So You Want To Start Sim Racing? WATCH THIS first.

[@simracingden]

I've now uploaded a version of this video with no background music and better audio levels if you prefer to watch without background music, click here kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6jOiqpngc6Nqbc

[@unkajimmy858]

the BGM reminded me of GRID Autosport, TBQF I liked it

[@marlongrunen2221]

where do you got the display in your PC at 6:51. I also have the H7 from nzxt and it looks so amazing witht the display in the top right corner :D Btw rlly nice video. I recently started to play race room on my PC with mous and keybord and it was horrible xd with controller its much better but rlly thanks for the video i now know what i should buy next for a better experience :D

[@simracingden]

@@marlongrunen2221 Hey thanks! here is the display I bought for the PC from Amazon, comes with software as well to set it up pretty simple - geni.us/s75xq

[@dogschosenpeople]

by golly- a courteous fella! Thanks for the help!

[@einmensch14]

@@simracingden Hey there, I was asking myself how you got the spaces between the different monitors, like they were part of the screen. Did you buy something for that or did you just move the monitors in a specific position?

[@lcn2snipe]

Big tip... make your own cockpit... its very easy and you save a ton of money. I made mine out of wood and its been steady and strong for over 2 years now and i use it regularly

[@simracingden]

Yes that's certainly a great option I've seen some amazing DIY cockpits.

[@JP-wu8ek]

Another $ save is to use inside out water shoes (insoles put back in) as sim racing shoes.

[@talon1706]

I built my first sim rig from my wife's seldom used exercise machine. I added wood panels for the body after some cutting and welding. Had an Acura seat with the adjustment motors still functioning. Connected to a 12v battery charger. Now I have a GT Omega sim racer. And sim racing in VR is awesome.

[@lcn2snipe]

@@nandyvara you must of never picked a tool up in your life

[@1936Glen]

@@nandyvara if you plan it out right, building yourself can be easily and infinitely adjustable.

[@jthompson6189]

Console was an easy choice because of money. I was able to buy chair, wheel, pedals and a VR headset for what a gaming PC can cost, let alone then buying all the sim racing gear. I wish i could afford a PC, but food is more important. I feel fortunate to have what i have though

[@vtg1800]

Nah I think PS5 with GT7 are better then PC with FH5 or Asseto. Because PSVR 2 very awesome with eye tracking. But I prefer PC and PS5 are enough not for Xbox.

[@jonasweiss5817]

I'm a retired racing pro whose kids went thru all of this. Not being a naysayer, but be careful to realize that real racing is a tough job that is not necessarily fun. The wheel is the least fun part, in any form of racing. It is constantly pushing back at you and conveying the lack of grip you are dealing with. SO, the more real your sim hardware is, the less fun you're going to have. If your sim is not coddling you and is true to physics, you'll find that racing competitively is very difficult to do well at all. Just a voice from the real seat. My opinion. You can spend too much and come to realize what I'm saying.

[@simracingden]

Thanks for sharing your insights as a retired racer. Your point about sim hardware realism is spot on. Sims can be challenging and less fun, but it's about finding what works for each person.

[@geosobservations9496]

I like your perspective on it. As an avid used car buyer. Father of 4 that's used to driving minivans. I'm used to just jumping in anything. It has a screen, wheel, and pedals, seat and they are not sliding all over the place. I'm good, I'll get used to whatever setup I can afford and be happy with it... Have fun 😀 👍

[@danielm.1599]

I love the author of this comment and all who think like him ❤

[@baut_4451]

@@simracingden ChatGPT ahhhh response. At the very least write authentically to your audience!

[@damsen978]

So you're saying playing with a controller is the most fun since its the least realistic hardware? (Or i guess the keyboard)

[@simracingden]

I've been reading many of your comments, and it will be challenging to respond to everyone, but thank you for your input, opinions, and feedback. I greatly appreciate anyone that has subscribed. I've noticed a trend of comments around my thoughts when first starting out. I realize many of us will differ on this, and that's fine. I hoped to start some discussion. It wasn't my intention to tell people what to do. Instead, give my two cents and my personal experience. You still need to research and watch other guides on KZbin to formulate what's best for you. I can only speak from my own experience. If I had started out with an entry-level wheel, I would not have been happy, and I wanted to achieve a certain amount of realism and immersion from the start. I knew that this was going to be a hobby I would enjoy just based on my love for cars and racing, racing games and experience trying out other setups, and I wanted to start at a different level doesn't mean I suggest everyone go out and do that, but I know I would not have enjoyed using an entry-level wheel for very long. That doesn't mean you can't have as much fun and be competitive with lower-end equipment.

