homepage

Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit

Posted By: citizen guod

Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/10 06:18 AM

http://www.simhq.com/_technology3/technology_173a.html
Posted By: Magnum

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/10 12:24 PM

Great, detailed review Doug... and I would agree (I have one too) it is a fantastic product, and very well priced. The only problem I have, and it's not a faults of the Otto chair, is that I use the wheel mounted on a support beam, due to the larger then it's suppose to be TV I use as a monitor, the wheel base is blocked by the TV when I slide it in, so the wheel stops and sits right in front of the monitor... but thats because I'm trying to use a bigger display then it's meant for... still a great product.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/10 01:33 PM

Very nice write up Doug! Thanks!
Posted By: 20mm

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/10 03:25 PM

Good review Doug. You're too modest about your building and mechanical skills. Mine consist mostly of swinging a hammer. If it doesn't fit, make it fit!
Posted By: Haphazard

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/10 05:47 PM

Great writeup Doug. Your problem statement in the opening paragraphs could well have been written by me!

Now, a quick question: how are you managing switching between flight and race configurations? I'm particularly interested in how long/laborious the cockpit reconfig is, and if you have attempted/managed using your G27 pedals for flight (thus eliminating a step from the re-config procedure).
Posted By: Peally

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/10 07:00 PM

Excellent review! Didn't even really realize there was anything out there for a pit other than building one yourself. Now to come up with an excuse to afford this AND a new HOTAS...
Posted By: BeachAV8R

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/10 07:42 PM

Wow.. That's a nice setup. I love the secondary monitor for PDF files or whatever. That is awesome. Hmmmm....now you've got me thinking..
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/10 08:04 PM

Originally Posted By: Haphazard
Great writeup Doug. Your problem statement in the opening paragraphs could well have been written by me!

Now, a quick question: how are you managing switching between flight and race configurations? I'm particularly interested in how long/laborious the cockpit reconfig is, and if you have attempted/managed using your G27 pedals for flight (thus eliminating a step from the re-config procedure).


Hi Hap! I've done the switch back and forth a few times, but not enough to fully explore the different setup options. That's one of the reasons why there will be a extended-use follow-up next month. The goal is to go from flight to race in under 5 minutes including shutdown and start-up.
Posted By: Haphazard

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/10 10:33 PM

Thanks for the response Doug. A dedicated, low overhead, dual-purpose flight/race rig is probably the only chance I have now of getting back into the habit. I'll look forward to the followup.

Posted By: Corsair8X

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/28/10 02:03 AM

This was a fantastic review, thanks for writing it. I was very excited to learn more after you had mentioned it before. However, I must now bring on the avalanche of questions smile

Stability. Did you find the unit stable - particularly with your very large display?

On the same subject of stability - did you find that the flight sim side units had any flex when you were using them? I had a concern of those side units not being stable as I cranked my stick and throttle around. This is particularly interesting to me as I may just get the Warthog and I imagine that it will take more force to move it than my current CH Fighterstick.

Can you tell me the distance that your stick and throttle are apart now - how wide I guess I'm asking. The fact that you have the same hotas setup as I do is perfect for comparison.

You mentioned that there is a small movement in the keyboard tray when using it. Can you elaborate a little more on that? Does that mean flex or something else. Did you find that impacted your use of the tray at all? It also looked like you mounted your second monitor on the one side of the tray as well. That suggests to me that there isn't as much movement as I fear.

How far when you are sitting comfortably is your eyes from the screen? Is it about 36" or so?

It sounds like you are wide-shouldered like I am. I was concerned that that seat might cramp my shoulders (those horn-like upper bolsters). I was concerned that my shoulder blades might rest uncomfortably on those rather than the seat back.

You are about my height. Does the seat support your head at all if you lean back?

I was surprised that there is no way to mount the table to the unit without drilling your own holes. Really? That seems very strange to me. Did they ever mention why this is?


I'm sorry for so many questions. Please don't think your review was lacking in any way. It wasn't. The detail you went into just had the effect of making me have even more questions. I think I've found my ride so to speak. My biggest concern is the stability of it and its parts.

Thank you again - I was really looking forward to this review.
Posted By: hannibal

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/28/10 02:55 AM

500$ for one setup is steep!!
i think i might have paid like 100$ to build two wooden cockpits...




granted that my setup is limited, and i dont have a fancy TV and table setup...
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/28/10 06:23 AM

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
This was a fantastic review, thanks for writing it. I was very excited to learn more after you had mentioned it before. However, I must now bring on the avalanche of questions smile


NP. Bring 'em on.

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
Stability. Did you find the unit stable - particularly with your very large display?


The combined weight of this: http://www.simhq.com/_technology3/images/technology_173a_003.jpg is around 120 lbs
The weight of this: http://www.simhq.com/_technology3/images/technology_173a_001.jpg is around 20 lbs
The weight of the flight sim package: http://www.simhq.com/_technology3/images/technology_173a_002.jpg is around 17.5 lbs

Sitting in the seat with the weighted monitor it feels very stable to me. More so than many other pre-fab cockpits I've tried at E3 for more money. Since it is sitting on the floor rug, I may put 3-4 small strips of velcro on the bottom of the rails since it sits directly on the floor to make sure there is no slipping around. I haven't felt any, but I haven't been in a big gunzo yet either. Feet would not be a good thing IMO so I'm glad they were not part of the design.

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
On the same subject of stability - did you find that the flight sim side units had any flex when you were using them? I had a concern of those side units not being stable as I cranked my stick and throttle around. This is particularly interesting to me as I may just get the Warthog and I imagine that it will take more force to move it than my current CH Fighterstick.


The L-shaped mounts once tightened down to the side rail might as well be welded to the sides. They are not flimsy. The arms the throttle and stick sit on are not flimsy and once tightened down with the knobs are rigid. Any movement is from the velcro on the bottom of the controllers. Not a lot, but some flex just because its velcro. I'm looking at a more permanent solution to report on next month. Ideally I'd like to bolt the HOTAS down to the outboard plates.

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
Can you tell me the distance that your stick and throttle are apart now - how wide I guess I'm asking. The fact that you have the same hotas setup as I do is perfect for comparison.


25" from center of the left bracket to center of the right bracket.

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
You mentioned that there is a small movement in the keyboard tray when using it. Can you elaborate a little more on that? Does that mean flex or something else. Did you find that impacted your use of the tray at all?


Movement... yeah the keyboard tray, by nature of it being mounted on one end or the other, has flex. The keyboard panel itself is not lightweight. Matter-of-fact, it has an under structure of welded channel tubing! It's steel and not some cheesy fiber board.

Other thoughts and variations on the keyboard/mouse tray... I'm thinking that center section of the tabletop would be a nice place to mount a small keyboard. Or, I could see some players getting a second keyboard bracket and dropping the left and right side into the L-shaped mounts, then lifting the entire thing up when done. Or, imagine the acrylic tabletop not being attached and instead having the keyboard tray there bolted down instead.

Here is a video SRT did on it. It's a racing setup, but note their comments about the tray and seat. A caveat though -- the monitor mount they are showing is an old design not used any more and was not as stable. The new one, as in the review, is very stable. IMO, it made the whole thing more stable. They also didn't use the tabletop which adds stability. Advance the video to the 28 minute mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCQgfCgSueM

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
It also looked like you mounted your second monitor on the one side of the tray as well. That suggests to me that there isn't as much movement as I fear.


The 17" Envision is just sitting on the turned right side of the keyboard tray. It may or may not stay there. I just thought it would be good to show the tray can handle that kind of weight.

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
How far when you are sitting comfortably is your eyes from the screen? Is it about 36" or so?


Yes, 36-38" from the screen. But keep in mind that is dependent on where the seat is positioned fore and aft, angle of the back of the seat, and which monitor is used. I personally can't stand being too close to a monitor -- like at the theatre in the first row. Don't get that with this setup.

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
It sounds like you are wide-shouldered like I am. I was concerned that that seat might cramp my shoulders (those horn-like upper bolsters). I was concerned that my shoulder blades might rest uncomfortably on those rather than the seat back.


It feels great around the shoulders to me. I know what you mean. I have had that problem in other cockpit seats, but not this one.

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
You are about my height. Does the seat support your head at all if you lean back?


If the seat is setup more, yes. Less so when it's tilted back. Probably my bad posture. smile

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
I was surprised that there is no way to mount the table to the unit without drilling your own holes. Really? That seems very strange to me. Did they ever mention why this is?


I think the idea was to let the customer decide, but yep, it was one of the three dings I gave the Obutto. The good news is its resolvable fairly easily.

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
I'm sorry for so many questions. Please don't think your review was lacking in any way. It wasn't. The detail you went into just had the effect of making me have even more questions. I think I've found my ride so to speak. My biggest concern is the stability of it and its parts.

Thank you again - I was really looking forward to this review.


IMO, its stable. I can provide a snapshot to date of what I've tried and seen, but there will be more feedback in a month after I spend some additional time with it.
Posted By: Squid_DK

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/28/10 11:34 AM

Great article Doug.
Now I just have to sneak this one by the SO here, and I need to get that TM HOTAS Warthog, så maybe next year, and as usual you US types get stuff at quite a discount, shouldn't that dollar be woth a lot more hick

It would really fit in nicely here in the den.

Staffan
Posted By: Jer Stryker

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/28/10 03:24 PM

This looks like the first pit-desk I might actually consider buying. A few questions: How about those times when you *still* just want to surf the web or play a casual game? Is it comfortable and/or easy to just flop into/out of for a quick computer session? Or is it a pain. Are the stick/throttle platforms compatible with the mounting holes on the G940? If I got this, I would definitely want the center stick mount. Does it easily swing away/detach again for those "general computing" sessions? What about cable management? The G940 for example has 4 cables that all feed into the stick module.

To summarize, how usable is this as a computer station for non-simming sessions, and how well does it work with a G940 with the stick-between-your-legs option?

Edit: Also in the same vein as my other questions, does a center-mounted stick get in the way of using the keyboard tray? Is it possible to use the keyboard and mouse in front of you while flight simming in this configuration? It looks like they would get in the way from some of the videos I've watched.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/28/10 04:00 PM

Originally Posted By: Jer Stryker
This looks like the first pit-desk I might actually consider buying. A few questions: How about those times when you *still* just want to surf the web or play a casual game? Is it comfortable and/or easy to just flop into/out of for a quick computer session? Or is it a pain.


Obutto touts it as an option to a regular desk. The way I currently have it setup would be a bit more difficult with the ingress/egress than a conventional desk just because of the mounts and because it sits so much lower. It could be setup using only the tabletop and keyboard/mouse tray and I think it would work fine as a regular desk. The wonderful seat works for any configuration. I can see me watching a movie in it. The seat is more comfortable than my desk chair on my workstation. Matter-of-fact, I can hardly sit in my office chair now after sitting in the cockpit seat. Generally I would suggest keeping the cockpit for gaming and using a small office desk separately.

Originally Posted By: Jer Stryker
Are the stick/throttle platforms compatible with the mounting holes on the G940?


Any HOTAS will require some thought to attach to either the outboard or center mount stick. I'm currently using velcro, but that's temporary for me.

Originally Posted By: Jer Stryker
If I got this, I would definitely want the center stick mount. Does it easily swing away/detach again for those "general computing" sessions?


No, it does not swing away. It can be unbolted from the two carriage bolt mounts, but it would be a hassle to do that IMO. The center stick mount works fine though based on how much I've used it. The velcro is temporary in this situation too. Permanent mounting of the stick on the mounting plate is planned.

Originally Posted By: Jer Stryker
What about cable management? The G940 for example has 4 cables that all feed into the stick module.


I haven't done anything with my wires yet since I'm switching between the cockpit, race sims, and ArmA2. For now they're just draped out of the way. Still an evolving WIP.

Originally Posted By: Jer Stryker
To summarize, how usable is this as a computer station for non-simming sessions, and how well does it work with a G940 with the stick-between-your-legs option?


I would suggest using it as a gaming cockpit and not with the additional task as an office desk. Not that the Obutto couldn't do fine as an office config, but switching could get to be a bit of a hassle. If velcro isn't acceptable, all HOTAS will need a more permanent mounting solution. Velcro may be fine for most people.

Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/28/10 04:13 PM

Nice review, and thanks for bringing it to our attention. Don't spose it can handle a three-monitor setup, can it?
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/28/10 04:34 PM

Originally Posted By: peppergomez
Nice review, and thanks for bringing it to our attention. Don't spose it can handle a three-monitor setup, can it?


Triple monitor setup is what they push. The owner was trying to get me to go to it, but I like the single monitor with a secondary monitor config. They have a mount that works with up to 3 - 24" monitors for flight or racing.

http://www.obutto.com/images/flightSIM.jpg
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/28/10 09:35 PM

sweet. if i ever have a dedicated gaming room, i might get myself one
Posted By: MPPC_Mike

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/29/10 01:10 AM

very nice review Doug :-)
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/29/10 06:04 PM

Nice video found...

Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/29/10 07:28 PM

Originally Posted By: 531 Ghost
Nice video found...


Yep. Two or three things though to point out.

Where he had trouble getting the bolts through the bottom of the seat. I did the same thing initially and go, "this can't be correct". It wasn't. Contacting Chris at Obutto I learned where they are supposed to go. Note the difference below. It makes a big difference in how much fore and aft movement you have.



Next, it's better to connect the uprights to the monitor than to try and drop the monitor onto the attached poles. FWIW, he put his bolts through the top, mine went through the middle. I'd love to have had them in the bottom holes but that wasn't going to happen with big bertha monitor. Image does not have bolts through the uprights.



He said two hours with phone calls and kids. Okay, that's doable. But I don't see how people can fit their flight and race setups and seat position in that time and really check it out. Maybe he just got it together then plans to change it later. Also, he didn't have the flight sim add-on or the tabletop. I love that tabletop. smile

He added the foot pedal assembly before doing the steering wheel mount. Ouch. The foot panel is a supplementary piece, and should go on afterwards. Doing it in that order the wheel mount slides up and down fine.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/29/10 08:35 PM

I wonder if, instead of bolts, Quick Release Pins could be used in some places...
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/29/10 11:36 PM

Trying to think where. Maybe on the monitor uprights. Everywhere seems like too much load bearing to not use bolts, lock washers, nuts to tighten it down.

First new addition today. A local ISP is running a $15 per month special so I had them put in a line. That way it won't affect my main ISP.
Posted By: Corsair8X

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/30/10 02:02 AM

Thank you very much for answering all my questions. The answers have essentially sealed the deal for me I think. I am going to wait for a bit to see how you end up liking it a couple weeks from now. I'm curious as to how long Magnum has had his for (if he's still reading this thread). When I do pull the trigger (I'll try and drop in how I learned about it from you and SimHQ because I would *never* have heard of it otherwise I suspect.

I do have one more question if I may. From all the pictures you posted, I was curious about one thing. Is it possible after getting in, that one could swing the keyboard arm around so that it was positioned over the lap while the flight-sim sides are in place? I know there are multiple points to anchor things to the sides of the seat-frame, but would one of the L-shaped brackets for the throttle interfere with the swinging action of the keyboard arm? Just trying to see what sort of combinations I can do because I think I'd like the tray over my lap when I'm flying (and I'll have the stick side-mounted with the throttle on the other side).

Again, thanks for this review.
Posted By: Magnum

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/30/10 02:42 AM

yep, still reading and only had it for about a week longer... thou a great product, I preferred my old gaming desk due to monitor size problem (I use a 30 in) and the sliding of the wheel mount, didn't like the final position and closest of the monitor.

So shipping it to Ghost. wink
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/30/10 03:42 AM

Don't think you got the tabletop did you Chuck? That is what saved my butt with the thick, older 32" HDMI.
Posted By: Magnum

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/30/10 04:00 AM

no I didn't...
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/30/10 04:30 AM

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
Is it possible after getting in, that one could swing the keyboard arm around so that it was positioned over the lap while the flight-sim sides are in place? I know there are multiple points to anchor things to the sides of the seat-frame, but would one of the L-shaped brackets for the throttle interfere with the swinging action of the keyboard arm? Just trying to see what sort of combinations I can do because I think I'd like the tray over my lap when I'm flying (and I'll have the stick side-mounted with the throttle on the other side).


I'll have to try it. It might be better having the keyboard/mouse tray mounted on one side or the other, because as I discovered tonight, the ends are offset. doh



With the standard package, you get one larger L-bracket like below. With the flight sim add-on, you get the shorter length L-bracket for the center mount stick position and one exactly like the one that comes in the standard package. So to do two outboard HOTAS controllers and the tray, you may need a third-full length L-bracket. I'll just have to try it to be sure.









Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/30/10 04:47 AM





biggrin
Posted By: zoog

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/07/10 11:33 AM

Nice article. Looks like a really nice product! Any strategies on how to sell a game room as a good thing to your g/f...? Chair looks really comfortable too btw. Now I want one....

I'll be awaiting the second review smile
Posted By: Joe

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/07/10 04:19 PM

Hi Doug,

Could you please give us one or more full-cockpit shots from a distance in your next article? I think these would be really helpful for showing the Obutto in context in a room, with the monitor(s), wheels, HOTAS, etc. in place.
Posted By: JAMF

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/07/10 04:37 PM

Originally Posted By: zoog
Any strategies on how to sell a game room as a good thing to your g/f...?
Relocation of noise and clutter to a single room? Possibility of noise insulation? Making it's second function a home theatre? wink
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/07/10 06:06 PM

Originally Posted By: Joe
Hi Doug,

Could you please give us one or more full-cockpit shots from a distance in your next article?


No. smile

Seriously, I'll see what I can do. The room is so damned small and still has enough junk that even my wide angle lens setting won't cover it.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/08/10 02:35 AM

Small world. Seems that Main Performance PC is now the US Obutto distributor.

http://www.mainperformancepc.com/obutto
Posted By: MPPC_Mike

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/08/10 05:59 PM

you have email Doug ;-)
Posted By: Inferno

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/09/10 10:19 PM

Can the flight stick, throttle mount be used in a regular office type chair? Or any other product of this type?
Posted By: MPPC_Mike

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/11/10 12:40 AM

they are made to be mounted to the Obutto only, however you may be able to fabricate something?
Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/12/10 05:34 PM

Hey all, this is Chris Dunagan, creator of the OBUTTO gaming cockpit. Just wanted to pop in, say hi, and offer to field any questions you may have regarding our cockpit.

As far as flight controller mounts are concerned, the best way to attach the stick & throttle is with heavy duty Velcro or heavy duty double sided tape.

Re the size of the flight stick mount's top, it needed to be made this size since it would get in the way of your legs if made any larger, and I didn't want the 2mm thick sheetmetal edges near the inside of peoples legs. I've spent more than 6 months playing IL-2 with a velcro attached X-52 between my legs and have had no probs at all. Just to clarify, you do not have to slot the mount all the way down in it's mounting post, so it is height adjustable and you just secure it with the plastic knob. The best placement IMHO is high enough so the base of the stick clears the top of your legs.

Re monitor sizes....one thing to keep in mind is the monitor mount is quite close to the player. As Doug found out, as well as Magnum, larger TV's sometimes have clearance issues with the yoke/steering wheel mount. I personally cannot sit so close to such a large TV/monitor and opted for a triple monitor setup. Glad I did too since the triple setup really has a large impact on immersion with regards to any genre of game, but especially flight sims & racing sims, which is due to the angled side monitors. When sitting in a cockpit of a plane or race car you can actually get a sense of the speed just as you do in real life. Furthermore, the increased view is astonishing as you actually have side views out of the cockpit of your plane or car which in turn allows you to use your peripheral vision....very helpful when searching the skies for bogies or looking ahead to hit that next apex. At any rate, if you do run 32" or larger monitors the easiest fix is to just trim off some of the front portion of the yoke/steering wheel mounting plate, or bend it down....we have a few customers that have done this in the past.

Lastly, if you feel the seat may be a bit too low some of our customers build platforms to put their cockpits on. Some folks even put caster wheels on the bottom so they can slide their cockpits around the house ha! The reason behind the seat height was to make the cockpit not so obtrusive looking in a room, and since our cockpit has past many "wife tests" it was a great way to go.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope this clarifies a bit. I look forward to hangin around your great forums.

Best regards,
Chris
Posted By: SunKing

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/01/10 06:38 PM

Hello.

Quick question for you. In this shot you show bolts going through the acrylic table top.




Is this part of the standard install or did you mod this yourself and add the bolts?



In this promo pick there are no bolts showing. Thanks for the clarification.






I've been researching this setup for a week or so.

For me it would replace my pc/console gaming desk. If purchased, I would use it for pc gaming/console gaming desk toggling inputs to my monitors as needed and using the keyboard tray like a normal desk.

Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/01/10 06:40 PM

I did it. No holes are drilled in the acrylic tabletop. I mount my G27 to it, and needed it to be rigid. There is a plate underneath that you ould attach the plex with industrial strength velcro as an option. I use it and the keyboard/mouse tray together for racing, and it works terrific.

I hope to have my "Part 2" article ready next week.
Posted By: SunKing

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/01/10 06:46 PM

Thanks.

How does the table attach normally?




edit: I just saw your edit, velcro! is used to hold that table top in place?
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/01/10 09:55 PM

For normal use as a table top, the industrial strength Velcro should work fine. If you are going to hang a steering wheel or flight yoke off the end of it, I'd suggest more than Velcro.

There is not a pre-determined way to attach it to the mounting plate underneath. It's up to the individual.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/01/10 10:00 PM

For normal use as a table top, the industrial strength Velcro should work fine. If you are going to hang a steering wheel or flight yoke off the end of it, I'd suggest more than Velcro.

There is not a pre-determined way to attach it to the mounting plate underneath. It's up to the individual.

You can see the mounting plate that is underneath my plexiglas table:
http://www.simhq.com/_technology3/images/technology_173a_008.jpg
Posted By: SunKing

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/02/10 05:32 PM

If you purchase the table top, is attaching your wheel to the table the only option unless you remove it?
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/02/10 09:17 PM

The mounting bracket underneath is intended as the wheel mount, but because I'm using the 32" monitor, using the built-in mount makes it too close. That is another benefit of the table top.
Posted By: Haphazard

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/12/10 07:21 PM

Originally Posted By: guod
I hope to have my "Part 2" article ready next week.

