Race Car Simulator

SPOHN · 03-17-2012, 12:18 PM

I'm in the market for a race car simulator that will work with most game system even PC which I own all of them. Well my son does.

Which simulator is a good quality but somewhat affordable? Say no more than $700. Must have seat and foot pedals. But if there something that's more realistic that's not made for game systems I might be interested in spending a little more.

MC · 03-17-2012, 02:44 PM

if you want something to work the PS3 360 and PC get the Fanatec CSR as for the cockpit i like and have the GTR simulator

my set up was just under $800

SPOHN · 03-17-2012, 03:26 PM

Man thanks. I really like this. Oh this is going to be fun. My kid will never get a chance to play his systems.

wstar · 03-17-2012, 03:43 PM

What software are you guys using for the sim? I mean, I assume games, but what's the state of the art in games that are realistic enough to get some valid practice time in?

SPOHN · 03-17-2012, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

What software are you guys using for the sim? I mean, I assume games, but what's the state of the art in games that are realistic enough to get some valid practice time in?

I'm still sorting that out. I've been out of the gaming world for awhile. There has to be some nice realistic games out there.

travisjb · 03-17-2012, 06:19 PM

I'm not a hardcore sim guy but dable a bit... MC's probably the resident expert

I have pretty much the same setup as MC and recommend it... Fanatec CSR is great for xbox ps3 and pc... keep in mind that it is more configurable than logitech and so you will invest more time in initial setup, tuning it for each game (you can save 4 custom configs that you can switch to on the fly), and you may spend more time tweaking it as you use it... but these trade offs all result in better lap times and more realistic feel

You'll notice that MC has a metal frame... you can buy one of these or build one... I built mine with home depot MDF platform, 4 red swivel casters from Amazon.com, and a can of black spray paint... works great and I can roll it around super easy... I built one for my old logitech setup as well that I will use for my son when his legs get about 3 inches longer

Don't skimp on the chair and steering wheel frame IMO... buy one that doesn't get in the way of your feet in the middle... you'll know what I mean when you start looking around

Games I enjoy... pc = F1 series and iRacing... console = GT5 and Forza

The one I spend the most time on is Forza... iRacing is what I use to get ready for a real track day...

m4a1mustang · 03-17-2012, 06:23 PM

For real practice get iRacing. I know you run at Road Atlanta a lot so it would be incredibly beneficial for you.

The tracks are laser scanned and VERY accurate. From what I can tell VIR in iRacing is spot on with VIR in real life.

The good part about iRacing is they run pricing specials often and you only need to buy the content that you want to use. Though I happen to be one of the fools in the 100% club.

The sim in general is just fantastic. The tire model is very realistic and like the tracks the cars are all torn down, scanned, and re-built in digital form.

I actually won't use anything else other than iRacing because it's too arcadish in comparison, granted I've been a diehard sim racer since the mid 90s.

travisjb · 03-18-2012, 12:36 PM

I agree with Steve on iRacing, if you have to pick one... cover most of the major tracks in the U.S. in different configs... you will not find a nissan 370z on there but you can get pretty close in terms of weight distribution and power

I too am one of the suckers in the 100% club!

definitely not getting my money's worth but I like to have the option... wiser money will buy only the tracks and cars they need and upgrade as they go along

Steve mentions the "tire model" in iRacing... they just upgraded the math and physics behind this and they call it tire model 2.0... it is a big step up in terms of real life feel and response

Steve, you should try forza 4... it will prob exceed your expectations in terms of realism

m4a1mustang · 03-18-2012, 12:40 PM

I need to pick up Forza 4. I like having that as an option because I find that sometimes I can take iRacing a little too seriously. A more casual driving sim would be good to have.

takjak2 · 03-18-2012, 10:59 PM

I'm still undecided about joining iRacing, no doubt its the best true simulator. Better be for the costs! Even GT5 and a decent wheel will be a decent learning tool. I use GTR2 for learning new tracks before I visit them and it's not too hard to download all of it for free (if you don't care to race online).

