What's up with ABS = OFF?

[unimental]

For anyone who's not tried it, run a few laps of time-trials with ABS turned completely OFF after doing the same thing with the default settings. You'll also want to adjust the braking pressure downwards as well. This can all be accomplished via the in-race tuning pop-up menu (map the five controls to your unused buttons on the wheel via the options screen first).

Obviously there's a dramatic difference in how you work the brake pedal, but there also seems to be some change in the handling dynamic of the car. There's a great deal of additional care that must be taken in terms of weight distribution throughout the braking zone that goes well beyond what even ABS at a setting of "1" demands. The sim feel increases by what seems to be a much greater amount than one would expect from such a change.

In comparison to all the sims I've played or do play (Forza 2 and the ISI based PC sims) there's no other game that has such a big jump in (appreciated!) difficulty between ABS being on or off. My opinion, of course.

Anyone else notice this? Perhaps I played too much of Prologue before this option was available, thus increasing the impact of the change.

Edit for clarification - This all assumes Pro physics are enabled, of course.

 

[Juice476]

I use the G25 and tried ABS off but for some reason (maybe because the wheel isnt technicaly supported) when I only press the pedal down maybe a forth I get full lock. It might be I have to adjust my break BIAS/Pressure. If anyone out there figured out how to use the full region of the brake pedal with abs off let me know.

 

[=ReBeL=]

Yes, I've noticed a big difference between ABS on/off. I've played a lot before spec II update with ABS on (of course), but the minute I've downloaded and installed update I changed to ABS off and now I'm always playing with ABS off and love it - especially in on-line races. After getting used to it I can't go back to ABS on. The breaks are a lot sharper and you can adjust the breaking depending on the corner.

I should mention I'm always playing in PRO mode, with all aids off and (unfortunatly) still on pad. But I'll be buying wheel soon.

Anyway I recommend to everybody - switch your ABS off! 👍

 

[unimental]

I use the G25 and tried ABS off but for some reason (maybe because the wheel isnt technicaly supported) when I only press the pedal down maybe a forth I get full lock. It might be I have to adjust my break BIAS/Pressure. If anyone out there figured out how to use the full region of the brake pedal with abs off let me know.

Default brake pressure is 5 (out of 10) for both front and rear. I drop both to at least 3 and then attempt to be as smooth as possible with brake application. Old braking habits will result in a quick lock-up.

 

[Jay]

I turn off ABS on the cars that don't have it in real life (like the F40, 512BB, F2007, TVR's etc) I find that not only do you need to be skilled on the brake pedal, but down shifting with the G25 + clutch you need to be much more careful, as compression lock can happen and spin or unstabilise the car. For this reason Heel and Toe is important. Overall comparing non ABS threshold braking to ABS 1 in GT5P when done properly the braking distances are about the same but with ABS you have more steering control while hard trailing-in and ABS seems to keep the car much much more stable.

In terms of lap times, when you threshold brake and heel and toe correctly there is very little in it.

 

[Juice476]

Default brake pressure is 5 (out of 10) for both front and rear. I drop both to at least 3 and then attempt to be as smooth as possible with brake application. Old braking habits will result in a quick lock-up.

Ok will try that out thanks

 

[Juice476]

I turn off ABS on the cars that don't have it in real life (like the F40, 512BB, F2007, TVR's etc) I find that not only do you need to be skilled on the brake pedal, but down shifting with the G25 + clutch you need to be much more careful, as compression lock can happen and spin or unstabilise the car. For this reason Heel and Toe is important. Overall comparing non ABS threshold braking to ABS 1 in GT5P when done properly the braking distances are about the same but with ABS you have more steering control while hard trailing-in and ABS seems to keep the car much much more stable.

In terms of lap times, when you threshold brake and heel and toe correctly there is very little in it.

Yeah but its all about what you want to get out of the game. Do you want it easy with superfast lap times or do you want it harder with closer to real life lap times.

 

[Jay]

Yeah I don't care too much about superfast lap times, which is why when I test cars like the TVR's in Arcade TT I still turn off the ABS (realtime adjustment), even though I could probably get a better time (or atleast a great time easier) with it on.

I don't change brake pressure either, always stays 5.

 

[magburner]

Default brake pressure is 5 (out of 10) for both front and rear. I drop both to at least 3 and then attempt to be as smooth as possible with brake application. Old braking habits will result in a quick lock-up.

I've tried 'ABS OFF' on the sixaxis, but the already dodgy analogue buttons make feathering the brakes something of a magic trick.

