Keep the impressions coming - my Rift doesn't arrive until the middle-end of next week.
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PC Racing Sims Thread
- Thread starter Big Takeover
- Start date
Keep the impressions coming - my Rift doesn't arrive until the middle-end of next week.
Dave_6
Member
Woo boy, just finished a ~45 minute session of RaceRoom using the Rift. Drove the Formula Junior and Formula 2, both at Monza. I can't really describe what it's like, but being able to look over at a car beside me and run wheel to wheel (in an open wheeler) and actually see how close you can get is amazing.
I can't wait till I get fully adjusted to it. I'm still having some minor motion issues over bumps or if I have a collision because I can't actually feel any of it. Once I do though, I'll never take this thing off lol.
I can't wait till I get fully adjusted to it. I'm still having some minor motion issues over bumps or if I have a collision because I can't actually feel any of it. Once I do though, I'll never take this thing off lol.
I'm currently using triple screens and my hardware allows me to run iRacing with almost everything maxed out, except for some minor effects, with a stable 60fps during the start of a crowded race. So, the question is: is VR more hardware demanding than triples, less or are they pretty much the same? What fps I must target so I don't have problems like motion sickness etc?
TJP
Member
I'm glad there are people still enjoying R3E, especially the VR implementation. The Sector 3 team are working their arses off to get things done (they are another FTE down) and despite the game having mixed reviews on Steam because of it's shite beginning and the publishers (RaceRoom) insistance on using their own in-game currently, it's a damn solid sim.
I like it a lot but Assetto Corsa seems to be taking all of my time at the moment, especially since downloading a bunch of those track mods a few of you recommended.
Found a nice mod that tidies up a lot of the default textures and updates a lot of the billboards too. Also has winter Monza and autumn 'Ring in there too.
What other non-track, non-car mods are worthwhile?
TJP
Member
It's nice to read people thing R3E is good! R3E has a long way to go before it's complete; the move to UE4 will be a boon for the sim and the GTR 3 game in the works - although the current R3E graphics engine supports rain and TOD changes. Shame there aren't the technical people around to exploit the features buried in the code.
Install a PP graphics mod for a better looking AC. I like these two (in order of preference)
Link 1:http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/natural-graphics-mod.4551/
Link 2:http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/wagnums-graphics-mod.8725/
Probably not the best time for RD at the moment as their website is very slow which I believe they are working on.
Feel free to share the links
Many people like the Fonsecker sound mods to replace the often underwhelming AC originals: http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/authors/fonsecker.213905/
Install a PP graphics mod for a better looking AC. I like these two (in order of preference)
Link 1:http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/natural-graphics-mod.4551/
Link 2:http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/wagnums-graphics-mod.8725/
Probably not the best time for RD at the moment as their website is very slow which I believe they are working on.
Feel free to share the links
Apols - was on mobile in the garden. Here you go:
http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/rbs-1-13-real-billboards-stuff-new-winter-monza-1-0-and-autumn-nords-1-1-by-jw-modding.11381/
And they made a very nicely done trailer for it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nIADu0_XJQ
Thanks for those other links - I'll deffo check them out.
Dave_6
Member
I use this weather mod for AC: http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/good-and-bad-weathers.11194/ along with his PP filter that is included. You need a fairly powerful PC to get 60+ fps while using both if you want to turn most of the graphics settings up though. I don't use his PP filter while using the Rift; I use the Natural Weather one from Ears.
Granted you need to use Content Manager if you want to use the good and bad weathers mod: http://www.assettocorsa.net/forum/index.php?threads/content-manager-aka-alternative-launcher.33824/
IMO it is the single best mod for AC! Blows the slow default launcher out of the water and it has a ton of features.
Granted you need to use Content Manager if you want to use the good and bad weathers mod: http://www.assettocorsa.net/forum/index.php?threads/content-manager-aka-alternative-launcher.33824/
IMO it is the single best mod for AC! Blows the slow default launcher out of the water and it has a ton of features.
Patrick S.
Banned
Crew Chief is awesome, it's a voiced spotter and much more. Essential, IMO.
