The SimFeedback-AC DIY Motion Simulator thread

sjb266 · Sep 17, 2018

Hey guys. Thought I’d create a thread for those taking the plunge into this brilliant DIY project..
I will be starting mine soon and I know there are others thinking about it.. so feel free to share your knowledge and experiences so we can all enjoy this platform to its full potential. A huge thanks to the developers who have really knocked this one out of the park!

Website: https://opensfx.com/2019/02/20/welcome-to-our-new-site/

Github: https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/wiki

For all the internals for the actuator contact Amy - skye@ntl-bearing.com
She can supply everything you need. Just remind her you want the ends of the shafts chamfered and make sure she sends the right sized ball screw - we have had a couple of issues reported. She is very helpful though and the cost is pretty good.

Huge thanks to @RowanH for writing a comprehensive user guide which can be accessed here - https://www.rowanhick.com/sfx-100-build-and-running-guide

In addition, @anton_Chez has contributed a list of post numbers for some of the important settings etc..
Post #320 SFX-100 thread
Post #327 SFX-100 thread for Discord correlation
Post #339 SFX-100 thread
Post #418 SFX-100 thread
Post #424 SFX-100 thread
Post #439 SFX-100 thread
Post #449 SFX-100 thread
Post #517 SFX-100 thread
Post #554 SFX-100 thread
Post #580 SFX-100 thread
Post #826 SFX-100 thread
Post #837 SFX-100 thread
Post #864,866,867,868,870,887,889,897 SFX-100 thread
Post #911,914 SFX-100 thread
Post #988,992,998 SFX-100 thread
Post #1147 SFX-100 thread
Post #1492 SFX-100 thread
Post #1511,1517 SFX-100 thread

I will try to keep this page updated with links to source the parts in other parts of the world. Just post whatever links you have and i'll add them here.

Please note: Not all the parts listed below are essential for the project. For the essential parts refer to the original shopping list.

Australia:

Thanks to @AussieSim for the following links:

10A power lead(s) * 4
https://www.jaycar.com.au/2m-black-mains-extension-lead/p/PS4152

Top quality wire stripper
https://sydneytools.com.au/product/boxo-cutws205-multifunction-wire-stripper

RCD/safety switch power block
https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-4-outlet-heavy-duty-portable-safety-switch_p4420028

WD-40 lithium grease for the ball screws
https://www.bunnings.com.au/wd-40-specialist-300g-high-performance-white-lithium-grease_p6100408

Vibration pads
https://www.bunnings.com.au/whites-on-site-100-x-12-5mm-rubber-anti-vibration-mat-4-pack_p3961547

WD-40 Dry PTFE spray for the slider (free shipping)
https://au.rs-online.com/mobile/p/lubricants/7577134/

Arduino Leonardo (free shipping + frequent 10-15% off discount)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/a000057/arduino-corporation

DB25 cables * 4 (free shipping)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/ak401-2/assmann-wsw-components-inc

PETG * 3 (free shipping)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/petg17bk1/mg-chemicals

WAGO-like connectors to avoid a breadboard (perhaps use genuine ones if you are doing 240V AC)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32906719488.html

D-Sub breakout boards * 4
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32297675967.html

3D printer Creality Ender-3 Pro
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32918302452.html

Wires from Arduino to D-Sub breakout (remove black plastic from the WAGO end)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32887680826.html

Crimp connectors for AC wire leads
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32813550981.html

Dennis Johnson · Mar 2, 2020

ThugUK said:
The Thanos unit is not supported by the creators of the SFX100. Not only that but by buying the Thanos unit you are giving money to someone who is making it off the back off other peoples hard work and generosity.
Also the SFX100 creaters only get money (not much either) by selling the SimFeedBack software.
Thanos may have more things to tweak, but its also more complicated and VERY expensive considering you can still do most things with SFB (which is being developed on and improving every day).
There is also a great Discord group for SFB, which helps with the software and SFB, where the creator team regularly post and help people.
Its your money and your choice, but which ever way you go, I would still buy SFB to help the creators a little. Its the least you can do.

