My 8K Flight Simulator Dream. Was it Worth It?

I've been trying to build my dream flight simulator setup for Microsoft Flight Simulator and DCS since early last year. This is a full tour of what I've managed to create so far. I go over some of my best purchases and a few of my mistakes along the way.
If you have any suggestions about what I could add next or do better let me know in the comments. The build is designed so that I can play Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) and DCS (Digital Combat Simulator) as well as X-Plane and IL-2 all without having to adjust or change anything.
Product Links:
Honeycomb Alpha Yoke: amzn.to/3kNf1s5
Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant: amzn.to/3kRqbvU
NLR F-GT Elite: amzn.to/3wELrYp
NLR ES1 Seat: amzn.to/3WMPxZd
TM Warthog Stick: amzn.to/3kW5aA7
TM Warthog Throttle: amzn.to/3jiUZ8v
Buttkicker Gamer Pro: thebuttkicker.com/products/bu...
Logitech Switch Panel: amzn.to/3wDa3AG
Logitech Multipanel: amzn.to/3wChOXI
Gigabyte Monitor: amzn.to/3Y01dsM
WinWing Panels: wwsimstore.com/view/

[@stephenbull2026]

It is amazing how “affordable” and reachable having a flight simpit has become. The whole affordable flightsim peripheral market has just taken off since the release of MSFS. But one thing never changes. As soon as you have completed it, it looks out of date immediately. Look forward to future videos.

[@g-locmedia]

Tell me about it. So easy to tinker and change things and yea, there are loads of new brands popping up now with entry and high level gear. We are very spoiled at the moment.

[@Warkip]

I have the vkb t-flight rudder pedals and absolutely love them, they are perfect for using them with a desk chair because you will not push your chair back, the drawback is that you don't have toe brakes, but I use a lever on my vkb stick for the brakes so I dont miss them. For using in a rig like you do I would probably suggest the virpil rudder pedals with toe brakes, because you wont push your chair back and it gives you more versatility.

[@g-locmedia]

I couldn’t go without the toe brakes. Yes I’ve been looking at nitpick and the new honeycomb. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@sailromanichel4729]

The most important part "it matters to me". Rudder pedals Crosswind. Videos are great.

[@g-locmedia]

It took me a while to realise but now i'm in the market for a bew set of rudder pedals. The new Honeycomb ones look interesting. Thinking of waiting for them.

[@takeoffwithjakesoft]

It was really interesting for me to watch your video. I recently did a sim system showcase video where I took exactly the opposite approach when building my rig vs. your choices in building yours. It goes to show there's a wide variety of ways and levels of emersion in which to enjoy flight sims.

[@g-locmedia]

Do you have a link you your video. Would be keen to see it.

[@takeoffwithjakesoft]

@@g-locmedia Here you go. Enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/inPIooSvgLZ7i5Y

[@dylman5744]

Any Virpil product is great! My friend has a full Virpil setup and compared to my T16000M it’s on another level!

[@g-locmedia]

My virpil control panel should be here next week. Looking forward to getting it up and running. It may replace the winwing f18 panels if it’s any good.

[@Hrudkovci]

t.y. for Sim Dashboard idea.. it is a game changer 4 me :]]

[@Aizazell]

I went with the: (1)Next level Racing Boeing Military sim pit (2)Thrust Master A-10 HOTAS stick and throttle used. (3)Thrustmast TPR peddles. (4)Next Level Racing HF8. (5)Winwing F18 PTO 2 panel. (6)Vizio sound bar with subwoofer. (7)Samsung Odyssey Neo 57" curved monitor with quantum mini LED, 240 Hz, (8)TrackIR-5 head tracker (Soon to add) Winwing Top Gun MIP

[@g-locmedia]

Man that setup sounds sweet

[@Aizazell]

@@g-locmedia thank you, it's taken about a year to get it where it's at now. Ya know how it is. Dad's geek hoby Ballenced with 4 kids and a wife.

[@ToaMuzz]

great video mate, really interesting to hear your thoughts and what you have bought i am in a bit of a similar situation, sim raced for quite some time but i sold my trakracer rig (biggest regret) and then i discovered DCS and MSFS now i need to almost start again

[@g-locmedia]

DCS and flight simulator got me really hooked. Sim racing was great but I always felt like I was wasting time with it. Kind of like a guilty feeling. I don’t get that with flight sim as every time I sit in the seat I’m learning. It’s a rewarding feeling.

