Your thoughts on the Joy rider

[Tinker Dave]

Hi, I bought the plans for the "Joy Rider" virtual Flyer and I'm curious with what experience good or bad anyone has had with it. Or might the Akers-Barnes cockpit be a better idea.I kind of liked the two axis of movement with the joyrider. I'd be interested in anyones thoughts. Thanks for the help.
All the best
Tinker

[WildWillie]

I too looked at the plans and thought of building one as well. Only thing I didn't like is that the motion is only controlled by your control stick movement which will sometimes be backwards of the real sensation of movement.

I had tried a new motion simulator that a startup is building in Atlanta which was much better (3 axis of movement). Only problem was it relied on devicelink for the motion input (Which only works partially online) Too bad cause it was a real nice sim. If your into racing sims it would be awesum. Price was steep too $10K - $25K

This winter I plan on building a pit based on the Akers-Barnes design.

WildWillie

[Tinker Dave]

Well the Joyrider must have some issues that keeps alot of people away. I looked on their website and they have alot of informations but its allways better to talk with someone who had built and used it. What was the name of this company that built this other sim,if you don't mind me asking. Thanks for the help.
All the best
Tinker

[RobMR3]

Here's another option: http://www.frex.com/gp/

[NowhereMan]

I'm currently building a joyrider. It's easy to do and requires only basic tools and techniques. I'd like to build a full motion control system at some point and this seemed a relatively inexpensive way to learn some fundamentals. After I finish it, I'll likely start converting over to a customized metal model.

The motion control software I've seen looks mainly to support Microsoft Flight Sim so I'm not sure it would do me any good for IL2 and BoBII.


Here's a guy that started with joyrider and refined it into the Dreamrider: http://www.flightcontrolsimulator.com/site/1646834/page/45029 It has some good pics of his progression.

Here's a guy who modified a joyrider by adding motion control. This will likely be the route I'll take if I find it will work for the games I play: http://ptyxiouxos.net//greekbotics/user_projects/Flight_Simulator/thanos_home_motion_flight_simulator.htm

Here's a photo album of a guy's completed joyrider: http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=2098993158

[WildWillie]

The motion sim company in Atlanta was simcraft:

www.simcraft.com (http://www.simcraft.com)

WildWillie

[kram14]

Only thing I didn't like is that the motion is only controlled by your control stick movement which will sometimes be backwards of the real sensation of movement.

Could you expand on this, they all seem to work thesame to me :confused:

Is it necessairy to have the plans, if the stick is pivoted in the right place (to exert enough leverage) and the center of gravity is the correct distance below the pivots then the rest is relatively simple..........right?

I have 0 $ budget, so I'm going to build with the things that I find lying around (with the exception of the CH stick of course).

[WildWillie]

Could you expand on this, they all seem to work thesame to me :confused:


Yes take for example a break turn to the left. You push the stick left and the whole thing banks left then you start hauling back and the unit is now banked back and left. IRL you would only feel the back pressure as the + G's are hitting you. You shouldn't feel any left lean at this point, only back lean.


WildWillie

[kram14]

Fair comment but it would need to be a very high tech simulator to get evrything just like IRL :)

[Tinker Dave]

I don't know, I've been watching some video's on the joyrider and it looks as if there's alot of issues with lag.And for some reason it doesn't look very responsive. I don't have any experience with that type of stuff so maybe I'm out in left field with my observations.

[NowhereMan]

I've just finished the basic construction. I don't have controllers or monitor mounted yet. Regarding the cost of the plans themselves ($15 US to download), I'm sure I would have wasted a couple times that cost in materials at least, had I gone the trial and error route. The pipe itself is cheap, but the fittings add up pretty quick. I think I'm under $200 even counting the seat I bought ($60). It is nice to have a starting point that someone else designed.

I've already done a few modifications from the plans to accommodate my long legs. I'm still not sure I'll be able to mount the rudder pedals at a comfortable position without hitting the frame. More modifications may be in order. I used 1 1/2" pvc for the main cockpit frame since I had some extra on hand. I'm not seeing any major bending of the tubes with my 185 lb butt in the seat. Not sure if there'd be any bending with the specified 1 1/4" tube.

As far as the movement being backwards at times, that's certainly one of the drawbacks. The Joyrider's motion is tied to the stick movement rather than mimicing the actual forces on the pilot, which would be preferred. I haven't had a chance to run it with a flight sim yet, so I can't comment on how it plays. I've been researching the various software to drive a motion controlled version but haven't found anything yet that works with IL2 or BoBII. Everything I see is for Microsoft products. So for me, a true software controlled motion platform isn't looking likely. Plus, I'm having fun building it, and even if it's not totally realistic, fun is the point after all.

[WildWillie]

Plus, I'm having fun building it, and even if it's not totally realistic, fun is the point after all.

Isn't that whats life is all about.....

WildWillie

[henkypenky]

I'm a bit like Nowhereman, just finished (more or less) building my Joyrider. It moves superb!
Only 1 finger is enough to get you rocking. I've made a canopy that blocks out the real world, and even without the pc connection it gives me the feeling of real flight.
Now I'm thinkin' how to finish the cockpit; pure simulator with keyboard and just the stick and homemade throttle and rudderpedals or shall I try to make it a more real cockpit with buttons and switches for the functions?

[Chris0381]

The way my apartment shakes from all the noise and rumbling of my neighbors, I have to say I have one for free LOL. BF1942 comes alive.

Ide like to see one of those in action playinf X-Wing.