New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

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Tutmeister
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New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Tutmeister »

Hi all
Lewis was kind enough to allow me to post an announcement here, I'm announcing a new product in development from my company Fulcrum Simulator Controls. No pictures yet as I'm seriously pushed to get this ready for Flight Sim Show 2018 at RAF Cosford where I'm hoping to have a working pre production demo of it - naturally running with A2A birds!

I'll be at stand 18 which is near the nose of the Ju52. http://www.flightsimshow.com/

So after many years of trying to find a yoke I was happy with and spending an obscene amount of money on various 'high end' yokes I was still facing disappointment. All of them have drawbacks, either not enough rotation and travel, no hat (which is important for home simming), dead zones, detents, notchy feel, the inability to be used smoothly with one hand - I could go on but I'm not naming names and I'm sure some of you understand what I mean with those observations.

I decided to try modding some of the high end yokes to improve travel, feel etc and after examining them and tinkering with them I came to the conclusion that I could probably do better, or at least as well but for less money. After all, as a trainee pilot I had access to real aircraft and as a long-term (very) simmer I felt I knew what simmers want.

So here we are, I'm about to launch a product at the show. I don't know how well it will do, it is pre production and still requires some optimisation before production can start. There are a lot of 3d printing parts in it, there are some cnc machined parts and there is a definitely non-production metal case hiding it all!
Aluminium casting for the yoke is delayed due to lead time on the pattern making so this demo will only be plastic although it is seriously solid.

To provide some reassurance about the commitment to this venture, we have invested thousands into this already in equipment, machining and product research and development. The local manufacturers that are lined up to produce casings, castings and machining are large scale manufacturers that currently produce a variety of parts in large and small quantities for aerospace and automobile companies. All the cutting welding and machining is fully automated which means they are happy to produce small runs but equally can quickly scale up if demand arises. This means that hopefully we can avoid the months long delays that affect small manufacturing companies.

I'm happy to answer any questions but nothing more on price or availability just yet please. I'm aiming for shipping within 3 months but don't hold me to that, these things take time!
Price wise, I'm aiming for it to be between the Honeycomb yoke and a GoFlight yoke but who knows with Brexit! :D

I'm on facebook so feel free to pm me here or there https://www.facebook.com/fulcrumsimulatorcontrols/

Our website is still in development but you can sign up to the mailing list there or email us directly.http://www.fulcrumsim.com

Lewis threatened to meet me there so if anyone else is at the show then please stop and say hi. You might (hopefully) be able to try the yoke with either the Commanche, Cherokee or C-172 running on a 50" 4k screen.

Once the show is over ill have more time to post some pics as things progress.
Cheers

Chris
Owner of Fulcrum Simulator Controls
Spitfire Obsessive, GA Enthusiast.
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https://www.fulcrumsim.com
https://www.facebook.com/fulcrumsimulatorcontrols

Caldemeyn
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Caldemeyn »

You have my attention 8)

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Tutmeister
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Tutmeister »

Thank you :)

I've updated the facebook page with some pics of early dev work, nothing too fancy, more of interest stuff.

Chris
Owner of Fulcrum Simulator Controls
Spitfire Obsessive, GA Enthusiast.
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https://www.fulcrumsim.com
https://www.facebook.com/fulcrumsimulatorcontrols

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Killratio
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Killratio »

Good luck with the show Chris!
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Hook
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Hook »

I am interested.

As long as the metal case doesn't stick too far beyond the edge of the desk, I am very interested. That is the only reason I am using a joystick right now rather than my CH Products yoke.

Best of luck with your new yoke and product launch.

Hook

speedy70
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by speedy70 »

I have always feltthat we are being totally ripped off by yokes pedals and grafics cards.

Nvidia want over £1000 for a card!!!!!!!!!

Cheers Chris

Cat3508
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Cat3508 »

This is looking good, from the description of the internal components, and the functional external switches. Why so many sim yoke makers do not incorporate a hat switch is beyond me, its an essential part of simming in my estimation. I have a Cessna Pro Yoke at present, which fits in a homemade housing under my desk quite comfortably. If your new yoke housing is of similar dimension, it would suit me perfectly.
Will give this yoke serious consideration as to purchase, if the price is within reason.

Good luck with your endeavour.

Cheers,

Neil
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Tutmeister
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Tutmeister »

Thanks all!
The housing is flush with the front of the desk and a similar size to a saitek though slightly smaller.
Chris
Owner of Fulcrum Simulator Controls
Spitfire Obsessive, GA Enthusiast.
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https://www.fulcrumsim.com
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Lewis - A2A
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Lewis - A2A »

Looking forward to seeing you Cosford tomorrow 8) 8)

cheers,
Lewis
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Paul K
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Paul K »

I'll be there too. Very much looking forward to seeing the yoke. :)

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Tutmeister
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Tutmeister »

Ha ha now I'm feeling under pressure!
Chris
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https://www.fulcrumsim.com
https://www.facebook.com/fulcrumsimulatorcontrols

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Killratio
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Killratio »

Would some nice Coffman Starter Breech Control pics relax you Chris ? :P :P :P
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Tutmeister
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Tutmeister »

Ha! they will make me drool but then I'll feel under pressure to build my cockpit!! :D
Owner of Fulcrum Simulator Controls
Spitfire Obsessive, GA Enthusiast.
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https://www.fulcrumsim.com
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crum
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by crum »

Tutmeister wrote:...the inability to be used smoothly with one hand...
This is why I'm back to joystick. If you solve this problem, I'm your's :)
Artem Crum
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Mustang
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Re: New yoke and FlightSim 2018 Cosford

Post by Mustang »

Well, fresh back from RAF Cosford and I'm pleased to say that the Fulcrum yoke is looking - or rather feeling - splendid! As smooth as can be, with equal force in roll and pitch and lots of travel. I hoped to be impressed, and I really was! For saying that it's only a prototype, it works very nicely. Especially with one hand. I think this product will satisfy a lot of users :)

It was great to meet you, Chris, and to hear about the project. I was the guy hanging around with Lewis and Paul. Or rather, they were hanging around with me... :wink:

Here's a picture of Lewis (I captured his best side, no less) trying the yoke. Good thinking to turn the A2A hat around, Paul!

Cheers,

Martyn

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