rec.autos.simulators

If you use a digital device, eg:- keyboard, you HAVE to have steering and
throttle help ON.
If you do not the car is impossible to control and get quick times.

Bear in mind that a digital device is switched, eg:- either full on, or
full off, there is nothing in between.

So if you attempt to drive the car without the steering and throttle help
on, every corner becomes a slide, every touch on the throttle becomes a
wheel spin, the car is controllable, but the times will be slower, due to
the full steering lock even when you don't want it, and the full throttle
when you don't want it.

Analogue control devices, eg:- most wheel and pedal combo's, have a
progressive response to the controls, so you can control wheelspin and
under/oversteer.

Thats the difference? I use both keyboard and wheel, and I like both, it
just so happens I have used the keyboard for longer and am more used to
using it, thus I get faster times with the keyboard.
I would agree, However, that the wheel and pedals is more rewarding, it
"feels" better, more natural.

In the end it comes down to personal preference, and what you feel
comfortable with.

d:~)

#:~>  **Peter**

Whilst steering help was undoubtably quicker in F1GP/WC, it is
demonstrably slower in GP2. There _are_ some quick times by guys with
steering help but they are all quite a bit slower than the best times.

The driving aid that _does_ give a demonstrable advantage though is
opposite lock. It gives a huge advantage in a race as it greatly reduces
the chance of a spin and hence allows lower downforce setups to be used.

Opposite lock doesn't provide any real advantage in hotlapping at a low
downforce track, but it does seem to do so at what should be a high
downforce one (e.g. Monaco) where they can run with lower rear wings than
would otherwise be feasible. It also allows those who want a fast time at
all costs to take shortcuts at chicanes that wouldn't be possible one
time in a million otherwise.

If you look at the HoF2 charts, you will see that opposite lock drivers
dominate the top positions. Some of us refuse to use it, but there again,
some of us refuse to shortcut the chicanes as well ;-)

Cheers,
Richard

I use my own Wheel and Pedal setup.  This consists of CH Pedals,a Grant
steering wheel threaded rod, ball bearings and some wood for a dash.  I
drive with throttle, braking and steering help off, and no driving aids
whatsoever.    I like to play Germany allot and my best time is 1:49.
When I used to play World Circuit I had to use the steering help and I got
Ace times on most tracks.  I find that with Gp2 some tracks like Hungary
and Monaco are very tough and not as much fun as Spa, Adelaide, Imola,
Monza, and Germany. The setup I have makes GP2 the best racing sim on the
market.  I can't believe that people can badmouth the game at all.  I will
concede that you need a powerful computer to get good frame rates but it
is a small price to pay.  The braking is just perfection I can almost feel
when they will lock and makes me very good at late braking.  When coming
out of a corner you can accelerate too much and the back end will start to
come around and you can catch it.  I have played Indycar, Indycar II,
Nascar, and Nascar II none are as good in my opinion of giving you a feel
for the car.  In GP2 you can take any line on the track it might not be
the fastest but you can do it and make corrections while in the corner to
scrub off speed and save the car.  This makes passing in corners possible.
 I would only recommend GP2 with a steering wheel and pedals and driving
aids off.  I usually run ammeter or Semi pro just to balance the times I
can turn consistently with those of the computer.  For example I can make
1:49 laps in Germany but some laps are 1:51 or 1:52 depending on the
traffic, accidents or my own mistakes.  In F1 racing every second counts
you can't afford to lose a second a lap or 2 or 3 every now and then if
you want a chance to win a 20 or 30 lap race.  The only way that I GP2 can
be improved is with a forcefeedback steering wheel now that really would
be something. Try watching a real F1 race and play Gp2 it is as close as
you'll every get to really driving a real F1 car.

Is that not because you have steering help permanantly on with the
keyboard?

Maybe you have found how to turn it off, please advise.

I can get around much faster with the keyboard, mainly because the
computer helps me around the corners...

Happy driving  !!!

Andy..

--

03/30/97 01:19
[ Standard Disclaimer ]

Some?  I thought he only won one.....

Ayrton and Michael had/have electronic steering help, it is known as
SKILL...!

Have fun,.....

Andy..

--

03/30/97 01:19
[ Standard Disclaimer ]

Wrong <g> - "opposite lock" help on, but "steering help" off. It _is_
possible to drive fast with steering help, but in GP2 it is slightly
slower over a single lap (maybe quicker over a whole race as it is
possible to drive at the edge for longer).

??? The steering help and opposite lock aids are NOT visible from the
***pit, unlike the F1 to F7 aids.

Agreed - anyone who can afford a wheel but continues with keyboard isn't
after a "sim" experience, so I find it difficult to understand why they
are racing ;-) But each to his own....

Agreed again. Over on Compuserve we have separate hotlap charts for
drivers who using steering help, no steering help but other aids and no
aids at all. The times in the no aids category are quicker than the
steering help ones, but slower than the top guy in the "some aids" chart.
There's a hard core of us though who would never even contemplate
switching on opposite lock or cutting chicanes just to get a faster time!

Cheers,
Richard