[@lucasRem-ku6eb]

My setup is very old, Trustmapst GP set, the Pedals are customized and are still in use now, rest is replaced, The Wheel is Direct Drive now, the rest i did myself, just using car parts. Next step is fast controled hydraulics under the setup, so you feel the corners, on cheap trolly gear now, not fast enough....

[@onetripwonders]

Nice video and well explained concepts. It’s worth mentioning that many direct drive wheels can’t be table mounted but some lower end ones can. I went with a Fanatec CSL DD which has 8nm and is still mind blowing, but can be table mounted if you don’t have the space for a chassis and frame. I started on an iPad racing app, went to console and a Thrustmaster, then to a PC with VR and load cell/DD. It’s good to upgrade as the interest grows instead of buying all this high end gear only to realize your interest isn’t what you thought it would be.

[@vishalj27]

Really good point. I am at the starting line rn and so confused. I never tried sim racing but I am huge F1 fan. So I can’t predict my future interest in the hobby. So I am thinking of getting a Xbox series S to start with.

[@roberthiggins8234]

I started buying the Logitech wheels. Instantly wanted to upgrade, but after three weeks i'm glad I didnt. I might still upgrade to the mid-top end gear but I will first find out if my interest holds up for at least 6 months first.

[@partnah2887]

how is the CSL DD? i’m looking to get into sim racing and that is the main one im looking to get. i’ve always loved racing games so my interest will always be there. is it a good budget option?

[@onetripwonders]

@@partnah2887 yes its amazing, feels great and reliable plus you can table mount it. I don't need anything else!

[@Abeynmrl]

Thanks for the input. We are in the same boat and planning mounting this to a table top. Out of curiosity which foot petals would you recommend?

[@LetsDoScience]

VR is on another level, surprised you haven't given it a go would be cool to see an comparison video. This was very helpful, thanks.

[@simracingden]

I'll check it out!

[@FukU2222]

Yeah my next rig will definitely be geared towards (or at the very least; accommodate) VR

[@PtownCaDaBay]

Not give it a go.

[@JoseFcoBN]

@@FukU2222 Still, not everything is so good... VR is not ideal, it's fine to try and take a few turns, that's all...

[@jordanszoko6767]

Sim racing is best in VR with the correct setup and equipment, cannot go back to pancake vision monitors😂

[@DenisBender]

Being able to play Dirt Rally 2.0 on a Valve Index and now Gran Turismo 7 on a PlayStation VR2 was for me a good reason and a starting point to invest in a wheel and a seat.

[@seered2023]

Same!

[@CorporateZombi]

GT7 on PSVR2 is very fun and compelling, and this is from a guy who has a pimax headset and a simxperience motion rig on their PC! It's lovely just to be able to play about in all the vast number of different cars. Also the pre-game set-up and faf is a bit lower! I recall a period where every time I wanted to play Assetto Corsa it needed to update and every update seemed to reset all the control inputs! And now every time I use my sim rig I have to re-assign all the motion actuators because the settings just won't save! Plus quite often you have attached the 5 point harness and only then realise that you left the keyboard and mouse that you need to start the game on the other side of the room... Or someone rings the doorbell. Lol!

[@lecisko]

Yeah... I bought T300 thrustmaster wheel and TH8A shifter a year ago for PS5 to casually play gt, wreckfest and ACC. Wasn't sure if it was gonna last. And it actually did not much. After 6 months I was almost not playing racing games. But then psvr2 launched and everything changed. Last month I've spent about 40 hours in gt7 vr and am thinking about replacing my belt t300 with fanatec dd and buying next level racing GT track cockpit instead of 60 bucks off brand wheel stand... Just wow.

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

For a car enthusiast, it is so awesome to look around in different car interiors. Also the depth perception in VR makes it feel more like you are actually drinking a car. The only downside is the sharpness of the screen. But it still looks nice

[@cbdaytona675]

@@lecisko I’m considering getting G923 or pro as my first racing sim setup for PS5. I’m using 120” projector screen. Curious your thoughts on why you didn’t last 6 months before VR got you back?