Then there's Heliocorsa, which is an overlay with a proximity radar, also very good.
Graphics wise, I recommend Wagnum for nice environmental textures, and there's a mod that dramatically enhances textures for broken windshields.
There's also a plugin/website where you can track your and other's lap times, IIRC it's called ACRL.
Any thoughts from anyone on this? I'm looking to get a wheel this week.
Teknopathetic
Member
So the thing to know is that, 3 of those, the G920, G25, and G27, are all essentially the same wheel with minor differences. Same technology with little to no appreciable differences in the motor/force feedback. Given that, I'd probably go with the G27, because it has more buttons on the wheel itself than the G25, but also includes the h-pattern shifter, which the G920 doesn't by default. However, If the you're buying used and the G920 includes the H-pattern shifter, go with that, just because it's the "newest." The Logitech wheels are fairly reliable, so the age isn't that big of a deal, but if it's cheaper and includes the shifter, there's no reason to get the G27. Again, that's assuming the G920 includes the shifter.
The Driving Force GT isn't even a consideration unless you just really wanna spend as little as possible. It'll still do the job, but if you can afford to get any of the other three, do that. The G25 isn't inferior to the G27 or G920 in any way other than buttons on the wheel, so if you're not entirely comfortable with spending more for the G27 or G920, you can feel at ease doing so. In fact, you may not feel as though a couple of buttons are worth the relatively steep increase in cost. The G25 also has a dual-mode shifter, where you can change its behavior from h-pattern to sequential, which is super handy. Probably more handy than having a few more buttons.
The Driving Force GT isn't even a consideration unless you just really wanna spend as little as possible. It'll still do the job, but if you can afford to get any of the other three, do that. The G25 isn't inferior to the G27 or G920 in any way other than buttons on the wheel, so if you're not entirely comfortable with spending more for the G27 or G920, you can feel at ease doing so. In fact, you may not feel as though a couple of buttons are worth the relatively steep increase in cost. The G25 also has a dual-mode shifter, where you can change its behavior from h-pattern to sequential, which is super handy. Probably more handy than having a few more buttons.
Betta Lines
Member
There's no easy answer to this, as the impact across CPU and GPU is different when comparing triples with VR. But assuming you're running 1080p triples, the default VR render target (1.5x) for iRacing is likely to be more demanding on your system. It's not as demanding as triple 1440p, but you could make it so by running a higher render target.*Guaraná;243582555 said:
You'll want to maintain 90fps for the most immersive VR. Oculus' reprojection techniques means that the Rift deals really well with drops, so nausea isn't a major issue these days even if you never hit 90. But if you want to feel a decent connection to the car, you'll want to be at 90 as much as possible (reprojection results in higher input lag). The Vive currently isn't as good at reprojection, so it's even more important to maintain 90fps on that headset.
If you're running most graphics settings at max, then you've got a lot of stuff to play with to turn down. There are several high quality settings that are completely wasted (unnoticeable) in first-gen VR headsets and can be turned down or off. The most important settings are the render target (the default 1.5x is good, if you can go higher, even better), and anti-aliasing (it wants to be at least 4xAA). Almost everything else apart from shadows can be turned right down with very little impact on quality.
Thanks for the reply. Seems like the G25 might be my best value for money but the lack of buttons is probably more of an issue for me than I first thought because I'd be driving a lot of F1 or LMP cars which involve management of battery deployment and recovery modes plus in other cars I like to change the brake bias a lot, etc. For some reason I thought the little black bits on the front face of the G25 were buttons but they seem to be just screws/detailing. I'm not even sure the G27 would match what I'm going for.
This is all stuff I probably should have realised before with better research, but ah well. I think my realistic options are either a G29 or G920 in terms of what I personally would want. And yeah I'm buying used.
Are there any Thrustmasters worth looking at in the "mid-tier" range of wheels?
Thanks again.
Teknopathetic
Member
Well, do keep in mind that there are still buttons and a dpad on the G25 and G27 shifters. Hell, all the G29 and G920 really did was move the buttons off the shifter to the wheel itself. Still pretty much the same number. Later on down the line you could build your own button box or buy one if you need more functions.
