Racing lines on or off...

[Drakey]

....I've been playing since release but by no means a die hard gamer, with work and family commitments - just been playing and thought to myself , if I'd be half as good without the lines on!!!!
So many tracks to remember, do you serious gamers see it as a big cheat???

 

[Bangai-O]

No I think its a good learning tool. You'll understand the basics after a while but often there is a better line or braking point, it holds you back in a way. If you just think about the racing line as generally being the straightest possible line I think it is easy to grasp. Personally I find having the racing line really distracting! The worn in tire marks on the track are a much less intrusive guide.

 

[Senojelyk]

I use it as a guide around tracks that I'm not familiar with, like the Nurburgring. I don't rely on the braking it says, usually cause it tells me to brake in the middle of the corner instead of before.. but its nice to have it to remind me that a turn is sharper then i thought by looking at the map.
Tracks like Laguna Seca that I know really well I just leave it off

 

[Joey D]

I use it to help me learn a track, although now that I've put some time into the game I find myself using it less on the classic tracks like Deep Forest or Grand Valley. I think once I get the tracks down I'll be turning it off since I won't have a need for it.

 

[toyota_gt1]

I've NEVER used racing lines. It just gets in the way and always tends to hurt more than help.

 

[bigguy733]

It's not a cheat, it's more so a handicap option. I've never had racing lines turned on only because I'm trying to get the most realistic experience I possibly can. (plus I'm faster with them off) Theres absolutely no shame in using them though. They'll definitely help you learn!

 

[J.Speed]

Used it for the first few days to get a feel for the tracks, after awhile you realize that there is much faster lines to take, but they are extremely helpful for your first time on a new track.

 

[tyl0r_r]

I used it all the time in Prologue for most tracks... I haven't even turned it on yet in GT5 and I'm doing much better than I thought I would! I think without the racing line you can have a nicer graphical experience. I wouldn't call it a cheat, just something to help you learn tracks! But in online races everyone should be equal, either all have it or nobody can!

 

[Nightingale]

Once you realize that there is no such thing as an "ideal line", you'll see that the racing lines are worthless. It would probably do you better to just turn it off.

 

[lildomplaya]

I use it to help me learn a track, although now that I've put some time into the game I find myself using it less on the classic tracks like Deep Forest or Grand Valley. I think once I get the tracks down I'll be turning it off since I won't have a need for it.

Same with me, but I use the driving line in the license test & the special events just for the gold.

 

[Rossticles]

The driving line is very distracting as I will find myself trying to follow the it correctly instead of the course. I dislike the line as it will tell you to brake far too early and sometimes brake on fast corners when you don't even need to (Suzuka 130R, Coca-Cola Corner @ Fuji, after 1st hairpin @ GVS). The only situation I've used it in GT5 are for the new courses to get a hint on a good line to take and on the special events as they are quite difficult. I will likely turn the line back on when attempting the Vettel X1 challenge.

 

[Funky P]

The line is an assist like all the others, its not the most optimal or the fastest.

 

[dhandeh]

I have driving line on only when playing online, it gives me a guide to what others may be about to do and where they may be braking.

 

[sunnygsm]

Use it to learn tracks, then take it off. Really distracting some times.

 

[drastick]

The driving line is a good line to take, but don't follow their braking suggestions... Sometimes it's just really really wrong.

 

[reaperman]

I like it. I have trouble seeing which direction the road turns sometimes, and the line helps me know which side of the road to be on to set myself up for the corner. They also warn me when online players and AI cars are going to slam *full* on the brakes.

Online they're really important for other reasons too. If you turn it off for everybody, the first corner is nearly 100% fatal due to punting.

 

[MidianGTX]

The racing line is far from useless. Yes there are faster lines, but even if you choose to take those ones, the racing line is a good marker to judge it by. I find myself taking my own lines, but I keep the racing line on and think "OK so here it's better to be slightly to the right of the racing line, and brake a second later than it recommends".

Of course after you've mastered your new line you can turn it off.

 

[TenEightyOne]

I've never ever used the racing line. Ever.

Until I raced on the Top Gear track...

 

[Icarus25]

I use it on the licenses and some special events. It's pretty handy at night to help see the road.

 

[xchristox]

....I've been playing since release but by no means a die hard gamer, with work and family commitments - just been playing and thought to myself , if I'd be half as good without the lines on!!!!
So many tracks to remember, do you serious gamers see it as a big cheat???

i think racing lines are pretty ridiculous. Unless you you have never driven a car in real life I don't see any reason to use it. If i follow the racing lines I'll be much slower than without. Racing lines gives you the best line when cruising around, not when you're racing it to the maximum.

 

[audi S4]

I would say if you are using it as a learning tool thats understandable. But really if you follow that line exactly many times that is actually a slower line. Really. There are faster ways to take the corners. Enter a corner a little fast or go wider as to hit the apex just a little later resulting in better acceleration. (kinda like full on race cars do, in slow, harder out) So to me the line hinders my abilities, even on tacks that I've never raced. I take it easy first lap and fall in line, then start to push.

Does anyone notice this? Im using a wheel.

 

[abaxas]

Why not do a bit of both?

I played up to level 15 with driving line and automatic gears. Then changed over to no line and manual.

I always find this is the best way, as to switch everything off at the beginning (other than driver aids) is silly as you dont get to learn the game as much.

Now the game is 20x harder, which is perfect for my 'needs'.

 

[blindsidefive0]

Racing lines are good to learn a new track if you are struggling. However, only use it for a lap or two to "see where the track goes."

You don't want to get "good" at using the racing lines because it causes bad habits:
1) you don't actually learn the track. A big part of learning any new circuit is picking up visual cues around the track for braking points, turn-in, apex, and track out reference points. If you are looking at the line, you don't ever learn these as well.
2) Looking ahead. This is the biggest mistake of beginner drivers in real life, and it absolutely translates to the track. If you are always looking at the line, you have a tendency to start looking only 1 reference point in front of you (i.e. if you are approaching a corner, you have the tendency to stare at the turn in point). Really as you are approaching you should be locating the apex, if possible, or even the track out if you can see through the corner.

 

[HN7]

I find it very distracting. It's better to drive slow and learn the track than to drive fast and use the line IMO.

 

[doozle]

Used it to begin with, turned it off.

Occasionally turn it on during night time rallies so I can see where I'm going.

 

[dardoonk]

I leave it on so I know where NOT to go when the AI is near me.

 

[RacingManiac]

I started using it at first because it was on by default, and over the weekend I switched it off part way through and didn't miss it...

It was useful on the new tracks though since I don't know them. But once you get some laps on them it does nothing for me then....

I find the map in rallying even more annoying though, since its right in front of you and for whatever reason its always on by default...

 

[NISM0_SKYLINE]

Race lines for me are always off. They get in the way and I usually have my own lines I like to take, even if they are longer .

 

[speedthrill]

Always off here, good for the ever first racing game you play, after that, time to learn the track on your own.

Every car is different and sometimes it translates to different lines, or when it rains you need other lines too.

 

[j8mie]

It's funny because I leave them on, but I hardly ever us them. There are much faster ways through most of the corners and those braking points are far too "safe" for my liking. That said there is no harm in using them to learn the racing line.

I do think however I'd struggle a bit more without the map. Until I've learned the track layout I find myself using the map a lot.