[@LMarshall73]

One additional point to consider when setting up your rig is whether or not you intend to use the console or computer for anything else. For console, a racing cockpit is fine if, for example you also plan to play FPS as the seating position is fine for gaming with a pad. For PC gamers, a more utilitarian design may be required so that a keyboard/mouse is accessible. My "rig" is based off of the standard aluminum T-Slot design, but is constructed from wood (2x4, 2x6, 2x8, and MDF panels). I use a seat mounted on tracks and an articulating arm for my keyboard tray, but a fixed platform for my mouse pad. I swing the keyboard tray to the side and slide the seat forward for racing, but for all other activities the seat is slid all the way back. This gives me room to swing the keyboard tray in for shooters or for working in Photoshop to paint my iRacing cars or for video editing, etc.

[@tomkuch1990]

Do you have a photo or video of your setup with the keyboard/mouse arm? I am currently setup at my 'desk' with a classic computer chair but want to setup a side station/rig. Just trying to think of the best way to keep a mouse/keyboard accessible. I assume a 2nd wireless keyboard and mouse might be best.. but would like to see what you got!

[@Kratos510e]

I would want to have my keyboard and mouse on a desk, but have the racing sim set up close to the desktop. Is there any way to go about that? For example if you're going to play a racing sim, I guess you would be on the desktop and launch the game then switch over to the racing rig and switch the screen to vr/other monitor? But then how would you go through menus while on the rig. If anyone can give some ideas that would be cool.

[@Happymars24]

I gave up my dedicated sim rig because I need to use my PC for work and conventional gaming as well as sim racing. It became too much of a hassle to swap everything back and forth, so I went back to just clamping my wheel to my desk which I still have loads of fun with. Learned that I needed to keep things simple to enjoy sim racing myself.

[@trevor4533]

I don't know the details, but I did see someone on reddit with a splitter box(?) to switch the display between his triples and his conventional pc monitor.

[@gamernaut8864]

Someday in the future I feel our high-tech EV cars will simply come with an app that allows us to play driving/racing games while parked in the garage. The car would lift itself up on retractable actuators, force feedback tech in the steering box, haptic feedback seats and pedals, and a windshield and door glass that doubles as monitors (or maybe just a VR headset stored somewhere in the car).

[@simracingden]

You can already play driving games on Tesla dash so we’re probably not that far off haha.

[@NicoKyunKyun]

why would you need the car to lift off the ground? new evs use steer by wire system, basically a motor connected to the wheel like sim wheelbase

[@gamernaut8864]

@@NicoKyunKyun Oh wow. Even better. I was just thinking about the roll and compression of the suspension as you brake, gas, and turn thru corners.

[@dragon2knight]

I find pedals (actually the brakes to be specific) are more important than the wheel, like you said yourself here. I am poor but dedicated and found that the Logitech G923 (more torque isn't necessarily better in all games, something you should have mentioned IMHO. Many pros turn that force way down to allow them to not be distracted whilst racing) with a an aftermarket brake upgrade (I used a load cell upgrade for under $100US) hit the sweet spot for me on my PC based setup. I also found that a nice NLR GTLite cockpit also fit the bill for me. I'm very competitive with this setup and I can fold it all up in minutes to save space (and more importantly, make the partner happy that there isn't a huge cockpit taking up half the living room, lol). For my "monitor", I use my living room 55" LG OLED TV. It's got a 120Hz refresh rate and the picture is out of this world. More than enough for racing and it also allows me to not have to have multiple monitors taking up tons of my limited space. If you plan properly, your setup doesn't have to cost as much as a real car does and you'll still have lots of fun doing it.

[@VictorTemchenko]

what are your specific recommendations for gear?

[@dragon2knight]

@@VictorTemchenko For my budget, I'm already there. No issues at all and I'm having fun, which of course is all that matters anyway 👍

[@Zaevia]

Trust even a belt driven will feel way better. People aren’t exaggerating. I can fix way more mistakes than when I was using my g923 and feel way more

[@dragon2knight]

@@Zaevia Quick story: I originally started with a Thrustmaster t300 I was given as an Xmas present when it first came out in 2014. It lasted all of 1 year 1 month before it overheated for the 3rd time and I finally got tired of fixing it as it took Thrustmaster forever to honor their 1 year warranty stopping me for quite some time from having fun. Then I got the G29 and that puppy is still going strong over 4 years later, my nephew is currently having fun with it. I switched to a G923 and will not use another belt drive wheelbase again. I'm not in this for the best of the best equipment, me and many, many others have proven you can go just as far with gear driven as practice is the real equalizer, not equipment. Stop believing the advertisements and practice with what you've got, that's the key to fun and advancement.

