Forza fan ready to build (motion?) rig for PC racing

  • Thread starter Thread starter switchface
  • 11 comments
  • 4,330 views
S

switchface

Messages
6
United States
SoCal
Hey all! Been lurking for a bit, this is my first post.

Me

I grew up a Gran Turismo addict, until Forza stole me away. I also autocross on the weekends. Got a CSR wheel and CSR Elite pedals attached to a portable table that I drag out into the living room (always funny to explain to guests). I got to try CXC's $50k setup with an iRacing triple screen motion rig at a contest my dealership had:

603697_3617304791524_885377542_n.jpg


My first time ever racing at Barber, first time ever in a Daytona Prototype, first time on iRacing and I placed 6th out 100. Wow! It wasn't so much iRacing, but the experience was so much more immersive due to the motion/seat/triples. I want to replicate that feeling.

My question is to those that have went down all paths along their progressions - if you were to do it again, what would you do knowing what you know now?

Viewing

Bezels would drive me nuts. So, triple thin bezel LCD's (like the Samsung un46d7000) or are people migrating more toward triple projectors?

Chassis

I just bought my first house and have a spare room that I can dedicate. Aesthetics and wow factor are important; initially the RSeat Formula RS (yes, I've read about the shipping woes) caught my eye, but I'm more of a GT/ALMS guy vs F1, so I'm not sure if that seating position would translate well over time. More important, I'd like to add motion down the line and don't want to make a shortsighted decision. For example, going with a beautiful rig like the Human Racing GT Chassis would allow me to enjoy Forza 4 single screen now, but I can grow into it with triples when I build a PC (which I have no clue about, but that's probably another thread).

Motion options: DBox vs SimXperience

I've read about the benefits of both systems. The SimXperience setup was fun (a little aggressive at times, didn't care for the squeaking noises, but man it made me nervous to race...in a good way!) If I bought a fixed rig, adding motion would limit me to DBox only, right? Dbox is more than double the price, but going the SimXperience route means I'd have to ditch the fixed rig, no?

Is SimVibe a cheaper worthwhile way to fake motion? Does it make more sense to buy the fixed type rig now, enjoy, then sell when I want to upgrade to motion? Or just bite the bullet now with SimXperience's stage 3/4? I know everyone raves about the PC sims making console games look like child's play, but I still enjoy Forza 4 and think the next Xbox/Forza 5 will be awesome, so I don't want to neglect that.

I appreciate any and all help/opinions. Some of you guys are crazy, in an amazing way. I feel like my wallet is in trouble...

- Chris
 
My favourite way to play :) Human Racing with D-Box!

​
 
If you ahve the money just go ahead and get the simxperience stage 4. Why mess around with anything less if you don't have to. For me I love just using simvibe, but if I could go the stage 4 route without feeling really, really guilty about it then I would.
 
I've got Dbox and love it. Triple projectors and love that to.

There are interesting arguments for both in my VR3 thread.

Enjoy.
 
switchface
Is SimVibe a cheaper worthwhile way to fake motion?
Click to expand...

I've found SimVibe is perfectly partnered with motion, it almost fills in the gaps if you know what I mean. I couldn't imagine being without either personally

I cant argue d-box vs simxperience as I 've never tried d-box (although I'd love to) but motion is motion IMO, either will be awesome :)
 
Sort of off topic but how does Simcraft have Forza working with motion? They don't seem to have any association with Microsoft who used a custom dbox at e3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrKch_x6d74

edit NM I guess Microsoft has multiple motion sim partners
SimCraft worked directly with the development team at Turn 10 to interface SimCraft’s motion technology with the Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console system. Because Forza Motorsport 4 was still unreleased at the time of the party, physical testing of the product integration could not be performed until the day before the party. The systems blended nicely and performed flawlessly.

http://www.simcraft.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=78
 
Last edited:
Pilmat - dual setups? Pretty sweet! The motion may look subtle but I'm sure your brain fills in the rest. My friends would never leave!

bevo - I'm starting to think the same. I saw a neat video that really showcases the rear traction loss, that looks quite realistic.

museumsteve - I agree, any motion would be a lovely setup. I've also heard nothing but glowing reviews of the SimVibe setup.

Mayaman - your rig was one of the first that caught my attention, and got me to sign up here. I sent you a PM before this post, saying pretty much the same. Your thread was helpful and inspiring; I keep going back to it as you seem to be teasing some VR upgrades.

I didn't necessarily want to focus solely on the DBox vs SimExperience aspect of my question, but I guess that's my fault for rambling so much in my post. I find the benefit of the forums and it's members is to learn from the trials and tribulations of others before you.

I wouldn't say I have a ton of money burning a hole in my pocket (I don't), more that I could be impulsed into foolishly splurging knowing the smile on my face would justify the financial irresponsibility.