Thanks for that information. You helped me a lot. SFB it will be!

Crashtappen · Mar 3, 2020

@Dennis Johnson and @ThugUK
Guys you re so funny with your fake conversations...

Instead of whinning and trying to take down other people work each time an improvement is made, just try to focus your effort on your own software. No ?

Regarding Thanos board, it was not made specifically for SFX100 but for ALL 3DOF, 4DOF and 6DOF motion rigs. Just come to the discord channel and you will see how many 6DOF or 4DOF rigs users are here....SFX100 is the smallest part of users.
This urban legend must stop, world does not spin around SFX100.

And finally if you want to push the discussion further, did SFX team invented anything with their hardware ? No !
Commercial companies were using the same internal design many years before

I am sure people will be able to understand the difference, and you can't restrict people from upgrading their hardware or rigs.

C64 · Mar 3, 2020

Kieran527 said:
I don’t doubt he’s genuine, I’ve seen him post a lot so I’ve no concern there.
I was asking about the Arduino, as I didn’t know if it was one of the cheaper copy versions with it, as I know the proper Arduinos are about £25 when I was looking

Sorry for the confusion - the price does not include the Arduino. I bought cheap leonardo's from Amazon ( £10 ) that worked well.

If someone is interested then please PM me.

C64 · Mar 3, 2020

_hagenaar said:
i will have a better look at the settings....

when i open the item24 slider with the default settings i get this
View attachment 353013

That does look a bit odd, must be the slicer, when I created the ITEM24 slider I took the original STL file and removed very small amounts from the vertical grooves so that they fitted the ITEM24 profile. I used microsoft 3D Builder to do it, it's very basic 3D software and artifacts sometimes get created. STL files are ok for 3D surface models but really poor as an "engineering" file system. I did make sure that the model printed properly and fitted the ITEM24 section - I have had one running on my rig for over 1 year without any issues.

ThugUK · Mar 3, 2020

ThugUK said:
The Thanos unit is not supported by the creators of the SFX100. Not only that but by buying the Thanos unit you are giving money to someone who is making it off the back off other peoples hard work and generosity.
Also the SFX100 creaters only get money (not much either) by selling the SimFeedBack software.
Thanos may have more things to tweak, but its also more complicated and VERY expensive considering you can still do most things with SFB (which is being developed on and improving every day).
There is also a great Discord group for SFB, which helps with the software and SFB, where the creator team regularly post and help people.
Its your money and your choice, but which ever way you go, I would still buy SFB to help the creators a little. Its the least you can do.

Crashtappen said:
@Dennis Johnson and @ThugUK
Guys you re so funny with your fake conversations...

Instead of whinning and trying to take down other people work each time an improvement is made, just try to focus your effort on your own software. No ?

Regarding Thanos board, it was not made specifically for SFX100 but for ALL 3DOF, 4DOF and 6DOF motion rigs. Just come to the discord channel and you will see how many 6DOF or 4DOF rigs users are here....SFX100 is the smallest part of users.
This urban legend must stop, world does not spin around SFX100.

And finally if you want to push the discussion further, did SFX team invented anything with their hardware ? No !
Commercial companies were using the same internal design many years before

I am sure people will be able to understand the difference, and you can't restrict people from upgrading their hardware or rigs.

Not sure what is fake about my conversation.
Care to enlighten me?

The statements I have highlighted are all true.
1. The Thanos unit is NOT supported by the creators of the SFX
2. Buying the Thanos unit IS giving money to someone off the back of another hard work and generosity (this isn't just in regards to the Thanos unit, it goes on through most products and life itself). I know it can be used on other motion rigs, but this thread is about the SFX and Dennis was asking about one for the SFX.
3. The SFX creators ONLY get money via selling their software.
4. The Thanos unit is VERY expensive in comparison to the SFB unit (£218 plus £24 delivery as apposed to about £27 and free delivery).

