I didn't know that you could join another's game through the lounge. That's cool. Beats the hell out of msg'ing a stupid 20 digit room code.

how you do that?

Click the Community tab on your home screen to view your friends list.
At the top of your friends list you will see tabs labeled A, B, and an online symbol.
Click the online symbol to sort your friends by whose online first.
Click on any one of your friends with a green dot next to their name and see if you can see a yellow dot over the Lounge Teacup under the
Gifts icon.
If you see a yellow dot over the Lounge Teacup then you know they are racing online.
Click the Lounge teacup to join that online race.

Thank you very much Eric, it wasn't a lot easier to have a drop down menu with an option that says play with your friend and be done with it...

@MC, yes the 370 in round 1 sucked on those tires

@southercadesi, my PSN is Koji_Online
I was ranked 19 in the West region for round 1; as MC has said, round 2 was cancelled with ppl cutting like crazy; I'm currently in Round 3, but my current ranking is 30 in West Region; it's gonna be a stretch for me to try for top 8 by the end of the week... I will never lose hope, so Imma be on this until the last minute; I will add your psn when I get on next.

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...i_Online/1.jpg

Edit: I see your main focus will be Forza, in that case yes I definitely recommend the Fanatec wheel with the ClubSports. My post below relates to GT5 only

I have the logitech DFGT as well as the Fanatec Porsche GT3RS v2 wheel w/ the ClubSport Fanatec pedals; Honestly the feel, force feedback, & especially the pedals (with the load cell brake) feel much more realistic in the GT3RS/ ClubSport package than with the logitech; you can feel when the tires give & the limit of your brakes at all times; the main problem is the wheel was not designed alongside GT5 development, so the in-game reactions are just not as good as the logitech DFGT;

I've used both wheels for many hours & in all rounds of the GT Academy & I definitely say the DFGT has gotten me faster times even with having crappy pedals & a cheap steering wheel feel;

If you want more realism and the ability to adjust degrees of rotation to mimic IRL F1 and DTM (360 & 540 respectively) then the Porsche wheel with the ClubSports will give you the most enjoyable experience;

If you want faster lap times I suggest sticking with the logitech DFGT or the G27 if you want; just because those wheels were developed alongside GT & offer the best in game steering response.

I am actually going to sell my GT3RS wheel w/ ClubSport pedals because I bought the Fanatec setup hoping it would make me faster in GT Academy; as I said it has not; after selling this setup I will get the logitech G27 because it improves on everything the DFGT already has

Thanks for the review Koji. It's disappointing that the Fanatec wheel isn't better than the DFGT for GT5, but since I'd like to use it for multi-platform and I don't necessarily care about getting the absolute best time, just looking for good build quality and a realistic feel.

Not sure if I'm going to splurge and get the ClubSport pedals or just the cheap ones. I'll probably go ahead and get the wheel stand that they are selling as well, my little snack tray table isn't very sturdy.

Yea the feel of the Fanatec producst are definitely second to none; though build quality can sometimes be something else with them, but they have good customer support and warranty.

About snack tray tables; I feel your pain on this... check out the sewing machine, 20lbs weights, & lounge chair that I use to hold my setup in place for the drifting & time attacking action Lol

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...e/LolTable.jpg

What's up with the sewing machine?

:eek:

ROFL, that setup is awesome! I used some books to hold down mine, but I figured out a slightly different position with the wheel that seems to work okay, but still not great. I also sit on two pillows on my couch to get the right height. I wish I was a millionaire so I could buy one of those insane racing seat setups (with three displays of course).

On an unrelated note.... I need more PS3 people that are Remote Racing! I don't have enough people on my list, I'm lucky to have 8 or so racers going, and that's only if no one else is using them. PSN ID is FlasHBurN2012.

BTW, how does the warranty work with Fanatec? Do you have to pay for shipping back to Germany? That seems like it would get expensive quick.