03-17-2012, 12:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	Race Car Simulator I'm in the market for a race car simulator that will work with most game system even PC which I own all of them. Well my son does. Which simulator is a good quality but somewhat affordable? Say no more than $700. Must have seat and foot pedals. But if there something that's more realistic that's not made for game systems I might be interested in spending a little more. __________________

03-17-2012, 02:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
MC Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NC Posts: 3,238 Drives: 2015 GTR NISMO Rep Power: 23	if you want something to work the PS3 360 and PC get the Fanatec CSR as for the cockpit i like and have the GTR simulator my set up was just under $800 __________________ 2015 GT-R N1SMO "THE ONE" Instagram MCGTRN1SMO Youtube MCGTRNISMO Last edited by MC; 04-12-2012 at 12:12 AM.

03-17-2012, 03:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	Man thanks. I really like this. Oh this is going to be fun. My kid will never get a chance to play his systems. __________________

03-17-2012, 03:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	What software are you guys using for the sim? I mean, I assume games, but what's the state of the art in games that are realistic enough to get some valid practice time in? __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

03-17-2012, 06:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	I'm not a hardcore sim guy but dable a bit... MC's probably the resident expert I have pretty much the same setup as MC and recommend it... Fanatec CSR is great for xbox ps3 and pc... keep in mind that it is more configurable than logitech and so you will invest more time in initial setup, tuning it for each game (you can save 4 custom configs that you can switch to on the fly), and you may spend more time tweaking it as you use it... but these trade offs all result in better lap times and more realistic feel You'll notice that MC has a metal frame... you can buy one of these or build one... I built mine with home depot MDF platform, 4 red swivel casters from Amazon.com, and a can of black spray paint... works great and I can roll it around super easy... I built one for my old logitech setup as well that I will use for my son when his legs get about 3 inches longer Don't skimp on the chair and steering wheel frame IMO... buy one that doesn't get in the way of your feet in the middle... you'll know what I mean when you start looking around Games I enjoy... pc = F1 series and iRacing... console = GT5 and Forza The one I spend the most time on is Forza... iRacing is what I use to get ready for a real track day... __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

03-17-2012, 06:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	For real practice get iRacing. I know you run at Road Atlanta a lot so it would be incredibly beneficial for you. The tracks are laser scanned and VERY accurate. From what I can tell VIR in iRacing is spot on with VIR in real life. The good part about iRacing is they run pricing specials often and you only need to buy the content that you want to use. Though I happen to be one of the fools in the 100% club. The sim in general is just fantastic. The tire model is very realistic and like the tracks the cars are all torn down, scanned, and re-built in digital form. I actually won't use anything else other than iRacing because it's too arcadish in comparison, granted I've been a diehard sim racer since the mid 90s. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook! Last edited by m4a1mustang; 03-17-2012 at 06:26 PM.

03-18-2012, 12:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	I agree with Steve on iRacing, if you have to pick one... cover most of the major tracks in the U.S. in different configs... you will not find a nissan 370z on there but you can get pretty close in terms of weight distribution and power I too am one of the suckers in the 100% club! definitely not getting my money's worth but I like to have the option... wiser money will buy only the tracks and cars they need and upgrade as they go along Steve mentions the "tire model" in iRacing... they just upgraded the math and physics behind this and they call it tire model 2.0... it is a big step up in terms of real life feel and response Steve, you should try forza 4... it will prob exceed your expectations in terms of realism __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

03-18-2012, 12:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	I need to pick up Forza 4. I like having that as an option because I find that sometimes I can take iRacing a little too seriously. A more casual driving sim would be good to have. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

03-18-2012, 10:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
takjak2 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 1,922 Drives: Legit Racecar 370Z Rep Power: 142	I'm still undecided about joining iRacing, no doubt its the best true simulator. Better be for the costs! Even GT5 and a decent wheel will be a decent learning tool. I use GTR2 for learning new tracks before I visit them and it's not too hard to download all of it for free (if you don't care to race online). __________________ Mods \| Stuff \| Things \| Seat Time \| Nismo facebook.com/TeamSparrowSpeed

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