Obutto Gaming Cockpits

Staggerwing · November 07, 2015, 08:56:26 AM

I'm considering getting the cheaper Ozone cockpit setup but it looks like you could end up spending a lot on the accessories. :-\

Toonces, you mentioned having one recently (and a while back as well, iirc). Which one did you get? What's your experience with it? What accessories are a must?

Does Anyone else have experience with them?

Con · November 07, 2015, 01:14:32 PM

My only comment is looking at that setup I can only imagine what the wife would tell me if I had that in our home! :o

Staggerwing · November 07, 2015, 01:19:29 PM

Quote from: Con on November 07, 2015, 01:14:32 PM
My only comment is looking at that setup I can only imagine what the wife would tell me if I had that in our home! :o

FWIW, that is no longer one of the 99 problems I have...

undercovergeek · November 07, 2015, 02:13:07 PM

Quote from: Staggerwing on November 07, 2015, 08:56:26 AM
Toonces,what accessories are a must?

youre going to need the Ugg boots Mk IV upgrade that fit right over the pedals

the swing out crystal glass and bottle holder for the Scotch

and a little grippy hand for the 'Can never decide what hardware to buy bitching and moaning catalogue'

then your up to Toonces level

Staggerwing · November 07, 2015, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: undercovergeek on November 07, 2015, 02:13:07 PM
Quote from: Staggerwing on November 07, 2015, 08:56:26 AM
Toonces,what accessories are a must?

youre going to need the Ugg boots Mk IV upgrade that fit right over the pedals

the swing out crystal glass and bottle holder for the Scotch

and a little grippy hand for the 'Can never decide what hardware to buy bitching and moaning catalogue'

then your up to Toonces level

That's a lot to shoot for all at once.

Baby steps man, baby steps... I'll start with the scotch.

Silent Disapproval Robot · November 07, 2015, 08:15:42 PM

I'd recommend a ButtKicker. I bought one on a vodka-assisted whim last year and I really like it. Adds a lot of immersion to games. He doesn't show it in his video but there's a small wired remote control unit you can attach to the Buttkicker so you don't have to reach down and fiddle with the controls on the main unit if you want to place it somewhere out of the way.

If you want to go really nuts, you can get SimVibe and combine it with multiple buttkickers and try to reproduce this guy's setup.

Toonces · November 10, 2015, 12:43:32 PM

Hey SW,
I really like my Obutto. I got the R3volution model, with the extra stick holders and the dual acrylic swing trays.

On the plus side, the thing works really well as a cockpit if you're looking too hook up a HOTAS. It's very comfortable and made from metal so it's very sturdy. I have my throttle quadrant on the left side and stick on the right. When I need to get out/into the pit I just unlock the right stick and put it on the floor; I can get in/out with it on but it's a bit tight. The acrylic swing trays are nice to hold the keyboard when you're flying, or to put some checklists or whatever. I've found that I only really need one so I took the second one off.

On the down side, it is not really efficient if you're looking to do real "work" where you need papers or textbooks laid out. It can work, but it simply doesn't replace a desk if you have a lot of stuff you need to refer to while you're typing. Also, if you're using it for racing games, setting up and taking off the wheel is a real pain in the ass, and when you're not driving you'll want the wheel off. Otherwise it's like being on the computer in the front seat of your car- not comfortable. I've found it's too much trouble to switch between racing and flying so I pick one theme and stick with that for a while.

With respect to having it in plain sight, mine is in my basement man cave and so isn't an eyesore. However, everyone that has ever seen it has said it looks super cool; I don't know that I'd want it in my living room but if you have a back room to put it in it looks pretty slick. And it has a cup holder on the left side for your scotch.

It's expensive but it's built to last so if it's something you end up getting it will last you a very long time. I recommend it heartily!

I'll see if I can get a picture or two of my current set up later.

Staggerwing · November 10, 2015, 01:31:19 PM

Thanks man. So the things on the side for the HOTAS are a separate purchase? It's probably the same for the Ozone then. Good to know about the racing wheels. I was planning on doing some Euro Truck simming and maybe spin tires or some kind of road racing sim but mostly it would be for flight simming. What size monitor do you have set up?