I don't know UK used market prices, but I doubt you'd find a better deal overall with regards to features from Thrustmaster at the prices you're considering. As in, 3 pedals, separate shifter, etc. If you don't really care about those (and it sounds like you might not, given your stated preference for prototypes and F1 cars), you might be able to find a used Thrustmaster TMX (not TX) at maybe £110-130?
I don't know UK used market prices, but I doubt you'd find a better deal overall with regards to features from Thrustmaster at the prices you're considering. As in, 3 pedals, separate shifter, etc. If you don't really care about those (and it sounds like you might not, given your stated preference for prototypes and F1 cars), you might be able to find a used Thrustmaster TMX (not TX) at maybe £110-130?
Betta Lines
Member
I wouldn't go for a G25 at this point. It'll presumably be significantly older than the G27 you're looking at. The G25 has a significantly worse mechanism (in terms of feel and noise) than the G27. The G29/920 aren't a major step up, but the improved sensor does make the steering input feel more accurate in very specific circumstances. And it has a bushing in the brake pedal which feels similar to a NIXIM mod.
Thrustmaster's TX and T300 bases are superior to the G27/29/920 mechanism. They come in many different bundles however, so it's complicated. The basic pedal sets are significantly worse than the Logitech pedals. The bundles that come with T3PA pedals are a better choice (although I still don't think they're as good as Logitech pedals), or you could buy them separately.
[edit] I see Teknopathetic mentioned the TMX - it's decent, but the G27/29/920 is better.
Thanks both. I shall have fun investigating.
I know (and love) Crew Chief from pCars on the PS4. Didn't know it was for AC as well.
With a lot of these mods unquestionably improving the base game, it makes me wonder why Kunos don't include them in official updates (with the modders' permissions, natch). The weather mods, for example, turn the original fugly and amateurish skies into things of beauty. Seems like a no-brainer, I can't imagine anyone prefers the originals.
TJP
Member
The weather mods I selected have a mostly positive impact on the frame rate while making AC look better. I imagine people with less powerful hardware like to keep the default stuff because a few of the mods are resource heavy.
As an aside, turning off PP nets me an extra 25fps which isn't an issue when the average frame rate is 120 with everything maxed but it could be a deal breaker on older hardware. Given many of the weather mods mess with PP, this can also be a reason people & Kunos steer clear of adding them.
Crew Chief is available for R3E and AMS too. AMS is an amazing sim despite its humble isimotor 2 background. if you haven't bought it during the most recent Steam sales, you've missed the bargain of the year.
Ah, makes sense. The weather mods seem like a no-brainer though. I'd always race in clear skies in AC because the default cloud formations looked like something from a 1990s arcade machine. It's nice being able to mix it up a bit now.
It was a deliberate decision..! I'll pick it up at a later date no doubt but felt I was already spreading myself thinly between pCARS, Assetto, R3E, Grid Autosport and a few others, and I didn't want to just scratch the surface of those. The plan at the moment is to start focusing and get deeper into AC (and its many mods) to form a greater appreciation for it. Then, of course, pCARS 2 is out in a couple of months and it's looking like it might be the real deal.
Plus my Rift arrives in a few days...
I didn't know R3E had VR support, that's great to hear. So Assetto Corsa, pCARS, R3E, Dirt Rally, iRacing (though I don't have it), and rFactor 2 all work with the rift? Anything else?
I caved in and ordered a Rift. I've never tried VR before so assuming my little GTX 1060 doesn't blow up trying to run these games on the Rift it should be a pretty cool experience. I've been so distracted by other non racing games for almost a year now it seems so this might get me back into sim racing again. I don't have a delivery date yet but I'm guessing it'll get here within a couple weeks. I'm looking forward to it.
It's hard to resist at that price for sim racing, isn't it? I probably wouldn't have bothered if it was purely for 'typical' VR games and experiences, but with a FFB wheel/pedal cockpit setup and a healthy love of racing games, it was a decision that pretty much made itself.
