Motion simulators - the choices

[Llama_Thumper]

 

[updated October 2024]

 

Hi guys

I'm thinking of getting a motion simulator so have started looking into the market - I see there are many posts, would it be worthwhile stickying a thread to keep track of them all?

 

These are some of the results I have found so far - NB not all of them (yet) support Il2 BoX or am not sure whether they do - in no particular order:

 

Motion simulators:

https://www.motion-sim.cz/new/?page=main&article=2&menu=25

 

Motion systems - wider selection

https://motionsystems.eu/products/

 

Yaw 2

https://shop.yawvr.com/yaw2/

 

DOF Reality - wider selection:

https://dofreality.com/#compare

 

NLR - Motion Platform V3:

https://nextlevelracing.com/products/next-level-racing-motion-platform-v3/?lang=de

 

Bergisons - Motion Integrated G-Seat:

https://bergisons.simpit.info/motion-integrated-g-seat

 

GForce Factory - Edge 6D:

https://www.gforcefactory.com/

 

Ace Sim:

https://www.acesim.com/main.html

 

Departed Reality:

https://departedreality.com/

 

 

Edited October 26, 2024 by Llama_Thumper

[Gora_]

I have build my motion seat my own (shaker + g seat) and in my opinion the way to go is G Seat. Shaker is something fun buy will not simulate real G. G seat also, but with G Seat you have constant push and this is how you trick your mind.   

[I.JG3_CDRSEABEE]

On 1/15/2022 at 2:59 PM, Llama_Thumper said:

 

Hi guys

I'm thinking of getting a motion simulator so have started looking into the market - I see there are many posts, would it be worthwhile stickying a thread to keep track of them all?

 

These are some of the results I have found so far - NB not all of them (yet) support Il2 BoX or am not sure whether they do - in no particular order:

 

Motion simulators:

https://www.motion-sim.cz/new/?page=main&article=2&menu=25

 

Motion systems - wider selection

https://motionsystems.eu/products/

 

Yaw 2

https://shop.yawvr.com/yaw2/

 

DOF Reality - wider selection:

https://dofreality.com/#compare

 

NLR - Motion Platform V3:

https://nextlevelracing.com/products/next-level-racing-motion-platform-v3/?lang=de

 

Bergisons - Motion Integrated G-Seat:

https://bergisons.simpit.info/motion-integrated-g-seat

 

GForce Factory - Edge 6D:

https://www.gforcefactory.com/

 

 

You can add Departedreality.com to that list. I just built my hexapod with his help. Works great.

Edited May 23, 2022 by CDRSEABEE

[kissTheSky]

18 hours ago, CDRSEABEE said:

You can add Departedreality.com to that list. I just built my hexapod with his help. Works great.

This definitely looks interesting.

 

I might be mistaken, but it looks like a diy build based on departed reality’s kits and recommended servos would cost around $6-7k, not including the P1X or similar cockpit. Is that around the ballpark of your build @CDRSEABEE?

 

What is the footprint and total cockpit height of your build? 

[I.JG3_CDRSEABEE]

1 hour ago, kissTheSky said:

This definitely looks interesting.

 

I might be mistaken, but it looks like a diy build based on departed reality’s kits and recommended servos would cost around $6-7k, not including the P1X or similar cockpit. Is that around the ballpark of your build @CDRSEABEE?

 

What is the footprint and total cockpit height of your build? 

The actuators fully assembled were about $3500-$4000 including hardware and  a 3D printer/ for parts. The upper frame steel was about $250. I cut it up and had a friend weld it for $200. The base is just 2x4's and MDF painted black. The seat I got from my welder friend out of his race truck for $140. Then of course all the peripherals OSW, Virpil, Huesinkfeld etc..lol.

 

I use FLYpt which seems to be easy to working and has infinite adjustments. Hell if I can figure it out anyone can. 

Also, the guy that has the website has a Discord channel and is always around if you have questions. Without him it would have been much much more frustrating. Highly recommend using him...

 

Here is a pic of my rig.

[kissTheSky]

9 minutes ago, CDRSEABEE said:

The actuators fully assembled were about $3500-$4000 including hardware and  a 3D printer/ for parts. The upper frame steel was about $250. I cut it up and had a friend weld it for $200. The base is just 2x4's and MDF painted black. The seat I got from my welder friend out of his race truck for $140. Then of course all the peripherals OSW, Virpil, Huesinkfeld etc..lol.

