rec.autos.simulators

"Virtual Pilot"-- worth the $$$'s for driving/flying combat sims???

Chris Gouch

"Virtual Pilot"-- worth the $$$'s for driving/flying combat sims???

by Chris Gouch » Wed, 15 Dec 1993 02:42:56

        I posted a while back on C.S.I.B.M.flight-sim for info regarding
this product and got no responses (thought that'd be a logical location
to get info!  Guess I was wrong).  So, since I am somewhat interested in
flight/combat sims and VERY interested in racing sims, I'd like a longer
(only as long as you have time for though! :) ) review/usefulness in regards
to the yoke.  My main question I guess would have to be how one would
configure the thing for F1GP/WC and have it function comfortably without
using any of the driving aids.  Presently I have a fair system that seems to
work well by using a Gravis Game-Pad like so:  push-forward=accelerate,
push-down=deaccelerate/brake, of course right and left turn (8-)), use
button "A" to shift up (while accelerating) and use the "A" button again
for down shifting when de-accelerating or joystick in 'neutral' position.
I find this works reasonably well, especially with the traction control and
steering help on (NOT the driving aids) with the Game-Pad.  However, I
'test-drove' the V.Pilot on a demo machine with INDYCar Racing and man did
it feel nice!  But the way they had it configured in-store was the "right"
button accelerated and the "left" button did brake (or reverse, I can't
remember as I didn't spend a long time playing as it was over lunch and I
really wasn't familiar with the game at that point).  I have since bought
INDYCar Racing and cannot get anywhere near the same, fluid, responsive
results I was getting with the V.Pilot at the store... in fact I've resorted
to using the keyboard as the joystick control doesn't appeal to me with
that game-- too slippery or something.
        So, to make a long story short :) I can't see any way around the
"awkwardness" (correct me if I'm wrong!) of having all options set to
MANUAL (in both race sims, especially F1GP though) and avoid having to
push forward and pull back on the yoke to accelerate/deaccelerate.  To me
that would be uncomfortable and would not be as responsive as a keyboard
or jostick control plus there'd be a lot of 'jerking' around which would
no doubt shorten the life of the yoke.  But I can't see any way around this
in order to free up the buttons for shifting......WAIT!!  Unless you set it
up so as the buttons to brake/accelerate and use keys with your right hand
to shift..... hmmmm but then how would you brake and geardown?  I don't
know! HELP!!!!!!!  I'd really like to get something better for these types of
games (don't forget my interest in flight sims!) but I'm not 100% sure this
yoke is the answer.

Any help much appreciated!  Thanks

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|   _/  _/  _/    _/     _/                     |      Chris Goucher      |

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        This be the end :)
        My opinions are MY opinions (so be gentle! :) )


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