I am not knocking the Thanos unit as its clearly a very good driver, but if it 'is a necessary' purchase at the price and spec for SFX owners is another thing. That was why I said it was his money and his choice. Not restricting at all.

Oh, I wouldn't know where to start in making software, or hardware for that matter, that's why I used someone else's design (the SFX) to built my own motion rig. That is why I will buy THEIR software to support them and to say thanks.

Lastly, when it come to fake conversations, I noticed that your ONLY follower is Thanos himself. Thanos doesn't post on this thread, doesn't mean he doesn't get others to do it for him, spreading the word like a disciple follower

Jean-Paul Lanaux · Mar 3, 2020

Crashtappen said:
@Dennis Johnson and @ThugUK

... This urban legend must stop, world does not spin around SFX100.

And finally if you want to push the discussion further, did SFX team invented anything with their hardware ? No !
Commercial companies were using the same internal design many years before...

What you say is somewhat true. I have been an outsider looking in at adding DIY motion to my sim for several years. I am an industrial designer, in hindsight, there is nothing special about anything regarding SFX100. I successfully built a SFX100 (a little more than 12 months ago) - EXCEPT ...

The completed project "looked Cool" ... the documentation seemed pretty thorough ... including a parts list ... material source links ... interface software between the games and the motion hardware ... and it was tested by many users.

I am not an expert, I don't hang around all of the DIY sim communities all day long, but I haven't noticed another project where so many users have copied a single design (maybe there is - and I am unaware).

Urban legend ... world does not spin around SFX100??? I built it - easily and confidently - knowing it was going to work. It's good enough for me.

ThugUK · Mar 3, 2020

EDIT

Double post in error

Furnace Inferno · Mar 3, 2020

ThugUK said:
Not sure what is fake about my conversation.
Care to enlighten me?

The statements I have highlighted are all true.
1. The Thanos unit is NOT supported by the creators of the SFX
2. Buying the Thanos unit IS giving money to someone off the back of another hard work and generosity (this isn't just in regards to the Thanos unit, it goes on through most products and life itself). I know it can be used on other motion rigs, but this thread is about the SFX and Dennis was asking about one for the SFX.
3. The SFX creators ONLY get money via selling their software.
4. The Thanos unit is VERY expensive in comparison to the SFB unit (£218 plus £24 delivery as apposed to about £27 and free delivery).

I am not knocking the Thanos unit as its clearly a very good driver, but if it 'is a necessary' purchase at the price and spec for SFX owners is another thing. That was why I said it was his money and his choice. Not restricting at all.

Oh, I wouldn't know where to start in making software, or hardware for that matter, that's why I used someone else's design (the SFX) to built my own motion rig. That is why I will buy THEIR software to support them and to say thanks.

Lastly, when it come to fake conversations, I noticed that your ONLY follower is Thanos himself. Thanos doesn't post on this thread, doesn't mean he doesn't get others to do it for him, spreading the word like a disciple follower

Not entirely true, he does occasionally post in here with thinly veiled digs at the Arduino or bigging up the Thanos driver.

Also

at this guy calling it an “upgrade” when it’s just an expensive case and different software like the SFX stuff doesn’t work perfectly. I digress though, I’d rather not get involved because as I said before these people know what they are doing but sometimes I can’t help myself.

Anyway, I’m currently waiting on an AMS2 update for some sweet sweet motion!

Crashtappen · Mar 3, 2020

@Jean-Paul Lanaux

Hey don't get me wrong here, i am not bashing SFX100 DIY hardware as i also built one and also donated a good amount to their project at the time to help them....
I think you re not getting what's behind all of this "story" between SFX team and THANOS, wich they totally made up by the way.
Urban legend about Thanos created this board to make moiney on the back of SFX100 team ?: YES
World does not spin around SFX100??? : YES

What's your problem with facts ?

