Playseat compact 2DOF motion simulator 2014

yep seen the video before, nice idea, actuators are a tad slow I think

I like it but it need more movements to be cool enought to run hours and hours

I like it, I don't like too much or too fast movements.

But, how much is it going to cost?

Actually, Playseat's website shows cost as $12,635 !!! http://www.playseatstore.com/motion.html

$12k? Ok, thats about 6-10 DIY builds.

For a newbie with elementary experience in electronics how many man hours to build the "first" one DIY? I saw one YouTube saying it took a guy more than six months.

six months (and longer) is very realistic

10 hours per week for 26 weeks does sound realistic for what would be a "protoype" 260 hours at $30 per is $7800 making buying a preengineered kit seem reasonable...actuators with controls and software and good documentation would seem to be a opportunity.

you are obviously looking at this as a business, not a hobby. Good luck with your search.
For informations sake, if everything is in front of me, steel, boards, motors, pots, etc. I can build a 2 DOF sim seat mover in 12 hrs, over 2 days.
You tend to learn nothing about pre-bought products and do not have any real customisation of it either.
DIY hobbies are exactly that. we do not look at time spent. It would be like telling a guy/girl building up a car for show over several years that its not cost effective. So what!
Tell that to my mate whom spent 5 years re-building his car and spending over $100,000 in parts and time spent. he would have to add another $100,000 for labour. He doesnt look at that. He looks at his handy work and the labour of love.
I suppose you look at a relationship with another human at the same sort of costing as well.
Its the end result that is worth it that YOU built it.

Hey David, your spot on right to a point... It's a hobby to a point. We can't forget the end result, the real hobby... racing and flying
In regards to me, I'm new and I really like this site and all the projects that go on here. My problem is no tools, no space to do the project and the big kicker, no knowledge. In other words, I'm on this site because I want to sim race using motion but don't want to fork out a massive amount of money to a sim company. I'm just being honest.
Having said all that, I'm finding that sim designing and building is a very creative hobby with rewards. I never for one moment thought that until I got here. The more I come here, the less I see myself in a static cockpit. Like you said in my first post on here... everybody is real helpful on here. You are spot on right for sure.

Anyway, I see all points of view here. They are all making sense. Stroutmall is correct on the breakdown if your just interested in getting on with racing. It can be appealing if you have the money to do so.

Placing a value on time spent does not make something a business versus a hobby. Being creative by learning and solving problems to form a useful "product" is truly rewarding. In many years of "real" racing I enjoyed BOTH the building of the cars and engines as well as the driving of them. The only point I was making is that the value of a product you buy is more than just the sum of the cost of materials--it must also include the value of time and capital (tools) invested. My decision/s is/are all about finding the right balance between time spent learning--building and time spent simracing with money spent also an important consideration. Something that might take an expert only 12 hours might take a newbie 120 hours or more. That 120 hours reduces the time available to race and hence has a real cost.

For example...I had heard of Arduino, but it took me a few hours to figure out what JRKS were!!! https://www.sparkfun.com/products/retired/9666
and http://www.pololu.com/category/10/brushed-dc-motor-controllers So, after finding out they are DC motor controllers with position feedback, I think I would rather buy one rather than buy the components and solder up my own.

This site is fantastic source of info with a great deal of valuable information donated by generous people. (site is worthy of financial donations and support).
Still, the learning curve for a newcomer, especially in the electronics and software interface areas is very daunting. Buy vs make decisions will vary for each person. One person might buy a ready made system, another a kit of components, another buying the components separately and yet another making many of the components himself. The beauty of this site is that it addresses the full spectrum of different needs and wants.

I don think anyone makes there own control boards any more. Except for the Simaxe. Theres that much available out there, its a few soldered wires and off you go.
Back on time spent.....the arduino may be cheaper and better for up to and larger than 200 watt motors, but it requires coding, either using an existing code of which you will probably have to modify - time taken up.
The JRK is more expensive and restricted to max 200-250 watt 12v motors, it does not require coding, is simpler to use and easier to set up.
Again, as you like to compare the costing of time versus actual play time, please continue researching to find your solution.

Pre order for Playseat Motion is @ 1.399 euro, that's about 2000$ with Free Worldwide shipping, comes with software and full support, it isn't that bad.

Be sure please to show us videos and tell us how it goes.

Sorry i wouldn't pay that kind of price for 2 actuator's and a flat board.