[@simracingden]

I appreciate your insightful comment and your approach to building a competitive and cost-effective sim racing setup. You've made some excellent choices that align with your budget and preferences. You rightly emphasize the importance of pedals, particularly the brakes, in enhancing the overall driving experience. Upgrading to a load cell brake pedal is a great way to improve pedal feel and consistency, without breaking the bank. It's a cost-effective solution that can make a significant difference in your racing performance. It's also worth mentioning that force feedback strength should be adjusted to personal preference. While some may prefer higher torque, others find that dialing it down allows for a more focused and immersive racing experience. It's all about finding the balance that works best for you. Your choice of the Logitech G923 wheel, combined with the load cell brake upgrade, sounds like a sweet spot for achieving a satisfying driving experience. The NLR GTLite cockpit provides a sturdy and compact solution that can be easily folded up to save space when needed, which is a bonus for maintaining a happy living environment. Using your 55" LG OLED TV as your monitor is a great idea. With its high refresh rate and stunning picture quality, it provides an immersive visual experience without the need for multiple monitors. Overall, your approach demonstrates that with proper planning and thoughtful choices, it's possible to build a competitive and enjoyable sim racing setup without spending as much as you would on a real car. Sim racing can be a fulfilling and affordable hobby when you make choices that align with your preferences and budget. Thank you for sharing your experience and insights. May you continue to have many exciting races and enjoy the thrill of sim racing!

[@anan7s294]

My dream rig- Cockpit - Trak Racer TR 80 Mk5 with Red Recline seat and a single 45" monitor stand fixed on it. (Opt.: Motion) Wheel base - Fanatec CSL DD Nm Wheels - McLaren GT3 (for F1 and GT3); P1 V2 ( for ATS, ETS2, rally, driftin, etc,) Shifter - Fanatec Sq 1.5 Pedals - For my mixed driving styles Huesinkveld sprints 3 pedals looks perfect, but might opt for a hydraulic one if there's any having adjustability Handbrake - Fanatec handbrake 1.5 Monitor - 3x Gigabyte M27Q or 42" LG C2 Mat - TR RGB Mat PC - 13700K+ MSI Supreme 4070 TI or 4090, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 TB gen4 M.2, Noctua U12s Black, in Fractal Design North Desk - Secretlab Magnus Pro XL with monitor arm and PC holder Chair - Logitech Vantum Monitor - MSI Optix G241 Speakers - Mackie CR3X with CR8S subwoofer Headphone - Beyerdynamics DT770 Pro Mic - Shure SM7B with boom arm Keyboard - Logitech G613 Mouse - Razer Viper Ultimate wireless Mouse Pad - Artisan Zero XL Lightbar - Benq Halo Light bar Camera - Canon M50 II + Go Pro Hero 11 with head mount Gloves - Sparco Meca Red Shoes - Puma Speedcat Ferrari Controller - Xbox Series X Lunar Shift Scale Models - 1:18 Aston Martin DBX 707 and 1:24 Royal Enfield Scram 411 I'd probably never be able to make this one 😅🤞

[@simracingden]

Sounds awesome! Hope you can make it a reality one day!

[@anan7s294]

@@simracingden thanks 🙏🏼

[@jovaniseptovich5110]

3 years ago, I started with t150 pro, then 2 months later I cant hold myself not to upgrade, so I bought t300 rs with t3pa pedal. Thenn I bought the rig/cockpit, then I buy TLCM. Bear in mind in my country only Thrustmaster and Logitech has official distributors, so what I have is somewhat the best you can get around here. early 2022 I sell all my rig due to money issues. fast forward 1 month ago, I purchase a used t150 pro with the cheap wheelstand included. This time I somewhat pay more attention to details in dring technique, proper racing line, and general understanding of grip and weight distribution I break all my personal best.

[@simracingden]

That's an incredible journey you've had with your racing setup! It's impressive to see how you've progressed over the years, constantly seeking upgrades and refining your driving technique. It's unfortunate that you had to sell your rig due to financial reasons, but it's inspiring to see your passion for racing led you to find a solution within your means by purchasing a used t150 pro with a cheap wheelstand. It's great to hear that you've taken a different approach this time around, paying more attention to the details of your driving technique, racing line, and understanding grip and weight distribution. This dedication to improving your skills has clearly paid off, as breaking your personal best is a significant achievement. Your story serves as a reminder that it's not always about having the most expensive or high-end equipment, but rather the determination and focus on honing your skills that truly make a difference on the track. Keep up the fantastic work, and may your racing journey continue to be filled with new personal bests and enjoyable experiences!

