For the latest info on the coolest gadgets, emerging technology and wired madness, subscribe to our full news feed or have it delivered to your inbox. Always free. Always unique. Thanks for visiting!
Simulator fans are a strange lot. They don’t usually take to the simple joys of regular digital entertainment. Many of them like a level of realism that most normal folks find tedious, but they are out there and they are just as tech-obsessed as the rest of us, if not more. Today, we are going to take a look at eight of the coolest simulators on the planet. Most normal folks don’t have the budget to afford these systems or the time or knowledge to build them, but they can be enjoyed temporarily, if you don’t mind paying for the privilege.
The 747 Simulator
This is my personal favorite from the selection, not because it is any more or less exciting, but because it is a DIY job from the ground up. Englishman John Davis built the 747 simulator in the second bedroom of his two-story terrace house. There are 90 switches and 9 monitors in the perfectly reconstructed cockpit; the six PCs that provide the backbone of the system are hidden away so as not to destroy the ambience.
If you think that piloting a 747 is boring, John can spice up the proceedings by throwing some random equipment malfunctions into the mix. While most of us do not have $30,000 or the thousands of hours required for building such a monstrous system (or the artistic skill needed to make it look right), it is possible to get a taste. You will have to live in England, and pay John $133 per hour for the pleasure.
See the full article. [747 Simulator]
The Ergo Bike Premium 8i
While a stationary bike does not meet the conventional definition of simulator, the Ergo Bike Premium 8i, comes close enough. It is web enabled and enables you to go head to head against doctors, lawyers, dentists and captains of industry from all over the world. There are a range of real courses, which it displays on its monitor, where you can also view the vital statistics of your opponents while you whisper them sweet nothings over VOIP. At $3500, it is expensive, but it looks to be a quality product and if you love your cycling it could be considered reasonable.
Check out the full article from our archives. [Daum Electronics]
Fujitsu / Ongakukan Train Simulator
This is a commercial product which will certainly attract a lot of attention from the train geek crowd. The train simulator was developed in conjunction with game developer Ongakukan, which has developed numerous train related games in the past. The thing that makes the Fujitsu simulator stand apart is that it makes use of full high definition video rather than computer generated graphics, that makes it a world first.
Fujitsu claims:
The result is an unprecedented level of realism in train operation simulation, with accurate responses to the trainee-operator’s input and high image quality even with variable-speed playback. This gives trainees a better approximation of the operational environment to help improve their skill levels.
While a system like this is obviously going to cost mega-bucks, if you absolutely must experience what it feels like to command a real train, Fujitsu does have a plan to release the system to some amusement arcades and theme parks; so everyone can get a taste.
Price: Approximately $300,000 [Fujitsu via Far East Gizmos]
Skytek Interactive Alpine Ski / Snowboard Simulator
If you suck at skiing and want to bring yourself up to speed over summer, you could jump on a ski simulator. There are a few on the market, they range in price and presumably effectiveness. The SkyTek Interactive models, are the best looking ski simulators I have found online. They come in a range of sizes and shapes to suit different budgets. What I like about the higher-end SkyTek models is that they combine a physical simulator with some visual feedback, you can hook them up to a monitor and watch yourself skiing, which makes them less of a plain Jane exercise device; and it has a snowboard mode as well.
The SkyTek site makes some bold claims, but browsing through the pictures on their website it looks as though they might deliver:
The software developed for the trainers allows you to choose the training modes, different strain levels, the slope profile and even imitate the moguls.
While you practice you can see all the information about the trainings on the computer display: the forces applied, the virtual speed, the slope steepness, the energy spent etc. More than that, a sportsman sort of sees himself on the screen - a skier’s silouette represents his actions and shows the best position in the current moment.
In the mode ‘training with virtual instructor’ the sportsman’s task is to maintain the severe tempo set by the virtual instructor on the certain difficulty level. Even for expert skiers, it’s not easy at all!
