Shponglefan wrote on 2022-12-08, 00:52:

For those with HOTAS setups, what are you using to mount them on your desks?

I'm taking a look at some of the commercial offerings from companies like Monstertech and Foxxmount. Weighing the pros and cons of either buying something like these, or potentially building my own instead.

I just put them on my desk, flanking the keyboard, without any special mount. But I remember reading a 1993 computer military sim magazine, where I found an article about a startup company that made affordable joystick and throttle mount. You need a pair of them, and they're supposed to flank your lap instead of flanking the keyboard.

Each mount has an upper base and a lower base. You put the stick/throttle on the upper base, and you're also suppose to slip your thigh between the upper base and the lower base, basically sitting on the lower base to keep it stable.

Pardon my shitty drawing but this is basically how it works.

The problem is to keep the stick/throttle stable on the upper base. The company suggest using velcro. In fact, it is said in the article that the company ship their stick/throttle mount with free velcro.

I think the design in simple enough to DIY. In fact, some years ago I planned to DIY myself, especially since the product is nowhere to be found --not even on Ebay. Eventually I dropped the idea tough, since putting the stick/throttle on my desk, flanking the keyboard, without mount whatsoever, is much simpler.

Ah, just found the magazine. It is named Personal Computer Combat Simulations!, and it is actually a 1994 issue instead of 1993.

The magazine.

And here's the article. The product name is Flight Stand. The company's name is Duggan DeZign, Inc., and it is said they already earned Thrustmaster's endorsement, which would help them selling the HOTAS mount.

The article.

Here's an ad of the HOTAS mount. A good ad, I must say, since it gives pretty clear description to potential buyers on how to use the product.

The ad.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't find the product anywhere, not even on Ebay. Worse, other than the article in the magazine, I just couldn't find any other information about Duggan DeZign's Flight Stand. Did the product fail? Was the company short-lived?

The good side, the HOTAS mount seems like easy to DIY. In fact, according to the magazine article, Duggan DeZign shipped them as flatpacks, knock-down kits to save space. So perhaps you would want to try to DIY one.

Elevator trim: I have a Logitech Driving Force steering wheel mounted upside down on the side (not front) of my desk for this. It works very well. The size of the wheel gives you fine control over trim. (The pedals of course are used for rudder control.)

ETA: picture

It's a big desk, so if I had two such wheels I would mount another to my right on the front of the desk for aileron or rudder trim.

Errius wrote on 2022-12-08, 11:57:

Elevator trim: I have a Logitech Driving Force steering wheel mounted upside down on the side (not front) of my desk for this. It works very well. The size of the wheel gives you fine control over trim. (The pedals of course are used for rudder control.)

Wait, you actually use steering wheel for elevator trim? That's the coolest controller misuse I've ever read about.

Also, nice pic!