Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 3,820RedOneAlpha
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RedOneAlpha
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rFactor 2 does support Track IR, I just havent tried It yet. Not sure about ACC or the rest. AMS 2 Is great on VR so they say. I am on a 29" ultra wide monitor for now.
Win10 Pro(x64), i7 8700k @ 4.7Ghz, 32GB ram DDR4, Sapphire Pulse AMD RX 6700 12GB, M.2 PCIe NVMe (x2) 480GB + 960GB, 447GB SSD´s, Samsung G6 32" , Logitech G13, G502, Warthog HOTAS, CH Pedals, Simagic Alpha Mini, and Formula Extreme FX, DC Simracing DC1 pedals, GT Omega ART cockpit, TrackIR 5.0. AUDIO: Aiyima A07 Max, Topping E50 and L50 stack, Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 , and Shennheiser HD 560s. DAP: Hiby R3, Hiby Seeds, and iBasso IT01, Sharp MD-MT 80H Minidisc.
Thanks Red, and that reminds me of something else I've been wondering...
Does anyone race outside of the car? Like chase or bonnet cam or whatever?
I've played a lot of Forza Horizon 5 since around Christmas. I really like the Rivals mode, which is essentially hotlapping against player ghosts. Good stuff. On a different forum I made a post asking for some friend requests who were also in to this mode so I'd have some ghost targets to run against. One of the players who responded turned out to be much faster. I thought I was pretty fast, my laps are in the top 1% of the player base. But this guy smoked me by as much as seven seconds per 'lap'. Actually this is point to point sprint racing, so not a lap per se.
Anyway when it became clear he was just on a different level I asked him about it and it turns out he races from chase. I'm pit-only, because well, that's the way it should be!
Not to diminish his skills, and fast he is, but there's no doubt that such a view is a big SA advantage, where you get a much better view of the turns, can see over leading cars and basically have an advantage over those racing from the 'pit.
So I was wondering two things, who here races outside the pit and do any of the sims we are discussing have a view restriction setting? On one hand I want to involve as many drivers as possible, which these cameras might encourage, but on the other hand I think the field should be level and everyone racing from the driver's seat. I hadn't really considered that players would choose outside views when nice cockpits are available, but the fact it is an advantage means there are many who choose to run this way.
No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 3,820RedOneAlpha
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RedOneAlpha
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I don´t know about the rest, and I can only talk about the sim I am at present focused on (rFactor 2). rF2 has various views you can choose from, pit, bonnet and no dash/car at all. I am sure you can even set-up custom views as It has free cam and the likes. I have not explored all of rF2 yet because there´s quite a lot there, and you know what they say, "I rather spend time driving then tweaking", or at least for now. I can understand that "some" might have Issues from the pit with the recent halo on Formula/Indycars and rather drive from the top of the halo, but aside from that, personally I think FPV (pit or bonnet) should be used always. It´s like those that claim 3rd. view has no advantage over FPV In FPS games, I say yeah right! With regards to ghost, not In rF2 that I know of, and I think ACC neither but don´t take my word on ACC as I said I am focused on rF2 now. BTW, In rF2 you can set a transparency to the center halo column If you like.
Some clarifications and observations In general so there known, specially for those who haven´t yet touched on these new sims...
- rFactor 2: AI Is adjustable In various effects as follows. AI strength, AI aggression, and AI dampening, others sims will have similar settings. All three are dependent of which car and track you choose. When you start a new session/event the AI will learn the track as they lap, the more they lap, the better they get! The AI will also take Into account your driving of course, and adapt to It, but your AI settings will dictate how the AI will react and race so this Is key to how you will either enjoy or not a offline session. There´s a lot to It and tweaking these settings will be a must, or be prepared to get frustrated and perceive the wrong Impression of what the sim/AI is trying to do! I think this Is true with all these new sims to some extent/degree. They are more complex then one might think so It´s easy to jump Into false conclusions.
Just putting this out there so you get In there openminded and don´t jump Into conclusions because no one told you about It.
Another thing I would like to add...
I am driving (rFactor 2 again) with NO assist on except DRS on the Formula Pro. I am doing this because It´s the best way to learn how to drive overall. Now while assist are being used In GT cars specially, that Is something that should be settled on so everyone races/trains with the same advantages or disadvantages. It´s a similar point of view to your off the pit car handling, although this Is more aceptable because they are used In real life GT cars.
