Any of my fellow track rats/racers use a racing simulator when not on track?

[Rapidrezults]

I was looking into getting a full motion racing simulator for the house to learn new tracks and have some fun when I'm not able to get out on track. I know nothing beats real world seat time but I've heard some of the newer technology in the full motion stuff is phenomnial. In my research, I came across these guys at SimXperience which seem to provide a great product for the price. When I spoke with Darin, one of the owners, he mentioned that a majority of the R&D for their systems came from their father Bernie Villers Sr. who was a racer and actually raced a Viper in Viper Days! I was kinda sold after hearing that. Lol

http://simxperience.com

Anyone else ever look into these things? Watching the youtube videos they seem like a top notch product.

[fuggles]

I've looked into these drooling every time. The guys at Vesaro seem to be the top of the line. http://www.vesaro.com/ Sweet machines.
Also CXC showed their latest creation at CES this year. http://www.cxcsimulations.com/products/motion-pro/

One concern I have is the software they are running. Some of the best physics engines are in the gaming world. PC & Xbox. Did they write their own software? If so, I doubt it's as good as the gamer stuff. I'd hate to drop all that cash on hardware and the software sucks.

For now I can't justify the price. I am pretty happy with a Fanatec wheel and pedals on xbox. Forza has one of the best driving physics in the world. No seat of the pants feedback but the tracks are extremely well done. I've read the Project Cars is pretty good. Also IRacing on pc has a few of the club tracks.

[str5010]

Unfortunately I don't have a motion rig but I built my own simple stationary cockpit out of aluminum and it works pretty well for the investment cost. Iracing seems to be the most realistic training experience when you look at the whole package. Certainly the technology they use to map tracks including laser scanning is at the top of the class.

[Herrsss]

I just checked with Ben Keating since I knew he has a great one but couldn't remember the brand. He said he shopped for 12 months and settled on the Blue Tiger. He says it gives him the feeling of a GT car rather than a formula car which many of them are built to simulate. Bottom line is he loves it!

I just found out that it has moved the marketing over to http://www.eleetus.com/home.

[Slithr]

I just found out that it has moved the marketing over to http://www.eleetus.com/home.

Beth, did you get one while on their website ...... I can't wait to try it

[dmann]

I don't have that fancy setup that you posted but...I started using the iracing simulator recently and it really does provide a good racing experience. I built a new rig and it does a good job at getting my head into the race.

However, I have a friend that piece milled his simulator as well and it is amazing. He has the nice thrustmaster wheel and pedal combo, triple monitors, bass shaker for the seat and pedals, motion chair for G force simulation, surround sound, and finally 3 D Glasses. The feedback from his system is amazing!

The key to building these simulators is the PC. Make it fast and get a good video card.
It's very addictive

-David

[rw99]

I've looked into these drooling every time. The guys at Vesaro seem to be the top of the line. http://www.vesaro.com/ Sweet machines.
Also CXC showed their latest creation at CES this year. http://www.cxcsimulations.com/products/motion-pro/

One concern I have is the software they are running. Some of the best physics engines are in the gaming world. PC & Xbox. Did they write their own software? If so, I doubt it's as good as the gamer stuff. I'd hate to drop all that cash on hardware and the software sucks.

For now I can't justify the price. I am pretty happy with a Fanatec wheel and pedals on xbox. Forza has one of the best driving physics in the world. No seat of the pants feedback but the tracks are extremely well done. I've read the Project Cars is pretty good. Also IRacing on pc has a few of the club tracks.

AHA, just the opportunity I was looking for to do a Forza semi-hijack! (And thanks for the heads-up on Fanatec, Kent.) Finally had to buy an XBOne after the 360 showed signs of potential self-immolation over the holidays. I rarely game anymore, but we use the console as our app gateway (Netflix, etc). ANYWAY, Forza has always been a favorite of mine and I bought FM6 with the XBOne. Wow! It's just plain stunning. I immediately set out to earn enough credits to buy the electronic clones of the cars in my garage, and then set about trying to paint them to match... not sure why I find this to be so fun, but why not drive your own cars in the virtual world

Lighting on the pics really differs, but you get the general idea. The real thing:




Forza:






The other MOPAR, reality:




...and in Forza:




So forgive me the off-topicness, but Forza is keeping me sane during El Nino...

[fuggles]

Awesome Rich. The cars look fantastic. I have to design one for mine now.

[Rapidrezults]

AHA, just the opportunity I was looking for to do a Forza semi-hijack! (And thanks for the heads-up on Fanatec, Kent.) Finally had to buy an XBOne after the 360 showed signs of potential self-immolation over the holidays. I rarely game anymore, but we use the console as our app gateway (Netflix, etc). ANYWAY, Forza has always been a favorite of mine and I bought FM6 with the XBOne. Wow! It's just plain stunning. I immediately set out to earn enough credits to buy the electronic clones of the cars in my garage, and then set about trying to paint them to match... not sure why I find this to be so fun, but why not drive your own cars in the virtual world

Lighting on the pics really differs, but you get the general idea. The real thing:


So forgive me the off-topicness, but Forza is keeping me sane during El Nino...

Love it! Dude, when are you gonna have a Forza party and have everyone over for some friendly competition? Lol

- - - Updated - - -

I just checked with Ben Keating since I knew he has a great one but couldn't remember the brand. He said he shopped for 12 months and settled on the Blue Tiger. He says it gives him the feeling of a GT car rather than a formula car which many of them are built to simulate. Bottom line is he loves it!

I just found out that it has moved the marketing over to http://www.eleetus.com/home.

Thanks for the feedback, I'm going to look into these guys!

[schulmann]

Our club tried one of those high end Nascar professional simulators and it was a stunning experience. We were 8 guys.
It was organized before a birthday party dinner.

First, there was a 30 min presentation on how to throw up when you are in the simulator, we were laughing like kids.
Then the owner offert a Gravol to each participants from a HUGE box. None of us took a pill. We were loughing like kids.

14h Sessions have started in the 8 simulator.
14h15 first guy throws up
14h30 I force my self to stay in the car but I give up
14h45 Last guy jumps out of the simulator.
15h00 we are just on the floor and trying to recover

At 20h30 none of us have had a beer yet !

Take a Gravol before you get into one of those highly professional $1 000 000 simulator.