8 replies to this topic

[Jim Boemler]

Seems like the simulator forum has dried up -- is anybody still playing? If so, what's the platform of choice?

In general (beyond racing on-line with any of you guys), what's the best console (and game) to get for driving use? I'm leaning toward XBox with a Fanatec wheel, but it's not too late to change course. Yes, I know the PS3 w/Logitech is good too, but I haven't found the "something" that makes the choice clear.

Lastly, does wanting to do some flight simulation later change the choice?

[Danny Steyn]

Running iRacing on a basic Windows 7 PC with decent AMD EyeFinity video card supporting 3 monitors - gives a wrap around 5760 px x 1080 px. Logitech wheel and pedal setup. Been very happy with it

[Jim Boemler]

Thanks Danny. Trying to stay away from the PC, just for the extra hassle and wiring. Built a cockpit for use in front of the big TV. Love the idea of 3 monitors, but not up for dealing with it all. Does iRacing only run on PC?

[Topher]

I have a few questions about the iracing sim.
Anyone using the Logitch G27 wheel? What Global device setting do you use, and what in-game setting do you feel best represent the feel of an SM? Searched a few forums and I'm currently running this:
Global setup:
Overall Effect strength 107%
Spring and Damper at 0%
Degrees of Rotation 271

In game:
Steering wheel lock range 900
Force feedback strength 30
Damping 5%

I've found it hard to start- Off track a lot! I have to feather the throttle a lot more, and finding threshold braking is difficult. Will a load cell pedal help?
What do you work on most- braking point, turn-in points?
Any utility to actually competing or driving tracks you may never run on?
Thanks,

Topher

[DES4]

To address your original question, Jim, there's still a bit of activity on Xbox live with Forza 4, and I see a few of our forum members online from time to time.

I have the Fanatec wheel/pedal/shifter setup, but to be honest, I don't use it when online; I'm a bit faster using the Xbox controller, so that's my choice when racing others. The Fanatec wheel and pedal setup is fine for hotlapping in single player mode, and with a bit of adjustment of the pedal set, you can effectively heel toe. Some guys do quite well with it online.

Using the 1994 Miata in the game and installing appropriate upgrades, you get a car that feels pretty close to a Spec Miata, and the lap times are reasonably close to what you'd expect in the real world (depending on set up, lap times are in the 2:34-2:42 range at Sebring, for example).

It just so happens that a couple of friends and I were working out the finer points of a Spec Miata league series for Forza 4 online earlier this week, and we were looking to post invites to members from this forum, as well as a couple of others once finalized. It's not the first Spec Miata series I have hosted/participated in; they tend to have some pretty close racing, much like the real thing. The lobby size in Forza 3 was limited to 8 cars, Forza 4 allows lobbies of up to 16 players, so it'd be a good-sized grid. It wouldn't hurt to post any interest at this stage.

Tracks covered in Forza 4 are Sebring (long and club), Road Atlanta, Road America, Sonoma (Infinion) and Laguna Seca.

[Jim Boemler]

Just to close the loop, I ended up with a PS3 and the G27 wheel. I've got a "cockpit" of sorts mocked up, but still making some changes. The only game I've played so far is GT5, and I haven't experimented with the wheel adjustments (which require connection to a PC), just the game adjustments. Can't say I'm impressed with the force feedback, but I'm withholding judgement until I can tweak everything.

[manthony121]

I just signed up with iracing.com, and my Logitech G27 is on its way. I'm trying to get the iracing software to work on my 64 bit Linux rig, which it's supposed to do, but so far have hit a few wrinkles.

[DrDomm]

Mark, I run it on Win7 and have no problems.  I have no experience with Linux.

[manthony121]

Domm: Yeah, my laptop is dual-boot, Win8 and Linux. I only ever boot into Windows to play games, particularly Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy. Iracing works fine on Win8, but it's a pain to have to reboot. If they have a working Linux port, which they seem to do, I'd like to get that working.