Looking forward to it.
Posted By: revus

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/28/10 01:33 AM

Great review. Couple of questions:

-Planning on getting the X65 (when I get the chance; overseas) and was wondering if the sturdy HOTAS mountings will support the forces required for the stick.
-With tall monitors, I've had trouble in the past with TrackIR capturing the signal from my headset, seems to track all kinds of wierd. Can you adjust the height of the monitor enough to not have these kinds of problems if I were to mount the TIR on top of the monitor?
-Will the monitor mountings and frame support something heavy like a 42''? I realize a 42'' is a little "overkill" for simming, but I plan on using it for its intended purpose ,as a TV, as well. Which leads to my next question.
-Although the seat/seat frame mounts to the display frame to form the full unit, can the display frame support the weight of the heavy monitor without being attatched to the seat portion, kindof like a regular TV stand?

I appreciate the help and look forward to part 2.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/28/10 03:33 PM

Originally Posted By: revus
Great review. Couple of questions:

-Planning on getting the X65 (when I get the chance; overseas) and was wondering if the sturdy HOTAS mountings will support the forces required for the stick.
-With tall monitors, I've had trouble in the past with TrackIR capturing the signal from my headset, seems to track all kinds of wierd. Can you adjust the height of the monitor enough to not have these kinds of problems if I were to mount the TIR on top of the monitor?
-Will the monitor mountings and frame support something heavy like a 42''? I realize a 42'' is a little "overkill" for simming, but I plan on using it for its intended purpose ,as a TV, as well. Which leads to my next question.
-Although the seat/seat frame mounts to the display frame to form the full unit, can the display frame support the weight of the heavy monitor without being attatched to the seat portion, kindof like a regular TV stand?

I appreciate the help and look forward to part 2.


Should be no issues mounting the X65, and , or handleing and forces associated with it.

I've been wondering where I'm going to put a TrackIR as well. Here you see my 32" monitor and below it, two CH MFPs and a XKeys Pro USB.


HERE You'll note Ruggbutt is using a 46" Samsung.

The two together, offer stability. I currently have my CPU, and monitor mounted to the forward stand. SOLID!
Posted By: Joe

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/28/10 08:30 PM

Ghost, I'll bet you can find a way to mount the TrackIR on the top of the X-Keys housing. Aimed horizontally or slightly up at your head, it should work fine.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/28/10 08:45 PM

Originally Posted By: Joe
Ghost, I'll bet you can find a way to mount the TrackIR on the top of the X-Keys housing. Aimed horizontally or slightly up at your head, it should work fine.


Ya know Joe, ya may be onto sumpthin'!

Perspective for ya Joe...

Posted By: -Avatar-

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/29/10 07:34 PM

I just mount mine with velcro on the top of the monitor. It works quite well for me. I also have one of the first models of the Obutto to hit the States. Chris is a great guy and very helpful. I enjoy mine a lot and hardly ever use it for racing these days...



BTW, HOTAS Warthog will be in use after tomorrow. smile band clapping whoohoo woot bananadance boing aroundthetree thumbsup partything
Posted By: Haphazard

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/06/11 03:23 AM

Originally Posted By: Haphazard
Originally Posted By: guod
I hope to have my "Part 2" article ready next week.

Looking forward to it.

*bump* biggrin
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/30/11 06:21 PM

I know I know.

twoweeks
Posted By: FrenchToast

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/30/11 11:00 PM

In the meantime, I'd like to point out, after a short exchange of emails, that Chris Dunagan is a nice guy!

FT
Posted By: Haphazard

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/11 12:00 AM

Originally Posted By: guod
twoweeks


I see ... so in other words ...

whenpigsfly

yes? biggrin



Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/11 12:40 AM

Nope, I'll explain what happened in the article.
Posted By: Haphazard

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/11 03:34 AM

Originally Posted By: guod
Nope, I'll explain what happened in the article.


Tattletale Doug tantalizingly teases a titillating tale to be told? Such temerity! Does he test our tenacity? biggrin


(in other words, looking forward to it ... ) thumbsup

Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/11 09:16 PM

The Obutto looks great for simming with a HOTAS, but I really don't see being able to play a first person shooter, or really any keyboard and mouse driven game on it. Or rather, I really don't see being able to easily transition from HOTAS simming to keyboard mouse gaming (or web surfing or doing any office work and typing) on it.

Why?

Because the chair is (leaning) too far back from the desk to comfortably type- in the pics on page 6 of the review,the desk is recessed inward quite a bit, which would make the keyboard out of arm's reach, or at least uncomfortable to lean into.

Also, wouldn't the stick and throttle on either side (which is how I prefer to sim) constrict the arms as one leaned in to type?

While having the side table is a great idea for using a mouse, it would not be practical to place a keyboard on a side table, at least for first person shooters like Arma2 or for typing.

Another question- in this pic http://www.simhq.com/_technology3/images/technology_173a_023.jpg, would it be possible to have the mouse on the side table and the throttle located as in this pic? http://www.simhq.com/_technology3/images/technology_173a_024.jpg Basically, what I mean is- is there room in the setup to have both the side table for a mouse and the throttle and stick on the left and right side of the chair? For simming, that would be my prefferd setup- throttle on left, stick on right, and mouse on far left/further back on the left so that it essentially sits directly at the bottom base of the throttle (i.e., right in front of the detente side of the throttle).

Plus there are games like Battlefield and Arma2 where one might transition back and forth from FPS (keyboard and mouse) to Sim (HOTAS) in an instant. In this video, the Obutto is setup for keyboard and mouse FPS gaming, with the chair and desk close together. Problem is, there's no room for a HOTAS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jez-EKgmOoo
It seems like having a keyboard tray that either pivots to the left or right out of the way, or that one can push in and pull out, would allow users to quickly bring it closer to them for keyboard use and move it further out of the way when they need to use the HOTAS. Of course, the HOTAS stands would then need to move, too, either folding down/outwards, or something, so they would move out of the way of the keyboard.

This looks like a great product, but I do wonder about it's ease of comfort for gaming, typing, and surfing.

Thanks.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/11 09:27 PM

pepper, I game, type and surf on mine every day. Very comfortable in all aspects. The OBUTTO is and encouraged to be a very modable piece of equipment. You can set it up in any way you can imagine.

This is my latest (probably final) configuration:

Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/11 09:37 PM

I guess my point is that I see pics of it setup for simming w/ a HOTAS and pics of it setup for keyboard use but it's unclear to me how easy/quickly the user can make the transition between the two, and it doesn't look like (from the pics) that there's a single setup that allows the user comfortable simultaneous access to a center keyboard and mouse with the HOTAS setup as well.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/11 09:40 PM

Ghost- if whatever panels you have on that center table were replaced by a keyboard and mouse, would each be within comfortable reach of your arms for typing and mouse use from where you are sitting? It looks kind of far away.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/11 09:47 PM

Well, what you don't see in my latest configuration picture is the DT225 on the right, where some would have their joystick. I've always flown with a center stick and a side stick just feels weird to me. Anywho, my keyboard is wireless and I can place it over the MFPs and XKeys, or in my lap, simple. I have been thinking about one last mod though. A pull out from under my MFPs and XKeys for my keyboard. All I'd have to do is lower my FighterStick to move it in and out. When I want to fly, shove it in and put the FighterStick into place. Probably would take about, oh 5-10 seconds, if that.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/10/11 03:59 PM

I am a stickler for neatness and cable routing can be fun so here's what I did...






Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/10/11 06:50 PM

Originally Posted By: peppergomez
I guess my point is that I see pics of it setup for simming w/ a HOTAS and pics of it setup for keyboard use but it's unclear to me how easy/quickly the user can make the transition between the two, and it doesn't look like (from the pics) that there's a single setup that allows the user comfortable simultaneous access to a center keyboard and mouse with the HOTAS setup as well.


Mine is setup with that approach. I use the Plexiglas tabletop for flying, driving and shooters. I take the keyboard tray off and drop the arm with the flight throttle into the mounting bracket that attached the keyboard.

I still need to show my final setup and how they switch between configurations. The article is coming, I just had to resolve a couple of issues I had with the monitor(s) that had nothing to do with the Obutto.

Keep in mind the chair is adjustable on the rails forward and backwards, and the slant is adjustable so you can literally laydown in the chair or sit straight upright.

Also, the keyboard is adjustable up/down, forward/backward depending where the mount is on the side rail.
Posted By: Capt_Hook

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/10/11 07:55 PM

Just a clarification... it's an 'either / or' arrangement with the rotating keyboard tray and the joystick mount for a particular side, is it not? You can't have both the keyboard tray and the joystick / throttle mounted at the same time on the same side?

I'm looking at either the this cockpit or the PlaySeat flight sim variant. Cost is similar. The Playseat doesn't have the plexiglass table top option, however. I'm not too keen on hitting a new toy with a drill press just to mount it, but it's hard to argue with the price. Will the bottom section with the angled board fit the Saitek Combat Pedals?

And lastly... does ditching the monitor framework impact how the rest of it goes together, particularly the plexi table? My monitor is attached to the wall via an Ergotron arm and I'm very happy with that, so I'll not be using even the single monitor mount.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/10/11 09:05 PM

Yes, you can use the keyboard tray and the HOTAS together, but I haven't figured a way to use the Plexiglas tabletop with the keyboard tray and the HOTAS. I am using the Plex, the keyboard tray and the G27 wheel together for racing and for shooters. I just leave the wheel on the edge of the

My two cents. Obutto is much better than the Playseat. The Playseat is nice, but the Obutto is short on sizzle and makes up for it with steak. Playseat uses some flashiness, but it is not built as durable as the Obutto. Again, my opinion and I'm sure there are those who will disagree.

Something I was going to do for the next article...a flow diagram showing what works with what out of the box(es), and what you can custom fabricate.

First question to ask yourself... will I use this for flight, racing or shooters? Or what percentage of each? Ghost is a flier primarily and only occasionally drives or plays shooters. I tend to do all three but favor racing. Ghost's setup reflects his emphasis on flight. While his setup is super, it wouldn't work as well for me.

Because the Obutto has such as strong base to start from, using some creativity, taking some time to think through what you want it to do, and some handiness with a drill and screwdriver, provides a multitude of configurations.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/11 04:20 PM

Thanks, guod
Posted By: Capt_Hook

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/11 04:40 PM

Yep, thanks. Good information! I'd prefer to support Obutto, but I'm not sure it's going to work out as well as the Playseat + an Ergotron keyboard arm. Cost would be about the same. All things being equal I'd definitely get the Obutto. Bonus check in March, and while most goes to pay bills I get to keep out a chunk for toys, and this is the top issue. I really look forward to your follow up article!
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/13/11 01:10 AM

Another view...

Posted By: Capt_Hook

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/22/11 04:58 PM

Thanks for posting the images, Ghost. In looking at that last one, it doesn't look like there's enough clearance between the forward pipes to put any pedals in that are wider than the very narrow CH gear. I'm thinking it's going to take significant modification to fit Saitek or Simped models.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/22/11 05:48 PM

I'll do some measuring fore and aft as well as port and starboard and report back...
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/24/11 01:11 PM

Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/25/11 09:24 PM

Hey fellas, just wanted to chime in on a couple of the questions asked. Also, thanks for the kind words mentioned cheers

1) yes you can run a throttle & the keyboard tray at the same time on the left as they have their own mounting posts. In order to rotate the keyboard tray back in front of you though you would have to loosen the plastic knob on the throttle mounting post and pull the throttle out (while attached to the mount) and lay it next to ya. Of course if you fly centre stick then just put the keyboard tray on the right and then you can just pull your stick/mount. Pulling either of those mounts takes 5 or so seconds....nothing really.

2) The Acrylic tabletop can be mounted with just some heavy duty velcro as it will attach to the top of the steering wheel/yoke mount. If you race then you just mount your steering wheel to the mount normally while sandwiching the acrylic in between. Some of our customers who leave their steering wheels on there all the time just use the force of the steering wheel clamp to hold the acrylic in place but I recommend at least using some velcro or heavy duty double sided tape.

3) Re Saitek Combat rudder pedals, I looked at the measurements recently and as long as you set them on the pedal tray behind the steering wheel/yoke mounting posts then they should fit and clear all the tubing. If you set them on the floor then you may have clearance probs with the bottom side tubing as the widest measurement of the pedals is nearly the same as the width of space between the side tubing.

4) Re shooters, general computer use, I ditched my desk 5yrs ago after making the first OBUTTO. I mainly play shooters as well, used to be a Day of Defeat nutter, and have been playing alot of BC2 Vietnam lately since Valve killed my game lol!! Every day I spend around 10+ hrs working & killing in my cockpit....prob 50% of the time killing heh! Here is a link to a vid I put on youtube showing how comfy it is playing BC2....sry it cannot be seen if you are outside of the US, but the 2nd link is to a China site with the same vid wink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jez-EKgmOoo

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjAyMjg5NzA4.html

The cockpit puts you in a very ergonomic position, keyboard is low just above your lap so your forearms are parallel to the ground, feet are raised as they are sitting on the pedal tray, underside of your upper arms are supported by the seatback side bolsters so need for armrests. With that said it is very different from sitting at a desk, and may take a bit of time to get used to it, but I'm very confident you will find it FAR better and more comfortable than any desk for computer use.

As guod or Ghost mentioned it really comes down to what games you play as to how you setup your cockpit. It is configurable in many ways outta the box and you just need to figure out what works for ya best. All the mounts can be placed on either side of the seat and if you just fly with sticks then you can even insert your steering wheel mount upside down to have a nice flat mounting face for panels, etc. Both of these guys are great examples of what can be done with the cockpit smile

Looking forward to your follow up guod smile
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/27/11 12:47 AM

I wouldn't say my MFPs and XKeys were out of reach or hard to get to...

Posted By: Dmd_Fulcrum

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/01/11 05:06 AM

My new setup below is using my G940 "franken-pedals" (see the post in the Controllers forum if you have any questions) and they fit just fine with the platform on:






Some FYIs

1.) I use my Obutto as a desk as well...works pretty good, but I may still mod an under table pull out shelf. Overall I love it!

2.) Thanks Ghost for some of the ideas from your posts...you can see in these shots I borrowed heavily from your cable management ideas.

3.) The Warthog joystick is bolted down. The throttle is secured using nylon ties sandwiched between the two base plates and then secured around the base itself.





Finally, those are 27" Viewsonic monitors on the triple mount. The sense of immersion has to be experienced to be understood. For the record, I actually got motion sickness playing Flaming Cliffs 2 last night and using the TrackIR. :-D

Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/01/11 05:30 AM

Welcome to the Obutto Gaming Cockpit Club Hoplite!

Your setup is super. thumbsup

Worked some more on mine tonight, now I just have one thing left to resolve... mounting the secondary monitor.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/01/11 05:44 PM

Nicely done there Hoplite! Now all ya gatta do is get the CPU off the floor. wink There's lots o' dust and dirt down there. That's why I put mine onto a shelf behind the monitor.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/01/11 07:26 PM

good stuff, guys. thanks.
Posted By: FrenchToast

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/18/11 06:48 PM

Wooohooo

Just got an email from Getgadget.ca : my Obutto has shipped !

It's somewhere between Alberta and Quebec right now

Of course, this being Purolator, 2 days after shipment all the tracking says is "picked up at Gatgadget"... Based on previous experience, the tracking info will probably be updated after the package is delivered smile
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/22/11 12:46 PM

One of these days I hope to have one, until then. sigh
Posted By: EinsteinEP

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/23/11 03:42 PM

She grumbles as she pets her Warthog HOTAS... wink
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/26/11 10:12 PM

Obutto Ozone Sim Racing Cockpit Review #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kd4RMttM6Y

Review covers just the racing aspect so some of you may not be interested. Using the acrylic top and bolting that sucker to the wheel base (which I understand some people don't like) really solves left/right wheel positioning. Matter-of-fact, I never even noticed the pint he brings up. WRT the monitor mount, I'm probably going that route. The big arse Viewsonic from my review crapped out (it was 6+ years old and was replaced as our TV) before I commissioned it for Obutto duty. I have a new 27" Asus that is higher resolution. Then came the problem. I use a second monitor for Teamspeak and PDFs. I don't like the three headed expanded approach and yes I've tried it before on other computers. So it looks like the new Obutto monitor mount allows the center and left mounting, then I'm set. I've had hell figuring out how to mount that second monitor. Then I can finish the second article.
Posted By: Corsair8X

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/02/11 07:41 PM

My Obutto arrived and I spent the better part of last week assembling and then shifting stuff around to find something that worked for me. This is just phase 1 of development and I will be adding stuff to in order to get it to where I want it. Some people had asked about the transition between flight and fps games so I thought I would post now while a lot of stuff is not in the way to talk about how I'm doing things which may help answer some questions that people have.

First, let me say that I am incredibly happy with this pit. Others are correct. It's *solid*. Built tough and looks very, very good - even in the sort of naked state that I have it in. It is also comfortable. That seat. Wow, that seat. I'm very broad shouldered so I was concerned about how the seat wraps around you. No problems with this one at all. I was concerned about how easy it would be to put together. Dead simple. Really. I didn't get the acrylic table. I feel that it would have just gotten in the way for how I will have my pit set up when I have finally added all the components. I actually think that the lack of the acrylic table in the end was a very good choice and likely has made switching configurations much easier for me. That may be some thing that some people may want to consider.

So let's talk about those configurations. This first shot shows the pit in "flight" mode.




As you can see, stick and throttle and keyboard off to the side. The keyboard is mounted immediately behind the post for the stick. The small table in front was just there to show other people what it looked like. I intend to fly without it because I will have something else going in that space in my final cockpit setup.

So when it's time for FPS, I loosen all knobs, rotate the throttle outboard slightly, reach down with my right hand and pull the stick mount out of it's bracket-tube and place that on the floor. Then I swing the keyboard tray around and that's it. I may choose to slide the seat back a couple notches but extended playing will determine that. It really is easy and takes between 5-10 seconds. Yes, that's it. Changing back to flight mode takes about the same time. It really could not be more simple. This next shot is the FPS configuration.




Again, very simple. Sadly my shot does not show enough contrast so you can see the large mouse area still left over. I'm using the SteelSeries Merc Stealth which is a beast of a board and I still have ample room for the mouse. As I said, switching back takes about the same time.

But what about driving? That's where the small forward table comes into play. Most times it will be off and I'll have the wheel just attached to it. My intention is the put the rudder pedals aside, put in the driving pedals, and then slide in the table with the wheel attached. I can't see that taking more than 20-30 seconds. I don't have a picture at this point because I have not unpacked my wheel yet.

So that's what I have for now. Today I will be making a space for it in my CIC (Combat Interactive Cellar). Then over time I will be purchasing and installing the other components. It's important to have a solid base to start with and the Obutto fills that roll perfectly. I've really got nothing to nitpick on it (not that I'm an experienced reviewer).

One last thing. For Canadians I can highly recommend the official distributor GetGadget.ca. I was very pleased with the turnaround time. I could have had it even sooner but Purolater does not do pickups on the weekend. I ordered it on a Friday evening and it got to my place in southern Ontario by Thursday.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/02/11 08:00 PM

thumbsup

Welcome to the club Corsair8X!

Half the fun in the cockpit is getting it "just-right" for each individual.

It has a near infinite series of variations depending on how and what you want to play.
Posted By: Corsair8X

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/02/11 10:27 PM

True, but it took me a long time. That's one thing that should be said again. You won't get this together in a day. You *can*, but you won't. You will be spending a lot of time trying this, then that. It took me an hour just to find that perfect setting of the platform for my pedals. Sounds like a lot of work but it's not - it's all a function of how curious you are.

I will be buying another flight sim accessory package though. As your article states, it comes with two platforms. I found the one that was more pan shaped was perfect for my stick - nice and low on the sides. I tried it on the other side with my throttle and that platform makes the throttle perfect. So I'm going to buy another set to get that pan-shaped one again - this time for my throttle. I'll then turn one of the other ones into a drink holder smile

My g/f tried sitting in it and also agreed that it was really comfortable. She looked at it as she sat there and asked when I was breaking out the driving stuff because she wants to use it for driving sims which she likes. This might be the only dark cloud over the cockpit - I might need to stock up on chloroform in order to use the 'pit when I want to wink

Oh yeah, and @Ghost and @Hoplite:
jawdrop incredible setups.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/03/11 12:21 AM

Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
True, but it took me a long time. That's one thing that should be said again. You won't get this together in a day. You *can*, but you won't. You will be spending a lot of time trying this, then that. It took me an hour just to find that perfect setting of the platform for my pedals. Sounds like a lot of work but it's not - it's all a function of how curious you are.


Bingo. I'm still futzing with my setup. One bit to go -- mounting the second monitor.
Posted By: JAMF

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/03/11 08:08 AM

Would be nice to buy the (triple) screen stand separately, so I can dump the desk and hope a Warthog centre-mount option will be added to the future versions of the chair. Dunno if that would require a recess in the seat.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/03/11 02:09 PM

Nice job there Corsair8X!

Originally Posted By: JAMF
Would be nice to buy the (triple) screen stand separately, so I can dump the desk and hope a Warthog centre-mount option will be added to the future versions of the chair. Dunno if that would require a recess in the seat.


JAMF, as you can see in my posts, I'm flying with a center mounted stick. Plenty of room, and no need to mod the seat. I realize I'm not flying with a WH HOTAS, but I'm sure it'll fit just fine.
Posted By: JAMF

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/03/11 02:26 PM

Originally Posted By: 531 Ghost
JAMF, as you can see in my posts, I'm flying with a center mounted stick. Plenty of room, and no need to mod the seat. I realize I'm not flying with a WH HOTAS, but I'm sure it'll fit just fine.

Got it. thumbsup
Posted By: Corsair8X

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/03/11 05:10 PM

Originally Posted By: JAMF
Would be nice to buy the (triple) screen stand separately, so I can dump the desk and hope a Warthog centre-mount option will be added to the future versions of the chair. Dunno if that would require a recess in the seat.


This photo is not my setup, but you will see that someone is already doing *exactly* what you wish to do. I think it's time for you to get out your credit card wink
Your dream
More pics and a write-up/review from this person
Posted By: Dmd_Fulcrum

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/03/11 07:00 PM

Almost identical to my own setup (I use a side stick mount rather than a center mount for my Warthog stick).


