Review: SimFab Combat Flight Sim Pit- DCS Edition

[@agustinmaldonado71]

Cut the allen wrench and make a DIY turn style adjustment with those 2 screws IF THERE ARE EXTRAS SCREWS. Oh and thanks for showing yourself getting into the cockpit. You are the first video that has done it.👏

[@dotnetdevni]

or get a screwdriver with allens keys on it

[@stewmanji]

Great first video! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts won this new setup with the community.

[@Greenlightmike33]

Thanks!

[@Donik0420]

Dude, thank you for this video and especially for focusing on the center mount. I've been holding off on the next level racing one for ages because that center mount is not adjustable. This thing looks exactly what I need for IL-2, DCS and MSFS.

[@Greenlightmike33]

Glad I could help! I was wanting the next level one as well but didn’t like their center mount

[@dotnetdevni]

Did u go ahead with ur purchase am in same boat ha ha

[@Cheezsus]

Great video man. The quality was great. I also appreciate your little office atmosphere. Thanks for doing a review on this chair.

[@Greenlightmike33]

Thanks! Appreciate it!

[@TimoZSimulations]

i first was planning on getting the Boeing Seat, but i always thought that it wouldnt be a good idea, because its still kinda Big, and i think the simfab is actually the perfect rig for my Room, which is really small lol, you def sold me on this man! nice video! keep it up!

[@JeffJohnson-photos]

Thanks for this video. I couldn't figure out mounting the VIrpil throttle till I watched this.

[@Greenlightmike33]

Glad it helped!

[@martinalbion9554]

Thanks for the great review, I think this is going to be my pick. It was exactly the information I have been looking for.

[@pats5896]

Dude thanks for the review! I was looking at the Nlr one until I read a review which mentioned you can’t use the winwing mips and a throttle extension because they’ll hit, and seeing how low this one can go makes it look like it’ll be perfect for my planned setup.

[@rickmasseur2008]

Got mine last weekend. LOVE it. Didn't have the same issue that you had with the throttle for the Warthog throttle. But had to do the same for the Warthog stick. I had to add washers to the seat extensions because the bolts bottomed out too soon, leaving about 1/16" play. The washers took care of it. Very comfy to sit in.

[@Greenlightmike33]

Nice! Glad to hear that! I think the issue I had is exclusive to the Virpil bolt pattern. Happy flying!

[@schnitzelmopi]

Perfect video man. I have the VKB stick with the 200mm extension and was worried I wouldn't be able to use it. Nice solution!

[@Greenlightmike33]

@@schnitzelmopi thanks! It’ll work perfectly fine. Now I’m hoping VKB will come out with a FFB base that will also work with this simpit haha

[@Yeager123123]

Dude you might have just sold me on this thing over the being fighter seat one

[@Greenlightmike33]

The Boeing one looks nice but I was really unhappy that it doesn’t work with a 200mm extension without modifying it. And the price point is double.

[@allenyarberry7502]

Nice job on showing your experiences with the sim pit

[@Greenlightmike33]

Thanks!

[@RaftermanNZ]

Protip to anyone who has the SimFab. Get carpet sliders if you have a multi-use desk. Saved my build ergonomics!

[@Noock]

Really nice video man! I just got mine yesterday, it took me a bit longer than you… but I got it in place now. Overall, I’m happy with it… nice flying too! 🍻

[@Greenlightmike33]

Hell yeah! Glad you like it! 🍻

[@johnja9017]

Im building it now. One part of the video you mention issues mounting the virpil throttle and that "after looking you will see what too do". Well... same issue with the Stick and im an idiot so i didnt see what to do till an hour later. But its mounting perfectly in the centera and feels good

[@Greenlightmike33]

Glad you got it all figured out! Definitely could use some better directions for specific brands.

[@MaxSterling01]

Thanks for the review, been looking at one myself. And Go Knights Go.

[@martinalbion9554]

Hilarious that Apocalypse Now is playing on the TV in the background, like mood music for DCS.

[@jeffoldsimmer6096]

Thanks for the video. It looks like the seat can slide forward and back? Big plus for showing that, couldn't tell at Simfab's site.

[@cab6273]

I noticed this too, but as far as I can tell no pictures or diagrams I’ve seen show a sliding seat

[@ChrisPBacon-my7yt]

Nice video. I can't wait to get one.

[@Greenlightmike33]

Thanks! I’m still loving mine and haven’t had any issues with it so far.

[@xanthraas8241]

Thanks for the review on this - mine's in the mail as I type. My SA will still be trash, but I'll be comfortable while being shot down at least.

