Driving Simulator

[AlohaGT]

Q

Tell me which race seat package you went with?

There web site is all Euro's? Was the shipping and ordering simple enough?

Looks like a really nice setup. The Tv on the lift and cabinet is sharp.

Thanks PILOT. Just got back from Memphis last night and had my requisite fill of BBQ. Since we went from not owning TVs, we thought hiding it (and all of the accouterment) in a good looking piece of furniture might be more acceptable.

The set up includes the Playseat Evolution racing seat (the Classic is the precursor and is cheaper; however, I've read that it's not as solid and as stable), gear shift holder, Logitech G25 racing wheel (includes 3 pedal set up), ButtKicker Gamer, PS3, Samsung 52 inch LCD LN52A850 (by most accounts, one of the best), and Denon AVR789 receiver.

Though I purchased the seat, G25 and PS3 from 3 different vendors, this might be a decent deal from Virtual Racing Gear as it includes the seat, gear shift holder, G25, PS3 and GT5 Prologue game at a discount. These are the same guys from whom I purchased the seat, gear shift holder and some games.

http://virtualracinggear.com/produc...9F1476C94CD5D537A851979E&c=4936&kys=&pg=1&m=0

Here's the ButtKicker site. This is the low frequency audio transducer or in other words, the seat shaker. I went the Gamer route as this is my beta test bed. It includes the shaker, amplifier and all necessary cabling. You can choose to go the more robust LFE but I've found the Gamer to be a solid start.

http://www.thebuttkicker.com/

I researched something on the order of several dozen sims from the low end to several tens of thousands. On the lower end, I came very close to pulling the trigger on the Virtual Roadster. It appears to be high quality and I think you guys will like the look and build. I corresponded directly with the designer/builder.

http://www.virtualroadster.com/

He recommended the Clark Synthesis Force Transducer (Platinum) and it appears to produce a fuller range of frequencies which I'm told you can not only feel but also hear.

http://www.clarksynthesis.com/clark_synthesis_products.html

And, finally, here are some higher end sims I considered:

http://www.frex.com/gp/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld6xT5yfbhw
http://www.force-dynamics.com/

http://www.vcsims.com/index-2.html

Let me know what you think.

 

[AlohaGT]

Good day all, as I have posted before, take a look at www.iracing.com if you really want to "next level" you sim experience. What they have done is amazing, and a GT will be coming as well at some point they announced a week or so ago.

Specracer, yes, I've heard some good things about iracing. What do you recommend in terms of PC set up and what is approximate cost? How diffiicult is it to set up and keep running for the technologically challenged?

 

[AlohaGT]

Hey Kelvin ,
That looks like a great set up! Just don't run over any of them critters you got runnin round the house..:biggrin

Hey CAT, when the sim is fired up with the surround sound and all, your brethren steers a wide path as they don't know what to make of all the sound, vibration, cursing and sweating! :driving:arty

 

[AlohaGT]

I'll post some pics from the BBQ this weekend of my simulator.

After probably 20-30 hours of online research over the past year, I too went with the Playseat (cost), but found a Platform that it sits on (PRO setup) and that makes it look way, way cleaner. I went with the Alcantara seat. And it also has a mount for the LCD.

Here's the setup I have thus far:
- Playseat PRO Kit (complete platform) + Playseat monitor mount and alcantara seat
- 1500 Watt Butt Kicker LFE (this thing shakes the house)
- Xbox360 Platinum w/digital output (true 5.1)
- Microsoft Feedback Wheel and Pedals
- Spherex Xbox 5.1 Digital, 300 Watt, Sub + (5) Omni-directional Speakers (Hard to find these new - but I just bought 'em a few weeks back)
- 32" LG 1080 LCD

This thing rocks for the $$$ I have into it. But I'm still not finished "tweaking" it. I'll post pics soon though.

If I was going to spend another $2k or so, I would've bypassed the Playseat and went with vrx.ca - this is well designed and machined stuff.

Then if you're ok with the $15K-$50k range, you have to go motion, full-axis, but it only connects to PC built programs. And at the end of the day I wanted the flexibility to put in Grand Theft Auto - to run over some people, pick up hookers and steal some cop cars! =)

Let me know if you're in PHX and want to check it out.

Was just in PHX a couple weeks ago. Weather was perfect.

Sounds sweet, looking forward to the pix.

I built mine up off the floor as well to chair height as I'm too old to get on and off the floor and this is the ideal seating position for the TV. I just bought some cheap crates at WalMart, zip-tied them together which positioned the sim perfectly, is light weight and mobile.

 

[Specracer]

Form their site:

System Requirements

Windows XP or Windows Vista
Hyperthreaded Intel CPU, AMD Athlon 64 CPU, or any dual-core CPU
128MB Pixel Shader 2.0 (ATI 9700Pro or nVidia 6600 or better); 256 MB Pixel Shader 3.0 (ATI X1600 or nVidia 6800 GT/GS or better recommended) graphics adapter
1 GB system RAM
3Gb free hard disk space
Steering wheel and pedals required
Microphone optional, required for voice chat
Internet Browser Requirements

Firefox 1.5, Internet Explorer 6, or newer
Javascript enabled
Cookies enabled
Flash Player
Internet Connection Speed

56K dial-up at a minimum, Broadband (DSL or Cable) highly recommended. Satellite broadband excluded.

I think you have already done the hard part, of selecting the seat, and the Logitech wheel.

Andy

Specracer, yes, I've heard some good things about iracing. What do you recommend in terms of PC set up and what is approximate cost? How diffiicult is it to set up and keep running for the technologically challenged?

 

[AlohaGT]

Form their site:

System Requirements

Windows XP or Windows Vista
Hyperthreaded Intel CPU, AMD Athlon 64 CPU, or any dual-core CPU
128MB Pixel Shader 2.0 (ATI 9700Pro or nVidia 6600 or better); 256 MB Pixel Shader 3.0 (ATI X1600 or nVidia 6800 GT/GS or better recommended) graphics adapter
1 GB system RAM
3Gb free hard disk space
Steering wheel and pedals required
Microphone optional, required for voice chat
Internet Browser Requirements

Firefox 1.5, Internet Explorer 6, or newer
Javascript enabled
Cookies enabled
Flash Player
Internet Connection Speed

56K dial-up at a minimum, Broadband (DSL or Cable) highly recommended. Satellite broadband excluded.

I think you have already done the hard part, of selecting the seat, and the Logitech wheel.

Andy

Thanks Andy. I should've looked around on their site. I'll put this on my future To Do list.