Win10 Pro(x64), i7 8700k @ 4.7Ghz, 32GB ram DDR4, Sapphire Pulse AMD RX 6700 12GB, M.2 PCIe NVMe (x2) 480GB + 960GB, 447GB SSD´s, Samsung G6 32" , Logitech G13, G502, Warthog HOTAS, CH Pedals, Simagic Alpha Mini, and Formula Extreme FX, DC Simracing DC1 pedals, GT Omega ART cockpit, TrackIR 5.0. AUDIO: Aiyima A07 Max, Topping E50 and L50 stack, Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 , and Shennheiser HD 560s. DAP: Hiby R3, Hiby Seeds, and iBasso IT01, Sharp MD-MT 80H Minidisc.
Good post Red. Yeah, that's a fine line for me. I don't want to be exclusionary, but it's sim racing and that means cockpit view. Hopefully most or all agree! No argument would convince me other views don't offer an advantage. And not just view, but what about wet weather? The cockpit drivers have to deal with rain on the windscreen while outside cams have none of this.
I don't care to be too elitist but yeah this is an interesting question.
And you bring up another good point, assists. Not sure how we will handle that. It's another similar question of simulation versus accessibility. Personally I only want to be able to use systems that the car I'm driving has. My new wheel has those switches that are perfect for brake bias, traction control, abs and engine mapping.
Things like 'assists' such as stability control, additional braking help or traction control are a different thing.
We'll find our level, but personally I lean toward sim. Let's see if I still think that after trying to get around a track in ACC!
No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
I should change the thread title. I started off looking for high end, but in the end, I ended up with what is probably best classed as high low-end. Doesn't really matter what we call them, but the T248 is not high end.
Having just spent quite a bit of time comparing virtually every wheel on the market, I'd say that the TX would be a big upgrade and a good choice. That wheel uses the same basic setup as the T300, all-belt FFB. Both work with PC, but the TX is for X Box not Playstation if you use it with console.
The only reason I think I didn't go for that or the T300 is both are still bundled with the T3PA pedals. I'm sure they're fine, but Thrustmaster offers a couple better sets. You could always swap them out if not satisfied. Plus the TX should have quick-change rim like the T300, so you can use the base with a variety of wheels. Pots are Hall sensors. In the $500 range I think it's a good choice and good value. I haven't really used my T248 yet as I wait for the pit, but part of me wishes I had spent the extra coin on that level so I could swap out the rims for F1 and GT and other classes. I think that's pretty cool. If I'm not happy with the 248 I can always upgrade and keep using the T3PM pedals that came with it. But that's a ways down the road.
So yeah, I'd say that's a great choice in that price range.
As for my rabbit hole... I spent some time today re-arranging the room, rotating my desk 90 degrees to create sort of an alcove in which to place the pit. The monitor arrived and it's really nice. At 32" it's not wide enough to have distortion on the edge, at least that is noticable to me. Now just waiting for the pit. I didn't consider that the monitor would not have speakers, so I'm full time headset now.
I reinstalled Assetto Corsa and took the 458 Italia out around Zandvoort but with a controller it's a disaster. Loaded all of ACC in to the Steam cart and just hoping for a flash sale in the next 24 hours haha.
No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
That's yet another rung up the Thrustmaster ladder and you wouldn't go wrong with that set up. Those pedals look to be more spaced, and I think I'd like that too.They look like they should be hung upside down.
I used a force feedback wheel for years, but never really paid much attention to the settings. As long as it didn't feel too wrong I was good to go. But it's come a long way both in terms of the wheel capability and the way the sims handle it. I expect I'll need to experiment quite a lot to figure it all out. The 248 is a cheaper FFB solution, and obviously has some holes in it's game in that regard. I could see wanting to upgrade that eventually, and seat time will make it all apparent. Those belt designs you guys are looking at are smooth and quiet, or should be, compared to the hybrid or gear stuff. I'll be happy as long as what I feel from the wheel feels accurate.
No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 3,820RedOneAlpha
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RedOneAlpha
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It´s a bit of a delicate situation to be honest because the mid-range Is at the 500-700€/$ mark. Below that your somewhere In no mans land IF your coming from a cheaper wheel. If you never had a wheel then sure that above average will do you fine, but let´s say your going from a 200 (or less) to a 400€/$ wheel, then the jump might not really be worth It as In the long run the next step would be above mid range anyway.
The FFB is as most state the most Important feature of a wheel base because that´s what´s going to output the feeling of the car your driving. Higher detail means more sensations of how the car Is reacting to your input, and how the track Is, so In theory and practice, higher torque means better transmission of those details. Of course this also has to do with how the FFB Is Implemented In the sim and how you have It set-up.