[@ToaMuzz]

@@g-locmedia For me i came into sim racing very hot, it was something i came out of the gates racing really well to my surprise. I had entered a championship within my second week and won beating out many that had been doing it for quite a while and then coming 2nd in my next mixed class championship. Then very quickly felt i had hit a wall of now what? i felt i had achieved so much very fast and became a bit bored. At least with the flight sims there is so much to learn like you say and very very rewarding with the amount of modules and systems to learn. I hope to be able to get a rig again sometime soon so i can get my TM warthog off the desk Keep up the awesome channel, very high quality videos. i look forward to following your journey more.

[@casedistorted]

I feel like sim racing is more accessible for most people since everyone drives a car and those skills carry over to the simulator. Not everyone flies a plane though so getting the flight sim stuff is a bit more of an investment since it is possible to bring those skills over to get a pilots license. What is the trakracer rig you had that you regret selling? I have only ever had a cheap thrustmaster $40 hotas setup, so never used the Warthog but it looks nice. I kind of want a yoke though for more commercial flying and with small planes, but a stick for jets and helicopters would be really cool too. I wouldn't be able to afford this stuff for many years though.

[@RagsHSC-7]

The movement that I'm seeing is on your platform. Platform is moving and if look at the time Almost at the very end of your tutorial and review. As you look at it you will see the mount is moving with the force you're putting on the stick. If you had a solid mount. There would be no movement. Looking at the bracket that you had put it on mounted it on. That is what is moving. I really like it , like in all types of sticks. You need to take the best review and go with it and stick with it. More time more seat time is gained experience time with a specific product that you can make it. Do things that no other can. Thank you for the review. I really enjoyed it. Take care 🕊️🕊️🕊️

[@saggyyoful]

Hey Mate, Really impressed with your setup. Your investment really worth to enjoy the flying. Could you please show how did you mount bravo throttle and Logitech flight panels to you 8040 rig as it looks tight fit. Did you use any extension? It would be great help as I am also planning to mount these on my rig. Thanks.

[@g-locmedia]

Hello mate. My rig has changed a bit since this video. Back then I was Bolted an extra piece of extrusion to the upright for the throttle. It was a little peice of 40/40 with the angle brackets. It did the trick.

[@H.Despres]

Just purchased the Thrusmaster TPR Rudder peddles….. Ive’ had them all but these are the absolute best. Would do it again.

[@g-locmedia]

A great set of pedals.

[@JPsTechReviews]

I tried both Thrustsmaster and Logitech pedals, both are okay but going to MFG Crosswind V3 was an absolute improvement 100%. I has been told Virpil are great as well but waiting for 6-7 weeks for a Warbrd base and now it’s been six weeks and counting for two little springs has turned me off from any future purchases. I have the Winwing F-18 and F-16 throttle/HOTAS stuff and love the product and get everything I order in 7-10 days always. If I had a chance to do it all over I would get all Winwing but that’s just me.

[@g-locmedia]

I’ve ordered a virpil control panel about 4-5 weeks ago and it still hasn’t been shipping. I’m almost at the point of cancelling the order. They are very quick to respond to email enquiries though. That’s the reason I haven’t cancelled it quite yet.

[@JPsTechReviews]

@@g-locmedia I wouldn't cancel now because it will be getting shipped in the next week or so. Usually they run about 6 weeks behind.

[@g-locmedia]

@@JPsTechReviews yea I’ll double check with them before I do.

[@zackeryhardy9504]

Great video, however there is 1 thing I would recomend everyone stay away from which is the warthog stick. the throttle is fine. But the stick gimble is just poorly designed. Its something that feels smooth outside of flight, however the stiction problem makes it not all that accurate for things that need small corrections. So any aircraft that isn't fly-by wire like the f-14, any wwii aircraft just does not work well because you simply do not have the accuracy. I find that with the 3 different warthog bases I have had in my life after 2 of them broke, that they just don't match other options on the market. The VKB gladiator for example is not only a cheaper stick, but it has a higher degree of accuracy and is better in every way. If you want to go premium then the VKB gunfighter, winwing, or virpil offering sare all very good options with modern gimbal designs. I will put it like this. The most important part of any flight stick is the gimbal as that is the primary thing you are using to fly with. The warthog has a gimbal that limits your ability to control the aircraft and therefore fails at the most basic level. The stick top is great, and I would recomend buying it and attaching it to a different base. But stay away from the gimbal.