Toonces · November 10, 2015, 04:14:13 PM

Ok, so I found my old pictures when I had it set up in Hawaii. This is when it was still being assembled and you can see the controller holders before they're put on:

I just looked at their website and it sounds like it comes with the wheel mount and shifter mount, so if you're going to do flight simming you're probably going to want to by the HOTAS accessories. There are at least 2 that come with that and allow you to center or side mount a stick, and also mount a throttle.

If you look in the middle of this picture, that shaft under the monitor is hollow and that's where the wheel mounts. But it comes on this long 18" steel shaft that goes into the hollow. The tray where the wheel mounts sticks out and is adjustable, but you won't want it there if you're not racing at it's fairly obtrusive.

This was the finished set up. You can see the stick mounted on the right, throttle on the left. The keyboard tray is also mounted on the right and slides back and forth, but won't clear the stick when it's installed. That's where having the acrylic swing trays are nice because you can use the keyboard tray for your mouse, and put the keyboard on the acrylic swing tray. I'll see if I can get a picture of my current set up later tonight.

I have a 27" monitor BTW.

Toonces · November 10, 2015, 04:16:47 PM

I think the R3volution is much more versatile than the Ozone. I wouldn't go Ozone unless you really can't afford the R3. The R3 is almost infinitely customizable.

Nefaro · November 10, 2015, 07:32:11 PM

*drool*

Hey Toonces...

You ever have problems keeping your CH Throttle gripping to whatever surface it's sitting on?

Mine was sliding all over, so I bought some extra rubber grip pads and put quite a few on the bottom for more surface area. It improved, but still tends to slide sometimes. I think part of the reason is how that specific throttle stick doesn't go through an arc, but a straight & level range which puts more forward/back pressure on it than most HOTAS throttles.

Aside from the grip issue with the throttle, the CH stuff has been superb regarding the stick and many programmable options. I would specifically find it difficult to go back to most other sticks, after getting used to the fluidity & precision of the Fighterstick.

Toonces · November 10, 2015, 07:58:34 PM

Hey Nefaro-
I use velcro. I have one side on the stick and one side on the tray for the Obutto and that works outstanding. Of course, I ONLY use the trays to hold the controllers, so I can do that.

I never found another suitable solution to keeping the bases from sliding around.

Staggerwing · November 10, 2015, 09:51:36 PM

Great pix Toonces. Thanks for posting. Any others, especially closeups of the various controller mount components would be great. I'll have to figure out what I need for accessories. I have a flight yoke that I want to use so that should fit on the wheel mount. How hard it that thing to climb in and out of if you have a bad back?

Toonces · November 10, 2015, 09:59:24 PM

It's not hard to get into/out of. I've managed pretty freaking loaded quite a few times; I just use the frame as a brace. Maybe I'll break out the GoPro and shoot some video tomorrow...stand by for more.

DoctorQuest · November 10, 2015, 10:16:38 PM

Quote from: Nefaro on November 10, 2015, 07:32:11 PM
*drool*

Hey Toonces...

You ever have problems keeping your CH Throttle gripping to whatever surface it's sitting on?

Mine was sliding all over, so I bought some extra rubber grip pads and put quite a few on the bottom for more surface area. It improved, but still tends to slide sometimes. I think part of the reason is how that specific throttle stick doesn't go through an arc, but a straight & level range which puts more forward/back pressure on it than most HOTAS throttles.

Aside from the grip issue with the throttle, the CH stuff has been superb regarding the stick and many programmable options. I would specifically find it difficult to go back to most other sticks, after getting used to the fluidity & precision of the Fighterstick.

I will probably never spend the money on any thing as sophisticated at an Obutto. I've had good success with using the bottom part of a secretary's chair as my joystick stand. I bungee cord the stick to the small platform where the seat was attached. It is solid as a rock and I can move the stand to a center or sidestick position depend on the aircraft I'm "flying". My throttle is bungeed to a turned over trash can. It looks like shit but it works great.

I am a little envious of the Obutto.

But only a little. 8)