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Low cost versus high costs driving simulators

Driving simulators are used for various purposes. Driver training simulators for driver training come in very different price classes. For example, a desktop driving simulator from Carnetsoft with a complete driver training curriculum is available for less than 5000 euro. However, most driver training simulators cost more than 15000 euro, and yet these are still considers to be low cost. Examples are the driving simulators of STISIM, ST Software and Green Dino. STISim offers both desktop systems and cockpit systems. ST Software and Green Dino both sell cockpit simulators.
The big difference between a desktop simulator and a cockpit simulator is that a cockpit simulator has a construction with a car seat attached. In cockpit simulators the controls can be real vehicle controls, but in most cases adapted game steering wheel and pedals are used. If a simulator manufacturer advertizes with real vehicle controls, then in most cases the force feedback and feel is not better at all compared to, for example, a logitech G29 set.  A game console set like a G29 has a reasonable force feedback and almost feels like steeringin a real car. The electro engines used in simulators with real car components often feel sloppy and non-responsive.
What really contributes to the learning value of a driver training simulator is the quality of the software. Does the software allow the trainee to practice the most important car driving related tasks? That's what really matters, and the price of a simulator does not reflect that. How a cockpit looks has no effect on the training value, and yet this is what a lot of driving schools go for: they often think a nice looking cockpit enhances the driving experience which obviously is not true.
Mid-range simulators cost between 15000 and 75000 euro. An example is the Virage simulator. These system consist of a nice ooking cockpit with real car controls.
The high end driving simulators cost more than 75000 euro and can go up to a million euro. These often include a motion platform and a set of large screens with beamers instead of monitors. Examples are th driving simulators of Cruden or CKAS. The motion platforms are often promoted as a means to combat simulator sickness, which resembles motion sickness. Simulator sickness occurs when the visual information doies not match information for your vestibular organs, because you see the movement but you don't feel the motion. However, in most cases the motion cues provided by a motion platform are not netirely correct and this can also result in simulator sickness. In addition, the larger the projection as is the case in expensive simulators, the higher the risk of simulator sickness.

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