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for the insight. Always valuable to other watching these videos to see different perspectives and opinions.

[@WilliamDeanPlumbing]

I suspect triple 4K screens would have just killed your video card🤷

[@g-locmedia]

Yea it would have had no chance. I’m on a 4080 now with triple 4ks. Check out my new rig tour video.

[@crestanmiller3979]

Great stuff! Is there a linkable list of available?

[@g-locmedia]

This one's a fairly old video and the sim has changed a fair bit. Reach out to me via email if you have any questions about this older setup and I'll do what I can to support.

[@seattime4075]

I have triple 50 inch 4K TVs and they are great. With a 3080 run the front at 4K a sides at 2k and get around 50 frames most of the time.

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for the info. I’m right in the middle of a triple 55 inch upgrade with a 4080. Not a bad idea about running the sides at 1440p.

[@gerhardstotzem5101]

Nothing beats MFG Crosswind V3 pedals if you're flying GA/Airliner, Warbirds and maybe helicopter with the same gear.

[@g-locmedia]

I’ll have a look at the crosswinds. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@captainchris93]

Thrustmaster TPR for pedals. No contest.

[@MijaviSevenO]

do you have your throttle mounted with the elite flight pack or did you use something else?

[@g-locmedia]

Yes the elite flight pack

[@raphaelmiguelbalon9226]

**takes notes for my onyankopon cosplay**

[@DankTank374]

What ever happened to a nice desk setup man these cockpits have way too many buttons lol i like my setup to move out the way haha

[@jackp3369]

Enjoyed the video, would you ever do the same but for all the purchased software?

[@g-locmedia]

That’s a very cool idea. I will defiantly do that?

[@jackp3369]

@@g-locmedia looking forward to it 👍

[@WoLF-xp3cy]

How did you attach the thrustmaster warhog stick to your nlr cockpit ? It comes with only one plate for mounting a shifter and handbrake

[@g-locmedia]

I got a hold of some extra pieces of extrusion

[@scottgman86]

I have the virpil ace rudder pedals I love them!! They are PRECISEEE!!! My tomcat flying got so much easier with them (love that jet!!!).

[@g-locmedia]

The ace rudders do look quite nice. Is there much adjustment in them?

[@scottgman86]

​@@g-locmediathey are good enough for my situation you can tilt them up just not all the way up. (Not a big deal if your rig has a pedal platform you can add more tilt with) They are buttery smooth though a must for me I like to fly dcs warbirds and the Cat. Sorry I took so long to write back KZbin notifications are horrible. I was rewatching this vid and saw you replied my bad.

[@MrSpinkser]

MFG Crosswinds are a good recommendation for pedals.

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks mate. Will have a look.

[@Xavier-wo6ce]

Not going to go through all the comments. I have a setup similar to you except I use thrusmaster boeing yoke and pendular rudder. As a pilot of GA, these are the rudders I find closest to reality... I love them... they feel real. Al9 have the buttkicker gamer pro (plus or standard not good enough) mounted on the next level racing boeing chair.... hope it helps. Just purchased the support for the Overhead screen. I ll first try to mount it upside down t9bhave à screen to display the instruments.... behind the yoke... curious if it works... if it fits. I ll get 2 of these.

[@g-locmedia]

I’ve heard great things about the pendulum rudder. I have a newer sim rig video that’s shows all the updates. You might be interested in that.

[@Xavier-wo6ce]

@@g-locmedia link?

[@Xavier-wo6ce]

@@g-locmedia saw the video. Are you happy with the 55 or 65 would have been better. I have room and not dure if I should settle for 3 55/65/75

[@g-locmedia]

@@Xavier-wo6ce I’m happy with the 55s mate.

[@DownieBrownie999]

The expensive thrustmaster padel is perfect, but I dont know if it fit in you set up, its quite big

[@g-locmedia]

Yea they are a fair size. Maybe the honeycomb ones will go well when they get released.