And finally, there’s the challenge for sportsmen on the multimedia slalom and giant slalom courses where one can try to show the best time. And for the maximum effect one can see the slope on the big screen. And your aching muscles and litres of sweat will remind you that it was not a game at all.
Pictured is the range-topping President model.
Price: N/A [SkyTek Interactive]
The Race is on With the VRX Pro
The VRX Pro is a racing simulator that takes up a bit of space, but could conceivably fit into the average home (as long as you have the budget for it). VRX systems are designed to be used with X360, PS3 or Wii. It has an impressive list of features and is designed, as well as possible, to give you the feel of actually driving (without a tilt chassis). VRX really pulled out the stops on this one, among the many features are:
Italian Sparco Monza racing seat (choice of Red/Black or Black/Silver)
Suspension seat base.
Choose from: Microsoft Xbox 360 FF - Logitech G25 FF - Logitech Momo or Driving Force Pro.
1500 watt tactile vibration feedback system.
1900 watt tactile power amplifier.
5.1 digital surround sound amplifier.
Omnipolar satellite speakers.
8″ Cellulose Matrix Subwoofer.
Polished chrome chassis with powder coated wheel mount, pedal mount and seat wings.
Front and rear non-slip aluminium vibration dampeners.
Typically, you need one machine and one copy of each game per monitor and that includes the monitor that simulates the rearview mirror. So if you have a front, left, right and rear, it is going to be expensive. Do the math, the Mach4 has four monitors and on top of all of the fancy hardware in the rig, you are going to be paying big bucks. Still, it is cheaper than a real racing car and a lot safer too.
Price: N/A but we do know that for the VRX Mach4, including the monitors, it was in the vicinity of $25,000, but you could cut that price significantly with some clever purchasing. [VRX]
Work on Your Golf Game With the Full Swing Simulator
Some people find it hard to find time to play a full round of golf. If you have a golf course in your basement, however, it gets a lot easier. The Full Swing golf simulator is about the most realistic golf simulator I have ever laid eyes upon. This is no Wii Sports Golf, it uses real clubs and ultra-realistic scenery. You can play online and experience 50 different courses around the world. It costs a lot, but then so does a serious golf obsession.
Price: $50,000 [Full Swing Golf via Baller House]
FLYIT Professional Helicopter Simulator
See that title, “professional” means that this is going to be obscenely expensive and guess what? It is. The FLYIT Professional Helicopter Simulator is made for training professionals and it costs a lot to get a machine up to FAA approval level. If you want to learn to pilot a chopper, then there is a good chance that you will find yourself in something like this first. It lets you experience 24,000 and a range of flying conditions so that you can get your skills up before you take on the real thing.
The video below shows the FLYIT in action, running Microsoft FSX software.
I would hazard a guess that 747 Simulator designer John Davis could probably whip one of these up for about half the price, given a few months and the right motivation.
Price: $105,000 [FLYIT Helicopter Simulator]
Racewood Horse Simulators
If you want to get the workout of riding a horse, without actually going outside and riding one, then you might opt for one of the Racewood Simulators. They have a full range that covers everything from trotting to full bore racing. For each model there is a range of skill levels and some of them feature graphical output to give that little bit of extra stimulation to make them all the more enjoyable. For my money, either the Racehorse Mk9 or the Polo Simulator look like the most fun.
Polo is one of the more dangerous sports you can play, so it makes sense to practice it in a manner that is relatively safe. While it is still possible to be a total doofus and fall off the robotic horse (dozens of Segway accidents have shown us that if you build it, they will fall), the risk of being trampled or smacked with someone else’s mallet is eliminated; so you have only gravity to contend with.
Racewood horse simulators typically carry hefty prices, though you might find some of the older models floating around second hand. [Racewood via Born Rich] (Note that the website was down at time of publication)
Tags: lists, simulators, UberSaturday
0 responses
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment