I’ve heard of this piece of hardware in the past but never really gave it a close look, After years of flying with a simple setup and coming to the conclusion that this world has gotten too expensive for me to keep up my irl pilot licence I’ve decided to invest some money in a better set to get that “more immersive” feeling to my real world flying of which I will have to put on the back burner for now (unfortunately perhaps forever)

Ive decided to give butt kicker a better look and it’s peaked my interest, anyone using this or have experience with it? Is it worth the price of admission (about an hour or two of irl flying time would cover the cost of this piece of hardware), and more so I’m wondering if it gets annoying after a long flight?

Thanks!

Edited October 24, 20214 yr by flyinpilot212121

I was able to purchase a kit on sale so look around a bit before purchase. Overall, a great piece of gear for me. Works with any audio output from computer, although my recommendation would be any "+1" (2+1, 4+1, etc) audio setup. Pretty much infinitely adjustable, longer flights are not a problem with it adjusted to lower settings. Definitely increases immersion.

Below is my setup. Audio from ATC is separated from ambient sounds (engine noise, for example) so easy to control relative volumes. 

(click on the pictures to embiggen)

buttkicked | Search Results | uchi's world (wordpress.com)

Edited October 24, 20214 yr by hs118

I know you asked specifically about the Buttkicker,  but also mentioned that you value the experience.   Just wanted to make you aware of another option.

I use Simshaker for Aviators and a 150 watt 2 channel amp to drive two Aura Pro tactile feedback transducers.   One bolted under each butt cheek.

Simshaker uses telemetry output from the sim (Simconnect) to calculate and create it's feedback.   It does not use game audio in any manner.

By default,  a buttkicker hooks inline with the game audio using a y splitter and the user adjusts filters on the BK amp in order to filter out highs and mids from the game audio stream so they don't reach the kicker.

Simshaker can be used with a buttkicker.     

Since it does not use game audio in any manner,   simshaker needs it's own sound card device.   I use the onboard on my motherboard for simshaker,   and a usb dac for my headphones.   A usb dac stick would work too.

https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/simshaker-for-aviators-thread-from-the-dev/230315

https://simshaker.com/software/general/

This is the amp/transducer combo I bought,    but you could use a 5 channel home theater amp with those Aura Pro transducers if you were inclined to do so.

https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-APA150-With-2-Aura-Pro-Bass-Shakers-Bundle-300-9004

I have my stick and hotas mounted on my rig,  and the transducers vibrate them too.   I keep thinking about adding another two transducers,  one next to each rudder pedal.

https://www.parts-express.com/Aurasound-AST-2B-4-Pro-Bass-Shaker-299-028

Simshaker for Aviators is free,  but MSFS requires the SSA sound module plugin for the sim.   The module is payware,  but inexpensive (RUB 1,800.00).

https://andres-shop.simshaker.com/software/20-simshaker-for-dcsw-sound-module-key.html

Edit:  Just wanted to mention that I have owned a Buttkicker 2.

Edited October 24, 20214 yr by Waldo Pepper

Here I have attached the Buttkicker 2 to the underside of my seat.

With turbulence, engine rumble or flaps movement it starts to vibrate ( slow/fast , low noise/loud noise )…Definitely adds to the immersion. 

Works in P3D with OpusFSI but I did not find a way to make it work in MSFS.
 

 

19 minutes ago, GSalden said:

I did not find a way to make it work in MSFS.

Here is a pretty good review of the buttkicker in MSFS 2020.

 

 

If you want it, Richard sale one, more info in this link:

 

 

I have 3.  I'm using Opus for MSFS to run them. I found that one is not enough. Get the buttkicker for your chair and then 2 transducers for the desk. You will also need 2 usb sound cards and two amps. Buttkicker $160.      Each transducer will be about $45,usb sound card $15, Amp $49  all on amazon. Once you get it all dialed in you cant fly without it.  Josh

Had an original Buttkicker for years never let me down and cannot use Flightsims without it... a definite improvement on the immersion scale.

Regards

Nic

36 minutes ago, Nicholas Jackson said:

Had an original Buttkicker for years never let me down and cannot use Flightsims without it... a definite improvement on the immersion scale.

Regards

Nic

When you purchased it was it an all in outfit, meaning I’m seeing some post that require I add amps, tranducers etc. I was under the impression that I could purchase the package and can run it that way. 

39 minutes ago, FreeBird(Josh) said:

I have 3.  I'm using Opus for MSFS to run them. I found that one is not enough. Get the buttkicker for your chair and then 2 transducers for the desk. You will also need 2 usb sound cards and two amps. Buttkicker $160.      Each transducer will be about $45,usb sound card $15, Amp $49  all on amazon. Once you get it all dialed in you cant fly without it.  Josh

Thanks, I thought by purchasing from butt kicker it would be an all in package, no need to purchase additional items? 

Edited October 24, 20214 yr by flyinpilot212121

1 minute ago, flyinpilot212121 said:

Thanks, I thought by purchasing from butt kicker it would be an all in package, no need to purchase additional items? 

I bought mine off of Amazon (free returns) for about $110.  You *can* run it from your main sound card and I did that for a couple of weeks.  That works but it responds to sounds rather than to events.  In the end, you will probably want a cheap extra sound card and SimShaker so it responds to ground roll, etc. even if there's no sound from the sim from it.  

48 minutes ago, flyinpilot212121 said:

Thanks, I thought by purchasing from butt kicker it would be an all in package, no need to purchase additional items? 

That is what I did originally and its a great start. There is no need to buy anything else. Give it a try and then add more as you want.

3 minutes ago, FreeBird(Josh) said:

That is what I did originally and its a great start. There is no need to buy anything else. Give it a try and then add more as you want.

Thanks for the insight..I appreciate it! 

I think I’m sold on this thing…Gonna give it a go! 

Hi Guys

You dont need an extra sound card you can use this free program works great fyi

https://vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/index.htm