Just a heads up.....I find I am always tweaking my setup in one way or another so be warned if you are a tinkerer this thing is great but it gives you such flexibility it may drive you bonkers! ;-)

I'll post some new pics soon of my latest "enhancements".
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/04/11 04:22 PM

Great pics, and thanks for addressing the FPS/flying conversion. There's a very good chance I will buy this, once I am in not in a state of flux (house hunting and moving in w/ my GF in the interim). Thanks again.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/06/11 07:28 AM

Hi there, I just registered in the forums after seeing this thread.

My Obutto is on the way and I'm currently in the process of selecting the right screens to start with 3 screens right away. I've done a lot of research so far, but with my rig not here yet, I can't figure out some geometric details about this thing.

The way I see it from the pictures, the triple mounts are not aligned in terms of depth. Meaning that if you place them all in a line, the outer screens would be farther back than the center screen, because the pivot point of the additional mounts is behind the center screen. So to make the outer screens perfectly touch the center screen, geometry-wise it's a pretty much fixed situation, the angle would not allow a big range of adjustability if one wants the screens to align perfectly. Or am I missing something here?

I see Hoplite has mounted 3 27" screens on his rig - I want to do the same, but I'd like to use different monitors. I'm pretty much set on the Asus VE278Q models, they offer all the features I need at a very reasonable price point. AFAIK the Viewsonics Hoplite uses have 3 pairs of screwholes on the back, one 200x100mm or two 100x100mm VESA screwholes next to each other. So he is able to mount the outer screens offset on their respective mounts - I won't be able to do so, because the Asus models don't offer this feature. Will they fit nonetheless? Without their stands, they are 643mm wide and only 40mm thick. Due to this flatness I'm also concerned whether they will limit the angle of the outer mounts to a very flat one.
Not being able to have the screens turn inwards would be a big drawback for me, because I need to place the cockpit into a corner, and having the screens almost straight would be a big waste of space.

Hoplite - at what angle do you have your screens mounted? And would your setup be doable without the offset screwholes on your screens?

I wish I could simply sit that one out, but my preferred screens are somewhat rare here in Europe, so I order them now or won't get them for another two months or so. If that thing would be here already, it would be so easy, but no... wink
Posted By: Capt_Hook

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/06/11 03:42 PM

Originally Posted By: guod
Yes, you can use the keyboard tray and the HOTAS together, but I haven't figured a way to use the Plexiglas tabletop with the keyboard tray and the HOTAS. I am using the Plex, the keyboard tray and the G27 wheel together for racing and for shooters. I just leave the wheel on the edge of the

My two cents. Obutto is much better than the Playseat. The Playseat is nice, but the Obutto is short on sizzle and makes up for it with steak. Playseat uses some flashiness, but it is not built as durable as the Obutto. Again, my opinion and I'm sure there are those who will disagree.

Something I was going to do for the next article...a flow diagram showing what works with what out of the box(es), and what you can custom fabricate.

First question to ask yourself... will I use this for flight, racing or shooters? Or what percentage of each? Ghost is a flier primarily and only occasionally drives or plays shooters. I tend to do all three but favor racing. Ghost's setup reflects his emphasis on flight. While his setup is super, it wouldn't work as well for me.

Because the Obutto has such as strong base to start from, using some creativity, taking some time to think through what you want it to do, and some handiness with a drill and screwdriver, provides a multitude of configurations.


Money is on hand, so now to make the decisions about what to buy. One question on comparison: in your above post, you're of the opinion the Obutto pit has better build quality than the Playseat. I've got a basic Playseat for driving games on the 360 and while it's serviceable, I'd be inclined to agree that for the money the playseat could be a bit more robust. The Playseat Flight Seat, however, is the competitor I'm considering. Have you looked at that model, and if so would you still conclude the Obutto pit as superior in terms of strength and build quality? The Flight Seat is quite a bit different than the various racing versions.

I do wish Obutto offered a product version that ditched the monitor mount framing entirely.

Thanks for keeping up with this review, it's been incredibly informative. Also thanks to Ghost for providing the many pictures of a flight-based arrangement for the Obutto.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/06/11 05:42 PM

Originally Posted By: Capt_Hook
Originally Posted By: guod
Yes, you can use the keyboard tray and the HOTAS together, but I haven't figured a way to use the Plexiglas tabletop with the keyboard tray and the HOTAS. I am using the Plex, the keyboard tray and the G27 wheel together for racing and for shooters. I just leave the wheel on the edge of the

My two cents. Obutto is much better than the Playseat. The Playseat is nice, but the Obutto is short on sizzle and makes up for it with steak. Playseat uses some flashiness, but it is not built as durable as the Obutto. Again, my opinion and I'm sure there are those who will disagree.

Something I was going to do for the next article...a flow diagram showing what works with what out of the box(es), and what you can custom fabricate.

First question to ask yourself... will I use this for flight, racing or shooters? Or what percentage of each? Ghost is a flier primarily and only occasionally drives or plays shooters. I tend to do all three but favor racing. Ghost's setup reflects his emphasis on flight. While his setup is super, it wouldn't work as well for me.

Because the Obutto has such as strong base to start from, using some creativity, taking some time to think through what you want it to do, and some handiness with a drill and screwdriver, provides a multitude of configurations.


Money is on hand, so now to make the decisions about what to buy. One question on comparison: in your above post, you're of the opinion the Obutto pit has better build quality than the Playseat. I've got a basic Playseat for driving games on the 360 and while it's serviceable, I'd be inclined to agree that for the money the playseat could be a bit more robust. The Playseat Flight Seat, however, is the competitor I'm considering. Have you looked at that model, and if so would you still conclude the Obutto pit as superior in terms of strength and build quality? The Flight Seat is quite a bit different than the various racing versions.

I do wish Obutto offered a product version that ditched the monitor mount framing entirely.

Thanks for keeping up with this review, it's been incredibly informative. Also thanks to Ghost for providing the many pictures of a flight-based arrangement for the Obutto.


It's tough to tell from the pictures alone how sturdy and adjustable the Flight Seat is in comparison. From a visual standpoint, it looks to me like the same thing the Obutto offers if you didn't couple the front and back sections of the Obutto. The back half of the Obutto works fine in a similar configuration to the Flight Seat, for similar or less money. Take a look at the front/back section in my article: http://www.simhq.com/_technology3/technology_173c.html I can't tell from the description of the Flight Seat, but I question if there is as much adjustability in the throttle and stick positioning as the Obutto.

Posted By: Dmd_Fulcrum

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/07/11 03:32 AM

Mhe_at

The mounts on the obutto slide outward so the should work just fine....the only issue being the wider the monitors used the less of an angle on the side mounted monitor....that being said I find mine work just fine even if the angle is not as sharp as it would be with 24" monitors.

Btw - I almost bought the ASUS monitors you mention....
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/07/11 03:04 PM

Thanks for the answer, Hoplite!

May I ask what the angle is between your center screen and the two outer screens? I calculated the ideal angle between the Asus screens with angular functions and ironically it would be about 50 degrees if one were to sit 70cm (27.5 inches) away from the center screen. I highly doubt this is possible, because the arms of the outer screens would interfere with the center screen. Well, my Obutto should arrive next week, I'll see it then. For me, the angle is critical for space considerations, because up to 45 degrees, an increase in angle means I can place the cockpit farther in a corner, saving space in my living room.

What made you go with the Viewsonics instead of the Asus screens?
I'm just afraid that I might shell out a lot of money for something I'm not completely happy with afterwards.

Greetings from sunny Austria smile
Posted By: Dmd_Fulcrum

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/07/11 06:14 PM

I have had a lot of good experiences with viewsonic's products.....ASUS not so much. As for angle, I need to measure but it isn't 45 degrees.....and it does take up a lot of space.
Posted By: hoarmurath

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/20/11 06:29 PM

I received my obutto last week, have been enjoying it since. The only problem i have is : i own saitek pro flight rudder pedals. And they don't fit, they are too wide. The pedals themselves take a lot of room, so once it is on the pedal tray, either they can't go full back without touching rear tubes, or they can't go full forward without touching front tubes. I found only two solutions this far, either put them on ground, so they have enough room to use full movement, or remove the top pads, those that can be adjusted. Their support is much more narrow, and so it won't touch the tubes. Not very comfortable, but better than nothing. So yes, using Saitek pro flight rudder pedals is a problem.

I'm still very happy with the obutto, now i have a choice to make, either stay with "not so comfy" saitek pro flight rudder pedals, or switch to CH ones.

Using the G27 was no problem at all.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/21/11 07:05 AM

You could also use a G940. Simpeds also don't fit, they are about as wide as the Saitek combat pedals, which won't be able to use their whole movement range even when put on the ground.

My setup is almost complete now, I still have to do Hoplite's frankenpedals mod (got the Bodnar controller already) and get a Warthog stick.

Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/10/11 12:19 AM

Very nice mhe_at! Missed when you first posted on it.

Just finished mine last weekend 100% so now I have to do the follow-up article promised last September!
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/27/11 12:01 PM

And now, until May 31st they're ON SALE!
Posted By: Corsair8X

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/29/11 02:41 AM

Some progress on my Obutto build:

I ordered another flight sim addition from them. I really liked the really low platform that came with it and wanted one for the throttle as well. I felt that the throttle was too high with either the shifter platform or the other flight sim platform. Having two of the low mounts is ergonomic nirvana for me. Since I'm for now not using the wheel platform that comes with it, I stuck the throttle mount into one of the receptacles for the table and tightened down my CH Throttle quadrant. I like the angle for the levers in this configuration. There is still swinging room for the keyboard tray but as before, I do have to remove the stick mount which takes seconds. I just swivel the throttle outboard a bit and the keyboard rotates into place for any FPS games I want to play.

That's a Samsung 32" LED TV. I used LED because they are lighter than the LCDs. My only complaint thus far about the cockpit is that it does not seem suited to TVs. The 200x100 VESA pattern just doesn't cut it in a world of larger 200x200 mounting TVs. I had to buy an adapter plate, and a bunch of bolts, etc. The adapter plate had a lot of options so where ever the holes lined up, I put a bolt through it so that I have a lot of bolts holding the plate and TV to the Obutto plate. In the end, I've got 4 M5's and 8 M4's so I hope that's enough. That part was a real pain to deal with - especially given the top and bottom box frames run right across where the 200x200 pattern would go. Hopefully this stays connected. I'm also planning on putting a touch overlay over this monitor so there is a little more weight. I may rig up some type of suspension mechanism for the bottom of the display.

Now I'll have to wire all this stuff up smile


Posted By: Dr Meltdown

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 06/14/11 04:19 AM

Hey guys,
I'm starting to seriously consider the Obutto. I saw another post saying that Saitek Pro Rudder Pedals will not fit properly.
Can anyone confirm this?
And if not, I'd probably consider the Saitek Combat Pedals. Does anyone have any experience with those and how they fit?
Thanks.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 06/14/11 04:45 AM

Originally Posted By: Dr Meltdown
Hey guys,
I'm starting to seriously consider the Obutto. I saw another post saying that Saitek Pro Rudder Pedals will not fit properly.
Can anyone confirm this?
And if not, I'd probably consider the Saitek Combat Pedals. Does anyone have any experience with those and how they fit?
Thanks.


It's a wonderful prefab cockpit that you can mess with to personalize it even more.

Re: Saitek Pedals...
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3275365/Re_Review_Obutto_oZone_Gaming_.html#Post3275365
Posted By: Dr Meltdown

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 06/14/11 05:12 AM

Thanks Guod.
Yeah, that's the post I saw about the Saitek pedals. I still want to get this. It's pretty much everything I've wanted in a sim pit. I really like the simple yet completely functional design. I just want to make sure my pedals will work before spending the dough.
I've considered trying to design and build something similar with pvc, but hard to resist a proven, designed, & already built product.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/12/11 03:38 AM

Resurrecting this thread...anyone using this with 3 30" monitors? The site says that 24" is the largest monitor that the Obutto will allow 3 of without user alteration. Curious if anyone has had to make an alteration to use 3 monitors of 30" or thereabouts
Posted By: shan2

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/14/11 12:48 AM

Simpeds won't work with this cockpit?
Posted By: Bulletstop

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/14/11 03:06 AM

I almost have the cash to get one, another month of savings, however I have the saitek peddels, any pictures on how thye fit, or modified. Thanks in advance.


Bullet
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/16/11 01:46 PM

Originally Posted By: peppergomez
Resurrecting this thread...anyone using this with 3 30" monitors? The site says that 24" is the largest monitor that the Obutto will allow 3 of without user alteration. Curious if anyone has had to make an alteration to use 3 monitors of 30" or thereabouts


My 3 27" models fit fine with some room to spare. But keep in mind that the wider the screens, the lesser the angle you can mount them. So with 30" screens you might end up with some weird viewing angles. My side screens give an angle of 35° towards to user offset from the center on each side. Since the center screen in your case would be wider, it might be possible to do it in a completeley flat setup. But even 3 27" is already pretty sick and huge.

Originally Posted By: shan2
Simpeds won't work with this cockpit?


No, I've compared the measurements on the manufacturer's site. They are too wide.

Originally Posted By: Bulletstop
I almost have the cash to get one, another month of savings, however I have the saitek peddels, any pictures on how thye fit, or modified. Thanks in advance.


Bullet


The normal Saitek Pro Pedals will fit, although it's a tight fit and you might have to omit the rubberized floor plate to get them inside the lower frame of the cockpit. The Combat Pedals are even wider, so even when placed on the floor the pedal assemblies will interfere with the frame's tubing. A possible solution is to only use some part of the movement of the pedals, but you will not be able to use the full movement range of the pedals. With the non-Combat models, it seems fine, although this is just word of mouth, I haven't tried it myself so far.
Posted By: shan2

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/17/11 12:23 PM

I've seen one guy who has removed the baseplate on the Simped to get it to fit:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1225825

But I'm still not sure how practical this would be... It looks like he has the pedals on the floor. It may be a better solution to raise the pedals up past the supports using a piece of 2x4...
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/17/11 09:26 PM

You can get a bit more space by omitting the floor plate. But you lose the comfy angle of the pedals and even when placed on the floor, I don't think that you can use the whole movement range on that simpeds in the obutto. The lower frame is simply too narrow for some flight sim pedals, after all it was designed primarily with the sim racer in mind.

I've seen some pics of the Saitek Combat Pedals used in an Obutto some while ago, I can't remmeber where though. Guy complained about the lack of space. Since the Simpeds are even wider, I assume the problem is even worse with them. Really a shame, since Simpeds are great.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/18/11 02:52 PM

how much did you guys pay? looks like it costs about $720 total (that includes shipping) for the table, triple monitor mount, flight stick mount, and desk.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/18/11 07:01 PM

I have an email in to Chris at Obutto asking about the wider pedals, and if there are any plans or suggestions he has.
Posted By: shan2

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/18/11 08:04 PM

pepper, that's the same price I'm looking at from Obutto's distributor. It's expensive, but my current desk and chair were more costly and don't provide the same ergonomic benefits.

My only concern is being able to use the Simpeds... I simply had to invest way too much time in order to get them. Dieter made great stuff...just not terribly fast. biggrin

edit:

Actually, that's not true. My main concern is the wife approving of the cockpit being placed in the shared office. She actually asked, "What am I going to tell my friends when they're visiting!?"

She didn't like, "Well, at least it isn't donkey pr0n..." hahaha
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/18/11 08:09 PM

hah. my girlfriend's reply when i sent her info on the chair: "I am definitely getting a baby in return"
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/19/11 03:10 AM

Originally Posted By: shan2
Actually, that's not true. My main concern is the wife approving of the cockpit being placed in the shared office. She actually asked, "What am I going to tell my friends when they're visiting!?"


She can tell them you're doing aviation testing for the Air Force. They'll be impressed and she will be the envy of her friends saying they wish their husbands could get contract work like that. You're doing her a huge favor!

wink
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/19/11 03:23 AM

Or, you could put your friends in it and let them have some fun too!
Posted By: shan2

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/19/11 11:29 AM

Hah! I'd recognize that ultralight cockpit anywhere, Ghost! biggrin

I haven't played Flight Simulator X in a while...

There might be a bit of a freakout when she sees the triple monitor setup. I'd like to go for 3 x 30" but no set of videocards on the planet will run Crysis at the native 7680 x 1600 resolution with all of the eye candy enabled.

guod, did you get any response from Chris, yet? It's too bad that I can't just come over with my Simpeds... wink
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/20/11 03:53 AM

Originally Posted By: shan2
guod, did you get any response from Chris, yet? It's too bad that I can't just come over with my Simpeds... wink

This is one thing keeping me from clicking the buy button. Once there's a working solution for my gameport Simpeds without the Cougar (currently in testing phase), I'm divorcing my aging CH Pedals.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/20/11 04:35 AM

I've decided to buy an Obutto later this fall after building a new gaming rig in anticpation of all the great new upcoming games. Going to go with 3 27" monitors. Looking forward to it! Thanks again to everyone in this thread for all the information, especially the great review.
Posted By: shan2

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/20/11 01:55 PM

Which 27" monitors are you thinking about going with, pepper?
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/20/11 02:28 PM

Good question- haven't gotten that far yet. Got any suggestions?
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/20/11 07:09 PM

Obutto on sale NOW!
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/20/11 07:20 PM

HO-LY CRAP! Check out this Obutto!

Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/21/11 03:35 PM

Wow. That is just...awesome!

PS- I've taken to referring to Obutto as if it were an African orphan I'm planning to adopt, aka like Sasha Baron Cohen's Bruno in the recent movie. ("When Obutto comes to us from overseas, we will provide him with a loving home") This amuses my girlfriend to no end (umm, errr, unless it doesn't). Ha.

Thinking of throwing a housewarming/baby shower party for it once I finally get it and set it up, so her female friends can see it and stare in horror. She's sent them the link to it and they are all like "oh. my. god. is he really going to buy that?!?" It's amusing to me how beyond the pale it is in their minds, as if it implies I'm going to stop working, bathing, etc. and just game 24/7. Thank heavens I care not a wit about their opinions, and in fact find amusement in the whole situation. I swim, work, play guitar, cook, socialize with friends, and yes, game. Gamer and proud!!
Posted By: Joe

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/21/11 07:02 PM

Originally Posted By: peppergomez
I swim, work, play guitar, cook, socialize with friends, and yes, game.
Ah, so you don't bathe, then.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/21/11 07:11 PM

Haha. The chlorine takes care of that.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/22/11 08:29 PM

pepper,

Not to rain on your parade, but 2 cents. wink

Yes, get the new multi-monitor mounting kit that fits the 3 27" monitors. I strongly suggest everyone get it because they are really missing out even if they use one main monitor for gaming.

Here is what I've got for my upcoming (now 10 months late!) follow-up article.



While multiple monitor give terrific immersion, it does have some downsides. First, it requires more system resources. System resources meaning many more pixels to push around. Also, you cannot run apps and notes in one of the monitors, unless you don't run the game full screen. It is a HUGE advantage to run Teamspeak (yes, there are overlay applets but they don't always work so well), notepad notes, pdf reference, maps, or whatever on the second monitor.

This is the 27" I bought and I couldn't be happier with it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236103

The Newegg listing of Best Rating 27" monitors is here.

The smaller monitor is an older 19" LCD that is mounted on the left arm of the triple head kit. The kit is terrific to allow multiple sized monitors of varying sizes.

So I would encourage anyone who is considering the tri-headed setup on the Obutto to get the new 27" mounting set, but try a single big monitor first with a second smaller eyeball. See what you think of the performance and efficiency, then go get the additional two monitors if you decide to.

I'm sure Chris from Obutto, Joe Keefe, and others will drop by soon to totally disagree saying the immersion offsets any benefit of running sidebar apps and performance, but like I said, 2 cents.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/22/11 08:44 PM

Hey Doug! Do I see a li'l shelf addition? wink
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/22/11 08:47 PM

Originally Posted By: 531 Ghost
Hey Doug! Do I see a li'l shelf addition? wink


ayep wink
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/22/11 08:53 PM

Thanks a lot Guod. Pretty set on surround gaming, so all 3 monitors will be for the game. I have an iPad so I can use that to view some other things (though not Teamspeak). Your setup does look great, though.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/22/11 08:56 PM

rgr, the iPad helps!
Posted By: shan2

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/25/11 03:33 PM

Guod,

Chris still hasn't responded about the Simpeds? confused
Posted By: Joe

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/25/11 03:45 PM

Originally Posted By: guod
I'm sure Chris from Obutto, Joe Keefe, and others will drop by soon to totally disagree saying the immersion offsets any benefit of running sidebar apps and performance, but like I said, 2 cents.
Well, it is primarily a question of what you are trying to accomplish. Doug, for you you sit in this thing and do more server administration than gaming during an rFactor session. So for that, a primary/secondary monitor configuration is great. I know you also sit there and game, and for that I do think three monitors are preferable. Yeah, it takes more resources, but you can still do it with a mid-range GPU. I am willing to turn down settings if it means getting useable framerates on three monitors, because I feel that the tradeoff is worth it.

The best of both worlds (and the solution that costs the most money and takes up the most space) is to have three monitors for the primary app plus a fourth monitor that serves as the utility monitor.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/25/11 09:25 PM

Does anyone know if the Obutto triple display mount would be able to properly support 1 30" monitor and 2 20" monitors on either side, in portrait mode?
Posted By: shan2

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/26/11 11:50 PM

Considering how the triple monitor mount is designed, it should have no trouble with that, pepper.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/27/11 02:24 AM

Originally Posted By: shan2
Guod,

Chris still hasn't responded about the Simpeds? confused


Just saw this.

He hasn't! I still think he will reply and is probably on holiday.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/30/11 01:00 PM

In case anybody is interested: I've come up with a solution how to mount surround speakers to the Obutto, at least at the front. I use speaker holders from Amazon Basics for the rear speakers. Costs were about 5 EU for the front 3 speakers and about 25 EU for the Amazon speaker mounts.

Front speaker holders are simply made from some aluminium strips, cut to length and drilled holes. On the side speakers, you can mount the strip onto the main screw of the screen mount, on the center speaker I had to resort to double sided sticky tape.

