F1 Sim Rig - Advice Please!

[Ollerton57]

I'd add another vote for Sim-lab. I have their GT1-Evo and it's great, very solid. I have their integrated monitor mount, but be warned, any integrated mount will move a bit with force feedback. It don't affect me as I use VR, but something to consider. If I chose to race off screen, I'd probably get a separate monitor frame.

Another consideration is what you play. I also got my rig for the xbox, but then I got fed up not finding good multiplayer races and I had gotten bored of single player. I've since built a PC and race iracing exclusively and love it.

For what you were going to spend on a frame, you could get a sim-lab or similar and put some of the difference towards a gaming PC. It doesn't have to be particularly high spec to run iracing. I have i59600, nvidia 2070 and 16GB and it runs well with VR (rift s) at a solid 80fps.

[Ollerton57]

I'd add another vote for Sim-lab. I have their GT1-Evo and it's great, very solid. I have their integrated monitor mount, but be warned, any integrated mount will move a bit with force feedback. It don't affect me as I use VR, but something to consider. If I chose to race off screen, I'd probably get a separate monitor frame.

Another consideration is what you play. I also got my rig for the xbox, but then I got fed up not finding good multiplayer races and I had gotten bored of single player. I've since built a PC and race iracing exclusively and love it.

For what you were going to spend on a frame, you could get a sim-lab or similar and put some of the difference towards a gaming PC. It doesn't have to be particularly high spec to run iracing. I have i59600, nvidia 2070 and 16GB and it runs well with VR (rift s) at a solid 80fps.

[nickpan]

Thank you all for the fantastic advice. I really appreciate it.

I considered all cockpit options but in the end have opted for a Playseat F1 Ultimate edition as I was very attracted to the aesthetic. It is very expensive but I figured it was the one item that would depreciate the least quickly if looked after given that it is non tech.

I’ve opted for the Playseat TV Stand pro as well.

The next purchase will be the screen - all recommendations welcome. I’d like a single curbed monitor - not triple.

[seefarr]

I wouldn't go mad on the screen. VR was easily the most transformative thing to the whole simulator experience for me and I can't imagine driving without it now. Most* people seem to find that seated VR experiences (driving, flying etc.) don't make you sick as your body is receiving the same inputs as your eyes.

[nickpan]

seefarr said:

I wouldn't go mad on the screen. VR was easily the most transformative thing to the whole simulator experience for me and I can't imagine driving without it now. Most* people seem to find that seated VR experiences (driving, flying etc.) don't make you sick as your body is receiving the same inputs as your eyes.

Hadn’t even considered this. Please can you recommend a model?

I’ll be building a PC to go with the rig.

[Red Firecracker]

seefarr said:

I wouldn't go mad on the screen. VR was easily the most transformative thing to the whole simulator experience for me and I can't imagine driving without it now. Most* people seem to find that seated VR experiences (driving, flying etc.) don't make you sick as your body is receiving the same inputs as your eyes.

10 minutes at Brands on VR and two days feeling really crap. I went back to triples

[Jester27]

I am not speaking from experience as I have not yet driven with VR, but this is what I have gathered from my research:

• not all games support VR
• VR is not eye tracking but head tracking, so you need to move your whole head to look sideways.
• Mixed reactions from people, some cannot do 10mins, some feel very disoriented after a while, some get on with it fine.
• you have something over your head and eyes for some time, sweaty heavy after a while, constrictive, not much fun after a while compared to looking at a screen
• You cannot see anything around you, so you if you are relying on seeing the buttons or lights on the wheel or a button box, forget it. In between races, you will want to be on your keyboard and will be constantly taking the VR headset on and off, a real drag after a while.
• you will be completely unaware of your surroundings, if anyone else is in the house or a pet comes in and even touches you, it will freak you out!
• do you wear glasses? Need to get a set that is not affected or indeed allows the use of glasses without performance reduction
• need to select a VR headset that allows the use of headphones and a microphone, you will be needing these.
• VR is in it’s 1st and 2nd generation for domestic use, still quite immature, so don’t raise expectations too high.

I’ll be going VR too for occasional fun, but don’t depend on it instead of a good screen solution, you may regret it.

[RichTT]

Hello chaps, I've decided to flog the bits and bobs from a few previous hobbies and look at buying a sim rig to play on.

I've got a rough buylist which is as follows:

Playseat Evo Pro w/ gearshift mount - 326.00
Thrustmaster TX wheel / 3 x pedals / gearshift rig 739.00
Pro-simrig monitor stand - 120.00
34" curved monitor - 400.00

This takes me to about 1500 quid.

