rec.autos.simulators

I just upgraded from a Virtual Pilot pro to a T2 and I have been playing
around with the linear or non-linear setting.  This is what I have
gathered so far.  Please tell me if your experiences concur and what
setting you use.  BTW, I'm talking about ICR2 here.  

        I tried the manuel suggested linear and found it was not realistic.
The most I ever had to turn the wheel was about 40 deg.  I have seen
enough in-car view of ICR racing to know that this is completely
unrealistic.  In some of the races I have seen the drivers have to turn
their arms untill their forarms almost touch.  This is about 160 deg.
Obviously this difference greatly hurst the realism.  
        Having to only turn 40 deg at most means maknig a slight turn almost
impossible.  This is espically a problem when cars are all around me at
Michigan.  The slightest move of the wheel jerks me to the side cauding
a 20 car crash.  

        Then I tried the Non linear setting and found it to be much more
realistic.  for slow, sharp hairpins sutch as the final turn at LB I had
to turn the wheel as much as 120 deg.  
        The down side here is that despite the realism I was performing quite
poorly.  This might just be because I am used to the Virtual Pilot Pro
which has a max turning radius of about 40 deg.  Perhaps I will be much
better after I get used to a larger turning radius.

        Please post your reply.

Linear is generally recommended for wheel and pedals, but use whatever you
feel more comfortable with. Adjusting the wheel lock settings on your
setups will affect how much you must turn the wheel. You might want to try
that.

--

Mark Formo
**********

Personal Home page = http://www.pclink.com/mformo/index.htm
RCSE Home Page     = http://www.pclink.com/mformo/rcse.html
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I have just "upgraded?" to a T2 from a CH Flight Stick and have been
struggling with the same thing.  My experience is with NASCAR.  For me,
linear feels more natural than nonlinear...Probably because the joystick
I'm graduating from allowed only minute movements and I don't think real
world highway driving needs such wilded wheel movements to steer at
cruising speed.   So far I'm disappointed.  I've tried about 30 times and
have yet to be able to start a race without crashing (with the joystick I
could get a clean start about 1 out of 8 tries).  Part of the problem I
think is with the program itself.  I seem to be much more at a disadvantage
with cold tires than my opponents!

In any case, if I can't improve in a few days to at least as good as I was
with the joystick (which I'll admit was not great) then I'll probably
return the T2 and trying a Virtual Pilot Pro.  Do you have any comparison
of the VP Pro versus a joystick?  

Non-linear is very unresponsive near the center - making it difficult to
make quick corrections.  Use the Wheel Lock settings to change the
distrance you must turn the wheel, not non-linear steering.  I doubt you
will ever get really good lap times with non-linear steering.  It is too
bad, but most of the on-the-market steering devices only support up to
about 1/2-2/3 of the wheel travel - since the Potentiometer is mounted
direct to the shaft and has a limited turning radius.  I have a custom
built unit that allows over 360 degrees of turning radius and increased the
distance I must turn the wheel - which is realistic.  It also allows
running with higher steering lock without making the car twitchy - but
still allowing me to get out of the pits.
/THansen

[snip]

Have you tried turning down the wheel lock? The default on most tracks is
18 to 20 degrees. I find that 12-15 is more usable for the road courses.
For MIS, I use 7 degrees, if memory serves.

Dave (davids) Sparks
Late Night League
http://www.sequoia-dev.com/Hawaii/latenite.html

: I just upgraded from a Virtual Pilot pro to a T2 and I have been playing
: around with the linear or non-linear setting.  This is what I have
: gathered so far.  Please tell me if your experiences concur and what
: setting you use.  BTW, I'm talking about ICR2 here.  
:      
:       I tried the manuel suggested linear and found it was not realistic.
: The most I ever had to turn the wheel was about 40 deg.  I have seen
: enough in-car view of ICR racing to know that this is completely
: unrealistic.  In some of the races I have seen the drivers have to turn
: their arms untill their forarms almost touch.  This is about 160 deg.
: Obviously this difference greatly hurst the realism.  
:       Having to only turn 40 deg at most means maknig a slight turn almost
: impossible.  This is espically a problem when cars are all around me at
: Michigan.  The slightest move of the wheel jerks me to the side cauding
: a 20 car crash.  

[snip]

When you set your car up, reduce the steering lock.  Set it so you can
make the slowest corner on a road course with about full lock.  Then
increase the steering lock a degree or 2.

I usually have the steering lock set for 10-12 on road circuits and 8-10
for ovals.
--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

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