Pictures:

The cut aluminium strips (measurements on request, to be used in conjunction with Asus VE276Q or VE278Q screens and Logitech Z906 speakers)


Result viewed from the front


Side speaker mounts attached to the screw of the monitor mounts


Center speaker mount taped to the center monitor mount
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/30/11 01:46 PM

Very nice
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/30/11 03:14 PM

Terrific idea!
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/30/11 05:32 PM

And another mod - making the optional flight stick mount fit the Thrustmaster Warthog perfectly. All you need is a cutting disc and a metal file. You can spraypaint the cut edges afterwards if you want, but the silver line along the edge goes well with the overall look of the warthog stick.

Once you've mounted the stick, the only thing you have to look out for is not crushing your balls when sitting down and sliding the seat forward to reach the pedals. biggrin

See pics below.

Before (excuse the coffee spills, was previously using this as a cup holder):




After:








As before, exact measurements available on request.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/30/11 07:08 PM

Terrific modding mhe_at.
Posted By: shan2

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/30/11 09:13 PM

That looks fantastic!
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/02/11 05:54 PM

Obuttos are in and shipping, today!
Posted By: Chaz

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/13/11 02:54 AM

Hi mhe_at

I am about to unbox my Warthog and work on mounting it to my Obutto. Can you supply those screw measurements for the stick mount? What size drill bit did you use?


Also, how did you go about mounting the throttle quadrant on the side? I currently use heavy duty velcro. Seems like most Obutto/Warthog users have gone this route.

Thanks


Chaz
Posted By: Dmd_Fulcrum

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/13/11 03:01 PM

Just posted an update to my Obutto pit in the Pit Builders sections: http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3389109/Update_on_Obutto_Pit.html#Post3389109
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/22/11 01:00 PM

Chaz, as stated in the private message to you, the drill bits are 4.5mm in diameter and the holes are tapered on the underside of the plate. Hole positions are completely square with an edge length of 60.1mm center to center of the holes. The throttle is mounted using Tesa industrial strength velcro strips.

The drilling templates for both the throttle and the stick can be downloaded as a PDF from Thrustmaster's support page: click me!

In other news:
I added a touchscreen to my setup. To achieve this setup, I had to get the acrylic plate moving. This was obviously not possible with the plate velcro'd to the metallic baseplate. So i removed the tape and replaced it with rubber feet fixed to the baseplate. The acrylic plate just lies on top of it and since the friction between the rubber feet and the acrylic plate is really high, it does not move at all. I simply lift it little and can move it around, once I let go it stays in place. So I have the perfect alignment when set up for classic FPS or something and can reconfigure for flightsimming in a matter of minutes. When unused, the touchscreen stands on the floor at the wall on the left.

Pictures:







In progress: Fixing an Ergotron LX arm onto the vertical posts of the Obutto and mount the touchscreen on it, so I can just swivel it out of the way when not used. Will make switching between allround and sim use much less tedious. Might take a while though, I'm pretty busy at the moment.
Posted By: GrinchWSLG

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/26/11 05:00 PM

mhe_at, I'm planning on doing a build like yours probably early next year. I was wondering how you got all the monitors setup. I know a GTX 590 can support 3 displays, do you run SLI with 2 cards to get the touchscreen display working?
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/02/11 07:42 AM

As far as I know a build like this would be very hard to do using nVidia cards. nVidias in surround have the bad habit of disabling remaining displays that don't belong to the surround group - hence locking out the 4th screen. I run this thing off a single 6970 2GB modded with a more efficient cooler and it works pretty well. I don't know of anybody running a setup like mine on nVidia GPUs, so I slightly doubt it's possible. The only thing I could think of is making a 4-screen surround group and locking the 3D output of DCS A10C to the upper screens using a viewport in the graphics config.

Your mileage may vary, but from in experience Eyefinity is much more flexible than surround. My rig would possibly benefit greatly from a Crossfire setup though, but I'll wait until the southern islands chip series comes out before thinking about adding another GPU. The support for crossfire in windowed mode is another story though...
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/17/11 03:32 PM

About to order this, but notice that Main PC is out of the Flight stick/Throttle mount accessory. Is this add on necessary in order to use both a throttle and stick? I'd like the stick on the right and the throttle on the left.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/17/11 03:43 PM

Unless you can make your own, I'd say they are necessary.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/17/11 04:40 PM

Arrived today. Woot!
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/29/11 07:21 PM

I notice everyone seems to be mounting the keyboard tray on the righr, and wonder whqt the reasonfor that is. I hqve set mostof obutto up, but the flight stick mount is out of stock at main pc right now, so i dont yet have that component. I was thinking of setting it up as follows: keyboard tray on left, throttle on left, and joystick on right. I dont plan on using a center mounted joystick because i would like to be able to use the joystick and keyboard and mouse for games like BF3, so hqving the keyboard tray on left and joystick on right seems a better solution. No need to remove stick.

Anyone know if this is possible? I am hoping that the keyvoard tray will be high enough above the throttle that i can just rotate the tray in towards me and It will clear the throttle, and have the joystick on the right for games like bf3.


What do you folks do?


PS do you guys with the acrylic tabletop who dont use a yoke or steering wheel attach the tabletop to the steering wheel mount with velcro like in option 1 or do you hardmount it by drilling holes and attaching with bolts, as in option 2? I wont be attaching a yoke or steering wheel, and wonde if e qcrylic tqbletop will be securee enough with just velcro. I am hoping velcro is suffiecient because i dont want to mar the surface of the acrylic table by drilling bolts into it.



(ugh i ha typing on an ipad....sorry for the wretched spelling)
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/29/11 08:28 PM

I'm not even mounting my cordless keyboard with the current config.

If you don't use a steering wheel, industrial strength velcro (yes, there is such as thing) works fine to hold down the acrylic tabletop. I drilled my tabletop to attach because the G27 is attached as much as the CH HOTAS.

I'm not using the metal keyboard tray at all right now.



I would like to create brackets so I can switch between setups, but considering I'm 10 months behind doing the followup article on the Obutto... smile



Ken King has a nice solution for flight only users. Here he is shown in his flight suit ready for battle.



Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/31/11 03:38 PM

Pepper, I know exactly what you mean - it is quite an act to get a system perfect for both flight sims and games like BF3. Your idea of not using a center stick because it would interfere with the keyboard tray is rather pointless because the keyboard tray is so wide that it will also interfere with sidestick configurations if you use the flight sim mount. Therefore I use the following setup:

1.) Center stick on the flight stick mount. Simply unscrew and lay it on the floor when not used.
2.) Throttle on the left. It swings to the back when not used. Mounted on the Obutto's gearshift mount.
3.) Keyboard tray on the right - simply put it parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pit when simming and swivel it towards you when working or playing games
4.) The acrylic table has a high friction coefficient against rubber, so I don't have it mounted. I put some self-adhesive rubber pads on the small metallic table and the acrylic tabletop simply lies on top of these rubber pads and is unable to move because of its own weight, much like many glass tables out there.
5.) Most steering wheels and all the tabletop yokes I know have rubber feet on their bottoms, so you simply put them on top of the acrylic table and optionally use a clamp when necessary, simply clamping the acrylic tabletop right in between. Rock solid.


In other news, I finished my touchscreen mounting project today. I use Helios for DCS a lot but the touchscreen on top of the acrylic tabletop had to be tilted way back so it doesn't block the lower portion of the center main screen. I had to find a solution for the touchscreen because the viewing angle on the TN panel of the touchscreen was really bad in terms of readability. The solution was to mount an Ergotron LX monitor arm to the pit. I used the model originally designed for wall mounting. The wooden plate is simply spraypainted black, drilled and mounted to the vertical pipes of the screen mount using 26mm steel cable clamps. Guy in the home depot asked me if I wanted to build a ski lift or something, but when I told him I'm gonna use them for my computer, he would shake his head in utter disbelief. biggrin


Closeup of the mounts:


The hole is for routing cables later on



Rear view of the wooden plate. I theoretically put some small metallic plates over the steel clamp screws and use the space in between for cable routing if I were so inclined.


Sim mode


Work- and gaming mode


When not in use, the touchscreen folds to the rear of the pit and simply hangs there.



Next time I'm gonna put in a ButtKicker
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/31/11 04:04 PM

Brilliant solution!
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/05/11 03:35 AM

Good bye desk and nearly broken office chair. boing aroundthetree
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/05/11 03:49 AM

Originally Posted By: *Panther*
Good bye desk and nearly broken office chair. boing aroundthetree



Really? Joining the club, huh? Cool!
Posted By: Rainmaker

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/06/11 06:06 AM

Originally Posted By: *Panther*
Good bye desk and nearly broken office chair. boing aroundthetree




I am in the same boat. Really close to placing myself an order. Seems prices have gone up since the last time I looked at them. Anyone seen them on sale as of late or know of any promo codes out there to be had?
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/06/11 09:10 AM

Originally Posted By: guod
Originally Posted By: shan2
Guod,

Chris still hasn't responded about the Simpeds? confused


Just saw this.

He hasn't! I still think he will reply and is probably on holiday.


I got my Simpeds in - only just!
I compared the BASE measurement of the simpeds to the base of the Obutto before I purchased, which makes it seem like there is enough room.

However the support bars are seriously intrusive and come inside the clearance area.

Once you measure the actual full range of the pedals, then they touch.

But I found a way around it by raising the end of the monitor stand with a piece of wood 3.5cm thick.
Plus added 2 other pieces to keep the pedals in the exact spot where both front and back get clearance of the posts. Sizes:
2 pieces of wood 20cm long, 2.5cm thick, width anything from 5-15cm will work.
Back piece 35cm long, 3.5cm thick, 7cm wide.

It works fine as long as you don't fully tighten the bottom bolts as you see in the last 2 pictures, because your seat is fully flat on the ground.







Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/06/11 09:24 AM

Final setup (for today anyway) I've decided to extend the stick a little.

The extension as ordered was too long, and default stick is a little too short when pushed down onto the seat I think I'd like to try prop sims with a slightly longer stick.

So I took a hacksaw to the warthog extension and cut off 1/3, put it back together and it seems good.

Only problem is elbow doesn't rest against the seat as easily, so may get a sore arm after a while. But I could always move the screw holes back towards me a bit it may help.

Another thing I haven't seen yet, I'm using double sided tape to mount the table and even the throttle. I didn't have any velcro so tried the tape and it works well!


Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/07/11 02:41 PM

Looking good! biggrin

Told you the stick extension would have some downsides with the Obutto though. wink
Isn't that really high? Can you touch the acrylic table plate with the stick?

You should seriously consider velcro for the acrylic plate I think. Double-sided tape works fine for some time, but the plate is soft and will bend slightly over time, lifting the center portion of the plate off the sticky tape sooner or later. That's why I resorted to rubber feet after some time. Keeps the plate in place just as well, doesn't leave marks and it makes the plate removable in an instant.

I originally wanted to use simpeds myself, the CH pedals are just the consequence of the narrow footroom. I've already told the Obutto folks to make the lower frame wider if they ever make a version 2. They said it will be considered, but personally I don't think we should expect news concerning this matter anytime soon.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/07/11 04:30 PM

Taipan - nice use of the secondary monitor in the portrait mode!
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/08/11 04:32 AM

Yeah mhe_at I took some of your advice and tried the stick at default smile Was nice but I have to experiment can't resist! But as default normally the base is at or above legs when not using Obutto. So with Obutto the base is actually below legs so it has room for increasing from default. Feeling quite fine with extension, although I did cut off 1/3 or 1/4 I think.

The stick doesn't touch the table at full extension although there's only 1cm spare.However I'm thinking of cutting the stick shorter a bit more, after all I'm not mounting it on a column lower than me as many have done. Also you only need a very short extension to feel the difference, and it's easier to hold if not above the elbow.

I know you said it's not more realistic, but for prop sims like Rise of Flight, the feeling I find with the extension is much closer to what I've felt in prop planes. With this length of stick (not too long), the throw is not too big to be unrealistic or difficulty to handle.

I have some rubber feet, I might try them for the table. But I don't see a need to ever take the table off except maybe for spring cleaning everything.

Guod - I have ordered the multi screen rack as well for now or the future, but I'm thinking I might leave it on that old monitor arm. If I do make it landscape, I can move the keyboard and mouse to the desk any time I need to do any "work".
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/08/11 04:44 AM

ps the guys at Obutto really do need to consider producing it with a wider base!! I don't know why they wouldn't. Who did you email?
I should email the suggestion as well, I would give up my Obutto before I give up my Simped pedals

I understand the new Saitek Pro Flight Combat rudder pedals are also quite wide.

As it is, they are working.

If there is an "Obutto 2" with better base design, I'll be ordering a replacement monitor stand. Just nice to have a bit more leg space.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/09/11 12:00 PM

I sometimes skype with Tiago, the reseller for Europe. Very friendly guy. He is in direct contact with Chris Dunagan (Obutto creator), so I'm pretty sure my info gets passed on at least. Given the pit's growing popularity I think it comes down to the economical viability for the manufacturer - if we flight simmers only account for a small percentage of overall sales, chances are we won't get wider bases.

The Saitek pedals are both a bit too wide for the pit, especially the Combat model. They are usable, like the simpeds, but it's a far from perfect fit. I did a lot of research on this matter before buying the Obutto. The only consumer-available flightsim pedals narrow enough to fit without any problems are the CH ones, hence my decision to have them. I obviously would have gotten Simpeds given the choice.

I also submitted my simple but effective mods to them because it wouldn't be hard to make the functionalities I added available out of the box with minimal cost, but I haven't heard back yet. At one point I was even considering building a frame of aluminium profiles around the pit to attach things like the touchscreen to it. Also made Google Sketchup 3D models of my concepts and all...

A wider base would be pretty much appreciated, but a conversion kit would actually have to contain at least 3 components: the wider base itself, bent vertical pipes to accomodate for the difference in width between the current monitor mount and the pipes, a modified center table thing (again, a width thing with the pipes) and optionally a wider rubber baseplate for the base to put your pedals on.

As for the 3-screen module: you can mount only one side and also retain your portrait setup - the backplate of the VESA mount can be slid around sideways and since it uses a VESA 100x100 mount, you can mount it 90° tilted. No need for a monitor base clogging a desk ever again wink

My little scientific excursion in the pros and cons of extending the stick are not to be taken too seriously as we don't have any form of change in control forces on most sticks. So a little extension can be nice. I simply did the calculations for the length of the stick base you originally had and came up with some numbers I considered not only unrealistic but uncomfortable. But you did shorten it anyway, so it isn't that big of a deal. You also basically cramped the stick base down as hard as you could it seems from the pictures. You can do away with the whole stick extension thing once you cut the excess metal of the baseplate, you can adjust the stick height on the Obutto itself then.
Posted By: mac495

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/09/11 10:47 PM

My fix for simpeds






Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/09/11 11:03 PM

How?

Or should I say how much for you to make one for me? smile
Posted By: mac495

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/09/11 11:23 PM

3/4 rigid conduit + welder wink

Have someone bend,cut support braces off, weld new "outriggers" and relocate supports..

Not bad to do and adds stability at the same time..


Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/09/11 11:48 PM

Obutto as it was meant to be wink
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/10/11 12:24 AM

Holy sh...! I want one! jawdrop
Can you make some drawings for that? I need to do that too, there is no going back after seeing this pictures.

Also, send the drawings to Obutto. This is the single best design fix one could make.
Posted By: mac495

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/10/11 12:39 AM

Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/10/11 12:50 AM

Originally Posted By: mhe_at
Also, send the drawings to Obutto.


My email to Chris with the link is already inbound. thumbsup
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/10/11 04:23 AM

So there was a really big box on my door step today. Working on it right now, just needed to review the videos to confirm installation.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/10/11 04:26 AM

Originally Posted By: *Panther*
So there was a really big box on my door step today. Working on it right now, just needed to review the videos to confirm installation.


Don't fall asleep in that super comfortable seat. biggrin
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/10/11 04:32 AM

Got to stay awake putting it together first, pulling a lot of OT at work. These pesky jets won't stop breaking.
Posted By: Rainmaker

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/10/11 06:11 AM

Originally Posted By: *Panther*
Got to stay awake putting it together first, pulling a lot of OT at work. These pesky jets won't stop breaking.



Damn you for ordering yours before I have gotten the ballz to spend $600 on mine. smile I am also impacient and they are out of triple monitor mounts ATM, so it has given me time to think about about it more then 100X since I would be without my triple monitors until December.

P.S. Jets suck! smile
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/10/11 07:58 AM

Originally Posted By: guod
My email to Chris with the link is already inbound. thumbsup


Nice one. Looking forward to Chris' statements concerning all those mods so far. Wouldn't be that hard to make them available as modules. The wider lower frame would really make it perfect, although I can imagine they are reluctant to do it because the packaging would have to be about 30-50% bigger in volume to have the larger frame fit into the box.
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/10/11 06:01 PM

Originally Posted By: Rainmaker


P.S. Jets suck! smile

Yes those Strikes suck ballz.
Posted By: mac495

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/11/11 12:21 AM

Glad you all like, I wouldn't give my simpeds up for anything,in ordering the obutto I knew I would have to do some modding, but with good access to a fab shop and it being made of metal tubing, hey no prob....;)

The obutto is fantastic..
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/11/11 02:40 PM

Actually, jets, suck, squeeze, bang, and blow. biggrin
Posted By: Rainmaker

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/16/11 07:57 AM

Obutto sitting 30 miles away at FedEx right now. Should be on my door step sometime tomorrow. It's a shame I still have to wait another month for my triple monitor kit to get here. Grrrr....
Posted By: mac495

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/16/11 11:21 PM




Ya,I couldn't wait either....so I made my own smile
Posted By: mac495

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/16/11 11:23 PM

Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/17/11 03:03 AM

Originally Posted By: Rainmaker
Obutto sitting 30 miles away at FedEx right now. Should be on my door step sometime tomorrow. It's a shame I still have to wait another month for my triple monitor kit to get here. Grrrr....

If you're home to sign for it, other wise you will see if Friday. Unless you signed for it today and it will be delivered tomorrow. That's the only thing I hate about FedEx ground, they won't attempt a second delivery. I called pleading for them to swing back by, heck the driver was still nearby, I only missed him by 7 minutes. Anyone who has been to Vegas, knows you can't get anywhere in 7 minutes, unless you're on two wheels. WinkNGrin
Posted By: Rainmaker

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/17/11 12:30 PM

All is well, FedEx guy showed up about 5:30 last night. It's up and assembled. Now just impaciently waiting for the rest of it to arrive to I can complete everything. Sigh....

I do in the mean time have plans to use some PVC tubing to build a mod using using the steering wheel tubing to creat a hard mount for my MFD's. I have never like them not being mounted to something. That and finding an area to mount a USB hub to get this cable monstrocity under control.
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/18/11 04:24 PM

Originally Posted By: Rainmaker
All is well, FedEx guy showed up about 5:30 last night. It's up and assembled. Now just impaciently waiting for the rest of it to arrive to I can complete everything. Sigh....

I do in the mean time have plans to use some PVC tubing to build a mod using using the steering wheel tubing to creat a hard mount for my MFD's. I have never like them not being mounted to something. That and finding an area to mount a USB hub to get this cable monstrocity under control.


Cable management is a must in my house, I've a cat who loves the taste of a fresh chewed cable.... Every cable has the protective conduit wrap, otherwise I wouldn't have nice controllers. Now I just have to wait for the rest to ship, but I made do with the basics.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/18/11 05:13 PM

And I always thought cats learn not to bite cables when they chew on their first power cable plugged into a wall outlet... The rat I had definitely leaned a lesson from doing that (and yes, he survived and never chewed a cable again).
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/18/11 06:02 PM

Mine survived and keeps coming back for more.
Posted By: Rainmaker

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/19/11 07:08 AM

Eventful day....

Now if only I could get my stick mount and triple monitor bracket in here I would be in heaven.







A little PVC, wood, and a few bolts and screws made a nice addition to the flight sim side of it all.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/19/11 07:55 PM

That looks great Rainmaker.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/20/11 06:27 AM

Originally Posted By: *Panther*
Mine survived and keeps coming back for more.

So you have a masochistic cat... wink

guod: Any word from Chris yet?
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/20/11 06:23 PM

Originally Posted By: mhe_at
Originally Posted By: *Panther*
Mine survived and keeps coming back for more.

So you have a masochistic cat... wink

guod: Any word from Chris yet?


He wrote back "wow, it looked great!" but didn't say anything further.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/21/11 12:41 AM

Yeah, my flight stick mount is also on order...mid December
Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/25/11 03:04 AM

Im seriously thinking about purchasing one. If I could figure out how to get my 42in Tv to it I would in a heartbeat.
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/25/11 11:54 PM

The Obutto and accessories are on sale through the weekend on MPPC . I regret buying it so soon but oh well, I'm loving it right.
Posted By: Gin01

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/26/11 02:47 AM

I'm having some issues with my new Obutto. I put it together last night and a few things are muddying my enthusiasm for this product.

1. I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs, and the seat seems too small on my hips. I can't sit with my butt all the way back without some decent discomfort and even scooting forward doesn't really help much. I'm not a big guy and alot of other people who sound much bigger keep talking about how comfortable this chair is. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm not enthused about spending this amount of money to have to replace the chair.

2. The fit of the support bar and the keyboard/mouse tray is also not very tight. The inside of the tray bar is rough and only a couple of slides back and forth are really dinging up the paint on the support bar. It seems any amount of moving the supports is going to eat through the paint.

I'd appreciate any help that others have. Was I expecting too much?

Thanks
Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/26/11 06:03 AM

Ordered Joining the club
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/26/11 10:24 PM

Originally Posted By: gyr
I'm having some issues with my new Obutto. I put it together last night and a few things are muddying my enthusiasm for this product.

1. I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs, and the seat seems too small on my hips. I can't sit with my butt all the way back without some decent discomfort and even scooting forward doesn't really help much. I'm not a big guy and alot of other people who sound much bigger keep talking about how comfortable this chair is. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm not enthused about spending this amount of money to have to replace the chair.


I've got 50# on ya gyr don't know what to do in your situation.

Originally Posted By: gyr
2. The fit of the support bar and the keyboard/mouse tray is also not very tight. The inside of the tray bar is rough and only a couple of slides back and forth are really dinging up the paint on the support bar. It seems any amount of moving the supports is going to eat through the paint.


I coated all moving parts with a lite film of petrolium jelly/grease. Keeps things quiet too.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/26/11 10:47 PM

Originally Posted By: RAF74_Raptor
Ordered Joining the club


thumbsup
Posted By: mac495

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/28/11 11:35 PM

Originally Posted By: gyr
I'm having some issues with my new Obutto. I put it together last night and a few things are muddying my enthusiasm for this product.

