing the controls to the pc? Any and all information anyone is willing to share would be a great service. There really needs to be a web site dedicated to this sort of thing.

I tore apart a 5 dollar keyboard(find at a thrift store) to make my boxes after I was done one of my squad mate asked why I did not just relable the keys> .... Duh

Hey numca_cs I was wondering if you could build a second board just like the one you have for me? If so how much would it cost?

I think I would enjoy having it if I ever got into flying multiengined airplanes plus my dad is getting into flight simming too so he would probably like it as well.

Lots of bicycle parts in this picture, the stick gimbal is running on hubs you would usually find on a racing bike.

Right hand has four buttons, two pairs of double-triggers made from brake levers and a third brake lever that is actually used as a brake, with a hall effect sensor set to the IL2 brake axis.

Left hand has an X52 Pro throttle (found on ebay without the stick) a control box made from an old Logi with a broken touchpad that has been replaced by another touchpad in a much more comfortable position between the throttle an the controller box. Nice for operating the in-game map.

Pedals are primitive, just flat boards sliding on drawer rails, but with the brake on the stick that's all you need. If you are flying more red than blue a brake on the stick can even be more historical than toe brakes.

One slider on the box and the small rotary on the throttle are actually idling... i think you can have too many axis

quote:

Originally posted by Superjew1:
What are rotaries for pepper?

The stock 'thumb' rotary on the throttle is for elevator trim (of course). The 'top' rotary I have set for rudder trim, as the (geometric) plane that this axis operated in matches the (geometric) plane of the rudder. [It seems natural to me that way.]

The two right most additional rotaries are for prop pitch and mixture. The left most rotary is for aileron trim (the least used I think.)

However, I experiment somewhat.

===

I think that we should all just give up this nonsense and just build a friggin' plane already. I am a member of EAA still. I am sure that most of us could manage it given enough time.

Cuda, so how are you interfacing the switches to the keyboard? What type of switches are you using? I can see using momentary switches to simulate key strokes but if you have any toggle switches how are you keeping them from repeating keystrokes? Any ideas on interfacing analog controls? The only thing I can think of is using a I/O board possibly harvested from a game controller. One big question, which I will research after posting this, is can you use multiple keyboards on the same machine and if now how do you work to that out so you can have a regular keyboard and your hacked controls all working together?

quote:

Originally posted by rfxcasey:
What type of switches are you using? I can see using momentary switches to simulate key strokes but if you have any toggle switches how are you keeping them from repeating keystrokes?

Some smart people have started to use (on)/off/(on) switches for the toggles, with both sides connected to the same input. That way you still can't rely on one direction always forcing the "toggle-off" state, but you are at least free to use one direction for "toggle-on" and the other for "toggle-off" (assuming that you know about the current state). Not perfect but a good compromise.

quote:

Any ideas on interfacing analog controls? The only thing I can think of is using a I/O board possibly harvested from a game controller. One big question, which I will research after posting this, is can you use multiple keyboards on the same machine and if now how do you work to that out so you can have a regular keyboard and your hacked controls all working together?

It has been said before, most people start with electronics ripped from cheap and/or broken controllers and later switch to one of the Leo Bodnar BU0836 boards, which are of much higher quality than the electronics of even the best factory-made sticks.

quote:

use the circuitry from old joysticks

Wow FT, just...wow, lol.

rfxcasey: Vx-3000 though I hear that a vx-1000 works fine too. The IR filter was very easy to get off. It sits away from the lens, and came off easily with a sharp pointed tool, used to pry it off.

So, how was the performance on you free headtracking alternative compared to a trackIR? Oh and Fooltrottle, I can see you take a lot of pride in your craftmanship. If you use more then a whole roll of duct tape in your controller hack, you might just be a redneck.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Urufu_Shinjiro,

really basic stuff ... MSFFB2, CH pedals, trackir

pretty much the minimum

My pit (an Akers/Barnes seat slightly modified with a Ratchet bucket seat inserted):


My Lefty-HOTAS Fighterstick:


My Lefty-HOTAS Pro Throttle with Franken-Potato mod:


Pretty much all unchanged over the last three years. The 27" monitor and mini-fridge means long sessions can be flown in total comfort. Still haven't installed the pilot relief tube yet. All this stuff has already caused my wife to question my sanity. THAT would certainly get me a Baker-act.


TB

quote:

Originally posted by TgD Thunderbolt56:
...and mini-fridge means long sessions can be flown in total comfort...

LOL...the mini-fridge !!!
That's what I need in my setup !!!

rfxcasey - it works really well. I use 5 DoF in X-plane and both 3 and 6 DoF in IL2. It took a bit of tuning though, however even after an accidental reformat, I had it working in around half an hour. If you take the time to familiarise yourself, it goes smoothly. If you've got further questions I'd be happy to tell you more by PM or email.

quote:

Originally posted by TgD Thunderbolt56:
My pit (an Akers/Barnes seat slightly modified with a Ratchet bucket seat inserted):

Wow.... That does indeed look comfortable. The fridge placement is a great idea!

You guys are great...just like every other sim community out there with all the tinkering and stuff. Me I don't have pics but my Cougar is down until the NXT mod gets here from IJ over in Cougarworld and my newly restored RCS pedals with HE sensors for the rudder and modded toe brakes get hooked up again. THEN I will be building some sort of contraption to run to my gaming rig. I am thinking of having it sort of run off a powered USB hub with a monitor switch attached to just slide a second attached LCD monitor into the place where I normally sit to work, write, etc...