rec.autos.simulators

I loved f1gp with keyboard and now Im running gp2 with keyboard and
its great...I wont change to joystic because I like manual gears and
with joystic theyre virtually impossible to get right....but Ive
been thinking of purchasing a wheel and pedal combo in near future.

But anyway Id just like to know what control method U f1gp and GP2
hotshots R using? ...and some comments would be appreciated too.

thx...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ville Kopu~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ViK at IRC, #f1 & #gp2        http://www.racesimcentral.net/~vkopu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Second is first of loserS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'll drive with keyboard too, sure it lock brakes a lot but it doesn't =

bother me. Tried joystick-keybord combo (few diffirent ones) but it =

didn't work for me. The braking/gas pedal should be handled with analog =

device but try to do that with your left hand and steer with your right =

- disaster !

Maybe I'll try some (T2) steering wheel thing soon, at the moment I'm =

still competitive with keys and winning some races in Semi Pro level but =

when moving up ? Who knows.

Greetings
Toni

If anyone finds GP2 in the US today, please post and let me know where
you purchased it.
Thanks
N2KARTN

I use joystick (Mach II by "CH Products") which is very accurate and
works much better than the keyboard or mouse..... I think that a T2
would be better...

gear up, one for gear down. No problem with shifting, much better =

overall than keyboard (IMO)...

Pekka

Virtually all F1GP1 hotshots use(d) keyboard if I'm right.
"Gravity doesn't exist; the Earth sucks!"

You guys have got to try wheel pedal. I used to do Nascar with keys but it i
just not the same as the real thing. T2 is cheap and bound to get cheaper as we
near the force feedback era. You can make a wheel Fairly cheap if you have a
little bit of mechanical ability. The pedals are a bit more difficult. I am
using a wheel that I made and while it is not pretty it works alot better than
my old T1. I figure the wheel cost about $40.00 US to make and it uses a much
higher quality pot than the T1, which makes a big difference. I am getting
ready to build my pedals with some ideas given to me by others who have
allready done it but it looks to be a little more involved than the wheel.

On the issue of lumping keyboard and joysticks together
I just feel that if you are going to "play" or "simulate"
a car racing thing, it is more interesting to do so with
the simulated control(s) that match the actual.
So, I, simply MY opinion, and NOT any case for fact, just
am not impressed with times posted by keyboard and joystick
users. Cars don't use 'em, so I'm not interested in those
times, because I know I drive faster with a joystick as
opposed to my T2 as well.
Just a matter of taste, nothing more.

JEB in Vegas

BTW, why is a joystick faster than a wheel? They are both analogue.

Julian

_____________________________________________________________________

                                University of Oxford

Keyboard & Joysticks certainly appear to give nominally 'faster circuit
times' in my observation, but at a price, and that price (= % fun &
suspension of disbelief) is relative and dependent upon the perception
of each *individual* player.

Speaking subjectively from a personal perspective, I find driving with
the Thrustmaster T2 is just plain *more fun* and more challenging (IMO)
to use. The 'suspension of disbelief" factor is higher.

Using the keyboard is easier, and more satisfying for the ego when
posting lap times comes around <G>, but the extra assistance given and
it's digitally switched (on/off) limitations just detracts from the
overall sim experience for *me*.

GP2 supports the T2 better than any driving sim I've experienced to
date, especially in the braking department. Ordinarily with the T2 the
linear pressure of a simple spring for tension mechanism reduces the
peripheral sense input naturally given in a real world braking situation
by the expotentially increasing pressure of the brake pedal against our
foot. With GP2 the allowance of range adjustment of sensitivity of this
device lessens the impact of that unnatural feel upon our peripheral
senses to some degree. I appreciate that inclusion in this sim.

I used to use a CH Flightstick, the spring tension on which allowed
precise input and was very smooth. F1GP was certainly very enjoyable
using this method and high lap times achievable, although after having
used the T2, I couldn't go back to either a non-analogue control method
or the joystick.

BTW the T2 isn't the proverbial 'brand new toy', and I've had plenty of
time to adjudicate on it's pros and cons. If your budget will extend,
give it a try...you might even like it.

PS: I've made a couple of minor adjustments to mine such as shimming up
the actual steering wheel with spacers to reduce play, silicon grease to
keep the action smooth etc. It works on a bungee system, and with use,
(ie: once 'run in') the bungees reduce to a consistant tension & feel.

It ain't perfect, but then what is?...but it is affordable.
It nicely fills the gap between the joystick and top end (top $$$$)
driving control systems.

Hope this has been of interest.

Regards,

                --- Cogito Ergo Sum ---              *

* Fidonet:       (temporarily unavailable)            *
    Keiron Rado, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia     *  

comparing times with a T2 or other "wheel" driver. The difference
as you mentioned has to do with "simulation" and suspension of
disbelief. =

I'm not knocking the keyboard or joystick users, just pointing out
that it is CLEARLY unrealistic to drive an auto sim that way, and
therefore, I'm NOT impressed by times posted using those controls.

Just my $ 0.02, now that you've opened "that can of worms"...hehehe

JEB in Vegas

: GP2 supports the T2 better than any driving sim I've experienced to
: date, especially in the braking department. Ordinarily with the T2 the
: linear pressure of a simple spring for tension mechanism reduces the
: peripheral sense input naturally given in a real world braking situation
: by the expotentially increasing pressure of the brake pedal against our
: foot. With GP2 the allowance of range adjustment of sensitivity of this
: device lessens the impact of that unnatural feel upon our peripheral
: senses to some degree. I appreciate that inclusion in this sim.

Care to share your *.con file with it.  Since these files are so small I
think it is okay to post them here in r.a.s. (they are smaller than most
messages here, so don't start a flame war on this folks).  I am very
interested in seeing how other have setup their T1/2's for GP2.

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

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