There seems to be a super thin line between full pressure and no pressure. I wish PD would implement the 'analogue button system' they had on GT4, I could level both accelerator and brakes without even thinking about it!

I will try with my DFP over the weekend, to see if I have any better luck! 👍

 

[MustangSVT]

For anyone who's not tried it, run a few laps of time-trials with ABS turned completely OFF after doing the same thing with the default settings. You'll also want to adjust the braking pressure downwards as well. This can all be accomplished via the in-race tuning pop-up menu (map the five controls to your unused buttons on the wheel via the options screen first).

Obviously there's a dramatic difference in how you work the brake pedal, but there also seems to be some change in the handling dynamic of the car. There's a great deal of additional care that must be taken in terms of weight distribution throughout the braking zone that goes well beyond what even ABS at a setting of "1" demands. The sim feel increases by what seems to be a much greater amount than one would expect from such a change.

In comparison to all the sims I've played or do play (Forza 2 and the ISI based PC sims) there's no other game that has such a big jump in (appreciated!) difficulty between ABS being on or off. My opinion, of course.

Anyone else notice this? Perhaps I played too much of Prologue before this option was available, thus increasing the impact of the change.

Edit for clarification - This all assumes Pro physics are enabled, of course.

Appreciate your comments, but I don't think the "sim" feel increases that much. I play Forza 2 online as part of a touring car and Le Mans league where we don't allow ABS (and for touring car no TCS either), and the "sim" feeling is definetely there esp. when racing against some of the really good people in that league.

I only hope that when the full GT5 comes out, it provides that sort of experience as well with a organized league and touring car-style races.

 

[nick09]

I've tried 'ABS OFF' on the sixaxis, but the already dodgy analogue buttons make feathering the brakes something of a magic trick.

There seems to be a super thin line between full pressure and no pressure. I wish PD would implement the 'analogue button system' they had on GT4, I could level both accelerator and brakes without even thinking about it!

I will try with my DFP over the weekend, to see if I have any better luck! 👍

If I were you I would set brake as L2, acceleration as R2, use the left analog stick to steer, and if you use manual set the gears as L1 and R1.

The trigger buttons and analog stick really help.

 

[Juice476]

Is there any what to use the Real time with the G25?

 

[Jay]

Is there any what to use the Real time with the G25?

If you mean real time adjustments then yes, you just need to go to and change the controller button assignments in options.

 

[Rocket Punch]

For anyone who's not tried it, run a few laps of time-trials with ABS turned completely OFF after doing the same thing with the default settings. You'll also want to adjust the braking pressure downwards as well. This can all be accomplished via the in-race tuning pop-up menu (map the five controls to your unused buttons on the wheel via the options screen first).

Obviously there's a dramatic difference in how you work the brake pedal, but there also seems to be some change in the handling dynamic of the car. There's a great deal of additional care that must be taken in terms of weight distribution throughout the braking zone that goes well beyond what even ABS at a setting of "1" demands. The sim feel increases by what seems to be a much greater amount than one would expect from such a change.

In comparison to all the sims I've played or do play (Forza 2 and the ISI based PC sims) there's no other game that has such a big jump in (appreciated!) difficulty between ABS being on or off. My opinion, of course.

Anyone else notice this? Perhaps I played too much of Prologue before this option was available, thus increasing the impact of the change.

Edit for clarification - This all assumes Pro physics are enabled, of course.

Yup and well put.

Not only the brake force requires adjusting, turning the ABS off actually change the dynamics of the car as now suspension settings will have to compensate some the the tendency for the brakes to lockup.

Play without it and you will realize how much of the imperfections in driving and settings are being masked by the ABS. The same also applies to TCS.

 

[Dazzla]

I play with ABS on, I'm not that great with Pro mode yet, so ABS is quite far away for me.

 

[imthesoldier]

Yup and well put.

Not only the brake force requires adjusting, turning the ABS off actually change the dynamics of the car as now suspension settings will have to compensate some the the tendency for the brakes to lockup.

Play without it and you will realize how much of the imperfections in driving and settings are being masked by the ABS. The same also applies to TCS.

Absolutely. It forces you to pay attention a lot more in your driving.

Perfect example is GT Legends or GTR2 for PC. With no driver aids including ABS and such, it truely is you and the car driving. When I first tried it out, it was a bit tricky, but in the end I've come used to it and you feel more connected with the car as well.

"It's just Road, Seat, Arse, the end." -Jeremy Clarkson

 

[xiv_R_A_I_D_E_R]

I just took ABS off on my '02 NSX & it feels like I have more control over my braking & I'm also cornering better what a difference it makes