The last time I bought a gaming PC was 2014 (in anticipation for Star Citizen!!). and I spent about 1400. However as I look about I realise I am totally out of touch with what's relevant or suitable for a sim racing setup. I don't think I'll be going hardcore with iRacing but want probably something like AC / rFactor. I would possibly like to try out VR as well so not sure what PC specs or budget I need to be aiming for?

Any advice welcome.

[Diablos-666]

I’m doing pretty much the same.

I bought the rig 2nd hand



I bought the monitor for £400

I also bought a Xbox one x but I’m not keen on it so decided to build a PC (never done it before). My budget was £1k and went £200 over.

AMD Ryzen 7 3700x
MSI Mag B550 m Mortar mATX
Planteks Eclipse P400a
PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT Red Devil
EVGA 650w PSU
G.skill ripjaws v 2x8gb
Seagate barracuda 2TB
Samsung 970 evo 1TB

You’ll need a powerful GPU to run VR, this will be your biggest expense.

[nickpan]

I’ve just purchased my PC for the rig I’m building.

I was guided by another forum member’s very helpful post on P1 of this thread.

After a bit of snooping around eBay, I bagged the following spec from HP’s renew programme for £999.

Felt like decent value.

HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop TG01-0700ng PC
AMD RYZEN 7-3700X |3.6GHz|16GB|2x8GB|SSD 1TB PCIe NVMe|GFX Nvd GeF RTX2060 6GB|WIFI|Bluetooth - Win10 64

[skinny]

RichTT said:

I've got a rough buylist which is as follows:

Playseat Evo Pro w/ gearshift mount - 326.00
Thrustmaster TX wheel / 3 x pedals / gearshift rig 739.00
Pro-simrig monitor stand - 120.00
34" curved monitor - 400.00

That seems very expensive for the TX, I'd look for a TS-XW or TS-PC from thrustmaster, or fanatec for that money

[RichTT]

skinny said:

That seems very expensive for the TX, I'd look for a TS-XW or TS-PC from thrustmaster, or fanatec for that money

That was the direct prices from the Thrustmaster website as I specced it up. I'll keep looking though. I'm not heartset on the Thrustmaster it just seemed to get good reviews and is modular enough for what I want.

[nickpan]

Evening All,

The Playseat arrived this evening in a very very large box. In effect, this is step 1 of the F1 rig build.

Lots more equipment on its way... so more photos to follow in the coming weeks.

[RichTT]

Must admit that looks properly cool.

[Jester27]

That looks very cool 👍

[satans worm]

Jester27 said:

I am not speaking from experience as I have not yet driven with VR, but this is what I have gathered from my research:

• not all games support VR
• VR is not eye tracking but head tracking, so you need to move your whole head to look sideways.
• Mixed reactions from people, some cannot do 10mins, some feel very disoriented after a while, some get on with it fine.
• you have something over your head and eyes for some time, sweaty heavy after a while, constrictive, not much fun after a while compared to looking at a screen
• You cannot see anything around you, so you if you are relying on seeing the buttons or lights on the wheel or a button box, forget it. In between races, you will want to be on your keyboard and will be constantly taking the VR headset on and off, a real drag after a while.
• you will be completely unaware of your surroundings, if anyone else is in the house or a pet comes in and even touches you, it will freak you out!
• do you wear glasses? Need to get a set that is not affected or indeed allows the use of glasses without performance reduction
• need to select a VR headset that allows the use of headphones and a microphone, you will be needing these.
• VR is in it’s 1st and 2nd generation for domestic use, still quite immature, so don’t raise expectations too high.

I’ll be going VR too for occasional fun, but don’t depend on it instead of a good screen solution, you may regret it.

So to counter this

All racing games you will want to play with a serious set up like you have are VR capable
Nothing is eye tracking! And monitors are not even head tracking! Head tracking is much more natural for hitting the apex, you don’t lock your head straight forward when driving after all
A few people do get motion sickness, but in the tiny minority, especially in racing games( walking games whilst sitting however can be more prone)
Yes you have to wear it , so not as comfortable as not weari;g it, probably the largest downside, the index is supposed to be a lot better
When racing you only need your wheel and pedals! And the buttons on the wheel become second nature after a while, even if you can’t see them . Again, it is a pain to lift it up, but it does not become a real drag
Can’t be bothered to answer the next one as pretty irrelevant, try locking your door if your that bothered but the reason it freaks you out is that your so involved, your in the car for real it feels!
Most decent VR sets will allow for glasses
They all come with headphones, why do you need a mic?
Yes VR is new, so what?

To be honest your post is so unhelpful, someone who has never used it just being negative.