I've got an old folding "X" shaped keyboard stand to which I bungie corded an old shelf. Exactly the right height to pop in front of the couch. It's stable enough because of the weight of the shelf and the wide stance and legs

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_d...228_191859.jpg

looks functional! I converted one of these... $70

http://ak.buy.com/PI/0/500/217324959.jpg

It keeps the table from rocking back and forth, along with the chair on the other end Lol

All I really know is it has a 2 year warranty & I've dealt with customer service regarding late shipment on the pedals tuning kit; good thing that means that it hasn't broken on me yet; so I don't know if you would have to pay for shipping or not, but they do supposedly have a service center in Cali, so you should not have to ship it all the way to Germany

Nice! this definitely would be stable

I decided I'm going to go ahead and order the Fanatec wheel (after I read a few more reviews). Along with this I'm going to get the shifter, the wheel stand, and a set of pedals. I'm just not sure about which pedals to get. Should I go all out and get the Club Sports? Is it really worth the extra $150 over the normal pedals? It sounds insanely expensive, but it's tempting to just go all out and get the best.

you guys that are remote racing my B spec drivers keep it up... i just leveled up thanks to the XP points i earned from those races

If you want the best wheel for GT5 then I would have looked into the Thrustmaster T500RS. It is a bit pricey but it is the official GT5 wheel.

Yeah, but no Xbox 360 support = no thanks. I want a wheel that works for everything.

So on another forum I read one of the fellas made it to the current round of GT Academy... I'd link to it but the thread he is posting in is members only:

Sounds like fun. :P

I wish I had more time to play this game. I'm still at level 21 in A-Spec. I'd love to get one of those wheel setup's but it'll probably end up collecting dust.

Love the sewing machine mod by the way.

I got an email today about the GT5 Academy. Some free downloadable content for XMB and an in-game character jersey I guess?

----
Dear Eric,

Thank you for competing in GT Academy.

The top 8 players per region moved on to the National Finals event in Orlando, and from there the top 16 players made it through and are gearing up for the Silverstone race camp in a few short months, to see who will emerge as the GT Academy champion and train to become a professional race car driver. Follow the latest GT Academy news and updates on Facebook at GT Academy (North America) | Facebook

However, none of this would have been possible without you. To thank you for registering before or during week 1, please enjoy these four exclusive GT Academy XMB themes for your PlayStation® 3, and exclusive GT Academy racing suit for PlayStation® HOME. Please use these voucher code and follow the instructions below to redeem your rewards:


PS3 Themes:

[game me four unique codes]

GT Academy Racing Suit for HOME:

[one more unique code here]

Instructions for redeeming a Promotion Code on your PS3™ system:

Step 1: Open an account on the PlayStation®Network (or use an existing account).

Step 2: From the PlayStation®Network icon on the Xross Media Bar, select 'Account Management.'

Step 3: Select 'Redeem Codes.'

Step 4: Enter Promotion Code. Please note that the Promotion Code is case sensitive and must be entered exactly as displayed.

Once the Promotion Code has been entered correctly, click 'Continue.' Once you accept the terms, you will be taken to the download screen.

We thank you for registering for GT Academy, and we hope you continue to enjoy Gran Turismo® 5.

This voucher ("Voucher") is good for one PSN account to redeem the entitlement to download GT Academy Reward Themes 1 through 4 for the PlayStation®3 system via the PlayStation®Store. Voucher expires December 31, 2011. Once you redeem the Voucher, however, the entitlement permits download of the GT Academy Reward Themes 1 through 4 after the expiration of the Voucher. Voucher can only be redeemed through the PSN Account Management. The approximate value of the Voucher is $0.00 USD.

One virtual GT Academy Racing Suit for PlayStation®Home ("Item") is only available to legal U.S. residents with a PlayStation®Network ("PSN") account who are 13 years or older who have installed PlayStation®Home. The promotion code ("Code") is good for one qualifying PSN account to redeem the entitlement to download the Item for use in Home on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system via the PlayStation®Store. Once Code is redeemed in the PlayStation®Store, enter PlayStation®Home. The Item will appear in your wardrobe. The approximate value of the Code is $0.00 USD.