1. I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs, and the seat seems too small on my hips. I can't sit with my butt all the way back without some decent discomfort and even scooting forward doesn't really help much. I'm not a big guy and alot of other people who sound much bigger keep talking about how comfortable this chair is. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm not enthused about spending this amount of money to have to replace the chair.

2. The fit of the support bar and the keyboard/mouse tray is also not very tight. The inside of the tray bar is rough and only a couple of slides back and forth are really dinging up the paint on the support bar. It seems any amount of moving the supports is going to eat through the paint.

I'd appreciate any help that others have. Was I expecting too much?

Thanks


#2 Lift the tray as you slide it, its just square tubing inside square tubing so the fit is not like a bearing surface.
Don't comment or worry for at least 2 weeks, you will be adjusting and trying alot of things for at least that long if not longer...
Being able to do this is a good thing....
Posted By: mac495

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/04/11 07:05 PM

Stalker



Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/07/11 07:51 PM

Gyr,

Regarding your first point, I know what you mean. I am about 180lbs and just fit comfortably into the chair. I can imagine a wider person finding it too narrow.
Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/13/11 03:52 PM

I am still looking forward to mine cant wait till the 15th
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/13/11 08:58 PM

You will love it, I've really adjusted to the center mount and 10cm stick extension.

Now control in ROF is VERY precise, maneuvers all seem more energy efficient I get it just right, preventing stalls is easier now too. I could never go back now.

I am still adjusting to using TM MFDs in Black Shark, I'm so used to clicking the cockpit, but the MFDs add alot to the cockpit experience as well.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/13/11 09:03 PM

Originally Posted By: peppergomez
Gyr,

Regarding your first point, I know what you mean. I am about 180lbs and just fit comfortably into the chair. I can imagine a wider person finding it too narrow.


I'm about 200 and 6"2, it's just ok for me, I have an incentive not to put on weight as it would get tight in there. if I have the throttle far enough forward it's more comfortable. If its back I find it a bit tight for the shoulders.

I only attach the keyboard tray if I'm going to do some skyrim or Arma2, but it can make it a bit cramped - I also have the table.
In the keyboard tray slot on the right I normally put the shifter mount with my mouse may and mouse on top and rotate it in only after getting in.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/15/11 06:25 PM

The flight stick mounts should be shipping soon from Main PC. Been waiting on one for a few months now.
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/18/11 04:34 AM

Should be shipping on Monday.

Originally Posted By: MainPerformance
We are hoping to ship all pre-orders for Obutto on Monday as long as the Port Authority releases our container...


I can't wait. I'm planning out how to attach my Warthog under the seat to be able to use the Warthog Extender.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/18/11 05:34 AM

I cut the extension right down to only a small gap between the 2 end pieces, and then I mount it right flat on the front of the seat.

It's not as long as some, but it's the way I use it wink seriously I tried the full length and I prefer it much more like this for dogfighting or even precise control of the Blackshark
Posted By: MPPC_Mike

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/21/11 03:57 PM

Originally Posted By: gyr
I'm having some issues with my new Obutto. I put it together last night and a few things are muddying my enthusiasm for this product.

1. I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs, and the seat seems too small on my hips. I can't sit with my butt all the way back without some decent discomfort and even scooting forward doesn't really help much. I'm not a big guy and alot of other people who sound much bigger keep talking about how comfortable this chair is. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm not enthused about spending this amount of money to have to replace the chair.

2. The fit of the support bar and the keyboard/mouse tray is also not very tight. The inside of the tray bar is rough and only a couple of slides back and forth are really dinging up the paint on the support bar. It seems any amount of moving the supports is going to eat through the paint.

I'd appreciate any help that others have. Was I expecting too much?

Thanks


Hi gyr,


sorry for the late reply, but wanted to address this:

The seat needs time to "Break-In" and does become more comfortable with use. I recently replaced my Obutto with a new one, and had the same issue. I am much bigger then you are (300lbs) and find it to be very comfortable now after about 4 weeks since I got it replaced.

The keyboard mouse tray is designed to slide like it does, and will scrape the paint, but is working as designed. To reduce the friction if you desire, some cooking oil spray, or lithium grease will eliminate the squeaking and the scraping off of the paint.
Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/21/11 04:03 PM

Ahh hurry upo 27th I am ready to get this thing put together in my man cave
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/23/11 05:28 PM

W00T out for delivery!
Posted By: Rainmaker

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/24/11 01:57 AM

@Panther

Suck it west-coaster! smile

27th or 28th I believe for mine
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/26/11 08:54 PM

Broke down and ordered one today. Going to try it with my 40" LCD first. Grabbed a Fanatec wheel and clubsport pedals to go with it. Trying to get into iRacing and see if I like it.


Other than the CH ones, what rudders fit in this pit? (for when I am not flying my 737 pit or driving)
Posted By: JAMF

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/26/11 10:31 PM

Originally Posted By: jskibo
Other than the CH ones, what rudders fit in this pit? (for when I am not flying my 737 pit or driving)


Simpeds don't fit directly. Taipan posted pictures of placing some "2X4" under the pedal-screen-keyboard frame, just a page back. (or more, as I only am on page 5 as the last page)
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/27/11 04:08 AM

I got used to using the simpeds but the Obutto moves over time and have to adjust its position on the plank every now and then smile

I tried to find a metal worker in Sydney who would do the alterations like shown above, but unfortunately no one wants to do such a small job. I'll try again when the economy slows down some more..
Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/28/11 02:27 AM

Mine has arrived and is assembled. Messed up a little on the warthog driling but made it work. Triple Monitor mount should be here wed.


Seat is comfy
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/29/11 05:50 AM

Originally Posted By: RAF74_Raptor
Mine has arrived and is assembled. Messed up a little on the warthog driling but made it work. Triple Monitor mount should be here wed.

Seat is comfy


Pictures, pictures! smile
Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/31/11 11:00 PM

Just as soon as it is complete I swear just added Triple 27 in monitors
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/02/12 02:12 AM

Hey guys,

Just unpacked the flightstick add on and am not sure where I attach the center monted stick, or rather how i attach the arm to the base of the obutto. Pretty sure it goes bottom center but the front section of the cockpit is already there. There werent any instructions in the box or online here http://www.obutto.com/instructional_videos.html

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/02/12 03:59 AM

It's the hole near where you bolt the seat frame to the monitor stand.

Make sure it's the joystick mount not the throttle/shifter mount.

Joystick mount is a short angled tube then the flat rectangular mount. You can push it in and it will go all the way down to the seat if you have a small base like the warthog. Otherwise have it just on top of knees. See my pics above.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/02/12 04:01 AM

Close up:
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/02/12 05:09 AM

Originally Posted By: peppergomez
Hey guys,

Just unpacked the flightstick add on and am not sure where I attach the center monted stick, or rather how i attach the arm to the base of the obutto. Pretty sure it goes bottom center but the front section of the cockpit is already there. There werent any instructions in the box or online here http://www.obutto.com/instructional_videos.html

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.


Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/02/12 06:06 AM

Back at home now, yep this is where to attach the mounting pipe


Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/02/12 09:07 PM

Excellent. Thanks a lot.
Posted By: Rainmaker

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/03/12 01:26 AM

Finaly completed... smile

Still have to get it churched up a bit with some conduit for the cables. Feel a lot more at home with the three monitors back up and running.

Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/03/12 04:21 AM

Nice setup for the MFDs Rainmaker!
Posted By: Rainmaker

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/03/12 06:39 AM

Yeah, as luck would have it that little idea worked out perfectly.

A piece of 3/4" PVC, two 45* elbows, and a 1/2 piece of plywood worked like a champ. Slapped some Krylon Fusion paint on there(bonds incredibly well to PVC) to kind of mesh it in to the rest of the setup...and done. Really nice because it slides in and out, so when I race, I can just replace it with the steering wheel mount.
Posted By: catar

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/03/12 04:37 PM

Originally Posted By: gyr
I'm having some issues with my new Obutto. I put it together last night and a few things are muddying my enthusiasm for this product.

1. I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs, and the seat seems too small on my hips. I can't sit with my butt all the way back without some decent discomfort and even scooting forward doesn't really help much. I'm not a big guy and alot of other people who sound much bigger keep talking about how comfortable this chair is. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm not enthused about spending this amount of money to have to replace the chair.

2. The fit of the support bar and the keyboard/mouse tray is also not very tight. The inside of the tray bar is rough and only a couple of slides back and forth are really dinging up the paint on the support bar. It seems any amount of moving the supports is going to eat through the paint.

I'd appreciate any help that others have. Was I expecting too much?

Thanks

#1 I had the same problem for about 2 days of use now it's perfect.Just keep using it
#2 Who cares if the paint comes off just respray it or use grease as sugested.I don't care personally if it's scratched for the money it's good value.

My only problem was how to secure G940 properly without using suggested velcro.I got that sortd
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/03/12 08:39 PM

Ahh, mine arrived today....not fun getting it out of the SUV on a snow filled driveway!

Now to move some stuff around and find a way to mount a 40" LED TV to it. Bought some VESA adapters to try out.

Still need to draw out how I'm going to mmount the other two 40" monitors. Thinking some 80/20 setup might work well. Need to measure it all up and draw it out.

Up and running now with one of the 40" LED-LCD's. Now to figure out how to mount the other two.....

Still waiting on my Fanatec gear


Posted By: AggressorBLUE

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/04/12 02:02 PM

Originally Posted By: jskibo
Ahh, mine arrived today....not fun getting it out of the SUV on a snow filled driveway!

Now to move some stuff around and find a way to mount a 40" LED TV to it. Bought some VESA adapters to try out.

Still need to draw out how I'm going to mmount the other two 40" monitors. Thinking some 80/20 setup might work well. Need to measure it all up and draw it out.

Up and running now with one of the 40" LED-LCD's. Now to figure out how to mount the other two.....

Still waiting on my Fanatec gear





Looking forward to seeing how this progresses, as I too am considering buying one for dual Flight/Driving.


Which Fanatic gear is inbound?
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/04/12 02:32 PM

GT3 and Clubsport Pedals.....

...considering benching my FCC modded Cougar in favor of a Warthog
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/09/12 05:15 AM

For those who prefer to not have a center-mounted stick, I think that it's possible to have the keyboard in the center, the throttle on the left side, and the joystick on the right side if you use the shorter/lower flight stick mount (the section that the stick or throttle rests upon, not the section that screws into the chair). Pivoting each outwards a bit allows either the throttle or stick to clear the keyboard, and securing the base of the throttle or stick off-axis a bit from each mounting base allows the stick or throttle to be aligned with your hands, even if the mounting arm is tilted outwards slightly. I tried this, switching to the throttle and then to the joystick, and both are comfortable and able to be used with the keyboard in the middle.

You would need two of these lower flight stick mounts, and only one comes with the flight stick mount kit. I just emailed Main Performance PC to ask about ordering another one.

Will post some pics in a bit so folks can see how it would work.

Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/11/12 02:17 AM

Here is my Baby

Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/11/12 03:01 AM

Looks good! Are they 30" or 27"?
Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/11/12 03:24 AM

27
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/11/12 04:09 AM

Looks good RAF24!

You might consider something like this to get your case off the floor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999225
Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/11/12 05:04 AM

Thanks Guod but although you cant see it my case is on wheels it is not on the floor. And its 74 wink
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/11/12 05:14 AM

Haha, oops.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/19/12 06:42 PM

OK, got a 2nd flight stick kit from Main PC and now have Obutto set up so that I can comfortably use throttle on left, keyboard tray in center, joystick on right, and pedals on floor. No need to move keyboard tray out the way to switch btwn office work, first person games, and flight sims. It's awesome, and (to me at least) much more comfortable than using a center mounted stick. The key is in having the throttle just low enough and angled outwards a bit so that the keyboard tray clears it leaving enough room for your hand to grip the throttle.

I now need advice though on cable management- how do you guys do it? I have a mess of cables behind my pedals, and it's both ugly and hazardous. Suggestions would be great.

Will post pics when finished- I really think that this setup option (even though it requires buying two flight sim kits) is the best one for folks who want to transition btwn first person shooters and flight sims (most especially in games like BF3 or Arma2, or even in sims where some keyboard or mouse use is helpful) without having to move any equipment.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/19/12 10:15 PM

For cables I use something like this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000ZIKTJY/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

Better than the zip tool types as you can add and remove cables easily.

I have the shifter mount plugged into the right side with a mouse mat stuck on top, I can then have either center stick or keyboard in my lap and still use mouse easily both times.

I love center stick as mine has a slight extension, and for FPS games this is what I do:
-take center mount and sit it on edge of desk next to obutto (cable still in)
-move keyboard from acrylic table to lap

Keyboard on lap works surprisingly well. I'd say it's about 50/50 use at the moment.
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/23/12 02:28 PM

Getting a custom mount made now for my Three 40" screens. Hope to have it in another two weeks and I will post some pics and video with it (iRacing and some ROF or Falcon)
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/23/12 11:51 PM

Will you have the seat quite a bit further back from the monitors?
I have the triple monitor mount and like it save for the fact that, imo, it is a too close to my eyes, even for a single 30" screen.

I would like to modify the Obutto so that the chair sits about a foot further away from the table/monitor mount. I think that getting something to place inbetween the two portions of the cockpit (seat cage and table/monitor stand) where they join together would do it. But at the moment I'm not sure what would work.

Anyone have any ideas?
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/24/12 12:23 AM

The mount Mark is building for me will be independent of the Obutto so I can adjust distance as I need to. It had two braced legs on it.

Although I'm 25" from the 40" and I find it comfortable and immersive. I used to use a single 50" plasma on a desk and that was a bit too big, but when I went with three 23" screens it felt too much like looking through a tank slit.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/24/12 01:16 AM

I've been trying triple monitor too and also don't like it. I have a 30" in the center which is perfect. Flanked by 2 portrait Dell 20"s.

I found in flight sims with trackir 3 screens is too much information overload to focus on. My SA actually went down somehow. Also in some sims the wide FOV makes object LODs pop in much closer which is extremely annoying when they stay a tiny pixel for ages.

So I'm usin the sides for Shkval/MFDs only but not main cockpit view. Also using them in Skyrim, basically using them in anything that doesn't have Trackir.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/24/12 02:11 AM

Hey taipan,

What monitors are you using? I have an HP zr30w and am looking at buying two Dell 2007fp monitors to flank on the sides.

From what i know about eyefinity though, i will not be able to use the two side monitors in eyefinity when gaming, the reason being that eyefinity (and nvidia) cannot run a game across mixed resolution screens (1200x1600, 2560x1600, 1200x1600).

Do you game across all three screens in skyrim and other games?
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/24/12 05:10 AM

Same exact monitors and resolution, sides in portrait.

Yes eyefinity won't do anything except a tank slit 3xlandscape or bezels in your face 3x portrait.

I use kegetys SoftTH, it works for most directx 8&9 games.
Skyrim is working SoftTH with Hayden's menu fixer to prevent the menu going onto the right side.
Fallout working too.

Also railworks kind of working but a bad performance hit.

DCS is easy it always supported custom res.

Also had ROF working well in SoftTH but I spot enemies better on a single screen with trackir, plus the eye candy is divine when I turn everything to max which I can't do multi screen.

IL-2 openGL works if you set your left monitor as main before launching.
Posted By: Dr Meltdown

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/25/12 11:51 PM

Can anyone recommend a seat cover that provides a good fit?
I recently got a cat and he loves to dig claws into places he shouldn't. There's already a small tear in my Obutto chair and I want to prevent more. I'm thinking some kind of foam lining with a good fitted cover should prevent claws from getting though (I hope).
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/26/12 03:05 AM

Cover the cat in duct tape and the problem will likely stop. ,Akers the cat easier to find as well.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/26/12 03:32 AM

Stewart Forgie, winner of the SimHQ SCES 2011 Drivers Choice Award
shows-off his winning prize: An Obutto racing cockpit.

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3503643/Re_Obutto_Ozone.html#Post3503643

Congratulations Stewart!
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/26/12 04:57 AM

Nice thing to win! After a TrackIR and a HOTAS, I'd say it's the best peripheral/tool to increase one's enjoyment of gaming, be it FPS or a sim.

I shot the following email to Chris, the creator. Do you guys have any suggestions?



"I am thinking of ways I could increase my viewing distance from my monitor. I am currently using 1 30" and will soon be getting 2 20"s to put on either side of the 30". Even now, the single 30" feels a bit too close to me...say maybe by a foot. I'd like to increase the distance between the obutto chair frame and the desk/monitor frame by about that much.

Two possible ways of doing this that I can imagine (gotta admit that I am not very mechanically minded):

Two metal pieces each about 12" long, and wide enough and with the right openings that the bolts could screw into them. They'd be too long for the bolts to go through, so would screwing them at the two openings on either end (chair frame side and table/monitor mount side) create a secure fit? Or maybe there could be four narrower metal tubes, with the proper opening.

The other possibility is to not use screws at all, but to secure the two obutto frames together by some sort of metallic clamp arm, able to clamp securely enough onto either frame so they aren't loose. I don't really know of such a tool or thing, but maybe one exists.


Anyway, those are my probably not too brilliant ideas.

What suggestions might you have for putting about 12" more distance between the seat and the monitor on the monitor mount? (I thought about mounting arms that are angled backwards at 90 degrees, but the weight of 3 monitors would make that risky because gravity would then be working against the mounting posts."
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/26/12 05:29 AM

I'm also all the way back on the chair slider. No point being adjustable if normal is back.

For my eyes it's ok, but the pedals I'd like to adjust distance but can't because the base is too narrow.

I will try and order a new base to get some welding done to widen it. I hope they are willing to sell just the base.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/26/12 06:15 PM

Yeah, anything less than all the way back is too close. Wish there were more "back"
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/26/12 07:35 PM

Could always put a block or spacers between the sections where the four bolts go. Would need longer bolts but not that difficult.
Posted By: JAMF

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/26/12 09:01 PM

Originally Posted By: jskibo
Could always put a block or spacers between the sections where the four bolts go. Would need longer bolts but not that difficult.


Or a welded square section of the same tubes or square tubes, with two more regular bolts.
Posted By: Mace71

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/26/12 11:11 PM

You look younger in the pictures in the review than I thought you were guod smile
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/27/12 12:57 AM

Originally Posted By: MaceUK33
You look younger in the pictures in the review than I thought you were guod smile


Haha, well thanks but that isn't me. I really am old, mean and grumpy. biggrin
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/27/12 09:27 PM

Huh. And I was looking at the 'butto think the screen looked too far away for my tastes.

In my normal gaming position, my forehead is 24-25" away from the screen, and I tend to lean in when I start tensing up. Heh.
Posted By: kestrel79

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/28/12 05:22 AM

I'm 6'1 and sit with the seat all the way forward and I'm about an arms length from the screen. It's not as far away as the promo shots suggest.

I've had my Obutto for over 2 years now and it's great if your a flight/racecar simmer. Very easy to switch back and forth. I recently cleaned up all my cables using zip ties and velcro. Usb cables for my x52, CH throttle Quad, Rudder pedals, and wheel I tied all the excess cable in a zip tie, then attach a piece of velcro to the wires, and another below the Obutto wheel plate and the shifter plate. Then I stick all the cables with the velcro. Boom it's out of the way and looks great.
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/28/12 06:14 AM

I wish there was someone close to me who had one I could check out. I'm mostly interested in how it would work for my flying games. I'm in WI, but you're still an hour+ away. Heheheh. (I'm just outside Milwaukee to the West).
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/28/12 01:35 PM

Grand rapids if you happen to be out this way.
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/30/12 10:51 PM

Thanks. I think I've come to the conclusion that it's not the solution for me. I almost bought it and was talking with some friends about how to modify it for my wider pedals and to accommodate my extended warthog and I realized it would be as much work as just building my own seat and using my existing desk.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/31/12 02:20 AM

Probably a good call, the fully extended stick can't be used with not enough room for the throw. I had to cut my extension very short.

Also I'm disappointed with pedals room, it's more suited to racing but works as a flight cockpit as a secondary function. If CH pedals it's fine but many have wider Saiteks or Simpeds. VKB pedals won't fit at all I think.

I've emailed simparts nz and Obutto to ask if I can buy a second base so I can mod it at a welder but no response yet.
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/31/12 04:16 AM

Yup, Taipan, I stared a lot at your pics as well as...uh...the ones with the outriggers. It's just the case that the O is a great racing setup that can do flight within certain limitations. I like the modular concept and that's kinda how I'm designing mine. I'm just not in any way addressing the monitor - my desk works for that.

I want the Warthog base mounted lower and set up so that the extension just barely touches the stick at max back pull...and to do that the base looks like it would need to be right at the spot where the 2 halves of the Obutto join together.

Even if I set it up the way you have, it's set up to take tools to detach the joystick mount, etc.

I'm trying to figure out sketchup enough to draw what I have in mind. Hehehe. I think the Obutto is a very cool product...just doesn't fit _me_.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/31/12 08:35 AM

Chris just messaged me and told me he hears our issues with the lower frame width. He says he's working on it and that he may have a solution available for us later in spring. biggrin

Perhaps he is open for other ideas if you provide him with drawings of what you would need to make it perfect for all flightsimmers as well.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/31/12 10:59 AM

Sounds good to me, main thing for me is the pedal width and the height from the bars being too close together.

I'd buy an upgrade to the base if he made it big enough to fit VKB pedals.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/31/12 11:31 AM

For me it would be VKB or simpeds. Both are wide. I think it's safe to say that if these fit, all pedals on the market will fit quite well. I'm looking forward to more official news. smile
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/31/12 05:12 PM

My suggestions (based on what I'm building) would be:

1: The base/pedals issue

2: Add adjustable/removable armrests

3: Unless I'm missing something and it already is - make the center stick mount quick-removal. My chair is going to have both wheel and stick mounts attach under the front middle of the seat. It looks like the obutto design _may_ accommodate that via the height adjustment on the flight stick mount, but I'm not sure.

Beyond that it starts getting into things that would be tailored for a very small subset of an already fairly small market...perhaps even just me. wink
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/31/12 06:58 PM

Hi Teej

Stick is already quick removal. I just loosen the clamp, slide it out, and it sits on my desk while I play any fps games.