[@norcalfire7385]

Great video! I'm trying to get some friends into sim racing.. so this is a great video to share. One thing others said and I'll emphasize as well... is VR. I bought 3 monitors and went down that road at first. Then even added the 4th on top for telemetry. It was awesome..... Then I bought the HP Reverb G2... and I have yet to go back to triples lol. The depth perception in VR is so much more than you can ever get with monitors. Had I known this when I started.. I might have just bought one ultrawide. I still need a monitor of course.. but once I went VR.. I'll never go back to triples. So people should keep that in mind.. as you could save some money by not buying 3 monitors. Just my two cents. ✌️

[@simracingden]

Thanks! Sounds like I really need to try out VR one of these days

[@SIMJUDY]

wow great review, so cool. Welcome to my homepage, I hope I can help you find the sim racing equipment you want.

[@DenisBender]

@@simracingden I would recommend you to give Gran Turismo 7 on the PSVR2 a try. It runs at 120 Hz with 2k per eye OLED HDR and has a wide Field of View and can be played Multiplayer. Many Sim Racers on YT that I have seen so far have been blown away!

[@RIVvideos]

GT7 + VR2 user here, very happy with the setup. Prob $1500 with G29 wheel and 3D audio headset.

[@simracingden]

Sounds like a great setup! Any plans for upgrades down the road?

[@RIVvideos]

@@simracingden a 2018 BMW M4 :)

[@simracingden]

@@RIVvideos 🙌🏻

[@jasonfiglioli6660]

Great video for people who are starting out or thinking about it, very well thought out and informative. I bet your getting excited and counting down the days till that ASR PRO arrives!

[@simracingden]

Thanks appreciate it, oh you know it I can’t wait!

[@ericblumenkrantz3332]

Excellent video!! It was logical and objective I am in 100% agreement. The differences between console and PC is more subjective and worthy of it's own video. I have used both console and switched to PC awhile back. There are several features I still miss from the console world. Over the past few years the options have greatly increased and I have made changes because of newer better options and hopefully and I suspect will continue to improve and will need to make more decisions in the future. The biggest issue from everyone I know is nobody knew for certain what their ultimate experience was they wanted. That all came from getting in and figuring it out.

[@Gmanxxx1214]

I've been into sim racing for about 2 yrs now and the best advice I can give is "Zero flex". You want no loose parts. Wheel, pedals and seat all need to be solid with no movement. If you have to modify to add support then do it. Less movement equals better track times. And finally use gloves for the best grip.

[@simracingden]

Great point!

[@BlackbeardKNAC]

A word of advice from a grass-is-greener sim racer, do not waste your money on an expensive sim cockpit. It is entirely unnecessary and will not make you a better driver. I have learned that I can win a good percentage of my races with the wheel mounted to my desk, and the numbers did not go up with a $3000 sim cockpit that I regret ever buying. Spend time correcting your field of view and then turn thousands of laps.

[@adrianchannelle8651]

Thanks. Just starting out. Very excited to see how this hobby evolved. I got the CSL DD from Fanatec. Very impressed with it.

[@simracingden]

Have fun!

[@SIMJUDY]

wow great review, so cool Welcome to my homepage, I hope I can help you find the sim racing equipment you want.

[@LowBlow]

After moving to VR years ago I simply cannot go back to driving or flying on a monitor. I'd say that the 4090 now finally gives VR users the horsepower to maximise the capabilities of headsets like G2, Pimax 8K and Varjo Aero. Personally I'm running sims like AMS 2 and RF2 with high MSAA and most settings maxed out at 115% SS and I've never felt more immersed in a game. I received my G2 as a pre-order back when I had a 2080ti and had to run it at 50% steamVR res. The 4090 and open composite have just completely blown me away in terms of clarity and smoothness.

[@simracingden]

I gotta get around to trying VR it’s on my sim racing bucket list!

[@iSpike]

🏁🏎️🏁 G’day mate, great video 👍🏻 I’ve just purchased ACC and a basic sim steering wheel & pedals. I’m only getting into gaming at the ripe ol age of 60 👀. This game looks like it will be a lot of fun. New Subscriber here. Cheers from Western Australia 🇦🇺✌🏻

[@simracingden]

Nice 👍 thanks for the sub and enjoy! Reach out if I can help in anyway. ACC Is a great sim a lot of fun.

[@jedijon1228]

Welcome to the rabbit hole - turned 60 myself last year - started about 3 years ago on console now over 12k later have a great set up - if you really enjoy the racing & to save you money invest in the correct equipment from the get go I could I have saved myself over 5k due to keep upgrading my kit - have fun brother enjoy the addictive side as it will take over your life ..........