Voucher cannot be redeemed for cash, cannot be returned for cash or credit, and may not be used for any purpose. Voucher will not be replaced if lost, destroyed or stolen. User responsible for all applicable internet fees. For assistance, contact SCE Consumer Services at 1-800-345-7669. *Start date subject to change without notice.

Use of the PlayStation®Network is subject to terms of use and applicable privacy policy. Children under 18 will require parental consent. Broadband service required. Some broadband services may not support the PlayStation®Network. Certain content or services may not be available to children under 13. Features and offerings for the PlayStation®Network may change without notice. Video output in HD requires wireless access point or LAN. Certain limitations apply. User is responsible for Internet service fees. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks and "PS3" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The PlayStation Network logo is a service mark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
----

^ Yeah, got the same email. A gift car would have been nicer :)

uhh yeah like the UK guys got this and we didnt :mad:


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/...b1659e35_b.jpg

I play tons of gt5. Been drifting a lot lately but just got into gymkhana at the top gear test track. Pretty damn fun. A wheel is a must, my dfgt is the best video game accessory I have ever bought hands down. I also have a gameracer pro racing seat. I literally sit in that seat all day racing sometimes. Add InebriHATED if u want some serious competition! My 370 is always looking for victims.

Stupid PSN has been down :mad:

I know!!!! I hate hackers!!! I was so amped to play socom 4 all weekend but alas the psn is screwed. I have a feeling its gonna b down for a bit. Spent most of today drifting on gt5 :)

Wake this thread up guys!! Where all the racers at???

ive been playing those new expert challenges they added with the new update..

they are pretty tough i got 2nd with the fiat 500.. 4th with the lotus and 5th with the STI....but i havent messed with settings on either... im pretty sure i can trophy on all 3 just need to mess around with it a little

I got second on the Fiat and Subie challenges and first on the Lotus challenge. Thought the Lotus challenge would be the hardest but my tune ate the competition. Fiat challenge hard as hell, I pushed that lil thing beyond the limit and was still like 15 sec behind the leader.

I'm going to get some GT-5 time in now that the NBA season is over :tup:

i got 2nd in the lotus

then i got 2nd in the fiat but the game keeps glitching so that after the race the FINISH doesnt come up and the car is on auto pilot doing extra laps


can someone let me borrow at STI that is good for the last race... i cant get the one i have set up right it keeps oversteering horribly

Are you willing to share some setup tips on the Lotus? 2nd is best I could do after about 5 tries with a best lap time of about 1:03.9. I'm finding that with those sport hards I have to stay off the throttle a long time on corner exit or I get real loose. I've messed with the diff settings, ride height and spring settings and toe-in and camber and I've only managed to shave off about 3 tenths from my best (pass free) lap time -- mostly in better turn-in.

TMine is fully upgraded, go to engine & turn limiter to hp limit. I also added a ballast to meet weight restrictions, set it at 101 & position at -33. Downforce at 19. I believe I set trans to 112, the lowest possible setting. LSD settings (from top to bottom) 10, 10, 15. Ok, suspension settings (paired together top to bottom)
-25, -25
9.7, 10.1
6, 6
6, 6
4, 4
3.1, 3.5
-.03, .10

& finally brake balance 6, 7. Now I play on a wheel so im not sure how a tune using that transfers into a controller if thats what your using. Try it, let me know if it works.

I use a DFGT so no worries there. I'll give your tune a try. Thanks!

Thats what im on. Should feel very stable.

Got 1st. Big difference in setups. I wasn't even using a wing so I think that added tons of stability. Best lap during races was 1:03.23 -- a good 6/10s faster than my best with my old setup. Best race before was 2nd place ~3.5 behind the leader. This last race I passed the leader at the apex of the corner before the back straight. :tup:

edit: Sweet! I won the Gran Turismo Ford GT LM Spec II Test car with my lev 22 ticket!