I imagine the takeup in the sim racing world could have grown exponentially with this sale, which hopefully means better VR support from devs going forward. I imagine VR leads to cleaner racing online, too. I'm guessing VR-only lobbies are already a thing?
Still awaiting shipping confirmation on mine from a UK big-box electrical retailer. I'm half expecting a delay due to worldwide demand, but am starting to get excited now.
Appreciate the responses. After some more looking into it I think the G27 might be my choice as a first-timer to wheels mostly because of the fact that I can get the shifter included for an okay price which should solve most of my issues with the lack of buttons.
The Thrustmaster stuff seems good but also a little complicated in terms of having to buy a wheel and then possibly buying better pedals, which isn't an investment I want to make right now.
I may end up changing my mind if I can find some better deals but the G27 is probably the leader right now.
Bear in mind that the G27 shifter is a floppy piece of shit, like moving a dislocated finger on a tramp's corpse. I found it pretty unusable when I had a G27 and ended up only using the paddle shifters.
I thought I had the willpower to wait until it was $450 CAD here rather than $550 but nope. It does look pretty awesome for regular games and even stuff like Google Earth VR too but it was definitely the sim racing aspect that really got me to bite. As a single monitor user being able to see cars to my side will be something new just on its own.
DanWensing
Banned
Just did a video testing my OSW with the new Ferrari on iRacing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAHOiFTpFq4
Video quality is not that good because it was recorded with my phone, but it's good to see how the OSW FFB behaves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAHOiFTpFq4
Video quality is not that good because it was recorded with my phone, but it's good to see how the OSW FFB behaves.
Ha ha... Fuck.
My order has been cancelled a day before delivery because they are out of stock.
Don't. Take. The. Fucking. Order. Then.
Not best pleased. Out of stock everywhere now.
Just to clarify: the T300 RS and the T300 GTE are the exact same thing mechanically, except for the wheel rim being different/Ferrari branded and having different button placements/colours, etc?
I'm asking only because I can get the GTE version slightly cheaper and it seems like the T300 might be a better foundation to start off? I keep reading about 'notchiness' with the G27/29 and deadzone issues etc. which sound like extremely unattractive properties to me and are putting me off.
Plus it sounds like I'd have to make modifications to the G27/29 pedal set + shifter to get them where I might want them which would drive up the final price to something within the region of the T300RS/GTE. At which point, I'm kind of questioning why go through that effort when I could get what seems to be a better wheel and then upgrade the pedals in a year or so and add a shifter if I need it.
I apologise for all the questions, uhming and ahhing etc, this is my first big investment into sim racing and I just want to feel like I get this 'right'. @_@
I'm asking only because I can get the GTE version slightly cheaper and it seems like the T300 might be a better foundation to start off? I keep reading about 'notchiness' with the G27/29 and deadzone issues etc. which sound like extremely unattractive properties to me and are putting me off.
Plus it sounds like I'd have to make modifications to the G27/29 pedal set + shifter to get them where I might want them which would drive up the final price to something within the region of the T300RS/GTE. At which point, I'm kind of questioning why go through that effort when I could get what seems to be a better wheel and then upgrade the pedals in a year or so and add a shifter if I need it.
I apologise for all the questions, uhming and ahhing etc, this is my first big investment into sim racing and I just want to feel like I get this 'right'. @_@
That's one of the best Assetto track mods I've tried so far, easily up to the standard of a lot of the official tracks that shipped with the game.
Are there any good homages to classic fantasy tracks from the Gran Turismo and Forza back catalogues? I'd love to revisit Maple Valley, Bernese Alps, Trial Mountain or El Capitan with AC physics
Yes, it's the exact same wheel just a different wheel rim.
Yeah I'm pretty sure the GTE version uses the T300 base. Thrustmaster has a sale on at the moment. If you're open to spending £15 more, you could get the T300 RS + the T3PA Pro pedal set. I went for the T300 RS GT edition + the T3PA Pro pedal set deal at £350 - I thought that was a good saving for a good, widely used wheel and a seemingly well regarded upgraded pedal set.