[@fluchtigziege3202]

yo from WA also, bloody hot today

[@darylmccormick]

60? Wow bruv you got a lot of catching up to do. I am an avid video game collector and racing games are my favorite. I’m 51 and I guess I’ll never race for a Formula One team, so this is the next best thing for me.😅

[@paulandhelenakathenats4320]

G’day ‘old timers’, 66 yo Aussie here, also just starting out in this gaming rabbit hole. Wish me luck & remember “go fast or go to sleep” 😉 Great video mate 👏🏼

[@bbbrothersgarage]

i love sim racing, ,the community is surprisingly supportive and this will be a long term enjoyment

[@simracingden]

Couldn't agree more!

[@SIMJUDY]

非常感谢您的好评！ 欢迎来到我的主页，我希望我能帮助您找到您正在寻找的模拟赛车装备。

[@KuSQ3N]

As I allways say, Buy a logitech wheel maybe used just to see if you like simracing. And then spend thousends of dollars if you want(but a logitech wheel can get so you so long). Simracing isn´t for everyone even If it looks fun. You can get a used pc, old stuff works good if you only going to run 1080p monitors. I have a gtx 970 and can still run 3 x 1080p with 60-80 fps on iracing. I would not recomend console if you are going to simrace, Maybe arcade tho. Great video perfect video to send to friends who wants to get into the simracing world :)

[@simracingden]

I appreciate your practical advice for beginners interested in sim racing. Starting with a used Logitech wheel, such as the G29 or G920, is indeed an excellent way for someone to get a taste of sim racing without a substantial initial investment. As you said, these wheels can take you quite far in terms of enjoyment and skill development. Your point about older PC hardware still being able to run sim racing games at 1080p is spot on. Not every sim racer needs to strive for 4K resolutions and ultra settings, especially when starting. As long as the gameplay is smooth and enjoyable, that's what matters most. As for the console vs. PC debate, each has its pros and cons. PCs offer more customization, flexibility, and a broader selection of sim racing titles, while consoles can provide a more straightforward, plug-and-play experience. It's all about what fits the individual's preferences and circumstances. Finally, thank you for the kind words about the video. My goal is indeed to help guide people who are interested in entering the world of sim racing. Happy racing!

[@Dragnssmoke]

before you start sim racing know this a lot of the programs or web sights you get these programs from to do sim racing are a monthly charge so take that into concideration first that could be up in the hundreds depending on how in depth you want to go

[@mrs_radrod]

I’d probably tailor this a bit more to someone who doesn’t really know if they want to invest a lot of time into the hobby. I’d rather recommend someone a $200 wheelbase and pedals on sale like the g29 than a DD wheel as your first wheelbase. I’m a big fan of cost per hour use. If you run a G29 into the ground over 1-3 years, you’re gonna know it’s worthwhile to get into something about more costly. Adding additional points of failure between expensive hardware like QR wheels and budget option DD wheelbases seems like a bad place to start if it breaks, or if expensive hardware sits in a corner unused taking up space. Also didn’t hear anything about DIY rigs which can be really great for modifying to fit any new hardware. In my experience they can be had for about $100 plus a junkyard car seat or a old racing seat if you have one lying around. T-nuts and aluminum extrusion are precise, but definitely more costly than a 2x4 and some wood screws. Also VR is a game changer for immersion, following distance, and offers space savings depending on the tracking method. I’ve been really pleased with my CV1 although it does mean you spend a bit more on the GOU and not all games come with VR comparability.

[@heinous70]

I've watched dozens of hours of buyer guids and reviews over the past 6 months. This is, by far, the most comprehensive and well-organized I've seen yet. Potentiometer... that's the first time I've heard that word since 1989. If the Hard Driving arcade game was out of order, that's what we were waiting on. It's kind of weird. Atari was the first company to hand to the General Public force feedback steering with a clutch and manual transmission. Wonder why they got out of it

[@tryhrdsnphrd]

Absolutely amazing video from someone who is getting into the sim scene. I learned an absolute ton from this video, and I'm hoping to take this and hopefully have a better setup than my xbox controller!

[@LogiForce86]

1. Start out with a cheap wheel like a Logitech G-series wheel. 2. If you decide you like it and want to become more serious... get a cockpit and DO NOT CHEAP OUT. Go immediately for something as solid and modular as can be, because I broke tore the iron to which my pedal plate was attached on the rSeat Evo v3. I recommend getting something like a profile frame cockpit, personally I would immediately get something like a Sim-Lab P1-X. 3. When upgrading to your next wheel you really need to decide which eco-system (and thus which manufacturer) you prefer. I went from Logitech to Thrustmaster and to Fanatec and have never looked back to other eco-systems. Fanatec has had a solid ecosystem for a decade now. So it is pretty future proof. 4. Pedals... get something with a loadcell but the best are Heusinkveld pedals if we have to believe the sim community. Pedals add a lot to car control and they are thus very important to get right. Those are my two cents from my experience upgrading through the decades.