 

I use FLYpt which seems to be easy to working and has infinite adjustments. Hell if I can figure it out anyone can. 

Also, the guy that has the website has a Discord channel and is always around if you have questions. Without him it would have been much much more frustrating. Highly recommend using him...

 

Here is a pic of my rig.

Thanks. Unfortunately, I don’t have friends like yours ?

 

It still looks interesting though. Would require much more space than say a sigma integrale DK2 for a bit more in cost when all’s said and done, but with a better DOF. Luckily I don’t have the space for it, or it would’ve proved to be quite the rabbit hole. ?

[I.JG3_CDRSEABEE]

6 minutes ago, kissTheSky said:

Thanks. Unfortunately, I don’t have friends like yours ?

 

It still looks interesting though. Would require much more space than say a sigma integrale DK2 for a bit more in cost when all’s said and done, but with a better DOF. Luckily I don’t have the space for it, or it would’ve proved to be quite the rabbit hole. ?

Yeah. He has plans for extruded pits too. But its great fun. Driving and flying makes you not want to crash...lol

Keeps me at home instead of racing MX bikes and going to the hospital.lol

 

Im not sure what the travel is onthe DK's but this one has 600mm on each actuator which is good for flying but driving seems to much. Motion compensation helps though.

Edited May 24, 2022 by CDRSEABEE

[kissTheSky]

DK come in 2” and 6” travel, but 6” travel is the expensive option, naturally. 
 

80% of my time is driving, so I can make do with 2”, but surge and traction loss would be great to have even if roll is subdued and there’s no yaw. (Brain freeze moment. TL is yaw to a degree, provided that you have two TL actuators)
 

if I clear the garage of woodworking tools one day, something like yours would definitely be an option though ?

Edited May 24, 2022 by kissTheSky

[I.JG3_CDRSEABEE]

Just now, kissTheSky said:

DK come in 2” and 6” travel, but 6” travel is the expensive option, naturally. 
 

80% of my time is driving, so I can make do with 2”, but surge and traction loss would be great to have even if roll is subdued and there’s no yaw. 
 

if I clear the garage of woodworking tools one day, something like yours would definitely be an option though ?

I don't like Yaw when driving. I can tell when I have TL from my wheel. The rig still moves a little with yaw eliminated. I think it sways al little when I have TL. But Yaw disturbs me lol. Each degree of freedom can be adjusted or eliminated in FLYpt very easily and also filtered which I have yet to master.

[kissTheSky]

12 minutes ago, CDRSEABEE said:

I don't like Yaw when driving. I can tell when I have TL from my wheel. The rig still moves a little with yaw eliminated. I think it sways al little when I have TL. But Yaw disturbs me lol. Each degree of freedom can be adjusted or eliminated in FLYpt very easily and also filtered which I have yet to master.

One thing i like about Sigma Integrale is, at least for iRacing, they take values directly from telemetry instead of “deducing” it from the game engine. 
 

They're still yet to integrate IL-2 into their software though. 
 

While a diy kit from eRacing Labs can be had for 40% of the cost, I think Sigma Integrale would be the best of a turnkey motion system for driving. For my purposes/space restrictions of course. 

[71st_AH_Vertigo]

I love my DofReality P3… and after three years of mind blowing immersion paired with my VR…

I am thinking about upgrading to the P6 kit 

 

V!

[Kinemaniacs]

Have you seen the kinemaniacs dev kit? 

 

Edited December 9, 2023 by Kinemaniacs

[Kinemaniacs]

Kinemaniacs Portal motion platform. Because catching you is just as important as throwing you ?

see video 2.5 G-force test 

 

 

[NiiranenVR]

On 10/7/2023 at 11:54 AM, Kinemaniacs said:

expensive

Have you a price for your product ?? 

[Kinemaniacs]

On 10/14/2023 at 9:35 PM, NiiranenVR said:

Have you a price for your product ?? 

Hi NiiranenVR, Firstly let me clarify, The Portal is not a product it is a development kit, introducing a NEW technology. In order to attract technical talent we have opted to start a developer program prior to releasing the product. The heart of this technology was to make an affordable 6DOF, sticking with that mindset we are targeting an aggressive 3500K USD. This price is not official and it might change but not by much.

[Kinemaniacs]

On 10/7/2023 at 12:54 PM, Kinemaniacs said:

Have you seen the kinemaniacs dev kit? 

 

 an update. See video of Portal dev kit by Kinemaniacs.

