1st Time Sim Builder - GT7 + PSVR2

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Hey Guys -

So I'm brand new to the forum, the sim racing hobby, and new to GT7 (and the PSVR2).

I've played racing game over the years, but never got too much into them and have never had a sim setup (or even a sim wheel). However, I recently picked up a PSVR2 & GT7 - which is an amazing combo, and after a good amount of playing it (and realizing how much I enjoy it), I found that I simply struggle with using the controller. I cant ease in/out of turns, trail brake, etc. It's just too hard for me to be precise in any way w/ a thumb. At this point, I'm working my way through the A National license process in GT7, and am mostly hitting gold, but in a few cases, I can't get that extra 10th - 100th after far too many attempts. It's so frustrating TBH. And, I don't know how good I'll ever be with a controller.

I don't know how many have gone through this and really couldn't get it to mesh with a controller, and had success with a wheel, but I hope I fall into that boat.

Regardless of the difficulty I've had so far, I'm hooked and have decided I want a legit - full blown sim. However, I know that the top end gear doesn't natively work with the PS5 (I have ordered a DriveHub, GIMX, HIRO controller in preparing for a larger setup). But figured that while I'm building that out, I could order a lower in kit that would allow me to be able to use in my theater as I really enjoy turning Spotify up while racing. And being that I want a full motion sim, I know that that'll have to be a separate system that can't be wheeled around. So this led me to decide I'd build 2 sim setups. One that's mobile and for the PS5, and one that's a motion sim with much higher end gear.


For the mobile / PS5 sim -
I originally was going to order the Logitech Pro set, but they were sold out of the brake set so I went Fanatic.
  • GT DD Pro 8nm
  • CSL Elite V2 (I've read these are better than the V3s)
  • 911 GT3 wheel w/ the upgraded QC & Paddles
  • McLaren GT3 wheel (mostly for the 30cm size)
  • Next Level GT Track cockpit - which will be on wheels so I can move it in/out of the theater
The Fanatec gear arrives tomorrow, and the Next Level arrives Friday. So I'm really looking forward to getting it all setup and seeing how long it takes me to become comfortable.



I've begun to spec out the other sim, but the companies I've been dealing with online for the gear have not been good to work with so far - either wont reply (after repeated attempts), or are deceptive in their marketing and off putting.

For this, I'm thinking -
  • P1X or Advanced Sim ASR6
  • Simucube Pro
  • Simucube Active Peddles - 2 pack I'm thinking for now
  • Wheels (one or the other below) & maybe add the GSI Formula Pro Elite
    • PSE LM-X
    • GSI GT MAX-32
  • DBOX Gen 5
  • PT Actuator Active Belt
  • Freestanding Triple Monitor Stand for 65" Displays (w/ wheels)
  • Quick connections required for the wheelbase
  • Recaro Pole Position N.G. Bucket Seat (FIA) or OMP HTE-R w/ Rail/Slider
  • Wind Kit
  • VR system

For real world cars, the last car I regularly tracked was my Ferrari 488, but I sold it last July/August as I just didn't drive it enough. But I now have a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT which I really love. It's great as it's sporty and I can toss snowboards into it (which I did a ton of this year). And, getting to the track wasn't easy (would have to ship the car to Seattle and back, plan a bunch of time around it all, etc).

I'm new to this all, and I hope I can scratch the racing itch, but also get reasonably good enough to enjoy myself. I'm 40, and I don't typically struggle too much with video games, but I know this is different. I just hope I can enjoy it enough to stick with it.

Maybe joining a league at some point would also make sense as I'd be able to learn from others.


Anyways, I mostly started this thread to say hi, maybe meet some people, and get familiar with this forum. And who knows, maybe I'll connect with some people on GT7 at some point and pick up a few things.

If you have any questions or feedback (from going through this process yourself), feel free to respond.
 
Hey welcome to the forum.

That looks like some hefty gear you have set your eye's towards :-)

I can't comment so much on the specific gear you have since I only have a Playseat Challenge with a G29.

I will very soon upgrade to a DD wheel and a more stable rig as well.

I will however say, that just because you get a wheel it will properly not make you better or faster at the game. Some things are easier on the controller, and some things are better on the wheel. There are controller players that are just as fast as some aliens are with the wheel. But driving with the wheel is much more fun, and with the PSVR2 it is really really good.

For a long time I was kinda bored with GT7. But after getting the PSVR2 it is now a whole new game, it is simply so good like nothing I have ever expirienced before in a game :-)
 
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Hey welcome to the forum.

That looks like some hefty gear you have set your eye's towards :-)

I can't comment so much on the specific gear you have since I only have a Playseat Challenge with a G29.

I will very soon upgrade to a DD wheel and a more stable rig as well.

I will however say, that just because you get a wheel it will properly not make you better or faster at the game. Some things are easier on the controller, and some things are better on the wheel. There are controller players that are just as fast as some aliens are with the wheel. But driving with the wheel is much more fun, and with the PSVR2 it is really really good.

For a long time I was kinda bored with GT7. But after getting the PSVR2 it is now a whole new game, it is simply so good like nothing I have ever experienced before in a game :-)
Thanks for the welcome!

This will be my first DD rig, so I'm looking forward to it. I don't know if I've ever even played w/ force feedback (outside of real world tracking/racing).

I agree with you on the gear making a difference immediately. I figure I'll have to relearn much of the game, but I know for a fact that I'll be far more precise in things like controlling understeer by being able to adjust the wheel to compensate, and braking - and being able to control how hard I'm doing it. I simply can't do that with the controller. It's either full turn, or full brake, or not at all. So hard to get it part way and repeat that, especially in the licensing tests.

It's like I can't get my mind to repeat exactly what / where I need to control the controller as I can't feel enough of the difference to know where I need to be on it. As mentioned above, I can typically hit Silver w/o issue, and on many, Gold hasn't been too difficult, but it's hard for me to be consistent. And w/o being able to be consistent, I can't control my adjustments (if that makes sense).

I'm guessing that to start, and for the first 8 hrs, I'll be slower. But I'll enjoy it more, and i'll get to a point where I can make meaningful improvements.
 
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