Controls, their setup and gpl details

Hi, Just started gpl and i've had gentle laps on all the tracks using the murasama to get a feel of where to start, couple of "quick" questions : Using a basic microsoft sidewinder joystick, what settings should i use with reference to linear/non linear(where abouts on the line), and what difference is there with linear/non-linear. With the steering setup it appears to be set at 12:1, what difference is there in response of 7:1 and 20:1, which appear to be the limits, and can this require changing depending on the tracks. Finally, joystick or wheel for GPL, any recommendations ?... thanks, markp........

markp <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Hi, > > Just started gpl and i've had gentle laps on all the tracks using the > murasama to get a feel of where to start, couple of "quick" questions > : > > Using a basic microsoft sidewinder joystick, what settings should i > use with reference to linear/non linear(where abouts on the line), and > what difference is there with linear/non-linear.

Its all personal preference, but typically you set it more toward linear for a wheel, and more toward non-linear for joystick, with my LWFF wheel I have it set almost full linear > > With the steering setup it appears to be set at 12:1, what difference > is there in response of 7:1 and 20:1, which appear to be the limits, > and can this require changing depending on the tracks. Sterring ratio is steering ratio, your controller setup has a lot of effect on this(the linear/non-linear thing) > > Finally, joystick or wheel for GPL, any recommendations ?... Wheel all the way > > > thanks, markp........

markp wrote: > Using a basic microsoft sidewinder joystick, what settings should i > use with reference to linear/non linear(where abouts on the line), and > what difference is there with linear/non-linear. Linear means the ratio between your controller movement and the steering of your front wheels is constant (move the controller half way, the wheels turn half way, etc.). Non-linear adds some fudging with that to make it easier to drive - small movements of the controller don't have as large an effect (so you're not wandering around on straights, for example). Non-linear sacrifices accuracy for ease-of-use. Generally, people with wheels tend to favor close to linear or even full linear, whereas stick users would want something on the non-linear side of things. > With the steering setup it appears to be set at 12:1, what difference > is there in response of 7:1 and 20:1, which appear to be the limits, > and can this require changing depending on the tracks. The lower the number the more you will turn your wheels with the same amount of controller movement. A low number can get very squirrely, but can also enable you to get around hairpins, etc. The game makes up for the hairpin problem by temporarily reducing the ratio when you are going slow (30mph?) There is a setting in core.ini (can't remember off the top of my head - something with steering_hack in it, I think) that can turn this on or off. I haven't tried GPL with a joystick, but since you can move the stick from side to side faster than with a wheel, I would think you would want the number on the high side. This will also make the car less twitchy. > Finally, joystick or wheel for GPL, any recommendations ?... Definitely get a wheel or at the very least pedals (preferably with the brakes and accelerator on different axes). Hope this helps, Dave Ewing -- ***************************************************** David A. Ewing Xilinx Boulder [email hidden] *****************************************************

HI, Thanks for the replies, i've got something to work off, does anybody feel that, being a beginner, i should leave the steering settings the same for all tracks or are there changes to this that might help my control on different tracks. further thanks in advance of any responses......markp

"markp" wrote...

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> HI, > > Thanks for the replies, i've got something to work off, > does anybody feel that, being a beginner, i should leave > the steering settings the same for all tracks or are > there changes to this that might help my control on > different tracks.

There is no real benifit in tweaking the steering ractio for each track, IMO, with the possible exception of Monaco if you find you can't make it around the station hairpin. Find a ratio you're comfortable with and stick with it I say. I think for you there are more significant gains to be made on the setup front by trying some of the "known good" beginner setups by Alison Hine or Richard Nunnini (see GPL links page: http://www.noctua.f2s.com/links.html), but on the other hand these were formulated by and for wheel users. If you want to persist with GPL/racing sims in general a wheel is definately the way to go. Jan. =--- "Pay attention when I'm talking to you boy!" -Foghorn Leghorn.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] (markp) writes: >Just started gpl and i've had gentle laps on all the tracks using the >murasama to get a feel of where to start, couple of "quick" questions >: Your questions have been answered by others, but I thought I might point out that you should lose the Murasama until you're comfortable with the driving. It's quite heavy and a bit ungainly for a beginner. I reccommend the Coventry as a starter car. Don McCorkle

Woodie 83 <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Your questions have been answered by others, but I thought I might point out > that you should lose the Murasama until you're comfortable with the driving. > It's quite heavy and a bit ungainly for a beginner. I reccommend the Coventry > as a starter car. Seconded. That thing's sweet, especially when you're learning a new track or just want to throw a car around for a while ;-) Jonny

Hi, thanks JH and woodie, gave the coventry a bit of a go around watkins and the difference is there, hopefully it wasn't luck !?!?!?!