@ThugUK

You re totaly focused on "your" opinion (maybe brainwashed by SFX team).

Once and for all, this board was NOT made specifically for SFX100 users. Again what don't you understand in that fact ? That's the total opposite and if you were curious enough you would have come to the Discord channel and discovered it by yourself....

Don't try to re-aim your shot as you clearly said :

ThugUK said:
by buying the Thanos unit you are giving money to someone who is making it off the back off other peoples hard work and generosity.

This is totaly wrong, unfair and false allegations.
And if you think so, then SFX team could be sued by many companies who used the same internal design principle and could feeld stolen or knocked off. Think about it !

There is no need to argue anymore, this is a no ending conversation, there is room for everyone and every products, softwares or hardwares. Everyone should live with it !

ThugUK said:
I noticed that your ONLY follower is Thanos himself. Thanos doesn't post on this thread, doesn't mean he doesn't get others to do it for him, spreading the word like a disciple follower

Conspiracy is everywhere you are right

I am already out .

Furnace Inferno said:
Also at this guy calling it an “upgrade” when it’s just an expensive case

Come on mate you can do better.... is that your sole argument ? Sound really empty IMO

ThugUK · Mar 3, 2020

Crashtappen said:
@ThugUK

You re totaly focused on "your" opinion (maybe brainwashed by SFX team).

Once and for all, this board was NOT made specifically for SFX100 users. Again what don't you understand in that fact ? That's the total opposite and if you were curious enough you would have come to the Discord channel and discovered it by yourself....

Don't try to re-aim your shot as you clearly said :

Its not an opinion, its a fact.
Show me where I wrote that it was MADE for the SFX.
It can be used for MANY different products, but that still doesn't change the fact that they are making money off the SFX.
Unless you think that they are not of course?
What part of that don't you understand?

Crashtappen said:
This is totaly wrong, unfair and false allegations.
And if you think so, then SFX team could be sued by many companies who used the same internal design principle and could feeld stolen or knocked off. Think about it !

There is no need to argue anymore, this is a no ending conversation, there is room for everyone and every products, softwares or hardwares. Everyone should live with it !

Conspiracy is everywhere you are right I am already out .

Its not a false accusation at all.
Is Thanos making money off people who buy one to drive their SFX or not?
Perhaps I am wrong and they are getting them for free and he isn't making money at all.

Show me where I said it was illegal.
I have never said once that they have done anything illegal or even immoral.
This 'making money off other peoples designs' has been going on forever. Just look at all 'after market' things that are produced for cars, phones, bikes, computers (the list is truly endless). In fact RD themselves are making money off them too by charging Thanos to advertise. Again there is NOTHING wrong with this, its part of life, I was just pointing out FACTS.

If anyone wants to buy a Thanos unit then go ahead, but please buy a SFB unit too to help the designers.

ThugUK · Mar 3, 2020

Furnace Inferno said:
Not entirely true, he does occasionally post in here with thinly veiled digs at the Arduino or bigging up the Thanos driver.

Also at this guy calling it an “upgrade” when it’s just an expensive case and different software like the SFX stuff doesn’t work perfectly. I digress though, I’d rather not get involved because as I said before these people know what they are doing but sometimes I can’t help myself.

Anyway, I’m currently waiting on an AMS2 update for some sweet sweet motion!

Has anyone seen Crashtappen and Tronicgr_6DOF in the same room together, at the same time

I have never played AMS, but I am looking forward to AMS2

Peter Koslowski · Mar 3, 2020

I believe that the original software simfeedback is better. When hopefully my servo motors will be here soon, I will donate 50€ to Michael! Thanos would be a later option for 100€. 280€ I find too expensive!

Crashtappen · Mar 3, 2020

ThugUK said:
Is Thanos making money off people who buy one to drive their SFX or not?

