A proposed storable cockpit - advice, experiences and alternatives please

[BOO]

Due to home circumstances last year, my simming has become curtailed to rather uninvolved sessions on MSFS using an x box controller. Early next, that situation is likely to ease as our living room beomes more of a living space and less of a hospital ward/UN warehouse. Sadly, it will return to being a "family room" and not a man cave I've been told and in no uncertain terms. 

 

This period also coincideces happily with me being able to fritter away some cash. Quite a lot if needs be.  I dont intend to go mad (but I will) but it all really rests upon whether or not I can find a compromise. Sadly I dont have a unused room or another space to set up a permanent "cockpit" or a space for a deciated PC desk. In effect, I'll be sitting in the lounge and likely using the TV (or monitor I use as a TV if I go a certain route) as family routines allow. In terms of storage space...I have a wife....so there is none that isnt already taken up with too many clothes and way too many shoes, numerous odd hobbies other non essential items such as food and cleaning stuff. 

 

So - thats my quandry. In the past Ive cobbled together a rig from a wheelstand pro and a camping chair and it worked well. Sadly I threw the £5 Aldi chair out before discovering that there is literally nothing that was as collaspable or as confortable. I therefore need something to replace it that is more easily and quikly assembled, doesnt risk me losing a finger in doing so and doesnt give me back ache. 

 

After some google-fu It seems that the Next Level Racing Flight Sim Pro may be the ideal base. Whilst not perfect, I think I can, with the help of some small fabrications make it work. Reviews seem good and I wonder if anyone has hands (or Butts) on experience of the product, or is aware of a better alternative? 

 

I'm planning on making two main alterations. The first being to replace the locking nuts holidng the thottle plate with quick release fixings. This will allow me to remove the assemby and store it safely separately from the chair. The second will be fixing my Virpil centre stick to the Chairs locking folding arm using one of the Virpil desk mounts and the adapter. A Keyboard mount will be fabricated to sit atop of the virpil mouint.  Does anyone see any obvious problem with this? As with the throttle assembly, the stick and mounts will be removed on storage and stored safely elsewhere from the chair with only the rudder pedals remaining attached. Ultimately I may extend the fabriations to facilitate a collective but thats down the road. 

 

Ill fit a usb entension loom of sorts to the chair to neaten things up and the lot will run to a USB hub likely mounted to the rear of the chair. 

 

All advice, comments and suggestions welcomed. 

 

 

[56RAF_phoenix56]

My solution for domestic harmony was to put it all in a walnut veneered cupboard.

This GIF is very old, from the days of my MS FFB2 stick and pre-VR, but you get the idea.

 

56RAF_phoenix

[BOO]

Oh thats smart -sadly ive no room for another cupboard and even if i did it would be filled with never to be worn tops and dresses within a nano-second!

[ST_Catchov]

11 hours ago, BOO said:

In terms of storage space...I have a wife....

 

Hmm I see. Give up now and save yourself a lot of angst. Spend your cash elsewhere.

[BOO]

8 hours ago, ST_Catchov said:

 

Hmm I see. Give up now and save yourself a lot of angst. Spend your cash elsewhere.

So I took this advice and ran with it.........well....in a way.   

 

Whilst nothing with a jotstick and throttle protruding is ever going to be considered "furniture" and, not wanting to get fixated on one idea, another alternative is the Monstertech route. Its a lot pricier, but that isnt really a concern. A chair mounted stick and throttle may just be passable to Mrs Boo, especially in forest Green with suits the decor. If it comes to war, its basically no different to the office chair of hers now lurking in the corner of our bedroom (leverage). Set up wise, its also a lot less fuss, needing only the pedals to be stored separately and some additional thought put into to mounting a keyboard. On the negative, the sim racing conversion option is out but that was only ever a small bonus in any case.

 

All told though thats the best part of £1000 in comparison to around £400 for the NLR foldaway with adaptions. It appears however to be the more premium product and is considerably more subtle than mant faux rally seat designed gaming chairs, meaning im likely to get less in the way of scowls if I havent put my toys away and out of view.  I know Monstertech gets a lot of good press but wonder if anyone has expereince of their seats and seat set ups who could share? I trust this community more than Lie Tube.

 

(I should add at this point that the severity of Mrs Boo is somewhat exaggerated for dramatic effect. The only real consideration is not turning the living room into a permanent man cave).