[@DownieBrownie999]

@@g-locmedia maybe, but the thrustmaster is very sollid, everything is steal, but quite expensive😂but after i saw you set up, money shouldnt be a problem😂

[@zackeryhardy9504]

@@DownieBrownie999 I actually would not go for the t-rudder pedals as they simply don't feel like aircraft pedals. The redbird pedals are the same price and opperate much better.

[@casedistorted]

Dang only a 3070 gpu? I have a 3070 Ti FTW3 Ultra I bought a couple years ago when it first launched.. now if only I could afford all the flight sim gear I would be in business lol. I have a gigabyte M27Q 1440p 170hz monitor and my 3070 Ti really struggles to run MSFS 2020 at like high/upper settings, even with DLSS on its only like 40-60 fps at 1440p, it is rough running at higher settings in MSFS for sure.

[@g-locmedia]

My sim has changed a bit since them but I've always had to run in medium settings.

[@matthewchido8450]

What desk do you have?

[@g-locmedia]

I don’t use a desk, so j this video ins a NLR F-GT Elite

[@OrionShadow79]

Upgraded my pedals from Saitek to MFG V3 with hydraulic damper… helicopter control is so much easier on DCS with MFG

[@g-locmedia]

That sound amazing

[@miggybluesky]

I heard VKB sim have good rudder pedals

[@g-locmedia]

I have looked at those but they don’t seem to have toe brakes.

[@miggybluesky]

@@g-locmedia oh yeah they don't.

[@halbergs]

Crosswind Rudder pedals...... Amazing and inexpensive

[@g-locmedia]

I ended up with the new winwing pedals and I'm super happy

[@RobAirepicflights]

about upgrade of PC, I highly recommend you to get i9 13900k CPU and RTX 4090 GPU along with good Mobo and DDR5 memory, and you will be future proofed, you won't regret that upgrade

[@g-locmedia]

Maybe later this year. At the moment card are still way too expensive.

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for the recommendation though.

[@tommy5285]

I have Virpil ACE and they are great, but more and more I keep hearing that the gold standard is MFG

[@g-locmedia]

I've heard good things about both. I'm leaning towards the MFG though.

[@larrysouthern5098]

"Wow you've got a lot of toys here" BLADERUNNER That looks great... I would never leave the house.. It would be like having one of the delux versions of a Real doll.... 🐦

[@g-locmedia]

Lol lol. It’s a money pit.

[@daniellegraham]

Tried VR once, u wont use surrounding screen anymore even it offers better visual quality.

[@g-locmedia]

I think the newer VR headsets are starting to rival the clarity of screens

[@papagen00]

Just curious, have you ever flown a real airplane?

[@g-locmedia]

I haven’t. I have a few friends that are pilots. One for Quanta’s and one with his private license but this is as close as I’ll get. Maybe one day.

[@papagen00]

@@g-locmedia you should, you will see flight simming in a whole new light. It's like learning a new language in a classroom vs. actually talking to the natives.

[@g-locmedia]

@@papagen00 I’m sure one day I’ll get a chance. Would be awesome to attain a private pilots license.

[@papagen00]

@@g-locmedia well that would be nice but you don't need to. I'm not a pilot but sometimes my pilot friend would let me take over the controls, haha that's a lot of fun. It gives you a new perspective when you go back to your home flight sim.

[@TheCraigHudson]

Nice set up but looks like you need the hornet grip instead of f16/a10. Sorry I’m not being coy your set up looks 🔥

[@g-locmedia]

I actually fly the F16 most of the time.

[@iscreamfitness]

Trustmarster boing rudder

[@g-locmedia]

Thanks for the recommndation

[@walley2637]

or.. you could do it ghetto style and get some VR goggles and a wobbly chair.

[@Woopass90]

I could not go to Pancake mode. VR for me or nothing.

[@g-locmedia]

I know what you mean but i'm still a screen guy

[@dr_arcade]

Mine cost over 40k usd. No regrets

[@g-locmedia]

Wow. Do you have motion?

[@dr_arcade]

@@g-locmedia yup. Dbox but the older gen

[@g-locmedia]

@@dr_arcade nice! Is is pretty seamless software?

[@dr_arcade]

@@g-locmedia yes perfect. If u want i can show u over discords

[@AS-zc8mr]

eleven!!!