Edited December 9, 2023 by Kinemaniacs

[hardlock]

Cheap DIY 2D (pitch and roll) passive motion platform:

 

https://www.acesim.com/main.html

 

[Varibraun]

Good overview video on what is out there right now from a couple of the experts.  Jeff Weaver does the effects/motion tuning for one of the main software companies that supports all the different types of systems discussed in the video (DoF/Actuator/Yaw 3).

 

 

[Panzerlang]

Damn, getting tempted again. 🫤

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

On 11/2/2024 at 6:13 PM, Varibraun said:

Good overview video on what is out there right now from a couple of the experts.  Jeff Weaver does the effects/motion tuning for one of the main software companies that supports all the different types of systems discussed in the video (DoF/Actuator/Yaw 3).

 

 

 

 

Very informative video below, found why the motion simulator do not match the virtual plane movement to trick human brain. This of course work when human don't see world environment  so best for that is VR. 

For example when plane accelerate in strigh level flight, motion platform should pitch up. Since for human gravity and acceleration feels the same. When you descending motion platform should quickly tilt down then pitch up to simulate acceleration in a dive.

Do commercial motion platform does it right? 

 

 

Edited November 5, 2024 by 1PL-Husar-1Esk

[Varibraun]

Following up a bit on the "motion discussion" that worked it's way into the Rhino thread (below), I will say that having motion (with VR/haptic/FFB) in the DH2 has been a blast, you really feel like you are literally hanging out of that cockpit in a WWI dogfight!  It is very different having no prop or wings in view with all of that open sky and ground in front of you banking and diving with the motion.  @LukeFF - Please pass my thanks along to the team for this wonderful aircraft and the telemetry provided for this experience!

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2024 by Varibraun

[Kinemaniacs]

Sorry for the lack of updates, folks! We've been quiet due to some patent matters and personal issues, but we've been hard at work upgrading the simulator. Check out the shiny new site here: https://www.kinemaniacs.com Dive in and let us know what you think!

[Kinemaniacs]

Comparison: Least to Most Expensive 6DOF Motion Simulators

[Aapje]

@Kinemaniacs

 

That is just a marketing comparison by the makers of the Ark system. I wouldn't trust that to be objective.

[Kinemaniacs]

@Aapje please feel free to make your own comparison. Or visit us at the Sim Gaming expo in Chicago in September. Sometimes in order to believe something you need to experience it first hand. https://www.ark-dynamics.com/event-details/ark-dynamics-kinemaniacs-will-be-at-the-sim-gaming-expo-2025-in-chicago-on-the-5th-7th-september Looking forward to seeing you there ! 

[Aapje]

I don't have the expertise to judge these things and certainly not the willingness to make a huge trip just for this. If you have the ability, you might want to loan a rig to Boosted Media, who are already doing reviews for motion rigs for racing, but who are working on branching out to flight simming. They could probably do your rig justice in a review.

 

The point is more that no manufacturer can be trusted to divulge the weaknesses of their system. Even with my limited knowledge, I can see that there is no mention of cogging in your comparison, even though I know that this was a huge issue for DOF Reality to get their rig adapted for flight simming. So that immediately makes me suspicious that you may have worse cogging than the H6.

 

Also, the 'Entry'-option in your comparison seems to refer to the H6, given the pricing, yet the H6 has a 200 kg pilot weight, which does not match your comparison. And is that even apples to apples, since the H6 has a rig on it already, while the Ark is just a bare platform. So can it actually carry more weight if you still have to add a rig on top of it?

 

And the comparison doesn't mention software support. Does the Ark support Sim Racing Studio? If not, how are you actually getting it to work with the games?

Edited August 19 by Aapje

[Kinemaniacs]

@Aapje,

We got granted the patent for our system, because we have features which differentiate us to other motion rigs out there at the current time.  https://www.ark-dynamics.com/patents I understand your scepticism and appreciate your feedback. Boosted media is a good idea and after the German sim expo we might reach out. If you visit our YouTube channel we will get an idea of what games are supported https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEQJjgtZxx5P1Zu786cCN8g. The https://www.ark-dynamics.com/technology page can give you a better understanding of the tech and here you can find more info about the integrated chassis. https://www.ark-dynamics.com/development-kits Regarding the cogging, I will need to speak to the tech designer to be precise but I can validate that we have tested flight with various games. For more info about the developer tools you can visit the Kinemaniacs community site dev tool section.