Playseat Challenge: Lock-Mod

Description

The Playseat Challenge is one of the most popular starter rigs for many sim-racers. It’s relatively affordable, has a seat built in, and folds up for storage. That said, the PSC’s lack of rigidity leads many to upgrade to a more permanent rig if they have the room to spare. To those without the dedicated space available, lack of storage friendly high-end rigs leaves upgrading the Playseat Challenge as one few options. Being unable to find a comprohensive solution in the mod community at the time, I began work on my own solution: The Playseat Challenge Lock-Mod.

After years of designing, tinkering and racing, it is now available as an upgrade kit to anyone with an original Playseat Challenge or Playseat Challenge ActiFit.

Primary Features

The Lock-Mod addresses just about every issue I had using the Playseat Challenge as my daily driver. That, while keeping the benefits of the rig and adding a few supplimentary quality-of-life improvements:

• Wheelbase reinforced at multiple points, and is able to easily handle high output DD wheelbases.
• Pedal tray is height adjustable and securely connected to the rig. Greatly reduced movement even with high load force pedals.
• Shifter/handbrake mounting to accomodate a wide range of gear, while also being extremely rigid.
• Replacement of velcro strap with a more reliable and convenient folding lock mechanism.
• Integrated wheels for easy moving with extra mass of high-end gear & upgraded structure (pictured setup approx 37kg).

Compact folding is the Playseat Challenge’s primary selling point, a point I felt was important to retain. Folding/unfolding the Lock-Mod doesn’t require any tools, takes only 1½ minutes, and is as compact as the original. Even the shifter/handbrake assembly can fold neatly within the original’s dimensions without sticking out the side (which even the official Playseat shifter mount doesn’t accomplish).

Configurations

There are many ways the Mod-Lock can be configured, and this will affect how tightly it can be folded. The size, shape and position of the following hardware have a proportionally larger impact.

• Pedals: Bulky pedals & heel rests (such as in the featured configuration) leave less room for the other items when folded up. Pedals with a low & short profile are preferred if tight packaging is required.
• Handbrake/Shifter: Using compact handbrakes & shifters with multiple mounting options is recommended. Mounting them close to the rig also helps reduce space requirements when folded.
• Accessories mounted on the Playseat’s ‘legs’ (such as the control box and the usb/power hub on the pictured config) will reduce space for other components when folded. Mount these last.

The structure of the Lock-Mod itself is also configurable in 3 different ways. These configurations allow users to adjust rigidity versus accessibility and the wheelbase deck position.

• Standard: Prioritizes rigidity with the wheelbase deck close to the driver (pictured configuration). Requires unlatching more QR clamps to swing wheelbase aside. Extra clamps not required.
• Reverse: Similar rigidity & accessibility as standard, but flips wheelbase plate to be further from the driver. Wheelbase struts clamp onto pedal struts. Requires purchase of extra clamps.
• Quick Release: Prioritizes accessibility at the loss of . Wheelbase swings aside by unlatching a single QR clamp. Works with Standard or Reverse wheelbase deck. Requires purchase of extra clamps.

Kit Content

Lock-Mod kit not compatible with the Playseat Challenge X: Logitech G Edition.