In this article, we will talk about the different types of hardware available to build your own driving simulator. We could divide them into Computers, Cockpits, Seats, Steering Wheels, Pedals, Accessories, and Extras.
Computers
We start with the premise that to have a good simulator, we need a mid-to-high-range computer to enjoy maximum resolution and graphical fluidity. We’d say then that you should aim for a gaming PC with a mid-to-high-end graphics card of 4GB or more, an i5 or i7 processor with 8 or 16 GB of RAM, and a good power supply of over 600 W. Additionally, it’s recommended to have a spacious case with good ventilation to prevent overheating of internal components. Nvidia graphics cards are currently making the most of virtual reality thanks to their recent GameWorks VR platform, which allows us to optimize the 90 Hz refresh rate provided by the new Oculus Rift CV1, giving us a smooth experience and avoiding the infamous motion sickness caused by earlier systems. Lastly, keep in mind that you can either buy pre-built computers with specific specs or choose the components you want and have them assembled for you.
Cockpits
It’s often said, “You shouldn’t start building a house from the roof,” and in the case of driving simulators, this is absolutely true. It’s essential to focus on which cockpit we need and one that suits the requirements we’re looking for. A cockpit will allow us to add all the hardware we need (seat, steering wheel, pedals, shifter, etc.), so it’s very important to consider where and how we want everything installed. The main advice is to answer these questions: “What’s my budget?” “Do I need a cockpit I can store away at times, or one that stays in place permanently and can have components added to it in the future?” As for the budget, it depends on each person’s situation. But for the second question, it’s crucial to know how we plan to use our simulator. If it’s a hobby we’ll only spend some occasional time on, a basic cockpit under 200 euros will suffice. But if it’s an activity we’ll dedicate more time to, it’s better to go for a sturdier cockpit that stays fixed in one spot in our home. Plus, if we want to add new components year after year—like sequential shifters, handbrakes, tablets, dashboards, button boxes, etc.—it’s advisable to opt for an aluminum profile cockpit, which makes this easy.
Seats
Once the cockpit is chosen, it’s time to decide what type of seat we want. Basically, there are two types: reclining seats and bucket seats. It’s up to each “simracer” to choose one or the other. Reclining seats are usually very comfortable and allow the backrest to tilt in both directions. They typically start at around 130 euros and up, depending on the brand and material quality. However, for greater immersion and realism, a competition bucket seat can be a great option. These are more rigid seats that fit you snugly, but their downside is that they usually don’t have a reclining backrest, which can limit access for people with a different build than the owner. The upside is that you can achieve a very realistic position and feel more immersed in the experience. They typically start at 250 euros and up.
Steering Wheels
This is one of the pillars of the simulator, so it’s recommended to get at least a mid-range one to properly feel the “Force Feedback” of what’s happening to the car in the simulator. We have several commercial brands that dominate the market: Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Fanatec. For Logitech, their flagship wheel has been the G27, now replaced by the G29. Thrustmaster offers more variety, like the T150, T300, and T500. Starting with the T300, we’re talking about good value-for-money wheels, with the advantage of using toothed belts instead of gears like the G29, which produce more noise than usual. Then there’s the high-end Fanatec Clubsport, with an impressive finish but a significantly higher price. Beyond these, we’d be talking about PRO wheels, ranging from 1,000 euros for the Open Sim Wheel to 3,000 euros for the Leo Bodnar, including others like the Accuforce from Simxperience, Frex, or Ecsim Hardware.
Pedals
Another vital component for our simulator, and one we sometimes don’t pay enough attention to. We have options included in bundles like the G29, Thrustmaster T300, and T500, as well as standalone ones like Fanatec or PRO pedals (He Pedals, Hpp Pedals, Protosimtech, DSD pedals, etc.). It’s worth highlighting the importance of the brake in the pedal set, as it’s the most critical pedal of all and can determine whether you achieve good lap times or not. It’s also essential that it has a good feel and, if possible, progressive resistance. This can be achieved with pedal mods that stiffen it, or by installing load cells/pressure sensors so that it’s our force that increases the brake bar, not the pedal’s travel—essentially, to emulate what happens in a real car.
Accessories
In driving simulation, we have a vast array of accessories of all types and prices. We can talk about H-pattern or sequential shifters, some included in wheel bundles like the G29, TH8A, ShifterSHH, Fanatec, and others more professional like those from DSD, Ecsim Hardware, Heusinkveld Engineering, Frex, or ARC Team. You can even make them yourself as a DIY (Do It Yourself) project. We’ll also mention handbrakes, ideal for rally simulators; button boxes, from the most affordable to the most professional; dashboards and displays to view car telemetry, either using an app on your smartphone or small LED screens very similar to real ones; and adapters to attach real steering wheel rims to our setups. Plus, there’s an endless array of mods and add-ons for our accessories that greatly improve feel and functionality, like brake and throttle mods, adapters that turn any component into USB, boards to connect devices, etc.
Extras
And as extras, there are also plenty of options to make our simulator feel almost like a real car and provide the greatest immersion possible. One very important extra is installing a vibration system in the seat with bodyshakers (tactile transducers) to feel every effect of the car (RPMs, gears, bumps, curbs, suspension). It’s a highly recommended extra that leaves no one indifferent—once you try it, you can’t drive without it. Next, we’d move to motion systems, which are generally classified by the number of axes (DOF) or their operating method: platform type (general movement) or flex type (seat thrust). Motion systems have become very popular in recent years, largely thanks to the reduced cost of many of their components. In some cases, homemade motion systems are built, replacing expensive motion actuators with small DC motors controlled by low-cost programmable logic controllers (Arduino). There’s a wide variety on the market, from the aforementioned option to pricier actuator and motor options like Ecsim Hardware, Simxperience, Blue Tiger, Vesaro, D-box, etc. And recently, some gadgets have arrived in driving simulation that will generate a lot of buzz and completely change the concept of immersion. We’re talking about the new virtual reality headsets that will hit the mass market for everyone in 2016. The most well-known are the Oculus Rift for PC, but we shouldn’t overlook the HTC VIVE (Steam VR). And of course, the SONY VR, which will work optimized for the PlayStation 4. Without a doubt, these HMD headsets are going to be a true revolution in the world of video games, and naturally, in driving simulators. If you’ve decided to build your own simulator or want to add components to the one you already have, we recommend checking out the simracingcoach website, where you’ll find a very comprehensive catalog of all the products available on the market. In future posts, we’ll dive deeper into each of these sections to explore all the possibilities they offer.