[@Greenlightmike33]

Lol yeah I’m a lot more comfortable when being blown out of the sky now haha

[@RodneyLance-r2q]

Thanks for reviewing this product. I am thinking of getting one but I am wondering what the height of the desk top is? I am debating getting a desk to go with it or not? Thanks.

[@Greenlightmike33]

Hey sorry for the late reply. My desk from the floor is 29”. Hope that helps!

[@dylxn5882]

Great review. I see on there website that shows with a keyboard tray, MIP mounts and etc, does this come included or would I need to buy accessories from there website to mount it?

[@Greenlightmike33]

I believe you have to buy them separately. I think they show on Amazon their different accessories. The base setup just comes with a mount for a stick and a throttle.

[@HAWKYE10]

Great Video! do you find it be adequately stiff? my concern with the tube frame vs the extruded stuff is it might be prone to flexing more.

[@Greenlightmike33]

I think it’s pretty stiff but I’m also a pretty small guy.

[@HAWKYE10]

@@Greenlightmike33 Thanks for the reply! I am a pretty small dude also. So I think it will be perfect for me. I order a whole set of vipril controls today. So next is the seat.

[@Greenlightmike33]

@@HAWKYE10 that’s awesome! You’re going to love the Virpil setup and the seat! Enjoy!

[@michaeldykas6145]

Mike, Does the seat include what you need to put on the Virpil collective ? I'm on the edge of getting one but this could push me over .

[@Greenlightmike33]

It did not. I had the Virpil universal chair mount already that I had to use parts from to mount it. I believe Simfab now sells a collective mount accessory for this chair though.

[@jykozak]

Great video! I'm looking for a modular but consolidated rig that I can slide under my desk and your video shows exactly what I had in mind. I'm hoping to mount some MFDs and a UFC or StreamDeck using SimFab's MFD bracket. Do you think this bracket would be useable with your desk and monitor? Or would it prevent you from pushing the whole thing in far enough or block the monitor?

[@Greenlightmike33]

I’m not super familiar with the MFD bracket but if it’s on their modular adjustable system then I believe you’d be able to raise and lower it. But I’m not 100% sure. I don’t think it’d block but monitor though.

[@DTPettis]

Does the chair flex on the right side? I had a dxracer years ago and I remember it being lopsided because the lever was on the left and the right side would lean back a bit on its own

[@Greenlightmike33]

I haven’t noticed any flex but I’m a pretty small guy.

[@DTPettis]

@@Greenlightmike33 ty

[@MCP2002]

Are there different seat height riser options available? The height looks a little high for a 200mm extension in your video. Thanks and nice setup!

[@Greenlightmike33]

I don’t believe there are. You could remove the risers but that would make the 200mm waaay too high. I have small thighs so this setup is just right for me with a VKB MCGU 200mm extension on the gunfighter.

[@MCP2002]

@@Greenlightmike33 I found a 5 inch riser kit on Amazon for the Simfab. Is that the same one you are using in the video? Thanks!

[@Greenlightmike33]

@@MCP2002 yes but if you end up buying the DCS edition rig then it already comes with the 5” riser. I didn’t have to purchase anything extra for this rig.

[@MCP2002]

@@Greenlightmike33 That's great to hear! Thanks!

[@MCP2002]

@@Greenlightmike33 Another few quick question....can you mount the center stick mount higher, ie, can you move the mount up so it sits higher? Also, how far forward can you move the pedals? Thanks!

[@SamHall76]

How comfortable is the seat, and would it be possible to mount it to a standard alu rig (e.g. trak racer)?

[@Greenlightmike33]

The seat isn’t anything to write home about. It’s a very generic cheap racing style seat with the center cut out. I ended up using lumbar support and another padded wedge thing that I sit on. I’m not sure if it can mount to anything else.

[@SamHall76]

@@Greenlightmike33 Ok, thanks for your reply. Too bad, I am looking for a good alternative to the NLR pilot seat. Why is no one coming up with a good comfy but affordable pilot seat...

[@CD-kc5op]

Nice review! If I am not planning on attaching any peripherals and just use the chair, is it possible to take the metal pole off the front so it doesn't stick out and is just the chair basically?

[@Greenlightmike33]

Yeah you could do that. There’s still somewhat of a metal bar in the middle where the main rudder pedal bar slides into though. It doesn’t stick out though.

[@Mav20071]

not for sale in the Netherlands and on the site no info on the extra for extra mount options ???

[@Greenlightmike33]

I think it’s North America only unfortunately. Their Amazon storefront has more info on the extra options I believe.