For steering wheels, they don't use the stick mount, they mount under the monitor where the black table currently sits on top of.

Since I don't race I always have the table on top, and never remove throttle from left side either.

I don't even use the keyboard tray because I have the mousepad attached to the shifter mount on my right, and I put the keyboard on my lap for FPS or non joystick computer use.
Posted By: JAMF

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/31/12 09:40 PM

Originally Posted By: Teej
2: Add adjustable/removable armrests


I have this idea of two "arm rests" for mousepad and keyboard. They can be swung out of the way. Hinge point behind the chair. The hinge would be a pipe. The pivot of the arm rest would have a bayonet-style pin or rod, which could follow a machined "track" in the hinge pipe, giving two levels and two angel-positions it could snap in to.
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/31/12 11:18 PM

Hello,

New to this board, but glad I found this thread. You guys are quite inventive!

I just ordered my obutto today (happy tax return to me!)
Will post my set up when once it's here and together.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 01:27 AM

Originally Posted By: Tweet
Hello,

New to this board, but glad I found this thread. You guys are quite inventive!

I just ordered my obutto today (happy tax return to me!)
Will post my set up when once it's here and together.


Welcome to Club Obutto, Tweet. wink
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 05:00 AM

Question for those using triple monitors. I have a 30 inch in landscape in the center and 2 20 inch in portrait mode on either side. Problem is that both 20 inch side monitors are ablut an inch higher on the monitor mounting arms than the 30 inch. At the moment i am not sure how i can either lower the side monitors or raise the center 30 inch. Has anyone encounterd this, and if so, how did you fix it. Thanks.
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 05:15 AM

Drill a new set of holes in the Obutto?
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 05:40 AM

They are held on with clamps. I moved them up a little and tightened up.

There are also other techniques described in the instructions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRChd2-T1WQ

Ill try and get some new photos of mine now the 20"s are attached.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 05:57 AM

Right but i need to move the arms down, not up, and there isnt room for the clamps to move down by about an inch, and lower than that and theyd be too low
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 06:17 AM

Did you try flipping the arms over?

The video has flipping the arms as a method to change the height because they point slightly the other direction.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 02:01 PM

Got some more photos to show some things.


Teej - this is the joystick mount when not in use after pulling the stick out and sitting it on the desk to the right, this is what is left:




If you can game with a keyboard on your lap, then swapping out the joystick is so fast. This is how I use it for keyboard/mouse games. Skyrim with picture landscape portrait in the Obutto is glorious, if only I had more time. See the joystick with cover sitting on the table to the right:




Joystick mount in use:





Warthog with shortened extension, this is the longest I found comfortable especially with the table there. Not the table height is adjustable, so you can adjust the height a bit to help joystick clearance but the longer the stick the harder it is. Remember that this is the lowest you can get the stickmount without modifying it.




Peppergomez - see my 20"s, they have managed to line up with the internal screens together by flipping the mounts and raising one a little. It did take about an hour of fiddling. Also see the first picture how they line up.





This is the whole setup for flying, I still use the mouse there on the shifter mount it just swivels out when I need to get in and out. I only export one MFD in A-10C because I have trackir to look at the left one, but also I need reference material and teamspeak on the left:


Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 03:03 PM

Sweet. Are using the window mode mod to play skyrim across mixed resolution monitors? If not, how are you accomplishing it.
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 04:17 PM

Wow, thanks for the pics Taipan.

I have my current seating set up such that the whole warthog base is below the level of the chair, and the "hand rest" portion of the stick is only slightly (< 1") above the top of my legs...and I insist on keeping it that way. Not as important for combat flying, but when I have to hold formation for 40 minutes, having my arm angled up would be brutal.

I really don't like how far it forces you to be from the monitors. I understand many people here like being 25-30 inches from their screens, but...that's not me. I'm using a 24" screen, and as I type this, my forehead is 21" from the screen and it doesn't by any stretch feel too close. In fact, I hunch forward to make it happen rather than rest against the back of my chair. As lame as it sounds, I'm thinking I might have to actually put the racing harness on the seat I'm building to keep myself from "leaning in" while I fly/race. Hahahahhaha.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 04:17 PM

Fullscreen mode with SoftTH from our here kegetys - 2.08b: http://www.kegetys.net/forum/index.php?topic=2123.0

Change the resolution in the skyrim file to 5160x1600. Then for SoftTH this is my config: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29331868/config.SoftTHconfig

Extra res I added for bezels that's why it's 5160. You might need to switch left and right ID around depending which is which, you'll know if left is opposite in game.

Haydens fixer to center the menu here: http://widescreengamingforum.com/dr/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/en
Untick auto-detect, and set GUI width to 2560 then it's perfect.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 04:21 PM

Thanks for the Skyrim info.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 04:26 PM

Teej my seat is all the way back smile

I can get very close. But then my legs would be too bent to aim well with the pedals.

My arm is exactly horizontal with that stick setup, I have rugby legs lol. For long flights though it would be nice to have it a bit lower but I think I'd lose some precision if I removed the extension.

Having said that, even without the extension it was still very comfortable originally more so than a desk mostly due to the centre mount.
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 05:41 PM


For the record, I thought about moving this discussion to a new thread since we're not really discussing the article. However...we are discussing the Obutto and Chris has expressed interest in our opinions for flight simming, so I'll continue unless The Management speaks up. wink

Originally Posted By: Taipan
Teej my seat is all the way back smile

I can get very close. But then my legs would be too bent to aim well with the pedals.



That was one of my concerns as well. It's fairly likely that I'll couple my pedals to my seat in some way to provide a consistent, stable chair-pedal distance...but I don't want dependencies between seat or pedals and the monitor(s).
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 06:17 PM

Yep, it's the narrow width that creates this dependency because there is only one exact position the pedals only just squeeze into. With a wider width there would be more positions forward and back the pedals would work in.

If I was someone buying now I would mod the width immediately before giving up the old desk. For me Im already heavily using this as my only computer desk, so I'm going to get another base and mod that then do the switcheroo.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/01/12 06:19 PM

Originally Posted By: Teej
For the record, I thought about moving this discussion to a new thread since we're not really discussing the article. However...we are discussing the Obutto and Chris has expressed interest in our opinions for flight simming, so I'll continue unless The Management speaks up. wink


Please carry on here Teej! There is a benefit in keeping the Obutto info inside this one thread.

Two cents. Whenever someone looks at a picture how someone else setup their Obutto, keep in mind it is set for them and you can set it up completely differently. Between the seat side rail holes to attach outboard brackets, the fore/aft and seat angle, the mount for the wheel/hub/table, the keyboard/mouse tray, the height of the monitor stand, etc. etc. etc. its almost impossible (IMO!) not to get a setting that works. The one wart is the wider pedals for flight, and as indicated previously in here, Chris is aware of it and maybe he is noodling a solution.

BTW, with the Obutto, you can be setup and running in 2 hours... or you may NEVER get done if you enjoy messing with it and trying new ideas, brackets... smile
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/02/12 01:48 AM

Got it, guod. wink

My saga begins today. My racing seat showed up. Although I don't have the materials here to frame up it up the way I want it, a pair of concrete blocks sufficed to take it for a test flight. Immediate impressions: I pity anyone still gaming in an office chair. biggrin



Given that I enjoy my 16 square foot L-shaped desktop surface, I'm awfully happy with the chair as is...but I'm still gonna build a frame for it - as is it doesn't give me a good way to mount a steering wheel. I don't like that on the desk in front of my monitor - the force feedback in the wheel shakes the...stuff...out of my desktop & monitor and turns that desktop in to a 16 square foot sounding board for the mech noise. biggrin

Unfortunately I think what would truly work best for us "I wanna fly a center stick with an extension" folks would be to have a notched seat like the ACESII ejection seat...and I don't think anyone's gonna be selling those reasonably priced anytime soon. Think I'm gonna have to come up with a way to offset the stick an inch or three.

All the way back in ~ '94 I thought about making a gaming chair from a car seat. Even had a freebie seat donated to me that sat in my old apartment garage until we moved out in '99. Wish I had done this years ago. Heh.
Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/02/12 02:01 AM

Welcome to the Club Teej. I have had mine for a month now and I would never go back. And yes we should keep the info here.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/03/12 01:38 AM

Hey folks,

I set my 3rd monitor (a Dell 2007FP) up today, and it's noticeably higher than both the left most monitor (also a Dell 2007FP) and the center monitor. It's distracting to have the right-hand picture about .5" a higher than the center screen.

I flipped the triple monitor mount over and reattached it, but it made no difference.

This discrepancy is marring an otherwise cool setup, and I am not sure how to correct it. It's not possible to raise the center monitor independently of the side monitors because of the mounting arms. And the mounting arms cannot be lowered any further because the lower section of the arm cannot attach to the mounting bracket at that point, and going lower than that would make the right monitor too low.

Taipan, I see you have the same setup as me- a 30" middle flanked by two 20" monitors in portrait mode, and are even using the same Dell 20" monitors. Your monitors look even.

I'm out of ideas...anyone got any?

Three images- one of all three monitors:



and one of the center and the right monitor:



and one of the center and right, from the bottom:



Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/04/12 03:53 AM

Some pics of how I have the arms attached, in case there's something I can change


Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/04/12 06:53 AM

Loosen one of the outside monitors and rotate the bracket 180 degrees. The hole on mine was offset to center.

Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/04/12 07:58 AM

Good tip, but that didn't make any difference. Even removing the bracket entirely and just holding the monitor up makes no difference in the height. It would have been better if the back plates that screw into the side monitors could be height adjustable when mounted to the monitor arms, instead of being a fixed shelf.

Unless there's something else I'm overlooking, it seems like it might be necessary to drill 4 slightly higher holes in the center mount so I can mount the center monitor a bit higher, since there's a bit of room to raise the side monitor arms up a bit.
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/04/12 02:14 PM

Have you adjusted the height by moving the arms up or down here:
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/04/12 03:50 PM

Custom Triple mount for 40" LED screens almost done!


Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/04/12 04:18 PM

Why not 55"?
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/04/12 04:23 PM

Originally Posted By: Teej
Why not 55"?


Used to use a 50" plasma as my monitor, from 25" it seemed too close for me. Over the years its been 32", 40", 42" and 50". 40 seems perfect from this view distance for me
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/04/12 05:28 PM

Originally Posted By: 531 Ghost
Have you adjusted the height by moving the arms up or down here:



Yeah, the arms are as low as they can go. Wish there were a way of moving up the center just a bit, or more adjustment room to lower the arms down just a bit more.

Like I wrote, I think at this point the only solution I can think of is to take the center back mount to a hardware store and have them drill 4 more holes about .5"-1" higher so I can raise the center monitor. Then I will be able to adjust the arms upwards a bit if necessary.
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/05/12 03:27 PM

Instead of drilling four more holes, which may or may not line up given you're going to have to measure the offset and provide it to them, why not find a machine shop that can "Slot" the existing holes say 1/2" on either side of it? You will have a range of adjustment then and can tweak it as you desire. Would be a real pisser to drill 4 more and be a fraction off......
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/05/12 04:26 PM

Originally Posted By: jskibo
Instead of drilling four more holes, which may or may not line up given you're going to have to measure the offset and provide it to them, why not find a machine shop that can "Slot" the existing holes say 1/2" on either side of it? You will have a range of adjustment then and can tweak it as you desire. Would be a real pisser to drill 4 more and be a fraction off......


Can you explain this in mre detail? Thanks.
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/05/12 04:56 PM

Wish I had a CAD program on here, but like this:

Top is what you have, a machine shop can give you a perfect vertical slot, a little on either side of the current hole. Then you can adjust the center up and down as needed.

Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/05/12 09:44 PM

You can lengthen the screw holes yourself too, if you drill a series of holes below with a smaller drill bit.

Then keep increasing the size and do them again.

As you increase the size the holes connect.

Another way is to use a chisel to hit between the new hole and the old. But this metal is very tough.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/06/12 03:51 AM

Originally Posted By: jskibo
Wish I had a CAD program on here, but like this:

Top is what you have, a machine shop can give you a perfect vertical slot, a little on either side of the current hole. Then you can adjust the center up and down as needed.




jskibo-- Those might work for the side arms, in terms of lowering them both a bit. I don't know how they'd work for the center monitor because I need to raise that one if I leave the side monitors at their current height. Wouldn't the weight of the monitor make it impossible to raise upward in the vertical slot? The weight of the monitor would just pull the screws down to the bottom portion of the slot.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/06/12 03:54 AM

Originally Posted By: Taipan
You can lengthen the screw holes yourself too, if you drill a series of holes below with a smaller drill bit.

Then keep increasing the size and do them again.

As you increase the size the holes connect.

Another way is to use a chisel to hit between the new hole and the old. But this metal is very tough.


So basically, on the side arms that are currently too high, drill a hole directly below the four holes that are currently there, essentially vertically widening the hole length, thus lowering the side monitors?
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/06/12 04:53 AM

No, the weight wouldn't pull it down if it was attached firmly.
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/06/12 10:18 PM

my Obutto should be in tomorrow.
Sadly I've relized my current monitor (a 27" samsung) does not have vesa standard wall mounting option.
gotta get a new monitor...
the ASUS VE278Q looks about right, but isn't availible locally.
guess it'll be a few days more before I get to try it out.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/07/12 12:40 AM

You should check out the HardOCP Display forums--lots of discussion about various monitors, including the VE278Q. If I recall correctly, many of them might suffer from really noticeable backlight bleed issues, though don't take my word for it.
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/07/12 06:12 PM

Originally Posted By: Taipan
Teej my seat is all the way back smile

I can get very close. But then my legs would be too bent to aim well with the pedals.

My arm is exactly horizontal with that stick setup, I have rugby legs lol. For long flights though it would be nice to have it a bit lower but I think I'd lose some precision if I removed the extension.

Having said that, even without the extension it was still very comfortable originally more so than a desk mostly due to the centre mount.


Well...when I first saw that picture I thought the extension didn't look long enough and the mounting looked uncomfortably high. Looks like that was erroneous perception of the picture.

Skipping the long thought process, I currently have a piece about 2.7" / 7cm (chosen because I figured that was the shortest I could "easily" tweak a ps2 extension cable for - shorter would take a bit more work) and think that's going to work just fine.

What I'm probably going to do, though, is weld the mounting arm to the top of the joystick plate, rather than the bottom, so I can get the stick base a bit lower than what you did.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/07/12 09:47 PM

I've modded my mount last week, I sawed off a few inches from the mounting pipe and now I can push the stick base into the seat more giving me 2 inches lower stick.

Don't know why I never tried this earlier!
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/07/12 11:20 PM

Obutto Ozone received this morning. thumbsup

FedEx guy never gets to my house before noon, but did today.



I've inserted the wheel/yoke mount upside down with the intention of mounting my CH MFP there facing me vice being on a table top.

New monitor should arrive thursday or friday.

I was a bit skeptical about how my CH Combatstick (with it's wide base) would work out using the flight package center mount and CH propedals (with their narrowish spacing). I have the pedal tray on the lowest angle, without being on the floor, and found no "rubbing discomfort" issues while going from full left to full right rudder. Just enough clearance to be comfortable.

So Happy I found this thread and the Obutto. I have tried a few homemade PVC designs, and always ended up back at my old desk for 1 reason or another. This pit is realatively inexpensive, and with it's modular design, smallish foot print, and swiveling keyboard tray is exactly right for what I wanted.
And, I find the seat pretty comfortable too!
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 01:41 AM

Congrats!
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 02:50 PM

Gatta say good bye for now. It'll be another month before I get any seat/stick time as I move to the East Coast...

Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 03:59 PM

oh no...your once proud pit. Where you moving to?
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 04:01 PM

Elizabeth City NC I'll be working at NAS Norfolk.
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 04:42 PM

The Misses had a very strong negative reaction to seeing the obutto assembled.

Very strong...

If anyone is looking to buy one, PM me.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 04:53 PM

Ahh, cool. I live in NC, in case we ever have a NC SimHQ get together. Beach,Piper, Bib4Tuna, you, me, and several other folks.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 04:54 PM

Originally Posted By: Tweet
The Misses had a very strong negative reaction to seeing the obutto assembled.

Very strong...

If anyone is looking to buy one, PM me.


Time for a little reeducation, methinks. Show her the errors in her thinking.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 04:54 PM

http://www.mainperformancepc.com/Fast-Track-Sims-Obutto-Triple-Monitor-Mount-p/fts-tmm.htm

New Obutto peripheral. I but too $$$ for me to consider, but looks nice.
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 05:50 PM

Originally Posted By: peppergomez

Time for a little reeducation, methinks. Show her the errors in her thinking.


She doesn't believe that any married family man would in there right mind have such a contraption.
In her mind I am dogfighting high school kids.
I've met several of the guys I fly with in online.
Let's just say the majority of them are well past college age smile

We're trying to sort out a compromise.
I may actually be reclaiming the basement as my cave.
If so, win win. But, for now should anyone be considering buying an obtutto base cockpit, my day old one is availible at a lower then retail price.
Even though I don't want it to be.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 06:00 PM

Hold onto is my advice...put it back in the box, and into your garage or attic. If things progress w/ the missus on that front, six months or a year from now, you will be glad you held onto it. It really is pretty sweet for gaming. And I do office work in it, too, so it can double as an office chair (though it's less comfortable over longer stretches of time than a good office chair- doesn't really provide ergonomic support)
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 07:34 PM

Originally Posted By: peppergomez
http://www.mainperformancepc.com/Fast-Track-Sims-Obutto-Triple-Monitor-Mount-p/fts-tmm.htm

New Obutto peripheral. I but too $$$ for me to consider, but looks nice.



They are very nice!

Here's a custom version for larger screens (This is for my 3 40" screen for my Obutto).

I'll have pics of the monitors mounted next week!



Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 08:42 PM

It looks like those Fast Track monitor mount arms are designed for three of the same kind of monitor, so they wouldn't be well suited for a 20-30-20 monitor arrangement. From their site:

All three monitors are mounted in the same horizontal plane so there is no need to adjust the height of each monitor individually. Due to this feature you must have three of the same monitors.

http://www.fasttracksims.com/triple-monitor-mount-1/
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 08:51 PM

20-30-20 would be a custom solution like the 40 - 40 - 40 I ordered. Tons of adjustability in the custom ones as well.

Big thing Mark's standard triple for Obutto has over the Obutto is the ability to go to closer angles on the sides with larger monitors. With the Obutto triple, the larger the monitor, the less angle you can have.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 09:40 PM

That would be helpful, having a closer angle

In the future, when GPUs can handily run 3x30" at max settings (which I doubt they can now), and when I have the $$ to do so, I am going to go 3x30" monitors. So the main thing for me is having a triple monitor mount that if flexible enough to handle multiple sizes- 20-30-20, or 30-30-30 in either portrait or landscape mode.
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 10:12 PM

He's a pretty easy guy to work with. Send him an email and see what he can do for you that's flexible.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 10:47 PM

If I didn't already have the stock Obutto one, I might. Going to adjust the drill holes as was suggested earlier so I can hopefully vertically align the monitors.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/08/12 10:57 PM

Originally Posted By: Tweet
Originally Posted By: peppergomez

Time for a little reeducation, methinks. Show her the errors in her thinking.


She doesn't believe that any married family man would in there right mind have such a contraption.
In her mind I am dogfighting high school kids.
I've met several of the guys I fly with in online.
Let's just say the majority of them are well past college age smile

We're trying to sort out a compromise.
I may actually be reclaiming the basement as my cave.
If so, win win. But, for now should anyone be considering buying an obtutto base cockpit, my day old one is availible at a lower then retail price.
Even though I don't want it to be.


Don't do it man. Do you tell her how to do her hobbies? Maybe I don't know but I told my wife I'll do my hobbies how I want and I WILL have a hobby. If she takes this one away I will find a new hobby and remember there are alot worse hobbies.

I'll buy a racing bike or learn to fly aerobatics for real. Both will drop $40k from our bank account...

Or I'll take up drinking with the mates again and not be home smile

Having said that - I also know to balance things. I think she is happier about it because she still gets the things SHE wants and I never go up there before 9:30pm on weekdays. So make sure there's balance then she has no excuse for messing with your hobby. Marriage should ADD to your life not ruin it.
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/12 12:21 AM

Originally Posted By: Tweet
Originally Posted By: peppergomez

Time for a little reeducation, methinks. Show her the errors in her thinking.


She doesn't believe that any married family man would in there right mind have such a contraption.
In her mind I am dogfighting high school kids.


Point her to us (VTB).

Of our 8 members:

The youngest is late 20s.

We have 2 over 50. One of them owns this: http://www.summerthunder.net/images/posts/MIP_6.JPG

3 of our members are professional airline pilots.

Nearly all of us are married or with long-term SOs.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/12 12:47 AM

Even better, tell her you will build that cockpit if she doesn't like the Obutto smile
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/12 01:40 AM

Oh don't take me wrong guys. She is awesome, and usually quite patient with my general stupidity. Wouldn't want to be without her.
She is however not a fan of WWII aircraft nor Computers and combining them apparently is worse. She doesn't give me much trouble with the sims/games themselves, but in this case the hardware was more then she could stand.

My thinking was "I need a new desk" which is usually a problem because it changes controller heights. I ran into guods review hear and this thread. Problem solved.

I thought. Guess that is where I made my mistake.

What ever, it's not cost effective to return it. It's sitting in my basement. Monitor and controllers will be attached tomorrow.
If someone decides to buy it, I'll build a desk that suits my needs.
If not, well... Then I have the best prefab simpit ever.
wink
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/12 01:52 AM

Originally Posted By: peppergomez
Hold onto is my advice...put it back in the box, and into your garage or attic. If things progress w/ the missus on that front, six months or a year from now, you will be glad you held onto it. It really is pretty sweet for gaming. And I do office work in it, too, so it can double as an office chair (though it's less comfortable over longer stretches of time than a good office chair- doesn't really provide ergonomic support)


Guess it depends what kind of work you're doing. I'll agree that an office chair works better if you're doing work that requires looking down at the desk most of the time. Most of what I do is looking up at the monitor, and I find my seat (which looks very similar to the Obutto's) much more comfortable and supportive than an office chair.

