the stuff dreams are made of!!!

[zapatista]

Originally Posted by Boandlgramer

I am "Mister'" Schmid.
Boandl

thx for visiting this forum i think your cockpit looks very good !

i have 2 questions for you, if you have a moment.

have you considered using a generic cockpit structure for your sim pit where you can fit different cockpit strut shapes on top to represent the forward view in a 109, spitfire, p51 etc.. ? right now the visibility from the cockpit is always for a 190.

that way the main instruments of the cockpit itself would stay the same and have a generic layout, and no different hardware or wiring is needed, but for people flying ww2 sims they are then not restricted to a "one model cockpit", since the visibility from the cockpit and the shape/size of struts is so different in various ww2 warbirds. purchasers could then initially buy the cockpit in one configuration, and later buy at a minimal cost a "cockpit canopy" for a different ww2 warbird (that would simply be the cockpit struts seen on the forward view, maybe with the shaped surface that represents the top of the instrument pannel)

secondly, what type of projector and screen are you using for your setup ? right now it looks like a standard flat projector screen is placed in front of the cockpit, and it is placed a fair distance from the viewer, this then gives a fairly narrow forward view (30 or 40 degrees ?). have you considered using a curved projection surface to improve peripheral vision, and placing the screen closer to the cockpit ? (placing the screen closer to the viewer increases resolution and detail, and requires a less large screen because it occupies a relatively large part of the viewers vision)

there are several companies that now sell curved projection screens for smaller home theater setups, one of those in the smaller sizes they make them in would be perfect with your cockpit ! combined with one projector it can display video on a curved screen that represents about 120 degrees of visual field, the increased peripheral vision in a flightsim really improves the immersion factor !

this gives an idea of those curved screens,
an italian company that makes many sizes in curved screens (and different degrees of screen curve) http://www.smxscreen.com/pro-curve-p...or-screen.html
with many size options http://www.smxscreen.com/pro-curve-p...en-sizing.html

another company making some curved screens (solid projection surface i think)
http://www.videoscreens.net/curved%20screens.htm
(their website is not well designed, poor illustrations)
Model 3000...80 Inch Diagonal (2 meter diagonal)
Model 6900...120 Inch Diagonal (3 meter diagonal)
demo vid clip: http://www.floridamusicco.com/videos...arge-H.264.mov

another new curved monitor that might be worth integrating with a cockpit, but the fact the viewer needs to sit close to it might be a problem in interfering with the physical size and shape of your cockpit..... the rear projection alienware display (but is "only" equivalent to 2x 24' displays joined together, and requires special resolutions). at least it gives people a taste of curved screen gaming to improve peripheral vision !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV59VFgWUEI

http://uk.gizmodo.com/2008/01/10/ces...utrageous.html

[Bibi]

Hello Windturbin,

i have Mr. Schmidts Flightstick with "Poti" in Test!
The Flightstick is one of the first (ten) Sticks from the Series!
I became the Stick to Test from Mr. Schmidt himself, not from SimWare!

I dont no, what "Release" the KG 13 Flightsticks (including Software) from SimWare are?

I can say, the Flightstick have a very realistic "handling". The Mechanic are very solid.
As "old" Hotas Cougar User have the Stick to few Buttons for me ... but's realistic

Regards Bibi

[Fehler]

First off, I would like to thank both Mr.Schmid and Tarmac Aces for their contribution to the WWII sim genre.

From pictures and video files alone, I am very impressed with both products.

I stumbled upon this thread after building my own base for a flight stick. I was always sick of the tiny movements of most plastic joysticks, and decided to manufacture a "full-throw" stick using hall sensors instead of pots.

After completing this, I starting looking for a nice grip to top off my creation and found this nice little thread!

I am very impressed gentlemen. I have been thinking about how to manufacture something similar for myself. After looking at both of your products, I have decided to start saving my pennies...

[KOM.Nausicaa]

I think there is no question that both producers are passionate about their product. Thats a very good thing, the sim market is ruled too much by the usual brands like Logitech, Saitek etc. In the a "bang for a buck" category those sticks deliver honest quality, without any really pleasent surprise though...not even the X52. For example, I can not understand why a trim wheel is not incorporated in ALL sticks from the start. There shoud not even be a stick produced without one.
The french stick and throttle look fantastic, but they are really way too expensive for the wallet of the usual simmer. This does not mean they dont deserve their price. It's just a question of what most can afford. I hope that both producers are successful so that a lower price in the future becomes possible.

[Eckhart]

Yes I wanted to give you an update: after this discussion I made the big jump....YES, I ordered the Tarmac equipment (190 joystick, base, throttle).

I know it is a lot of bucks (and hopefully my wife doesn't find out so soon). But on the other hand, if I add it all up.....

I started with the first MFS on MAC and then came the others (anybody remembers "Out of the Sun" on MAC?). After the CFS saga I got hooked with the IL2 saga since the beginning and the sheer visual beauty of this game still remains stunning to me.

About Hardware: I bought them all. Joysticks from Microsoft (two), Logitech (bad luck), Thrustmaster (the first generation for Mac, then the Cougar..all broke down very fast), Simped as a rudder(great, to be recommended) and now I am with the CH equipment (very nice but plastic).

The CH equipment is great but not really giving you the immersion you are looking for....So for a while I was dreaming about the Spitfire set (http://www.simcontrol.co.uk/offboard.htm) or even a cockpit like the one in the vid starting this thread (I hope that a true devicelink connection will be included into SOW).

Since I am still waiting to win the big price in the lottery, I stepped out of my dreams and used my economies to buy the Tarmac joystick....

I will update you about my experience with it as soon as I will get it!


Cheers,

Eckhart

Ps: As a little footnote, I would have preferred the Tempest joystick instead of the 190 but as my personal hero Pierre Clostermann said so many nice things about the 190...( for the french speaking community a must...his last interview on CD! http://www.editionsdupekinois.com/we...utique2_1.html)