[@andrewhinz8319]

How did you mount the buttkicker?

[@Greenlightmike33]

I just have it clamped to the bottom square brace of the seat with the clamp that came with the buttkicker.

[@dotnetdevni]

Could u fit a custom military chair to this must u get there charis?

[@Greenlightmike33]

@@dotnetdevni I doubt you could mount anything else easily. This is all sold together so you’d have to get the chair either way unless they started selling them separately. I guess it depends on how much engineering you know and could do to make a custom seat work.

[@dotnetdevni]

A friend has made the suggestion of this what do u think of it a year on

[@Greenlightmike33]

@@dotnetdevni still working great! I’ve kept it mostly the same but have experimented with the throttle position. As of now I have the throttle mounted to the desk.

[@captainb1710]

How is the seat height adjustment? Easy to do on the fly or you need tools?

[@Greenlightmike33]

The seat height is fixed. The only way you can change it is by removing the risers which would involve tools and a lot of disassembly.

[@captainb1710]

Did it feel comfortable with a standard height desk and monitor? Or would you prefer a lower monitor position?

[@Greenlightmike33]

@@captainb1710 I think it’s pretty comfortable. I think I’d prefer a way to pullout and lower the monitor but I play a lot in VR so it’s not a huge deal but if I were to play solely on monitor then I’d get a different monitor mount.

[@loocius]

What Are You Using For Your Stick?

[@Greenlightmike33]

VKB Modern Combat Grip Ultimate on a 200mm extension with the Gunfighter III base

[@michaeltrivette1728]

@@Greenlightmike33 This is the only correct answer

[@AjayNunez-j1n]

Can you use it on Xbox series x

[@earthexplorer579]

why not put the whole thing on caster wheels?

[@Greenlightmike33]

Yeah I was thinking about that as well. Could be a lot easier to move with those.

[@kentall8794]

what stick setup is that?

[@Greenlightmike33]

VKB MCGU with 200mm extension on a GF mk. III

[@Nightdare]

IMO it has the wrong seat Most jet seats are rather Plank-like, not much support, not much ergonomics This of course for "checking six", something a lot harder in 'molded' seats

[@johnja9017]

I bought this, but it's now $600 bucks.

[@DTPettis]

What was it before?

[@Greenlightmike33]

@@DTPettis I originally bought it in February of 2023 for $399.

[@johnja9017]

@@DTPettis I heard from various Reddit comments that it was $399, then there was a price increase to $550, and now it's $600 However, I'm not sure if these cheaper prices were the same kit. The Kit I got like 2 weeks ago, does appear to be $600 in parts and quality. So $600 does seems like a fair price. I don't think they were sending this kit out for $400.

[@DTPettis]

@@johnja9017 I just ordered one for 600 plus two large plates @ 25 each. I’m already thinking about a direct drive conversion for rally racing someday. I think I can mount a yoke and throttle to the direct drive frame and do all the things!

[@DTPettis]

@@johnja9017 one morning last week I was on Amazon and it was 650!

[@Red-Magic]

"The price is mind blowing, how affordable it is" Me looking at the $600 price tag...

[@Greenlightmike33]

Yeah as with everything in the world, the price has gone up. I originally paid $399 in February of 2023. Which compared to the other options for simpits was pretty cheap.

[@knightflyer7968]

That looks like a PAIN in the butt!

[@paristo]

So it is cheap gaming chair, modified with stick hole, and scary thin aluminum extrusions for all possible masses....

[@Greenlightmike33]

Well it beats paying $1000 for the exact same type of chair like that on the Next level racing boeing chair or Monstertech’s rig… I’m sure they all use the same cheap foam. And if this aluminum is scary thin… I’d hate to see what you need to sit on to feel safe? Cheers bud 🍻

[@paristo]

@@Greenlightmike33 of course it beats in price, but shape can be little different, not nothing major. The main difference in those chairs come from adjustments that user can do. And please don't go to personal insults mode by trying to imply with weight. I talk directly about engineering standpoint, as they design is not really properly strengthen and those extrusions are clear weak point that likely cause problems in longer use. A accidental kick, loose bolt, leaning to it, too much force on adjustments etc can damage it easily. That always raise the question, does poor afford to buy something cheap?

[@Noock]

@@paristo I’m 190 lbs and it feels great, it doesn’t feel like it will break at all… this thing will last forever! Really, really! Nice chair for the price in my opinion. Give it a try! 😉

[@cab6273]

Cheap? The chair itself is $319 on the website.