With an office chair, I find myself leaning forward and hunching my back. With the racing seat, I'm leaned back and my back gets some lumbar support.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/12 05:03 PM

I guess I'm spoiled then by how great my office chair is, both at work and at home. Herman Miller Aaeron chair. Kicks the ass of my Obutto chair and other office chairs I've used in terms of long term sitting sessions. After about 30-45 minutes in the Obutto (which is comfortable), I need to stretch or shift position.
Posted By: Teej

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/12 06:05 PM

Stretching off topic here, but are you sure it's not because when you're sitting in an office chair doing "office work" you're naturally moving around more, whereas when flying/racing/surfing you're generally quite motionless?

I'm sure an aeron would be more comfortable than what I normally use as "office chairs" (every chair I've had at my computer for the past 20 years has been under $100 and usually after a few months the padding wears out such that my ass bones are hitting a hard surface) but still...a racing seat just wraps me in support and spreads my weight much better. I could stand to lose a few pounds, but I'm not that heavy (~ 180-185)
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/12 09:30 PM

Ok, Seems we're going with the "out of Sight, out of mind" philosophy.
Once the Obutto was removed from view she has calmed down.
set up in my basement now, but that works out great as I am further removed from distractions smile



UPS tracking page says my new monitor is at my house, but I just got to work, so it'll be a few hours befor I get to mount it and do a full test.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/12 09:51 PM

Good man! You'll likely be happy to held onto it, b/c it's great.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/09/12 10:48 PM

Funny you mention Aeron smile I got a second hand aeron chair and while it was comfortable for office work, it is not dual purpose as it's terribly for flying in.

It's actually why I got the Obutto after trying and failing a few times to get a good flying chair.

In fact I think ANY chair with a swivel and/or wheels is not good for flying. The slight swivel that happens when you use the rudder is enough to throw off your aim/precision.

When I was doing my best dogfighting in rise of flight before the obutto, it was on an $80 dining chair I moved up to the office smile My butt got sore after a while but I was happy to shoot planes.

After a while that sore butt made me convince the wife to get the Obutto (I said it would be better for my back in the long run she doesn't want a husband with a bad back)
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/10/12 08:12 AM

Mounted my new Asus VE287Q cheers
Man the Obutto pit rocks!
Will post finished pics soon.

Here's a tip that worked out well for me-
Since it is my desk and pit, i use the swivel keyboard tray.
I didn't want to have to adjust the tray height each time I needed to use it.
My solution:


3/4" PVC coupling. I measured the difference between the pole fully inserted and where I wanted it.
In my case it was 2.5 inches. I put one 2.5" x 3/4" coupling into the mount tube followed by a greased washer. Then put the tray mount pole in.
Now my keyboard swivels around and is at the right height each time.

Also, since I have to remove the center stick mount to use the keyboard, I did the same thing there.
This time it was 4", so I got a 4"x3/4" coupling and inserted it. Now when I drop the stick mount in, I don't have to fuss with getting it's height right.
It's the same each time. Regular 3/4" PVC will work just as well, but the coupling were cheap and the right length was readily availible.
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/10/12 01:38 PM

I had Mark make a mount for my Obutto to substitute a Touchscreen Monitor mount for the wheel mount. Now when I fly I can simply pull out the wheel, leaving it attached and use a touchscreen centered on and below the triple monitors in font of me.

Should have it next week with more pictures in action:



Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/10/12 06:20 PM



all set up! Loving it too!
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/12 02:53 AM

Triple 40's all set up!

Getting motion sick now smile









Told the wife I'm going to cut out the stairs and live in the basement smile



Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/12 03:18 AM

Nice!!

Don't need trackir anymore
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/12 04:29 AM

Well done Sir!
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/12 06:14 AM

That's impressive! Are those 3 x 1920x1080?
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/12 12:54 PM

Yep, three Westinghouse LD-4080
Posted By: JAMF

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/12 01:28 PM

Originally Posted By: Taipan
Don't need trackir anymore
As if. Adding 2 screens adds to immersion like a TrackIR. Combined, probably only outdone by 3D HMD.
Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/12 01:34 PM

Originally Posted By: JAMF
Originally Posted By: Taipan
Don't need trackir anymore
As if. Adding 2 screens adds to immersion like a TrackIR. Combined, probably only outdone by 3D HMD.


Il let you know once I get it back. I loaned it to te guy who built my stand so he could try it before buying one.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/12 04:02 PM

Here are a few pics of my current setup. I don't find the center stick comfortable and my goal was to have a setup that would allow me to use the keyboard, stick, and throttle without having to remove the stick or move the keyboard tray to the side. Plus the keyboard tray wasn't flat for some reason when I attached it to the right side of the chair.

The answer was to buy 2 flight stick mount kits and use the shorter of the mounts for the throttle and the stick. It's low enough that I can use the throttle comfortably while the keyboard tray rests above it. I've mounted the throttle and stick at a slight angle on the bases so that I can keep the arms angled outward a bit so that they stick doesn't contact the keyboard tray.

This setup cost a bit extra but to me it's worth it. Oh, and I also mounted the 3rd base to the right behind the stick- ipad, drink, whatever else goes there.




in the last pic you can see how uneven the height of the two side monitors are- quite disappointing that the monitor arms seem to be of different heights :-(
Posted By: kestrel79

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/12 04:58 PM

Here's my Obutto flight mode setup.

Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/11/12 10:57 PM

Originally Posted By: jskibo
Originally Posted By: JAMF
Originally Posted By: Taipan
Don't need trackir anymore
As if. Adding 2 screens adds to immersion like a TrackIR. Combined, probably only outdone by 3D HMD.


Il let you know once I get it back. I loaned it to te guy who built my stand so he could try it before buying one.


I find I don't like it in racing, so I just use mirrors and side screens.

FPS too I use triple screen with no trackir it's great. Although I haven't tried triple screen Arma2 yet.

Flight sim, definite trackir and single screen. The side screens I export the MFD displays.
Posted By: JAMF

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/12/12 01:34 AM

Originally Posted By: Taipan
I find I don't like it in racing, so I just use mirrors and side screens.

FPS too I use triple screen with no trackir it's great. Although I haven't tried triple screen Arma2 yet.

Flight sim, definite trackir and single screen. The side screens I export the MFD displays.


So it's more dependant on the situation. I understand the racing situation, although I would understand someone using a little "head" movement (~15 deg), if he has the "look into corner" turned off. In ArmA2, "head" movement is about 45 degree. In IL2:1946 it's 90 degrees, for the dogfight situation, and you need all axes. biggrin The FoV is around 110 degree, so you see quite a bit.
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/20/12 02:29 AM

Picked up a black wire shelf on sale and moved my Obutto to a better spot in my basement



Not shown, but I threaded a piece of 1.5" PVC, screwed in into a base flange that I attached to a board.
Basically, I made a stand for my center joystick mount for when I'm just using it as my comp desk.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/20/12 03:36 AM

thumbsup Tweet!
Posted By: Tweet

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/21/12 07:10 AM

It doesn't compare to 3x40" displays, but since I only play WW2 flight sims, and I use a TrackIR 5, I'm good.

One little tip for those that live in humid areas, find a bicycle shop and ask for something called "frame saver".
They use it in steel frame bikes to keep them from rusting internally.
Works here too!


Posted By: jskibo

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 02/22/12 02:13 PM

Made some changes for testing out a future touchscreen monitor.

Had Mark at Fasttracksims make a mount to replace the Obutto wheel mount (Slides in with monitor atached and wheel stays attached to the other one, so makes changes easy).

I'm using on non-touch 23" for testing and its almost too big, will likely move to a 21" touch. Exported the MFD's from BMS and a few other windows, stuck my Cougar MFD's over the windows using the Blue Tack poster clay (doesn't leave a mark on the monitors and holds pretty good). Will try Helios soon for ICP and other gauges. So far it works pretty good!


Posted By: Weasel_Keeper

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/06/12 04:10 AM

Just ordered mine! Too bad it's a pre-order and isn't expected to ship until 30 March because they're out of stock. banghead
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/02/12 02:30 AM

Originally Posted By: kestrel79
Here's my Obutto flight mode setup.




How did you mount the second throttle quadrant?

I want to mount a Saitek quadrant next to my Warthog throttle but still deciding options.
Posted By: Weasel_Keeper

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/08/12 01:44 AM

Mine. driving











The race suit and helmet are just for giggles...I normally drive in shorts and a t-shirt. smile
Posted By: Bulletstop

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 04/09/12 01:06 AM

Lol Awesome, I really need to get one.


Bullet
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/08/12 09:19 PM

New Obutto R3Volution announced.

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3569412/
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/09/12 02:07 AM

Originally Posted By: guod

Now where do I put my old one. That is bad ass and hopefully will fit my Simpeds.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/10/12 05:09 PM

It will fit any pedals available on the market, it is a huge improvement. The only thing missing so far is a "work mode" like the old one with the acrylic table.

Doug, will you get a review sample per chance and can do a comparison? I'd love to see what this new baby can do when it has to compete against the older model. Price/performance ratio is outstanding, like with the older one.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/24/12 06:05 AM



http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9b8uOZmBU_g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNZiilfXdDk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Looks fantastic. My hat is off to Chris on this one,especially the flexibility of the monitor mounting.
All in all, the Obutto is the best gaming peripheral I have ever purchased (CH HOTAS and TRACKIR close 2nd). The Obutto Revolution looks even better though.
Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/25/12 04:17 AM

Hey fellas, sorry for not replying earlier but it has been balls to the wall trying to get this new cockpit completed and out there for peeps to see........wheeewwww! We're waaaaaaaaaay behind schedule on this thing so it's been a big rush for the past 3-4mths frown

Anyway, it's wickid to see you guys are diggin it and no worries mhe this cockpit makes using your computer for everything else even better wink Check out our site and you will see the tabletop is still an accessory but now it is two fully articulating tabletops that even tilt. On top of that the acrylic can be left off for mounting other displays to the vesa mounts. Furthermore, the keyboard tray now is on a fully articulating arm so it can, in short, be placed wherever you want.

The pedal tray width is 47'ish cm off the top of my head but there is around 49-50cm of room down there in the pedal box area. I doubt there will be any probs with the higher end aftermarket rudder pedals but please correct me if I'm wrong.

Keep in mind we will keep selling our original oZone cockpit but will be making some pretty big changes over the summer, and hopefully it will bring the price of that model down some, but still offer all the goodness it has for nearly 6yrs. The r3volution is our stab at the higher end cockpit niche but of course, in true obutto style, a lower price tag with many more features...muahahahah!! Just so you know I have been using the new r3volution cockpit at my US home since last Feb 2011 and it really is gooood. Since that time I only really changed the seat frame (rear portion of the cockpit) to something that looked better and was lighter for the packaging.

We will def get Guod a cockpit when they are available so he can do another review for you guys, just give us some time as we are nearly finished with our first production run, but then each country's importer/distributors need to purchase and import them via sea freight.

I've always tried to make new accessories fit older generation oZone cockpits but with this one being such a different design altogether only the new fully articulating keyboard tray will fit so it will be offered as an accessory. We may offer the free standing monitor stand as an accessory also but still considering it at the moment.

Hope this covers everything for you all, but if not feel free to email me or post it up wink

Best regards,
Chris

Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/25/12 05:10 AM

Thanks, and yes, PLEASE offer that fre standing monitor mount as an accessory if possible. It looks fantastic, and a greate solution for three monitors, especially being able to hopefully switch between portrait mode and landscape mode on the fly. Thanks.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/26/12 08:24 AM

Hey Chris!

I've looked carefully at the pics now and slowly come up with plans how to migrate to the new setup without sacrificing the features of my modified oZone. Afterburner on the EVGA forums I think mentioned something about speaker mounts for the R3volution, but I don't see them anywhere and I had to make my own for the oZone (see earlier in this thread).
Can you elaborate a bit on that?

Also I'd like to know if and by how much the height of the screens is adjustable. I have a huge computer case (MM Extended Ascension) sitting next to my pit and the speaker hanging below the left screen clears it by just 12mm. So if I get to hang the speakers below the screens on the R3volution as well, I need enough vertical clearance to do so.

What I'd really like is a Yoke mount for the lower center pipe (the one the fighter stick usually attaches to) and have it bent in a way that allows for civilian simming with the center touchscreen permanently attached.

Also, more detailed description and pics about which mount bends how far in which dimension would be much appreciated. Can I for example mount my 23" touchscreen on the center and leave it there and still play FPS games without having the keyboard tray touch the screen while swiveling? Can I only mount the left or right half of the acrylic table mount arms? Would need an assymetric setup because I think the left arm would also interfere with my PC case standing there. Can't move it elsewhere, I live in a fairly small place.

Thanks in advance, really looking forward to your answers (and guod's review of course!) smile
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/26/12 10:07 AM

Originally Posted By: obutto

We may offer the free standing monitor stand as an accessory also but still considering it at the moment.



I'd buy that for sure.

I've modified my seat and joystick mount, so if I could buy the new cockpit monitor stand and the table that would be ideal.

Existing seat plus new monitor stand

Cheers
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 05/27/12 03:17 PM

I can't wait, I'm already planning my Christmas.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 06/20/12 08:54 PM

Posted this over in the Racing Sim forum. Latest iteration.

Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/02/12 03:11 AM

Please no one tell my husband. winkngrin I pre-ordered the new Obutto tonight.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/02/12 03:53 AM

Oh man. That is sweet. When is it estimated to arrive?
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/02/12 03:55 PM

1 August but I believe that's when it arrives in port. Probably middle of August.
Posted By: RAF74_Raptor

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/02/12 08:39 PM

Looks great chris I still have my original and love it.
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/03/12 12:15 AM

Here's a picture of my current racing setup.

Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/03/12 05:12 PM

For us owners of Obutto v1 here's hoping they offer the monitor mount and arms as a separate purchase. I wouldn't mind upgrading mine to the newer one, if all three monitors are as adjustable as the center one in Chris's newest video.
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/03/12 10:39 PM

Originally Posted By: peppergomez
For us owners of Obutto v1 here's hoping they offer the monitor mount and arms as a separate purchase. I wouldn't mind upgrading mine to the newer one, if all three monitors are as adjustable as the center one in Chris's newest video.


+1
Posted By: jocko-

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/03/12 10:58 PM

Panther,

Hoping for a SimHQ review of the new 'pit sometime after mid-august wink

I'm looking seriously at this one but there's a few questions I have about it that the vids don't asnwer, like how far aft can those monitor mounts stretch (for side panels ala Helios), and can the monitor mounts be attached to the seat rails instead of the 10 and 2 o'clock positions of the front frame.

Also, as far as the stick and throttle mounts are attached: I have a stick shaft extension for my WH and don't know if the front of the seat cushion will interfere with full aft control movement, and that's if I can actually mount the stick low enough to take advantage of the extension in the first place.

The Revo looks really nice but IMO it's still a racing cockpit that's been modified for HOTAS use, not a flight sim cockpit. I do however love the idea of an all-in-one workstation/pit.
Posted By: Zulu

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/04/12 09:16 AM

Originally Posted By: *Panther*
Please no one tell my husband. winkngrin I pre-ordered the new Obutto tonight.


It is nice to see a wife worry this way for a change! Most of the time it is the husbands that have to worry in this fashion! Personally I have been denied the opportunity to go through this relationship-enriching experience because Obutto does not ship to Africa! banghead Well, actually that is not strictly true but getting the whole set up to my location would probably cost just as much or even more than the pit itself! sigh
Posted By: defdude

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/18/12 07:10 PM

Originally Posted By: *Panther*
Here's a picture of my current racing setup.




Nice setup, how big is that monitor? 30"?
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/19/12 02:10 AM

40"
Posted By: defdude

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/19/12 08:16 PM

Wow, 40? That must've cost a pretty penny. wink

I enjoyed the review, made some great points about the cockpit. It's cheap, and it's great all-around for gaming - especially people who don't play many sims like myself.
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 07/19/12 10:40 PM

No, caught in on sale during the year. Of course they are very cheap now.
Posted By: defdude

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/03/12 12:49 AM

I'll probably have to wait a long time to get the R3volution. No problem, I'm totally happy with my obutto ozone in the meantime. biggrin
Posted By: kestrel79

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/03/12 03:04 AM

Nice setup Panther. I have a DSD button box in the same spot in my Obutto too. Perfect for iRacing and flight sims. I barely use my keyboard anymore very immersive.
Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/11/12 04:57 AM

hey fellas sry for being mia for so long but been VERY busy getting the new r3volution cockpit out..........anyhow, yes the new r3v keyboard tray & monitor stand will be sold as accessories for oZone owners smile It really is the only parts that will fit, wish I could have made more parts dual use but it would have limited the design change. One nifty change on the new keyboard tray is self-adhesive mouse pad material, and it's not uber sticky so once your mouse pad wears out it's easy to replace. I will try to get these made for the oZone keyboard tray as it is a different shape smile
Posted By: Taipan

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/11/12 05:47 AM

Originally Posted By: obutto
hey fellas sry for being mia for so long but been VERY busy getting the new r3volution cockpit out..........anyhow, yes the new r3v keyboard tray & monitor stand will be sold as accessories for oZone owners smile It really is the only parts that will fit, wish I could have made more parts dual use but it would have limited the design change. One nifty change on the new keyboard tray is self-adhesive mouse pad material, and it's not uber sticky so once your mouse pad wears out it's easy to replace. I will try to get these made for the oZone keyboard tray as it is a different shape smile



That's great news! Especially for us in Australia where the shipping costs alot, not havign to ship the chair section and side mounts is great.

Some questions:
1. We would also need to buy the new triple monitor adapter is that right?
2. Existing acrylic tabletop - will that fit on the new steering wheel mount? Or do we have to go with the articulating tabletops if we change our monitorstand?
3. I assume we can keep the existing joystick centre mount, and just bolt it a little closer to the chair
4. With the new monitor stand - will it sit separate to the old seat, or do we need to bolt them together?
5. When will the upgrade option (monitor stand only) be available at Simparts.co.nz?

thanks
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/11/12 06:49 AM

Great news! Thanks Chris.
Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/13/12 08:24 AM

cheers taipan & pepper wink re the questions, pls see below:

Some questions:
1. We would also need to buy the new triple monitor adapter is that right?
Answer: the new triple mounts (ie the two side mounts) will only fit on the r3volution cockpit's monitor stand, as they are bolt on and the oZone cockpit does not have the flanges on it's main monitor mount. In order to use the r3v triple mount you will need to buy the whole r3v monitor stand (which will be available as an accessory) along with the r3v triple mounts.

2. Existing acrylic tabletop - will that fit on the new steering wheel mount? Or do we have to go with the articulating tabletops if we change our monitorstand?
Answer: Yes you could put the oZone acrylic on the r3v mount in the same way, or even better bolt it down to the r3v mount after drilling a some holes in your acrylic...would be an easy mod wink

3. I assume we can keep the existing joystick centre mount, and just bolt it a little closer to the chair
Answer: The oZone centre stick mounting post will bolt right up to the r3v, as will any of the oZone mounting posts.

4. With the new monitor stand - will it sit separate to the old seat, or do we need to bolt them together?
Answer: Yes the r3v monitor stand is completely separate from the r3v cockpit (ie stands on the floor). The r3v monitor stand is actually a stand and straddles the front of the r3v cockpit. The shape of the stand follows the lines of the r3v cockpit's front end. Since the oZone is smaller in width up front the r3v monitor stand will easily straddle it.....i actually use and oZone every day at my home in US but I use one of our early prototype r3v monitor stands with it.

5. When will the upgrade option (monitor stand only) be available at Simparts.co.nz?
Answer: Simparts (our NZ/AU distributor), should be receiving their first shipment of r3v's and more oZone's in a couple of weeks. We did not offer those other parts as accessories yet though so you will have to catch their next shipment for the r3v accessories. Not their fault, it's just that we only made a certain amount of full cockpits and did not plan for making the keyboard tray & monitor mounts as accessories at the time....sry frown

Hope that covers everything....just as a heads up the US distributor should be receiving their container of r3volution cockpits any day now. Thanks to anyone that pre-ordered, and just so you know we will have all our assembly vids up on YouTube or Youku.com (China youtube) by tonight. They should make it much easier for folks to get their cockpits up & running as quick as possible wink


Posted By: serenity7

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/15/12 06:30 PM

Thanks for answering the questions! I love my Ozone, considering upgrading to the R3volution when I can.
Posted By: defdude

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/16/12 06:45 PM

Thanks Chris, looking forward to the R3volution videos as well.
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/16/12 10:52 PM

Looks like it will be here next week. I can't wait, too bad I can't reschedule the first day that it's suppose to arrive. Due to restrictions, signature is required and I won't be home the day it is delivered.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/17/12 05:29 PM

In case it isn't obvious, I cannot recommend The Obutto highly enough if you are looking to take your gaming experience to the next level. Genre of game is unimportant- RTS, FPS, sim...I've played them all sitting in the Obutto and it makes it a kick-ass experience. I also cannot say enough good things about Chris's work, and his (and Main Performance PC's) level of service (timely email responses, clear instructions).

This thing ranks right up there with a HOTAS, TrackIR, 30" monitor, or new video card in terms of a "Wow" factor overhaul. (No, I don't work for Obutto or Main Performance, just a grateful user who wants to spread the word, and one who feels that he really got his money's worth from this product.)
Posted By: toonces

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/20/12 02:29 AM

Well, I just spent about a billion dollars getting a R3volution shipped to Hawaii. Boy did that shipping cost sting, but the pain has already faded and I'm looking forward to joining the club.

Appreciate the review and feedback you guys posted on this thread, which is what basically convinced me to spend that kind of money.

Aloha!
Posted By: serenity7

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/20/12 02:58 AM

Yeah, shipping costs are pretty tough with big equipment. Totally worth it in the end, imo.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/20/12 06:31 PM

Congrats! Please post your impressions (with pics) once you've got it set up and running.
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/20/12 10:54 PM

It's sitting in my living room. Can't wait to unbox it, but that will come later this evening, way too much stuff to do right now.
Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/22/12 09:56 AM

Thanks Pepper, really makes us happy to hear how pleased peeps are with their cockpits whoohoo Wow you guys have some great smilies hahah!!

