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#2566792 - 08/12/08 12:07 PM Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk  
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Tom "WKLINK" Cofield reviews the RoccaForte Gaming Desk.

http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_131a.html


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#2566856 - 08/12/08 02:02 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: citizen guod]  
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Nice writeup, Tom.

The desk looks great, but my one major concern is that you can't do triple monitors the right way on it. The demo picture shows a triple monitor configuration with 6 to 12 inches of space between each screen. Who wants that? You also never want your monitors at different heights.

It looks fantastic for a single-screen system, though, or maybe a dual-screen system where the second monitor doesn't get used heavily.

#2567093 - 08/12/08 09:38 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: Joe]  
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I like my pictures better



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#2567131 - 08/12/08 10:55 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: Debby]  
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Nice article, but you need to call HotSeat Chassis - http://www.hotseatinc.com/ and review one of their rigs. I have shipped/built/USED \:\) both the RoccaForte and HotSeats... there is NO comparison. Especially the FULL MOTION HOT SEAT

Some recent Hot Seat shots from Oshkosh ;\)



#2567554 - 08/13/08 06:48 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: MichaelCHProd]  
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Debby,

Interesting photo. How big are those monitors?

#2567609 - 08/13/08 07:54 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: Joe]  
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I think a full motion hot seat is out of spirit of his article; a sim-friendly piece of equipment that is genuine furniture and won't automatically put you in the weirdo category when people come over for a visit. \:D


"By the way, even though I know its based on accurate data, it still pisses me off too when I'm about to gun someone and my screen starts to go black. I guess its only natural." - Pete Bonanni
#2567694 - 08/13/08 10:12 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: RedTiger]  
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Joe - Those are Samsung 214T 21 inch 4:3 monitors, in fact they are the very same monitors that you see in the HotSeat pictures I posted \:\)

RedTiger - I can see your point but the RoccaFort is lacking in too many aspects as a desk OR a sim platform. It tried to bridge the gap between desk and cockpit, which I do applaud. CH even helped with the design, but in the end it would not satisfy the two trains of thought (I want a cool desk vs. I want a pre made cockpit). It did hold a place that until it arrived was only served by some folding metal flight chair things that you could hide from your non gamer friends when they came over for a beer ;).

That being said... HOTSEAT HOTSEAT HOTSEAT (oh and most HotSeats are not full motion \:\) )

Last edited by MichaelCHProd; 08/13/08 10:13 PM.
#2567897 - 08/14/08 03:15 AM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: MichaelCHProd]  
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wow, big new dawg on the block
that hotseat chassis looks suhwheet!

in looking at pics of the roccaforte, i have to say that both the stick and throttle look far too high to be comfortable. i wouldn't want them to be any higher than the arms of my chair. i have my stick and throttle attached to two wooden paddles that i shaped myself, with the arm of each paddle attached under each arm of my chair with a clamp. works great b/c i can secure them to end of each chair arm when flying, and unclamp them when done.

Last edited by peppergomez; 08/14/08 03:21 AM.

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#2568098 - 08/14/08 02:27 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: MichaelCHProd]  
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 Originally Posted By: MichaelCHProd
Joe - Those are Samsung 214T 21 inch 4:3 monitors, in fact they are the very same monitors that you see in the HotSeat pictures I posted \:\)

RedTiger - I can see your point but the RoccaFort is lacking in too many aspects as a desk OR a sim platform. It tried to bridge the gap between desk and cockpit, which I do applaud. CH even helped with the design, but in the end it would not satisfy the two trains of thought (I want a cool desk vs. I want a pre made cockpit). It did hold a place that until it arrived was only served by some folding metal flight chair things that you could hide from your non gamer friends when they came over for a beer ;).

That being said... HOTSEAT HOTSEAT HOTSEAT (oh and most HotSeats are not full motion \:\) )


I'll give you this; the RoccaFort isn't a valid desk. But comparing the two (Hotseat vs. RoccaFort) is kinda like apples and oranges though. I wouldn't spend $1500 on a Hotseat unless I had the money to have a computer system dedicated to the Hotseat separate from the one that is also used for other stuff. Thats the point though, and I DO get it, the Hotseat is an enthusiast type of thing.


"By the way, even though I know its based on accurate data, it still pisses me off too when I'm about to gun someone and my screen starts to go black. I guess its only natural." - Pete Bonanni
#2568100 - 08/14/08 02:31 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: No Name]  
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 Originally Posted By: peppergomez
wow, big new dawg on the block
that hotseat chassis looks suhwheet!

in looking at pics of the roccaforte, i have to say that both the stick and throttle look far too high to be comfortable. i wouldn't want them to be any higher than the arms of my chair. i have my stick and throttle attached to two wooden paddles that i shaped myself, with the arm of each paddle attached under each arm of my chair with a clamp. works great b/c i can secure them to end of each chair arm when flying, and unclamp them when done.


