rec.autos.simulators

I've gotten both of the demos and am trying to decide which to buy
first.  I have a couple of questions related esp. to the NASCAR demo
since it is playable.

1.  I have a CH Virtual Pilot, but no pedals.  How do those of you
with a similar setup (wheel but no pedals) configure the controls?  I
put accel/brake on the VP throttle lever, shift up/down on the two
buttons.

2.  Generally, after running a set of laps (~2) and either running out
of gas or crashing, trying to back out then restart the testing
session leaves the controls dead.  The controls can be recalibrated
but once in the car they're dead.  Is this just "the way things are"
for the demo?

3.  Is it possible to control the replay playback in the (NASCAR)
demo?

I'm torn between the obvious improvements to graphics in NASCAR and
what I believe would be the more fun (for me) Indycar format.  More
fun refers to the number of road courses.  From looking at the NASCAR
box, there is a single road course?

Thanks for any info you can give me, including biased opinions :)

Jim
--
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
|Jim Dibb               | My  car doesn't care if your          |
|Sr. Software Engineer  | car climbed MT. WASHINGTON            |
|CLARiiON               |                                       |
|Data General Corp.     |                                       |

+---------------------------------------------------------------+

I used to feel the same way about road courses vs ovals. I'm finding in
NASCAR, though, a challenge I didn't expect. IndyCars are such that you can
run around ovals wide open, for the most part. A 3500# stock car, though, is
an altogether different beast. The only course you can run wide open all the
way around is Talledega. That's somewhat boring except in the flattish
tri-oval corner before the SF line. The other courses require almost needle's
point balancing to get around quickly. The skill level required to throw the
big car around in heavy traffic is much higher than I found in ICR.

Don't pay attention to the improvements in graphics; you're likely to be
disappointed unless your machine is big and fast. For my money, NASCAR is a
step beyond ICR, not so much in its technology, but in the technology it
simulates. The obvious answer is to get both; they're both excellent "games,"
and both worthy of space on your harddisk.

Mike.

: 1.  I have a CH Virtual Pilot, but no pedals.  How do those of you
: with a similar setup (wheel but no pedals) configure the controls?  I
: put accel/brake on the VP throttle lever, shift up/down on the two
: buttons.

--- Before I got my pedals, I configured it like so:

        steering (obvious I hope)
        gas = throttle lever UP
        brake= throttle lever DOWN
        reverse= left yoke button

        And I generally always autoshifted.  Most people configure the
buttons to be gas and brake, but I do not prefer that method simply
becasue the thottle is Linear (ie not full on or full off like the button
contacts) and that allowed me to feather the gas abit in cornering OR
apply throttle gradually and consistently and maintain constant speeds
more readilly.... with the buttons you are always going all or nothing
in my opinion and I didn't like that form of precise control ;-)

: 2.  Generally, after running a set of laps (~2) and either running out
: of gas or crashing, trying to back out then restart the testing
: session leaves the controls dead.  The controls can be recalibrated
: but once in the car they're dead.  Is this just "the way things are"
: for the demo?

--- This sounds very much like a demo-only problem.  I've never had the
controls lock up on me.

: 3.  Is it possible to control the replay playback in the (NASCAR)
: demo?

--- That I'm not sure... I didn't spend alot of time on the demo anyway.
I KNEW I was going to have it, I didn;t need the demo 8--)

: I'm torn between the obvious improvements to graphics in NASCAR and
: what I believe would be the more fun (for me) Indycar format.  More
: fun refers to the number of road courses.  From looking at the NASCAR
: box, there is a single road course?

--- Well, alot is going to depend on what type of system you are running
it on as well I'm afraid.  A 486-33 would be BARE minimum, IMO for NASCAR
to be at least respectable... it sucks the life out of my 66 to tell you
the truth, though I'm happy with it with less details on etc.  Indycar
will be more responsive (nature of the cars themselves, downforce etc) and
will run marginally faster processor-wise with the same amounts of detail.
The only theory I can come up with is that NASCAR is doing far more background
calculations then Indycar (it does have a more complex physics model).

--- You are correct about the lone road course in NASCAR, but remember they
only race at two road course venues anyway in real life... it generally
"left hand and burn" for these boys.  If you have you doubts regarding
your likes to that form of racing then Indycar may appeal to you more
for sure.  There are many improvements with NASCAR over Indycar, but in
essence they are relatively similar in presentation.  That's a decision
that only you can make really (on which style you prefer I'm afraid)...
all the flash in the world will have a hard time making you like something
you otherwise don't ;-)

: Thanks for any info you can give me, including biased opinions :)

--- I'm sorry, but I have to be biased toward NASCAR seeings how you are asking
as I really enjoy it (and it's not because it the latest game from them...
it would be my favorite if the two programs were reversed in release, I'm
a stocker-type of guy) ;-)  Have fun with either one that you choose (or
do like most of us here.... cover you bases and get both ;-) )

--
Christopher Goucher            

Phone: (902) 426-4754                              
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, CANADA