Hey Toonces thanks for your support man, and dayyyuummm I know that shipping cost was steep....I shipped an OBUTTO oZone to a guy in Hawaii way back when I sold direct to America. As others said though, I'm sure you'll find it very worthwhile if you spend alot of time in front of a computer smile

**VERY IMPORTANT** Just as a heads up to folks that ordered a r3volution, the hardware count is inaccurate in the instructions as we changed the packaging last minute and used some bolts for pre-assembled pieces. Also, there is a typo in step 1 of the instructions where I said to use 8ea M8x15mm....should say M8x16mm. Long story, but I'm half dumb attack Anyhow, please don't worry about counting bolts as everything should be in there plus extras (except M6x15mm but they are just for hardmounting controllers) just dump 'em out on something and start building after watching the assembly vids located here: r3v Assembly VIDS Make sure you watch the vids because of the changes so the instructions are mostly out of date, sad to say. The vids will make life easier for you I promise cuz I've assembled so many and include tips on how best to put it all together. Good luck, and as always feel free to shoot me an email directly if you encounter any probs. My email is @obutto.com with chris in front cheers


****EDIT**** ok below is what bolts should be included with your cockpit (ie the correct bolt count)

r3volution main cockpit hardware - current batch


Socket Cap Head bolts:

M8x16mm = 10ea (8ea for centre spine, 2ea for front of pedal tray)
M8x20mm = 10ea (4ea for steering mount, 4ea for keyboard tray)
M8x45mm = 24ea (could be 2ea more for surprise cup holder)
M8x80mm =10ea



Hex Head bolts (for mounting seat only):

M8x45mm = 4ea



For attaching monitors to VESA plates:

M4x7mm = 4ea
M4 flat washer = 4ea



Nuts, washers:

M8 nuts: 44ea to 50ea
M8 spring washer & flat washer: 44ea to 50ea



For hard mounting controllers (prob did not make it into your boxes):

M6x15mm = 6ea
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/22/12 05:51 PM

Thanks for the list of bolts. I can't wait to finish the build.

Stephanie
Posted By: defdude

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/23/12 04:59 AM

Please post some pics! Would like to see them, good luck with the build.
Posted By: serenity7

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/23/12 11:16 PM

Looking forward to some more R3volution reviews from you guys
Posted By: toonces

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/26/12 06:10 AM

Got mine set up finally. 4.5 hours to put it together and then another hour to readjust everything once I sat in it and figured out the how I fit in it. Took about 6 more hours today to transfer the computer and peripherals over and set everything up where I want it.

I'm still not completely satisfied with how I have everything laid out but now I need to spend some time with it and start figuring out what feels comfortable...it's kind of like calibrating your TrackIR to figure out what fits your style.

I would advise to skip the written instructions almost completely (except to see what box stuff is in) and just watch the videos. For the most part they will get you going pretty easily.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/09/12 03:27 AM

Where's that review? And the pics? smile2
Posted By: toonces

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/14/12 02:14 AM

I ordered the Obutto R3volution gaming cockpit through their US distributor Mainperformancepc. Order was placed on Sunday and the package arrived on Tuesday. FedEx was kind enough to call the morning of delivery to ensure I'd be home to sign for it, which is required. The R3volution goes for a cool 700 clams, with another 50 or so thrown in for the optional flight controller add-ons. I did not get the optional acrylic desk top which I will get to in a bit. Shipping was insanely expensive and if you can order this on the mainland before you move overseas, I highly recommend it!



Three very large boxes, one of which was about 100lbs arrived as scheduled. The boxes were fairly crushed, although still sealed. There are some very sharp staples used to secure the boxes. The first thing I did was try to pull one of the stapled sides open during which I almost cut my index finger off. I decided to man up and forego stitches but I did almost make my wife barf by opening and closing the wound in front of her, making it talk and stuff.



Everything comes bubble wrapped. The chair came in the big box, the heavy box contained all of the metal framing pieces. A final box contained all of the assembly hardware and some cat and dog items.






Several people had commented online about how everything is sort of thrown in the box haphazardly. I agree, but with the bubble wrap nothing was damaged and frankly, given the weight of all that metal I don't see how else you can do it.

Besides the largest frame pieces (4-6) which are pretty self-explanatory, everything else comes in a numbered box. The assembly instructions are on a couple of pages. The first thing you're going to want to do is take the instructions, walk to your trashcan, throw them in it, grab a beer from the fridge on your way back into your office, and then boot up youtube. Seriously. The instructions are just plain wrong beginning with step A of step 1 and they don't get much better. But, there are plenty of youtube videos and, additionally, Chris from Obutto hosts a complete set of instructions on his Obutto website. The youtube videos are excellent and once you get going and start to "get it" it actually isn't all that hard to assemble the thing. There are about a billion screws, nuts, and bolts included in a bag, all covered in a grease preservative, and the entire thing just looks intimidating when you lay it out but, trust me, it's not hard. Some of the pieces don't quite fit and you may have to push and bang a bit to get it right, but everything does go togther.

I had plenty of extra screws, nuts and bolts. Everything you need is included although there is one part where you need two wrenches to tighten down a bolt. The desk only comes with one wrench so you'll need to scrounge one up from your own tools. The flight controller package came with another wrench so I was styling, but if you don't get that, or you don't have a basic set of tools in your house you will need to go get this one wrench. Chris tells you what size it is in the video.

Basic assembly, for me, was about 4.5 hours (sober). Several times in the video (and paper instructions upon which, perhaps, your beer is sitting) you are told not to tighten down the bolts. This is solid advice. At some point you will get the whole thing basically assmebled and you'll climb into that seat for the first time. Awesome! Except now you realize that this thing is one big adjustable erector set and you will almost certainly need to take some things apart and move them around to find the fit that suits your particular style best. If everything is only hand-tight it will make this part of the process far less painful. I spent about two hours adusting and re-adjusting until I found what was comfortable for me. For example, I put my keyboard tray on the right side, and the throttle setup in front of the cup holder; opposite what Chris does in the video.



There is a holder included with the basic desk and there are a couple more included with the optional flight controller box. There are no instructions included with the flight controller box so I wasn't quite sure what was supposed to go where. Because everything is so customizable it's probably just as well. There is the ability to set up your flight stick with a center stick mount, but I can't find a way to make that comfortable with my own flying/sitting style so for now I'v gone with the side stick and throttle type mount like the F-16. I'm still going to need to experiment with this some more. The desk comes with some double sided stickies for you to mount your stick and throttle to the mount holders. I very strongly encourage you to do this last. I didn't have any velcro do I used the stickys and they are rock solid; no wiggle in the controller-mount connection at all. I am finding some wiggle between the mount and desk on my throttle but nothing too bad and I haven't tried to tighten it down again yet.



The monitor stand is separate from the desk frame. At first I didn't like this, but having had to move this beast around a bit I see the logic in it and I think it is the way to go. There is a ton of flexibility with how you mount the monitor (height, angle, etc.) so again you'll have no problem figuring out what works for you.

One thing you don't see in the brochure is how horrible this whole thing looks when you set it up on a hard wood floor with wires dangling all over. It is quite the eyesore. So the following day I spent another good 6 hours or so tweaking things until I found something I can live with. At one point Chris mentions in the video about using a carpet underneath the cockpit and I very strongly agree with this. I cut my existing carpet to fit how my desk is situated in the room, ran most of the wires underneath it, and then spent a lot of time tying up and otherwise minimizing the amount of clutter around the computer. It makes a big difference. Here's what my final set up looks like:



One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that, the way I have mine set up, there is no way to mount the stick on the side and then be able to move the keyboard tray over your lap. So, when I'm flying I mount the stick and when I'm typing tech reviews on the internet I unmount the stick and lay it on the ground next to the desk. There is an adjustable tightening knob that allows for easy mount/dismount of the stick so, although this was a bit annoying at first, I find that it isn't a big deal anymore. I don't see how else I could set this up so the stick and keyboard could be mounted 100% of the time.

Regarding the acryllic desk tops: From the pictures it wasn't clear that these weren't included. In all fairness, they are listed as an accessory for the R3volution so I shouldn't have been surprised. I'm not sure what I was thinking; either the top was included or that the keyboard tray was a tabletop. Either way, although I'm making do without the top I intend to order it soon. This is just something for potential buyers to be aware of...

On a final note, I had a minor issue with a part of my desk. I sent an email to mainperformancepc and Obutto and had two responses within 12 hours and after a second email exchange with Chris he immediately requested my mailing address so he could FedEx a replacement part out. I found both companies to have shown exceptional customer service and I feel good knowing that my business is appreciated.

So, that's it. It took me a bit to get used to the Obutto after coming off of a lifetime with typical computer desks, but I feel that I've adjusted nicely to my new toy. The chair is comfortable and the desk is functional although I don't think it's appropriate for a 100% business desk. But for gaming it is pretty awesome, both flight simming, and FPS and strategy gaming. Overall, I can definitely recommend this for the serious hobbyist.

See ya,
Toonces
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/14/12 02:27 AM

Originally Posted By: toonces

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that, the way I have mine set up, there is no way to mount the stick on the side and then be able to move the keyboard tray over your lap. So, when I'm flying I mount the stick and when I'm typing tech reviews on the internet I unmount the stick and lay it on the ground next to the desk. There is an adjustable tightening knob that allows for easy mount/dismount of the stick so, although this was a bit annoying at first, I find that it isn't a big deal anymore. I don't see how else I could set this up so the stick and keyboard could be mounted 100% of the time.



I did it, but I had to order an additional flight mount accessory kit. It works great though, and means I don't have to alternate between keyboard and joystick. Perfect for BF3.

See my pics and post here:

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3643958/35.html
Posted By: toonces

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/14/12 07:11 PM

Hey thanks for the pictures.

I exchanged an email with Chris about it and he gave me some mounting ideas as well. I may experiment with this set up a bit more.

I've kind of gotten used to the way I have it at the moment. Like I said, it was a bit annoying at first but now it's all second nature. These cockpits really are neat and far more comfortable than the old "HOTAS on the keyboard tray" thing I was doing on my old desk.
Posted By: toonces

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/14/12 07:24 PM

Hey Pepper, I just re-read your first post on page 40 and I want to second what you said about Obutto's and Mainperformancepc's customer service. Honestly, just top notch. I can't believe Chris would take the time to type out individualized instructions on how to mount my stuff after reading my post above. That's really something.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/17/12 04:47 AM

Yeah, folks like him are good to have for us PC gamers.

Give my method a try if you want to have a setup that allows for HOTAS and keyboard tray without need for switching anything out.
Though if Chris suggests a better mounting method that accomplishes the same thing, please share it with us!

Thanks.
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/18/12 06:37 AM

Is there any word about speaker mounts yet? I have an oZone with custom surround speaker mounts but I'd like to upgrade to the R3volution model but can't until I find a speaker mounting solution.
Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/18/12 11:05 AM

Hey mhe, the speaker mounts should be out just before xmas. The trick for our mounts is catering to folks only running single monitor (for the 2 front side speakers) as well as catering to a more ideal setup with the 2 front side speakers spread out more which you can do on a triple monitor setup by using the triple mount arms as mounting points.

Anyhow, these will be made in the next production run which will start in Oct wink
Posted By: Stormtrooper

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/18/12 01:09 PM

Was going to purchase one this week. US supplier out of stock frown
Posted By: mhe_at

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/18/12 05:47 PM

Chris, thanks for the info!

There are several things I'd also like to know:

1.) How much space is there beneath each segment of the table mounting arms? I have a huge computer case which needs to be placed next to the pit and I would really appreciate that arms clearing it by an inch or so. (It's a MM Extended Ascension case, so I really mean huge).

2.) Where will the speaker mounts place the speakers? I need to know because of the clearance issue with the case.

3.) Could you make accessory modules which make it possible to mount screens to the sides of the seat? I'd love to add some touchscreens there for FMS programming etc.

4.) Does the keyboard tray clear a touchscreen if it is mounted on the center arm that would normally hold the steering wheel? Don't want to take that touchscreen off all the time. Once the yoke mount you mentioned somewhere comes out, I'll be in sim heaven. Flight simming and fps gaming in perfection.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/19/12 01:37 AM

Speaker mounts? Man, it keeps getting better. I really need those, since I have a 5.1 and no good place to put the speakers.
Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/19/12 07:57 AM

bummer Dave, thanks for your interest though and I expect to receive an order from the US distributor very soon. Shipping times to US from China is only around 21 days so you probably won't have to wait too long wink

___________________________________________________________________________

mhe, pls see below answers:

1) i use an Antec 1200 full tower and there is an inch of clearance with my tower next to the right side of the cockpit. My tower's usually get positioned about 10" towards me from the nose of the cockpit, so if you had some clearance issues you could just put your tower on the rt or left side but further towards the nose of the cockpit.

2) speaker mounts will probably be either above or below the monitors. Some simracers like their monitors insanely close to their eyes (like 15-20") so their middle monitor is just behind their steering wheel (not the console, the wheel). This would not allow under the monitor mounting, so we are making it so either can accomplished.

3) I've been watching the interest on these seat mounted displays. I may do a small run and see how they sell, just a bit busy with other stuff that is a little higher up the "to do" list heh! Perhaps guys could chime in if they are interested.

4) Yes the keyboard tray will clear a touchscreen if it is mounted on the main mount (steering wheel mount). Alternatively, if you don't want something mounted there, you can mount the touchscreen on one of the tabletop VESA mounts (leave off the acrylic) and then swing it around and position it in the middle when you need it and then swing it over to the side to free up the main mount for other uses. For mounting the touchscreen to the main mount you can get the display higher by flipping the mounting plate upside down and then just attach it with 2 bolts. In the end it really just depends on your uses, controllers, etc, but the cockpit can accommodate much more than the oZone right out of the box.

Hope this helps man wink

________________________________________________________________


Ya Pepper, xmas isn't too long off, in the meantime give a good headset a try......my fav is still the Logitech G35 even though it's closed ear. Sound is great, mic is great, and it doesn't bother anyone else in the house heheh! I've tried many many over the years including all of Plantronics top of line surround headsets, Razer Megaloden, and Turtle Beach....the G35 just does it for me cheers

Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/19/12 11:36 AM



For my CPU, this method has worked well for me.
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/21/12 08:45 PM

Will we get a full simhq r review on this bad boy soon?
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/23/12 03:50 AM

*Panther* is planning on doing a review.
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/23/12 05:16 AM

Originally Posted By: guod
*Panther* is planning on doing a review.

Review is nearly complete, I'm just trying to solve an issue with my monitor support. Nothing to fault Obutto, it's more of a monitor manufacture making their monitor fitting only one style of brackets... banghead
Posted By: toonces

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/26/12 05:59 PM

Ordered my acrylic tops yesterday. Oh, and mainperformacepc had 2 R3volutions in stock as of yesterday evening when I placed my order smile
Posted By: Panther

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/12 10:59 PM

My 2012 upgrade to my office is mid-swing and I wanted to share where it stands now.

When all said and done, that cheap desk will be gone, as everything is fully supported on the Obutto R3Volution.

(Obutto R3Volution)



Here's what it looked like before June. (Obutto Ozone)

Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/27/12 11:14 PM

Wow Stephanie that looks incredible!
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/28/12 03:12 PM

Sweet crikey. Nice.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/10/12 09:23 PM

The new Obutto R3Volution Gaming Cockpit is reviewed by Stephanie *Panther* Lessentine

http://www.simhq.com/_technology3/technology_184a.html
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/11/12 02:39 AM

For anyone curious in Ozone shipping box dimensions:

Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/11/12 05:49 PM

Do any folks here know if UPS or FedEx will come out to one's house and pack and ship? A member of the fine SimHQ community would like to buy my Obutto. He lives in Canada, so I am investigating what my best options are in terms of shipping it to him.

I don't have room in my car to bring the Obutto to a shipper, not even in its dissassembled state. Also, the original shipping box is at my ex-GF's place in an adjacent city, and I can't fit that in my car, either.

Any advice on the best way to pack and ship this bad boy to Canada would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/11/12 06:15 PM

UPS Customer Services FAQ:

http://www.theupsstore.com/CUSTOMER-SERVICE/Pages/ups-store-faqs.aspx

-------------

Will you pick up my items at my location and pack and ship them?

Several of our locations are capable of coming to your residence or business to pick up, pack and ship your item(s). Because our locations are individually owned and operated, services and prices may vary. Contact your neighborhood location to ensure it offers this service.

http://www.theupsstore.com/pages/locations.aspx
Posted By: No Name

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/11/12 06:35 PM

D'oh. The Internet is my friend. Thanks/sorry.
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/11/12 07:22 PM

smile NP
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 10/11/12 07:36 PM

pepper, you need a truck. biggrin
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/13/12 09:47 PM

My Obutto oZone gets a face lift...



Posted By: NavyNuke99

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/13/12 11:17 PM

Ooh, when did you switch to the X65?
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 12/14/12 12:45 PM

Originally Posted By: NavyNuke99
Ooh, when did you switch to the X65?


I haven't wink
Posted By: VTB_Lawndart

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/02/13 04:17 PM

Does anyone have the exact measurements (or able to get 'em) for the distance between the frame/pipes on oZone's pedal tray?

Trying to figure out what the largest footprint for rudder pedals is that will fit inside the frame without having to modify it. (I have a pair of Hall Sensor modded Thrustmaster Elite pedals I'd like to use, but they're 16 3/8 x 13 1/2 and it looks like they might be just an inch too wide?)
Posted By: Redline

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/02/13 07:35 PM

Distance between the front down tubes with the pedal tray crossbar in the lower position is 13 3/4 " . I am currently putting one together myself.
Posted By: VTB_Lawndart

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/03/13 02:47 AM

Thanks!

What is the distance between the two pipes on the floor (before it tapers off towards the front)?


EDIT:

Teej forwarded me this image (courtesy of 531Ghost) which answered my question.

Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 01/12/13 08:49 PM

Someone said cup holder?




Just need to add paint...
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/11/13 09:59 AM

In case you guys don't get down to the Cockpit Builders Forum...

UPDATE... <--Click
Posted By: Rikus

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/19/13 07:33 PM

Hellow

I´m thinking to buy an Obutto Ozone.

I use car simulators, flight simulators and of course FPS.

My question is, can i have all operative? or for example for FPS or flying i have to remove the steering wheel.

Greetings
Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 03/24/13 09:43 AM

Hey Rikus,

You can run all 3 types of games, I used to, but now just play FPS when I'm not working in my cockpit. Something about the mindless fun of playing the same old shooter you've played for 10+ years heh!

When racing, if you prefer a proper race driving position (ie wheel high & close to you), all you would need to do is loosen two knobs and lower your steering wheel some, and then slide your seat all the way back, rotate your keyboard tray in front of you, telescope it away to good position and your ready. Likewise, if you want to fly (centre stick), instead of rotating your keyboard tray around in front, just slot your stick (while already attached to the oZone flight stick mount) into it's mounting post that's already bolted onto the frame, tighten a knob down and you're gravy.

When not flying, I would always just pull the stick/mount and lay it on the floor next to my cockpit just to get it out of the way.

Hope this answers your questions wink
Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/13/13 02:54 PM

Hey folks, as a quick heads up we are developing some new kit for the oZone & r3volution cockpits, in terms of mounts. I'm always listening to all you oZone & r3v owners and once I get inspired I come up with something that will provide more goodness for your setups.

In the coming months we will be releasing a few new accessories that I think will be right in line with what I hear most peeps requesting. Either keep your eye on this thread or come by and ck out our NEW obutto site for the quickest updates.

One quick tip to oZone users that want to mount a display, for instruments, under their middle monitor, just like folks do on their r3vs. All you need to do is flip your main mount upside down, drill a VESA bolt pattern, attach your monitor, and you're gravy. Obviously this is more for you stick & rudder types wink

Happy sim'ing!!!

Chris

ps: sry for the double post Guod wink

pss: Damn Ghost, nice job on your cupholder man! Well done!
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/13/13 03:20 PM

Thanks Chris! BTW, I took the liberty of making THIS announcement. Hope you don't mind.
Posted By: obutto

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 09/14/13 11:12 AM

Cheers Ghost, and thanks for letting peeps know about MPPC's new pedals & brackets to hard mount to the oZone smile
Posted By: mustermutti

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/14/17 06:41 PM

Realize this is an old thread, but it's been helpful to me when researching the Obutto Ozone, so just wanted to report back my experiences in case someone else stumbles upon it.

This is still a great chair for flight sims at good value, highly recommend. (I paid under $400 while on sale at mainperformancepc.com.) Definitely a step up from my previous setup using an office chair with custom stick/throttle mounts clamped to the wobbly armrests. Everything much more solid now, fixed and more ergonomic distance to rudder pedals etc. Also got the warthog mount, enjoying having the stick in the center, works great with a stick extension.

One useful mod (if you can even call it that) involving the warthog mounts is that you can repurpose the original stick's base plate (not used anymore anyways when the stick is mounted to the Obutto) to pin it between the throttle and its mounting plate (they happen to share the same hole distance so this just fits, need slightly longer mounting bolts though). Result is you have an extra utility surface next to the throttle, I use that for a trackball for left-hand use - sometimes useful in DCS when I can't take right hand off the stick, e.g. while flying the Huey.

Space for rudder pedals was a concern, but I can report that at least the VKB pedals (T-Rudder Mk. IV) fit great.

Another concern I had was if the box would fit in my (tiny) car, since I live within driving distance of mainperformancepc's US warehouse (near Tacoma/Seattle), and self-pickup saved significant shipping costs (over $100). Well, the box didn't fit, but I just opened it up and fit all the parts relatively easily. Biggest part was the actual seat - as long as you can fit another car seat in your car you should be fine. (It helped that the seat can recline almost fully, made the maneuvering into the car easier.)
Posted By: Reschke

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 08/28/17 10:35 PM

Nice addition to the review mustermutti!
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/25/17 03:21 PM

Still happy with mine all these years...
[Linked Image]
Posted By: citizen guod

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/26/17 07:43 PM

My review cockpit continues to evolve.

Note the raised seat with spacers. That has made a huge difference in long races, flights, and web projects.

I went to a free-standing 2nd monitor. I like that better than the lopsided attached monitor arm. Triple screens isn't an option for me.

The seat is getting ratty so a local auto upholstery shop will redo it in 2018.

Attached picture 20171125_222731.png
Attached picture 20171125_222800.jpg
Posted By: 531 Ghost

Re: Review: Obutto oZone Gaming Cockpit - 11/28/17 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by citizen guod
...
The seat is getting ratty so a local auto upholstery shop will redo it in 2018.


I've been looking at mine too. I've found a suitable substitute seat at SummitRacing.com for $159.00~


© 2024 SimHQ Forums