I'm looking more to avoid pigeonholeing myself with a decision. For example, I came close to pulling the trigger on the RS Formula, but now think that would have been a mistake since the seating position, while cool, wouldn't lend to all driving styles as well and could prevent me from going motion whenever that occured.
 
EDIT: You can't run motion on Consoles.. And Tactile Transducers are difficult to set up also. You'll need dedicated Amplifiers and Receivers... the Forza / SimCraft article is new to me.

Like many of us, we began with a simple idea which grew with our enjoyment (passion) for the hobby - and that's not just the racing but the whole immersion factor.

I spent a lot of time researching and implementing tactile Transducers and found it wasn't meeting my needs and became quite complicated. For Console Racing, piggy backing off the LFE channel and a big Buttkicker under my seat, it was great, the Transducer really did its job..!!!

Once I made the transition to PC racing, I haven't used my PS3 since - honestly..!

Then, once I went motion (D-Box) I have not turned on my transducers either. I made the custom platform to integrate my 3 Buttkickers, I've wired everything up but in reality I don't use it because the 4DOF D-Box provides all the tactile feedback I need on each corner. ** This is all pre SimVibe by the way **

So over time you go through simple additions which turns out to be a half rack filled with amps, receivers, pc, cables running... It is a lot of fun and challenging. Now I find myself simplifying things to lessen the load and just enjoy the experience of one power switch for the rig, and the other is the PC.

Best thing to do is think of the end result. You are lucky, you have the space, a dedicated room. Plan this and it will be simple.

The location of your PC while for me convenient in a rack meant I had to run 5 metre extensions on everything - that's just an example.. anyway -no recommendations on which way to go but if you want my 2 cents..

Try and spend the money once, so pick a system that won't limit you.

If you've got the budget for a D-Box in a years time, then get a VisionRacer VR3 or HumanRacing. Remember you can always start with 2DOF then add the other 2... You can't (I don't think) go 3DOF then add 1 more..

If SimXperience is your preference, then really you just need their Stage 1 Kit, Seat and Desk to mount your wheel etc - and grow from there..

Hope this has been of some help..

New Edit: So looking at your situation.

Planning to stick with XBox for a while - a 5.1ch Receiver, one Decent Size Buttkicker Kit (BK-Advance with Amp or greater) for LFE only. This will piggy back on the woofer signal for good rumbles under your seat (ripples, impact, gear changes etc).

For Tactile on console, you're buying an additional receiver for the 5.1ch just for tactile and then Amplifiers for each BK (2 ch amp, 2 BK's etc) - A lot of work for Tactile on Console - just being realisitic.

PC is a different ball game mate with SimVibe & then if you can Motion...
 
Last edited:
readyfe - this is exactly the type of insight into your progression that I'm looking for; thanks for the thorough response! Yeah, my aspirations are spiraling quickly, which is why it seems prudent to think about the final goal and reverse engineer to some extent.

Unless the next Xbox/Forza 5 makes drastic steps toward applying hardware, I won't be using triple/motion/tactile with it, so for sake of discussion we can forget about console racing.

No preference of SimExperience vs DBox as I've never tried the latter. Rear traction loss looks really fun with SE and the price is more attractive, while the cleanliness, simplicity, and ability to add onto an existing rig are pro's of DBox. I suppose its also a pro that it can be removed and sold if needed without compromising the rest of the rig. Are there any Vegas tradeshows for sim racing where someone can sample all of these setups in one spot?

As you mention, for progression purposes, I see possible paths:

1) Human Racing GT Chassis or VR3 now -> add SimVibe -> add Dbox 2DOF -> 4DOF

2) SimExperience stage 1 with applicable seat -> keep adding stages as I like

3) SimExperience stage 4

I should mention, while it seems fun monitoring the progression of everyone's builds, I'm not patient when it comes to troubleshooting and tinkering with setups. Which would be the most dummy proof, plug and play option?
 
switchface
I should mention, while it seems fun monitoring the progression of everyone's builds, I'm not patient when it comes to troubleshooting and tinkering with setups. Which would be the most dummy proof, plug and play option?
Click to expand...

Go with tried and tested, PM the guys who have got the kit you're interested in, Google YouTube Google YouTube.. or Bing..

Do your research and ask questions, we're all here to help.

I went from a Fanatec GT2 on a Rennsport Wheelstand in my living room to a full D-Box set up in under 12 months. A lot of great people here on gtplanet who will say it how it is.

Emotion will be your enemy, so be careful and Bing! (I really meant GOOGLE)!

Watch plenty of videos, subscribe and watch their 'tutorials' - some good info out there.

p.s. to answer your question - I don't know about SimX but D-BOX is VERY plug and play. You fit them, install the software, plug in USB and you're off - seriously!
 

Latest Posts

Back