Man you have no logic at all...

Follow your reflection to the end then.... so what about 3D printer manufacturers making money so people can print their parts ?
What about Arduino manufacturers who benefits about boost sales from SFX DIY and so on and so on...

There is no logic in that. Thanos board was not made for SFX100, period !
If people buy it for their SFX rig then fine but here at Thanos discord we don't care where you come from, wich rig you are using, wich software you prefer

ThugUK said:
Has anyone seen Crashtappen and Tronicgr_6DOF in the same room together, at the same time

Seriously still on that conspiracy thing ?? You seem to have a hard time believing people can think outside the box by theirself.

Furnace Inferno · Mar 3, 2020

Crashtappen said:
@Jean-Paul Lanaux

Hey don't get me wrong here, i am not bashing SFX100 DIY hardware as i also built one and also donated a good amount to their project at the time to help them....
I think you re not getting what's behind all of this "story" between SFX team and THANOS, wich they totally made up by the way.
Urban legend about Thanos created this board to make moiney on the back of SFX100 team ?: YES
World does not spin around SFX100??? : YES

What's your problem with facts ?

@ThugUK

You re totaly focused on "your" opinion (maybe brainwashed by SFX team).

Once and for all, this board was NOT made specifically for SFX100 users. Again what don't you understand in that fact ? That's the total opposite and if you were curious enough you would have come to the Discord channel and discovered it by yourself....

Don't try to re-aim your shot as you clearly said :

This is totaly wrong, unfair and false allegations.
And if you think so, then SFX team could be sued by many companies who used the same internal design principle and could feeld stolen or knocked off. Think about it !

There is no need to argue anymore, this is a no ending conversation, there is room for everyone and every products, softwares or hardwares. Everyone should live with it !

Conspiracy is everywhere you are right I am already out .

Come on mate you can do better.... is that your sole argument ? Sound really empty IMO

Not really because it’s true. It has a few extra features but nothing that “upgrades” the motion itself. Not only that but it doesn’t even include any of the profiles or software needed to run the sims as part of the developer package you have to go hunting for that yourself which IMO is a downgrade.

Also just take one look at the posts Tronic makes, prime example in his own thread in the last hour, his selling tactic is making digs at SFX-100. That is 100% using this project which he knows is more popular on here to try and sell his one to prospective builders and current ones.

That’s all I’m going to say on the matter, he can do whatever he likes on his thread, he pays for it after all but when it’s brought in here then

.

ThugUK said:
Has anyone seen Crashtappen and Tronicgr_6DOF in the same room together, at the same time

I have never played AMS, but I am looking forward to AMS2

I’ve not played much of it myself actually (well not much of any sim lately!) but the FFB is great. AMS2 beta wheel degrees isn’t working properly for me right now so I can’t fully comment yet, looks great in VR though.

Too many sims and not enough time. Also got Dirt Rally 2 with all the DLC in the last sale unplayed and GRID 2019 for my simcade controller action, literally racing games are like Pokemon for me, got buy them all

Michael Roitman · Mar 3, 2020

let me chime in on this because ive been watching the forums for a while and decided to take a more open source route myself also.

sfx-100 is great for those on a budget, but the designs have been commercially out there before SFX designs came out. Theres nothing new about them except it was packaged together as a DIY solution for those trying to save money.