[@simracingden]

Some solid advice here, thank you!

[@OhItsThat]

When I had a DD2 it cost me $200+ just to use a wheel outside the ecosystem. With my SC2 Pro it cost about $50. Fanatec

[@simracingden]

Very true

[@bernhardstage4simracing913]

I have a dd2 and Thats the reason i would never buy one again. You want to use 3rd party wheels, fanatec is Not the Best choice

[@simracingden]

@@bernhardstage4simracing913 That’s starting to become very apparent to me now as I’m exploring other third party wheel options who knows maybe a simucube base is in my future

[@bernhardstage4simracing913]

I can recommend the simedal Audi Wheel, best joice in simracing i did so far

[@simracingden]

@@bernhardstage4simracing913 Curious what your using for a quick release hub on Simucube there's a lot of options here, any recommendations?

[@stevelamb9453]

finally a well thought and reliable take on what its going to take to be competitive cash hard cash at anytime for you to be competitive! do not go into sim racing thinking you can wing it off a desk with a G29/G920 not going to happen sim racing will cost you big time its a hobby and an expensive one it will bleed your wallet dry lol

[@WJForeverKenoCasino]

This video was amazing! I have played older Nascar Sims starting back in 99 to about 2003. I'm recently giving it all a go again but now through iracing with a pc. This video gave me so much valuable information before spending monies on a Sim setup! Again, thank you! 👊👊👊

[@simracingden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@scottw7895]

VR is literally the BEST experience and not by a little. It's a game changer and makes spending money on screens pointless.

[@CosmicCorey]

That good eh. Any VR experiences that you would recommend?

[@EddieInChina]

I recently sold all my monitors for psvr2 and pimax 8kx for more room. If you would like to build up a sim rig, consider your room size before you setup the cockpit and motion system, a 1 by 2 meters space is mandatory for a single monitor setup and 2 by 2 for a triple 32 setup. So think before you buy, don't waste money like I did in the past year.

[@simracingden]

How you liking the PSVR2?

[@EddieInChina]

@@simracingden so far so good

[@naplam11]

wallet : So you have chosen death

[@simracingden]

🤣

[@t.sewell1513]

I can only speak for iracing. My advice….stay cheap and figure out whether your going to like it or not. If you do I wouldn’t skimp on the quality. Save your money and get a good cockpit…DD wheel base…good pedals and decent PC and monitors. You will be glad you did.

[@simracingden]

Good advice!

[@Hafizul12]

Thankfully my entry point was a moza r5 bundle for $407+tax, brand new open box, i think my microcenter mispriced it. I just got the brake performance damper on the way and im done with my setup for now. no loadcells or rig till I actually get good lol

[@simracingden]

Nice enjoy!

[@SIMJUDY]

Thank you so much for your great review! Welcome to my home page, I hope I can help you find the sim racing gear you're looking for.

[@clipsolo]

A quick tip. Do not oogle youtubers' sim setups and think that's something to even aim at. Just get whatever fits your budget, as long it's not a nameless copy of a brand. 40 bucks old Logitech G27 works fine to get one going. LED lights in a cpu chassis you don't need :D Once you're driven a few dozens of hours (at a price point of about 1-2 USD per hour with your initial wheel and pedals purchase :D), you know your budget better and can start investing a bit more.

[@simracingden]

Crazy Sim Racing KZbinrs! 🤣 jks, Good advice though spend wisely especially if your just starting out.

[@S0MA1]

i really enjoyed how well you put together this video👏 and really looking forward to your future videos 😃

[@simracingden]

Thank you so much!!

[@dariodiapico5369]

I’m personally going with 4K ultrawide monitor planning to play on pc and ps5. Just building my gaming pc I’m super excited.

