Buying a complete racing simulator
Turnkey Racing Simulator vs DIY: What to Compare Before You Buy
Choose a turnkey simulator when you want a complete system and a team responsible for its installation. Choose DIY when you want to select, assemble and maintain the components yourself. The right choice depends on your budget, available time and the support you need.
Sim Coaches manufactures and sells turnkey simulators in Las Vegas. This guide explains our offering and the questions to ask when comparing any supplier.
What does turnkey mean in sim racing?
A complete system brings together the cockpit, seat, steering controls, pedals, racing PC and displays. The supplier configures the equipment and explains how to use it. Delivery, installation, software and support vary between suppliers, so ask for an itemized scope.
| Decision | Turnkey | DIY |
|---|---|---|
| Component selection | Choose a package and confirm its exact parts with the supplier. | Select each part and check compatibility, mounts and connections. |
| Assembly and setup | Confirm whether installation and calibration are included. | Plan assembly, cable routing, software setup and calibration yourself. |
| Budget | Compare the delivered, installed quote and exclusions. | Total parts, shipping, tax, tools and any help you purchase. |
| Support | Check who handles faults and which components each warranty covers. | Expect to work with individual component suppliers and troubleshoot integration. |
| Customization | Confirm supported options and future upgrade paths before ordering. | You control the parts list and take responsibility for the integration. |
DIY can be a good fit if you enjoy building and already own suitable equipment. Turnkey can be a good fit if you value a coordinated installation or are opening a venue with several matched systems. Neither approach automatically makes you a faster driver.
Compare the cost of a complete, usable system
A cockpit-only price cannot be compared directly with a package that includes a PC, displays and installation. Put the same equipment and services on both sides of your comparison.
- Hardware: chassis, seat, wheelbase, steering wheel, pedals, PC, displays and mounts.
- Setup: assembly, freight, access to the room, installation, calibration and an introduction to the equipment.
- Ongoing costs: game subscriptions, optional software renewals, replacement parts and support after the included period.
- Optional equipment: motion, screen upgrades, shifters, handbrakes and other controls.
Our current starting configurations are Pro: $23,970.00 USD, Omega: $29,990.00 USD and Elite: $49,995.00 USD. They include the racing PC, displays, controls, delivery and professional installation. Simulator freight is included within the continental United States; confirm access requirements and the final scope in your quote.
Pro and Omega include the first year of TrackPro PRO 5X, and Elite includes PRO 20X. Later renewals and optional equipment belong in your ownership budget. Our simulator cost guide explains the package differences in more detail.
Choose static, 3DOF or 6DOF around how you want to drive
Pro: a fixed cockpit
Pro keeps your driving position fixed while the direct-drive steering, hydraulic pedals and haptics provide feedback. Its standard display is a 57-inch Samsung ultrawide, with triple 32-inch screens available as an upgrade.
Omega: pitch, roll and heave
Omega adds 3DOF motion: pitch, roll and vertical movement. The standard configuration includes triple 32-inch Samsung G5 displays. Review both the moving equipment and the surrounding access space when planning the room.
Elite: movement across six axes
Elite provides 6DOF motion and starts with triple 45-inch LG OLED displays. It needs a larger equipment layout than the base Pro or Omega. Its broader motion range is an experience choice, not a guarantee of better lap times.
Compare all three turnkey racing simulators and current options. If you are unsure how the differences feel, ask about a demonstration before selecting a model.
Plan the room and installation before ordering
The published base equipment footprints are 5 × 5 feet for Pro and Omega and 8 × 8 feet for Elite. Those dimensions are not a finished room plan. Allow for getting in and out, maintenance, movement clearance and the screen option you choose.
- Measure the room and mark doors, furniture and the intended driving position.
- Share doorway, hallway, stair and elevator restrictions along the delivery route.
- Confirm power, internet access, flooring and the final layout with the installation team.
- Review the exact equipment list, build schedule and installation arrangements in the quote.
Our systems are built to order. Current product information gives roughly eight weeks for Pro and twelve weeks for Omega and Elite; the agreed quote and scheduling discussion determine your build and delivery arrangements. An installation duration should be confirmed for the actual site.
Installation includes calibration and a personal introduction to the simulator. Ask the team to show you how to start a session, adjust the driving position and controls, and request support. Do not assume that an equipment handover includes an ongoing driver-coaching program.
See a complete Sim Coaches installation
For Ignition Sim Racing, Sim Coaches manufactured and installed a fleet of 13 Omega 3DOF simulators. The documented build includes hydraulic pedals, GT steering wheels, triple 32-inch displays and 6-inch motion kits.
Explore the Ignition installation and equipment. Use an installed example to discuss layout and operator needs; it is not a forecast of revenue or utilization for a new venue.
Questions to settle before you place an order
- Which exact PC, controls, screens and software are included?
- Who handles freight, access, installation and configuration?
- What happens if a component needs support or replacement?
- What is covered by the manufacturer's warranty, and what is covered by a component supplier?
- Which subscriptions renew after the first year?
- What deposit, cancellation terms and payment schedule apply?
- Which future upgrades are supported for this configuration?
For Sim Coaches, lifetime warranty coverage applies to the chassis and hydraulic pedals we manufacture. Review the published refund policy and your quote for the terms that apply to the complete order.