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Monitors have come with USB ports for quite some time, and I never really understood why. I always had a computer and desk situation where such a feature just seemed like a gimmick.
The racing simulators we will be using are all PC programs. While they are all highly configurable and many of the features and functions can be accessed from the buttons on the steering wheel, there are still things that require the use of a keyboard and mouse. As we’ll see later, some of the pedal assemblies and other accessories also use USB.
In the case of using the Logitech G920, if you wanted to use a USB headset to be able to talk to other racers (certain titles support this), you have:
Keyboard
Mouse
Headset
Steering wheel (through which the pedals and shifter share a USB connection).
That’s four USB devices that all have to plug into… something. In my particular case, I wanted to be able to put the simulator cockpit “away” off to the side, which meant unplugging things every time I did.
The USB hub that is built into the Predator X34 makes for a much easier time. I can simply attach all of the accessories into the monitor, and then run a long USB extension cable and an HDMI or DisplayPort cable to the monitor and I’m all hooked up and ready to go. Neat!
The final product is really awesome.Here is everything put together. We’re ready to race! Tune in next time when we start to fire up some software and take this cockpit for a spin.