Ive been watching the developments in Xsimulator forums and here ever since the DIY design of SFX came out, but the ONLY reason i didnt go with the SFX solution is because i would be locked in with software thats run by 1 person, limited to about 10-15 titles TOTAL, and isnt open source. In fact simfeedback expired on my friend/coworker because there was an expiration put on it by the dev!

i have a coworker that went with SFX and now he’s switching to a different controller because hes not happy with the software he was forced into using. I also see countless numbers of people doing the same thing and switching to an AMC controller because you can use it with ANY software and it’s open source. I went with a different design that cost only slightly more than SFX personally and with the Amc controller. I have so far tried using it with SimTools, Sim-Motion, and FlyPT - and theres other software on the market that i can try, but i settled on simtools currently.

i’m not knocking SimFeedback or the SFX-100 solution, but you can do SFX-100 and use an AMC controller and not be locked into Using 1 piece of software. In fact, Ive seen people switch to the AMC Controller and SimTools and are now able to use 110mm stroke length instead of 100mm, aside from all the other positives i’ve found

yes amc controller is a more expensive solution, but for the extra few dollars you have an open source solution that never expires even if Thanos decides to stop all firmware updates, someone else can pick up where he left off because you’re not locked in.

ThugUK · Mar 3, 2020

Crashtappen said:
Man you have no logic at all...

Follow your reflection to the end then.... so what about 3D printer manufacturers making money so people can print their parts ?
What about Arduino manufacturers who benefits about boost sales from SFX DIY and so on and so on...

There is no logic in that. Thanos board was not made for SFX100, period !
If people buy it for their SFX rig then fine but here at Thanos discord we don't care where you come from, wich rig you are using, wich software you prefer

Seriously still on that conspiracy thing ?? You seem to have a hard time believing people can think outside the box by theirself.

I have already said that people make money through other means off the back of other designers.
I have also said that the Thanos unit was not made for the SFX.
So not sure why you have posted the above.
Perhaps you are not actually reading my posts, or you just like to bump the thread.
Or possibly, just possibly, its more advertisement for the Thanos board

There is no conspiracy, it was a joke, hence the smiley.

Michael Roitman said:
let me chime in on this because ive been watching the forums for a while and decided to take a more open source route myself also.

sfx-100 is great for those on a budget, but the designs have been commercially out there before SFX designs came out. Theres nothing new about them except it was packaged together as a DIY solution for those trying to save money.

Ive been watching the developments in Xsimulator forums and here ever since the DIY design of SFX came out, but the ONLY reason i didnt go with the SFX solution is because i would be locked in with software thats run by 1 person, limited to about 10-15 titles TOTAL, and isnt open source. In fact simfeedback expired on my friend/coworker because there was an expiration put on it by the dev!

i have a coworker that went with SFX and now he’s switching to a different controller because hes not happy with the software he was forced into using. I also see countless numbers of people doing the same thing and switching to an AMC controller because you can use it with ANY software and it’s open source. I went with a different design that cost only slightly more than SFX personally and with the Amc controller. I have so far tried using it with SimTools, Sim-Motion, and FlyPT - and theres other software on the market that i can try, but i settled on simtools currently.

i’m not knocking SimFeedback or the SFX-100 solution, but you can do SFX-100 and use an AMC controller and not be locked into Using 1 piece of software. In fact, Ive seen people switch to the AMC Controller and SimTools and are now able to use 110mm stroke length instead of 100mm, aside from all the other positives i’ve found

yes amc controller is a more expensive solution, but for the extra few dollars you have an open source solution that never expires even if Thanos decides to stop all firmware updates, someone else can pick up where he left off because you’re not locked in.

There may be nothing new about the SFX100 design, but if it wasn't for this developer and the designs he shared MANY people (myself included) wouldn't have had built one in the first place.

I suggest your coworker tries it again.
There are 26 titles now * (not 10-15 total) with more being created by members on a weekly basis, is that not open source (genuine question)? Having said that, I only play 3 or 4 games (this also includes Wreckfest, which I believe no one else supports, but might be wrong), so not bothered about hundreds of profiles I may never use.
It will expire to ensure your version is up to date, rather than auto updates. All you need to do is download the newest version and all is good again.
You are not forced into using their software at all, as evident by the Thanos unit being an alternative.

Extra FEW dollars. More like extra few hundred dollars.