I agree. I actually have mine propped up on old bedside stand an a couple of empty liquor boxes because I like mine LOWER than the arms of the chair, at a F-16-esque thigh height. People complain sometimes about the size and button positions on the Fighterstick and Cougar not realizing where these sticks are located in the real cockpit. I can see major fatigue developing with the HOTAS up higher like the Roccaforte.


"By the way, even though I know its based on accurate data, it still pisses me off too when I'm about to gun someone and my screen starts to go black. I guess its only natural." - Pete Bonanni
#2568388 - 08/14/08 10:56 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: RedTiger]  
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I have this desk and love it. Yes lack of storage but got a small cabinet to take care of that. Everything in my gameroom is black or metal, silver color so this went well. I mean everything like printer, joystick g15 keyboard, speakers, rudder pedals, computer case, Ceiling fan, cable box and monitor all in black or silver. Even my airplane pictures hanging on wall have black frames. So this was a must for my decor. lol.

#2568489 - 08/15/08 02:32 AM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: Debby]  
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 Originally Posted By: Debby
I like my pictures better



nice!! and wireless, too! ;\)


Was there an MRSP for the table in the article? I didn't see one and too lazy to use "the Google" as your prez would say...


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#2568718 - 08/15/08 02:40 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: Patrocles]  
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The article says $350 (paragraph 8, page 1). But a quick Google search turns up prices anywhere from $400 (Costco) all the way to $659. Roccaforte's own website lists an MSRP of $649.
http://www.roccafortesales.com/

#2568817 - 08/15/08 06:17 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: Joe]  
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 Originally Posted By: Joe
The article says $350 (paragraph 8, page 1). But a quick Google search turns up prices anywhere from $400 (Costco) all the way to $659. Roccaforte's own website lists an MSRP of $649.
http://www.roccafortesales.com/


thanks for the info!
a little pricey, but not too bad.


Animal Mother > Rambo+ChuckNorris
#2568863 - 08/15/08 07:40 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: MichaelCHProd]  
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 Originally Posted By: MichaelCHProd
Nice article, but you need to call HotSeat Chassis - http://www.hotseatinc.com/ and review one of their rigs. I have shipped/built/USED \:\) both the RoccaForte and HotSeats... there is NO comparison. Especially the FULL MOTION HOT SEAT



I'm afraid the azz kicking I would receive if I brought something like that into the house would be more painful than any benefit I would get from the really cool setup.


The artist formerly known as SimHq Tom Cofield
#2568866 - 08/15/08 07:46 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: RedTiger]  
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 Originally Posted By: RedTiger
I think a full motion hot seat is out of spirit of his article; a sim-friendly piece of equipment that is genuine furniture and won't automatically put you in the weirdo category when people come over for a visit. \:D


See my post just listed above.

My wife 'tolerates' my little simulation hobby. That means she doesn't mind my playing my little airplane games as long as it doesn't interfere too much with the rest of the house. That is the main reason I don't have any fancy cockpits or other things like that in my family room. She was leery of the roccaforte because it really didn't match with most of the antiques in the house but it wasn't bad looking.

To the person who talked about the heigth of the table as far as controllers go it is a little bit too high but not that bad. It is tolerable but some folks might find it a little too high.


The artist formerly known as SimHq Tom Cofield
#2569084 - 08/16/08 01:41 AM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: Wklink]  
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Nothing moves on this desk except for the keyboard tray, right, Tom? It would be nice if those side platforms had incremental locking points for some height adjustability.

#2569396 - 08/16/08 03:44 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: Joe]  
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No Joe, they are fixed. It would be a nice feature if they did.

Never thought about that.


The artist formerly known as SimHq Tom Cofield
#2569574 - 08/17/08 12:56 AM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: Wklink]  
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I have the desk and it's pretty good but in the end I did find that the side tables were too wide for me to be comfortable. In addition, the side portions of the desk that sort of surround the keyboard hole extend too far back meaning that I had to put my stick further back which meant that I had to be too far from my monitor. I just compensate by moving my keyboard and putting the HOTAS on the tray.

Here is my setup with exception that I have a fourth MFP now on my left:



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#2569837 - 08/17/08 03:23 PM Re: Review: RoccaForte Gaming Desk [Re: Corsair8X]  
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 Originally Posted By: Corsair8X
I have the desk and it's pretty good but in the end I did find that the side tables were too wide for me to be comfortable. In addition, the side portions of the desk that sort of surround the keyboard hole extend too far back meaning that I had to put my stick further back which meant that I had to be too far from my monitor. I just compensate by moving my keyboard and putting the HOTAS on the tray.

Here is my setup with exception that I have a fourth MFP now on my left:



wow...very nice setup all around!!

How much did the desk cost you? $350USD as in the article? Where did you pick it up (or did you get it from an internet shop?)?
Thanks!


Animal Mother > Rambo+ChuckNorris
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