Looking for 3DOF platform - Prosimu or NLR Motion?

Hi everyone, I'm a new member here and looking to purchase my first motion platform. I'm looking for a commercial product as I don't have the time or patience right now for a major DIY project. I have been doing a ton of research and have narrowed down my choices to either the Prosimu T1000 3M or the NLR v3 platform w/tractionplus. I'd rather keep my costs closer to $3k USD, so am heavily leaning towards the T1000, as it seems like a great deal considering the cost of the NLR v3 + TP is closer to $9k USD.

Would you recommend the T1000 3M over the NLR v3? What are your thoughts on it? I haven't been able to find a ton of reviews on it thus far. Anything else I should consider in that price range?

Some background on myself. I typically do track days about 8 times a year. Not racing, but HPDE with local auto groups (PCA, Trackmasters, BMWCCA). I usually run in the advanced run groups. I'm obviously not looking to recreate the g-forces from a track day, but am looking to get a bit more immersion. I plan on using a triple monitor setup, as VR tends to make me motion sick (at least last I tried without any motion platform).

Thanks,
Steve

I've been trying to read as many reviews as I can find on forums, YouTube, etc.. I'm not sure what you mean by only able simulate American cars? I assume it might be a subtle reference to how American cars don't handle or are bouncy . Perhaps, that is true... although I haven't had a chance to drive an American car in awhile as our cars are German or Japanese at the moment.

I agree with you and my expectations are definitely to not try and replicate the lateral g-forces, as that would be nearly impossible outside of some sort of centrifugal simulator. I have seen videos of various motion simulators and actually am usually surprised how much motion I see. When I am on the track in my real car, I do not have nearly the amount of dive and sway that I have seen in many setups. I am looking just to get a bit more immersion from the platform, and also am hopeful that the traction loss system helps give me a sense when the rear of the car gets loose.

SeatTime, do you have a picture of your rig? I'm interested to see what your G system looks like. I have placed my order for the T1000 3M, and can't wait until it arrives. I'd love to be able to add a harness tensioner to it if possible, but have yet to find anyone that has done so with it.

Side note, why are there no USA based companies for motion rigs? The shipping is brutal. I guess the simracing market has not taken off over here yet.

levers, the Symdeck rig looks pretty impressive, but I wish there was more information on the website. There only appears to be a high level overview of the system, but no technical details or even close ups of the system itself. Regardless, the system does look impressive, but is more than I want to spend at the moment. Thanks for highlighting it though, as I love reading about all the various options out there.

Hi 5teve457,

I'm glad you like it. There is more info on each part of it if you click on the orange text underneath as you can purchase parts separately but I guess we need to make it clearer.

@levers It is about tricking the brain and a good seat mover with properly tuned software does just that. Your description of systems relying on pogo sticks and rocking chair effects is way off the mark of what those motion sim systems convey to the sim racer. Sure, something made badly or improperly tuned may feel like that but you are wrong to characterize all 'other' motion sims that way as it is not true.

I'm well aware that it's about tricking the brain. Unfortunately having tried several 3 DOF rigs and 'seat movers' they didn't convince me. If you're happy with that type of motion then that's fine but it's starting to sound like a religion when you say that just because most other people use pitch/roll to simulate surge/sway then that's how it should be done and criticise me for questioning it.

I'd definitely be interested to try out a Symdeck or read more reviews on then, as they do look interesting. I wish there were more details/pictures of what the internals actually look like. What type of actuators are used in them? From your website it seems they only have 55mm of total travel, is that correct? Any plans to have other third party reviews done? Perhaps get it over to Barry over at Sim Racing Garage? There just is not much to go on at the moment, and it is a tough sell at the higher price point.

Unfortunately there are parts we do not want to disclose and the whole point is the mechanical and electrical system is contained within an enclosure. The actuators are of our own specification and the travel is +/- 55mm so 110mm in total but this is a bit misleading because of where they are mounted.

The s2 actually gives +/- 7.5 degrees of rotation on pitch if used on it's own and +/-11 degrees on roll. I'm sure you will agree these are huge amounts but we tend to set them to +/- 5 degrees for pitch and roll which is still a lot if you try to visualise it and would still be steeper than a lot of circuits.

The s3 can pitch up to +/-10 degrees and roll +/- 13.5 degrees or there's 110mm of heave. Again when combined give +/-5 degrees in each direction and +/-30mm of heave.

It's difficult to get reviews done at the moment but we do plan on getting some more videos done so please keep an eye on the web site and if you have any other questions then please don't hesitate to ask.

I responded to your sweeping statements implying every other motion system except yours had the characteristics you described as rocking chairs & pogo sticks.

I did not say anything about what most other people use to simulate anything. Nor did I say, that's how it should be done. The religion of that is in your own mind it seems.

How a person perceives the different motion cues could depend on variety of physical factors, not least being the system used to deliver those cues. There is each individuals subjective experience and we are all biased towards what works for us. However there is also science based around human psychology & biomechanics at play here.

The end result is to be immersed and have fun so just be happy for your particular system and if people experience and like it, perhaps they will buy one. No need to wonder too much and bring down other systems to highlight yours.

Oh and I really look forward to Barry at SRG putting your system to the test and we can make a balanced independant critique of it.

Wow, I seem to have touched a real raw nerve there. You have obviously bought or are involved in the sales/manufacture of one of these 'other' systems and now your decision making skills are being questioned, even perhaps your manliness so you feel the need to justify your claims with supposed science. Please send me the link to the studies that back your claims that surge is better felt with pitch than surge given the choice of hardware.

I will agree with you that it is all about fun but there is no reason not to strive for better!

Regarding having an autopsy done by SRG, we're happy with demoing it at motorsport shows with people who race trying and liking it thanks.

LoL Not at all, few old nerves not raw and I have nothing to do with any sim business just a hobby for me. However I do like truth.

Very strange attitude for someone trying to promote and sell a motion system. I have no idea what your gear is like, maybe it's great and good luck if it is !

You have attributed statements to me several times that I never made. Nowhere in anything I wrote did I, "claim that surge is better felt with pitch than surge given the choice of hardware". Therefore your outrage has no basis, you are manufacturing that all by yourself. Perhaps go re-read what you wrote and my 'actual' response to get some perspective, as you seem to be reading a different thread!

Anyway I will leave this nonsense for you to have the last word if you like as it has become ridiculous at this point. Cheers

I'm not 'outraged' at all, just pulling at your thread!

Here's an independent review, last word.