The T-LCM pedals seem to be a very good option at It´s price tag, even paired with higher end wheel sets as they are USB dependent.
Now all of this does not mean you can´t race with a lower end wheel and be just as good as someone with a direct drive (DD) wheel base. It´s a fact that there are a lot of drivers on cheaper wheels that are up there In the ranks. BUT, the decision Is always "how much" do you like this and will you In the long run. Small step shopping can sometimes lead to more money spent In the future, this can be for quality and practical reasons or because your advancing In your hobby. This Is with any gear In almost any hobby or armateur.
Anyhow, most of this probably has been deducted by most buyers but It´s always worth as a remainder.
As stated In one of the videos I posted on Thrustmaster gear, they really didn´t have a top high end tier up until now (T-GT II). There line up ended In the mid-range TS-PC, TS-XW and T-GT I. Now with the Introduction of there T-GT II which replaces there T-GT I and also offers new hybrid tech, one would think It´s there new flagship product. Truth Is the story doesn´t quite end there, from what I have found, TM Is planning to release a DD wheel this year which will compete with Fanatec and other DD base wheel companies. How will that compare to what´s out there quality wise and performance wise Is still yet to be known/seen. If this new wheel base will be released this year Is also to be seen.
Win10 Pro(x64), i7 8700k @ 4.7Ghz, 32GB ram DDR4, Sapphire Pulse AMD RX 6700 12GB, M.2 PCIe NVMe (x2) 480GB + 960GB, 447GB SSD´s, Samsung G6 32" , Logitech G13, G502, Warthog HOTAS, CH Pedals, Simagic Alpha Mini, and Formula Extreme FX, DC Simracing DC1 pedals, GT Omega ART cockpit, TrackIR 5.0. AUDIO: Aiyima A07 Max, Topping E50 and L50 stack, Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 , and Shennheiser HD 560s. DAP: Hiby R3, Hiby Seeds, and iBasso IT01, Sharp MD-MT 80H Minidisc.
Bit late to the coversation I know especially now that Derek settled on the T 248 , but I would really give a thumbs up to the Logitech wheel/pedal setups.
Owned several of them over the years and they never failed me once. Logitech Formula Force, the red Momo, G27 and nowadays the G29. It was always plug and play and no matter the sim the stuff simply worked.
The pedal potis needed some maintenance after awhile but that was to be expected with heavy use.
I couldn´t exactly say the same about the Fanatec stuff I tried. From loosing ALL force feedback during a race because of heat problems inside the base (Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo wheel) to constant maintenance of the ClubSport pedals v1 and v2 because of problems with their loadcells.
Yes, the Thrustmaster DD option is highly anticipated. There are so many options in the racing wheel market. You get what you pay for, and so this is just a matter of what a sim driver is willing to pay for his hobby. I just dropped a grand and still have a low end wheel
Before even really using it I am already thinking of upgrades!
But first I want to see how it goes. How much I like this wheel and pedals, how well I do with the racing, and whether I feel a more expensive solution is either needed or desired. Well of course it's desired haha.
The knocks against the 248 are the hella-loud paddles and the hybrid force feedback. But I like the pedals, the wheel is nice and has a great control layout. Lots of buttons and switches that will dovetail beautifully with GT cars and their systems. I also like the display on the T248. It allows you to tweak so many things from the wheel, as well as display lap times, speed, a rev display that flashes for upshift.and more.
We'll see where it leads, but the 248 is a great place to start without breaking the bank. At $299 it's a good deal, although the price seems to be going up.
For all the guys here looking at new wheels good luck!
No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
Hey Frank. You know, the Fanatec issues put me off a bit too, it's interesting you bring that up. It's high quality kit, but seems to have a few niggles, especially connectivity issues.
You know of course I was a red Momo guy myself! Logitech makes good stuff for sure. I just felt better going Thrustmaster, and the pedals can be used if I go higher in the TM lineup. Hall sensors were a big plus too.
But yeah, I agree, Logitech should be considered right alongside these others.
No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
Derek, I would have done the same in your position.
Without the need for getting a wheel/pedal setup which works on PC and PS5, I would invest in a high quality pedal set from Heusinkveld and be done with it for the rest of my sim racing life.
I've got my old Thrustmaster TMX Pro on the go again (had to dust off the old girl a bit)... tried it out on ACC last night and all seems to be functioning again.
Just a question to clear up things about compatibility.
I checked the availibility on a T-248 wheel and see that they advertise it for PS5/PS4. In the specs though they say it is PC compatibel. I guess it is no need to ask, but just to be sure I do as I will use them on PC if I decide to buy.