* AC, ACC, Automobilista, Automobilista 2, beam_ng, DCS, Dirt Rally, Dirt Rally 2, Dirt 4, ETS2, F1-2018, Forza Horizon 4, Grid Autosport, GTAV, iRacing, IL2, Kartkraft, Kart Racing Pro, No Limits 2, pCars2, Raceroom, rFactor2, XP11, War Thunder, Richard Burns Rally, Wreckfest.

Freeon · Mar 3, 2020

What do people typically donate for SimFeedback? And were do you donate. I assume there is a link in the software once installed but I can't get it to work. I unzipped to folder on my PC. Double clicked on remove_blocking.bat, then launch SimFeedbackStart.exe and I briefly see the logo in the middle of the screen then nothing else happens. I also tried right clicking on both files and running as administrator.

ThugUK · Mar 3, 2020

Freeon said:
What do people typically donate for SimFeedback? And were do you donate. I assume there is a link in the software once installed but I can't get it to work. I unzipped to folder on my PC. Double clicked on remove_blocking.bat, then launch SimFeedbackStart.exe and I briefly see the logo in the middle of the screen then nothing else happens. I also tried right clicking on both files and running as administrator.

Is it on the C drive?
When you eventually run the software you can donate through there. Its up to you what you want to donate, but if its embarrassingly low it will get returned to you.

Michael Roitman · Mar 3, 2020

Freeon said:
What do people typically donate for SimFeedback? And were do you donate. I assume there is a link in the software once installed but I can't get it to work. I unzipped to folder on my PC. Double clicked on remove_blocking.bat, then launch SimFeedbackStart.exe and I briefly see the logo in the middle of the screen then nothing else happens. I also tried right clicking on both files and running as administrator.

i think theres a “minimum” donation he accepts. not sure what that amount is. Hes posted somewhere in the comments about that.

Michael Roitman · Mar 3, 2020

ThugUK said:
I have already said that people make money through other means off the back of other designers.
I have also said that the Thanos unit was not made for the SFX.
So not sure why you have posted the above.
Perhaps you are not actually reading my posts, or you just like to bump the thread.
Or possibly, just possibly, its more advertisement for the Thanos board

There is no conspiracy, it was a joke, hence the smiley.

There may be nothing new about the SFX100 design, but if it wasn't for this developer and the designs he shared MANY people (myself included) wouldn't have had built one in the first place.

I suggest your coworker tries it again.
There are 26 titles now * (not 10-15 total) with more being created by members on a weekly basis, is that not open source (genuine question)? Having said that, I only play 3 or 4 games (this also includes Wreckfest, which I believe no one else supports, but might be wrong), so not bothered about hundreds of profiles I may never use.
It will expire to ensure your version is up to date, rather than auto updates. All you need to do is download the newest version and all is good again.
You are not forced into using their software at all, as evident by the Thanos unit being an alternative.

Extra FEW dollars. More like extra few hundred dollars.

* AC, ACC, Automobilista, Automobilista 2, beam_ng, DCS, Dirt Rally, Dirt Rally 2, Dirt 4, ETS2, F1-2018, Forza Horizon 4, Grid Autosport, GTAV, iRacing, IL2, Kartkraft, Kart Racing Pro, No Limits 2, pCars2, Raceroom, rFactor2, XP11, War Thunder, Richard Burns Rally, Wreckfest.

maybe i didnt understand what you wrote above but the Thanos AMC controller works with SFX-100 builds. I know that for sure. You just basically switch out the arduino for the AMC controller.

i wasnt aware its up to 25 titles now thats a decent amount. But again, its 1 developer vs. a massive forum of users that help with it when we’re comparing Simtools vs SimFeedback, at least.

for me personally, my investment of a few thousand dollars was worth $200 more to allow me to choose whatever software worked best for me.

again, im not knocking the software Or the sfx-100 process (which isnt free - its still costs a few thousand in parts and how much more time it takes to get them all and to build it all), im just stating the route i went and what i felt was a better choice. to each his own though...