EDIT: To further clarify - going for the deal I mentioned above would be arguably better than going for the GTE bundle. As you would be getting the T3PA Pros for effectively £15 more.
Thanks for the info -- didn't realise TM had sales/clearance stuff on their own site.
The attractive part of the T300 GTE was that it was ~£190 (used), so going for a £350 bundle right now is a bit out of my reach, haha. I would probably upgrade to T3PA or Pros later down the line if I went that route. Also a bit concerned that there seem to be a lot of reports of T300s going bad. Ack. I'm gonna weigh up my options and see if I can find any better deals over the next week or two. While I get the sense the T300 is probably better overall (with the T3PAs at least), the money factor does come into it as well.
This shit is tough lmao.
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While I'm here what's the best place for more organised racing/time trials outside of iRacing? I frequently played Assetto Corsa online in random public lobbies and had a lot of fun, but I was just wondering where I would go if I wanted to join a series. It doesn't have to be AC, but what are the best communities that run regular events/time trials etc?
Apologies if this is super common knowledge or anything~
The attractive part of the T300 GTE was that it was ~£190 (used), so going for a £350 bundle right now is a bit out of my reach, haha. I would probably upgrade to T3PA or Pros later down the line if I went that route. Also a bit concerned that there seem to be a lot of reports of T300s going bad. Ack. I'm gonna weigh up my options and see if I can find any better deals over the next week or two. While I get the sense the T300 is probably better overall (with the T3PAs at least), the money factor does come into it as well.
This shit is tough lmao.
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While I'm here what's the best place for more organised racing/time trials outside of iRacing? I frequently played Assetto Corsa online in random public lobbies and had a lot of fun, but I was just wondering where I would go if I wanted to join a series. It doesn't have to be AC, but what are the best communities that run regular events/time trials etc?
Apologies if this is super common knowledge or anything~
TJP
Member
Have you tried the laser scanned version of Tor Poznan? I don't have an immediate connection to the track but it is one hell of a representation and equal to any Links made track in terms of accuracy. I want a laser scanned Brno!
You may need to look outside RD for that type of content although there are some On fecal book: https://m.facebook.com/assettocorsacarmods/ and websites
http://acmods.net
http://assettocorsamods.net/resources/categories/ac-tracks.6/
http://assettocorsa.club/en/tracks.html
Many will be shite rips and conversions so beware 8)
Many thanks to you, sir. I've already gone a bit mental with RD downloads and have tried some right shoddy tracks that sounded fun and had decent ratings. Still, too many shite tracks are better than not enough good tracks, amirite? You can still drive your car on a tarmac spill in a farmer's field.
Patrick S.
Banned
I've played Autumn Ring, Tsukuba and Grand Valley. The first two were very good, GV not so much.
Thanks for the info -- didn't realise TM had sales/clearance stuff on their own site.
The attractive part of the T300 GTE was that it was ~£190 (used), so going for a £350 bundle right now is a bit out of my reach, haha. I would probably upgrade to T3PA or Pros later down the line if I went that route. Also a bit concerned that there seem to be a lot of reports of T300s going bad. Ack. I'm gonna weigh up my options and see if I can find any better deals over the next week or two. While I get the sense the T300 is probably better overall (with the T3PAs at least), the money factor does come into it as well.
This shit is tough lmao.
Totally understandable - it is a lot of money being invested. I only pulled the trigger myself earlier this week after much deliberation. The next thing I'm looking into is a racing cockpit. That's even harder to decipher which is right for the money. I've narrowed it down to the Playseat evolution alcantara, which has a pole in the middle that irks most people - or the GT Omega ART. Which is £100 more. Does anyone here have the rigs I mentioned - could you offer your opinions on them?
I've had a Playseat for five years or more and it's fine, but probably wouldn't be my first choice if I was buying again (I got a cheap-ass deal on it at the time). The central bar can only be an issue if you want to heel-and-toe or left-foot brake, and even then it's only an minor inconvenience. I replaced the default vinyl-covered seat for a fabric Recaro because the vinyl can get a bit sweaty in the summer, but the Playseat frame and wheel mount is solid enough.
