I am looking to setup a racing unit for my living room and I was wondering if anyone here has some experience or knows which sites would provide me with best information. Debating between: PS3 or PC Debating between: 1 large screen or 3 screen setup Debating between: Playeseat Evolution or Obottu cockpit Debating between: Fanatec GTR 911 or Thrustmaster T500 or Logitech G27
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZU0ipzeFnw&feature=related I was there and that thing is awesome. It'll also set you back $10K, with $7500 of it going to the hydrolics for the seats so it moves with the game. It's probably $3.5K to setup without the moving chair.
GTPlanet.net is a nice community. As far as setups go, it's probably more entry level compared to what you're wanting, but a very good deal nonetheless. http://www.fanatec.de/webshop/new_usa/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=93&session=true Fanatec's 911 Carrera wheel and pedals, gated shifter, and rennsport wheelstand for 200.
What good driving simulators are there on the PC? Gran Turismo's the beginning and the end of it for me.
I looked at a lot of reviews from these guys before I built my setup (for GT5 on PS3). http://www.insidesimracing.tv/ YouTube channel I ended up building my own cockpit out of parts from Home Depot (~$40), and attaching G27 wheel, pedals, and shifter. It's the only racing setup I've ever played on outside of standard arcade racing games, so I don't have much to compare it to, but it is easily one of the best investments I've ever made. One thing I would recommend is going for the Fanatec Club Sport pedals if you can afford them. For these reasons specifically: Vibration feedback motor on brake pedal to indicate blocking tires. The driver software calculates this moment based on the telemetry data received from the games. Pressure sensitive load cell sensor on the brake. Control the brake force with muscle tension instead of movement Realistic brake pedal dampening created by special PU foam made in Germany and used in the car industry in shock absorbers. Ultra strong and smooth. In general, just don't skimp on your setup. If you do it right, it will provide you with hundreds of hours of fun.
As of right now I am leaning towards T500 wheel with the Fanatec Club Sport Pedals. I just wish T500 had a hand shifter already. They are supposed to be releaseing it soon. I am more conflicted on the cockpit.
Gran Turismo 5 is the most popular. Most the other games on PS3 are arcade racers (Need for Speed, Midnight Club etc.).
Had no idea there were sim racers here. I would definitely say go with PC for racing sims, no slight to GT5, but iRacing makes it seem like an arcade game. I'm going to be getting a setup myself when I have the money, haven't sim raced in 7 or so years, and the wheel I had was crap even back then.
The Thrustmaster T500RS is now on sale at frys for 499. After tax, it's still 20$ cheaper than amazon's price. It's gotten great reviews and is heavy duty as hell, but some things to note: No H-shifter included, and those gorgeous pedals aren't as good as the fanatec clubsport. http://www.frys.com/product/6501043
Thanks for the heads up. Very tempting but I think... I am still going to go with Amazon because based on what I have read, Thrustmaster has quality issues. If I get a defective unit, I will have a much easier time getting replacement via Amazon.