VR is the biggest upgrade for car racing in a long time.
It’s hard to explain , but you are in the car, no matter where you look, you are in the car, alt he details are complete, look out the window over the side, the back seat , it’s all rendered.
The open cock pit ones are the best(i think)
Sensation is superb, I can’t wax lyrical about enough, iVR was made for simulations!
I believe the index from valve is the best for the moment, released last year , I’ve heard the HP2 is about to be released and also v good

With the set up your going for it’s a no brainier

[nickpan]

satans worm said:

Jester27 said:

I am not speaking from experience as I have not yet driven with VR, but this is what I have gathered from my research:

• not all games support VR
• VR is not eye tracking but head tracking, so you need to move your whole head to look sideways.
• Mixed reactions from people, some cannot do 10mins, some feel very disoriented after a while, some get on with it fine.
• you have something over your head and eyes for some time, sweaty heavy after a while, constrictive, not much fun after a while compared to looking at a screen
• You cannot see anything around you, so you if you are relying on seeing the buttons or lights on the wheel or a button box, forget it. In between races, you will want to be on your keyboard and will be constantly taking the VR headset on and off, a real drag after a while.
• you will be completely unaware of your surroundings, if anyone else is in the house or a pet comes in and even touches you, it will freak you out!
• do you wear glasses? Need to get a set that is not affected or indeed allows the use of glasses without performance reduction
• need to select a VR headset that allows the use of headphones and a microphone, you will be needing these.
• VR is in it’s 1st and 2nd generation for domestic use, still quite immature, so don’t raise expectations too high.

I’ll be going VR too for occasional fun, but don’t depend on it instead of a good screen solution, you may regret it.

So to counter this

All racing games you will want to play with a serious set up like you have are VR capable
Nothing is eye tracking! And monitors are not even head tracking! Head tracking is much more natural for hitting the apex, you don’t lock your head straight forward when driving after all
A few people do get motion sickness, but in the tiny minority, especially in racing games( walking games whilst sitting however can be more prone)
Yes you have to wear it , so not as comfortable as not weari;g it, probably the largest downside, the index is supposed to be a lot better
When racing you only need your wheel and pedals! And the buttons on the wheel become second nature after a while, even if you can’t see them . Again, it is a pain to lift it up, but it does not become a real drag
Can’t be bothered to answer the next one as pretty irrelevant, try locking your door if your that bothered but the reason it freaks you out is that your so involved, your in the car for real it feels!
Most decent VR sets will allow for glasses
They all come with headphones, why do you need a mic?
Yes VR is new, so what?

To be honest your post is so unhelpful, someone who has never used it just being negative.

VR is the biggest upgrade for car racing in a long time.
It’s hard to explain , but you are in the car, no matter where you look, you are in the car, alt he details are complete, look out the window over the side, the back seat , it’s all rendered.
The open cock pit ones are the best(i think)
Sensation is superb, I can’t wax lyrical about enough, iVR was made for simulations!
I believe the index from valve is the best for the moment, released last year , I’ve heard the HP2 is about to be released and also v good

With the set up your going for it’s a no brainier

Thanks. I’m not ruling out VR in the long run. It’s certainly something I’d like to try once the rig is up and running.

[Red Firecracker]

VR is one of those things that some people love, some people like, some people don't like and some people hate, with all the usual strong opinions normal of the Internet.

I'm in the last category, unfortunately. Tried it, made me ill. Persisted with it in small chunks to try and 'teach' my brain, didn't work. So be it, hello again triple screens.

I would advise you to definitely try it though.

[Jester27]

satans worm said:

To be honest your post is so unhelpful, someone who has never used it just being negative.

Really? I already said I’m going down that route myself. I’m really looking forward to trying it out, but expecting it to enhance my sim experience but not replace, so merely suggesting the same to OP not to ignore getting a decent monitor set up as well. This is why I answered the previous post. I was just sharing what I have found during my research, that’s all,
Red Firecracker seems to also share a view of caution, he must be wrong about VR too is he?
...so if VR is the final answer, how come it is not universally adopted by all simracers? Might work great for you, but of all the videos and set ups I see very little reliance on it.

Let’s counter your counter, just start with the 1st one shall we?

satans worm said:

All racing games you will want to play with a serious set up like you have are VR capable

Know this do we? I happen to know that Nickpan has bought F1 2020 - does not support VR out the box, and the mod currently available looks pretty sketchy. I think this makes your post so unhelpful.

You come across as a fanboy and will not hear anything bad about what you know if absolutely right for everyone, and if they disagree they are wrong.

Edited by Jester27 on Sunday 13th December 03:04

[bobbysmithy]

Jester27 said:

Know this do we? I happen to know that Nickpan has bought F1 2020 - does not support VR out the box, and the mod currently available looks pretty sketchy. I think this makes your post so unhelpful.

You come across as a fanboy and will not hear anything bad about what you know if absolutely right for everyone, and if they disagree they are wrong.

Edited by Jester27 on Sunday 13th December 03:04

Why so agro?