There's a lot more choice now from smaller makers. Check out eBay, I looked recently and there were some good deals on new kit direct from the makers. Check out independent reviews, of course.
Thanks for the suggestion - will be sure to check it out.
It all depends on your budget really.
One thing a lot of people forget is whether you need a TV/monitor mount, which can add a chunk of change to the Playseat price. Some other cockpits come with monitor mounts as standard.
You could always build your own cockpit from plywood or aluminium extrusion, there are plenty of plans around.
http://www.isrtv.com/forums/forum/104-diy-plans-only/
Good guide to off-the-shelf solutions here https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/wheel-stands-racing-rigs-cockpits-pedals-wheels-master-list.239878/
Also: http://perfectsimracer.com/race-simulator-ultimate-guide-2016/
Yeah I looked at the GTPlanet guide, which was really helpful in some ways, but the amount of choice at the moment is staggering.
Are you able to play for a good few hours on your Playseat? Just wondering how comfortable it is for long play sessions.
No links I'm afraid (but a quick RD search will see you right) but I was pretty impressed with the Korea Grand Prix, Chinese Grand Prix and Paul Ricard track mods on Assetto Corsa.
I need to find a good PP filter with a nice rich deep blue sky. All the ones I've tried have very pale light blue clear skies, even the Default Dark one.
I need to find a good PP filter with a nice rich deep blue sky. All the ones I've tried have very pale light blue clear skies, even the Default Dark one.
Patrick S.
Banned
Macau has an EXCELLENT version, too!
I'll be sure to check it out.
The Maple Valley I tried yesterday was of PS1 quality.
Does anyone have any experience with the Thrustmaster T150 Force Feedback Racing Wheel? Thinking of ordering it to try it out as my first force feedback wheel. The only thing I have right now is the Thrustmaster Ferrari Racing Wheel - Red Legend Edition which I picked up cheap last year or the year before to try out. I like it well enough at the time as something to mess around with but I want to get something that is a bit more substantial yet won't kill my budget. So I rarely use the Red Legend and instead stick to my 360 controller. At least the controller has rumble while the wheel doesn't have anything. The T150 was the cheapest wheel with FF I could find. It has the added benefit of having a clamp system so I can just us it on my desk and not worry about needing some rig that I have no place at all to put or could afford.. Unless there are other wheels that are cheaper that aren't just rumble based?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Yeah, it looks and drives fantastic. I really enjoyed racing on it a couple of nights ago, a lot more than I ever thought I would. I've always dismissed it purely as a test track before.
Betta Lines
Member
I've reviewed the T150 a couple of times. It's a decent entry-level wheel, but not great. It offers useful feedback that you can't get with the bungee cord Ferrari wheel and more rotation. Unfortunately, it is the cheapest, current FFB wheel, but you could get lucky in the used market. The Logitech G27, for example, is significantly higher quality than the T150.
Patrick S.
Banned
I'm so happy that there's finally a beautiful version of Laguna Seca with working AI for AC (@ Race Department)!
The current version of the Brazilian Stock Cars is coming to Automobilista: https://www.facebook.com/ReizaStudi...205460.219924822742/10155603171852743/?type=3
I downloaded and installed these early this morning and (blaming the lack of sufficient coffee in my veins) made the the most basic of schoolboy errors: I didn't back up the original sound files first.
The first car i tried, the 458 GT2 (my baby), was awful. Most of that wonderful rasp had been stripped from the exhaust note and all of the brutality was gone. The screaming banshee was now a librarian.
Fuck.
Luckily i remembered I had AC on an old laptop from early access so can harvest a lot of the original SFX folders from there if there's any other cars I want to revert, but is there a resource anywhere of the vanilla sounds? Many (like the Porsche pack) I obviously don't have backed up. The files I have on the laptop are from 2015 so might have been updated since then. Naturally I want to avoid a fresh install if I can. And I'm hoping it's only the 458 GT2 that needs attention.