[@simracingden]

Sounds great just remember PS5 won’t work natively with ultrawide resolution you’ll have black bars on the side

[@simracingden]

I now have an affiliate program with Advanced Sim Racing, a North American racing simulation chassis manufacturer and digital motorsport equipment retailer. I bought my ASR Pro Chassis and most of my hardware through them before they offered the program to me. I can easily recommend them for their excellent customer service and expert support, and free shipping in North America. Use my link or code THESIMRACINGDEN at checkout and receive 5% off selected collections: Advanced SimRacing, Racing Seats. I receive a small commission in return that helps support the channel www.advancedsimracing.com/thesimracingden

[@financetips]

Saw time was 23 mins. I said not way! After 23 mins i am like...I need sim setup ❤

[@lordkuku]

The best and cheapest way to go is with a PSVR2 and GT7 in VR, a 226" 4k 120hrz TV. There is no other racing game like GT7 in VR. A game that isn't even on PC and besides that PC gaming has became a thing of the past. When console gaming has become better in graphics and performance and a lot of games on the PS5 are outperforming the XB1X Pro (aka XBSX) and PC games.

[@paulanderson9650]

9:45 just to play devils advocate, I've used a used fanatec belt drive wheel for the last three years. I think its rated at 8.2nm, and although I might upgrade in the future, I don't think I could part with it. Its a damn fine wheelbase.

[@heinous70]

I bought my first Logitech product in 1995. They made an absolutely amazing flight stick compatible with PS1. Anticipating the release of the original Gran Turismo, and force feedback being non-existent in the General Public then, we started with an Interact Ultra Racer... similar to a controller for an RC car. It was probably somewhere early in 98 when I bought my first FF wheel. The G29 I currently have is my third Logitech wheel, and it is almost 10 years old now. So is the play seat Evolution that it's connected to. I've been doing my own thing for a long time, and just now started looking into the newer equipment about a year ago. I'm not sure which amazes me the most. The technology that's available now, or what people are willing to pay. I can't believe this is the first time I've heard that a PlayStation doesn't support triple monitors. I've got a co-worker that's used triple screens on PlayStation for a while for COD/Battlefield, but I'm not sure exactly how he set it up. He's got the PlayStation buttons tattooed across his knuckles, so there's no telling. No one seems to be able to use VR for more than 30 or 45 minutes, so in my opinion, that's a complete novelty. Triple monitors is the way to go. With that being said, I'm a plug-and-play kind of person. I've enjoyed this hobby for a long time, but it's never consumed my life. I get the feeling that's what it's like when you're into pc. A lot of tweaking. A lot of repairing high-end equipment. I've seen too much of that already. The added realism would be really nice to have, but what I have sitting in my floor cost me about $600, 10 years ago. Back then people couldn't believe I had a driving simulator sitting in my living room. You can get the same thing now for about $700. If I could get a better field of view, then dropping 1500 on DD would not be a problem at all. Investing a couple thousand dollars isn't worth it.. and investing 6 to 10,000 appears to be a time-consuming headache. I think I'm going to stay away from that Micro Center when they open it lol. As long as I don't touch a DD, or sit with three monitors, I'll just try to forget about what I'm missing. When GTAV first came out, I immediately thought, how damn cool it would be to have my GT garage available in Los Santos. Now you can do it with ACC... but ya got to be a computer geek, or become one to pull it off. Thank you! You've helped me realize that at my age, it's not worth an upgrade right now. Not until there's triple monitor support on console, and a better monitor design. I'd like to see SEAMLESS curved screens that wrap 210° +. And software that preferably focuses more on True World realism, and less about being a 120 GB commercial.

[@damyanexssessgeorgiev6]

i bought T300 rs gt for my first wheel with t3pa pedals and th8a shifter, bought also some ebay cheap handbrake that is controled with arduino mb, made myself wooden stand for the pedals to make them inverted and attached all to some old clunky desk, all that with some cheap ass 43" LG 4k smart TV with 60hz refresh rate, using all that with my old pc with 4-th gen intel i5 4690 cpu + strix 1080 ti and got myself an old renault 19 front seat with some mounts = the best fun i had from playing racing games! I play mainly Asetto Corsa with mods and do drift, then Dirt 2.0 and Richards Burns Rally HU edition, some Forza horizon 4 and Project Cars:2 and when i have the mood - Euro Truck Simulator 2! I can confirm, the first thing i need to improve is get myself better RIG so i can attach all my stuff there, then from sim gear prospective i need , really need better pedal set!! I can manage with the belt driven T300, it gives me plenty of feedback for what i use it, but i hate this pedals.. they feel like toy and not a proper pedal set that gets you immersive and are thousands of kilometers from realism.. I wish to buy atleast some good decend load cell pedals, then you obviosly need good PC to get the games run smooth, as my old CPU cant handle for example Asetto Corsa Competizione... Then you need Direct Drive wheel, better handbrake and the gearbox i can leave for the end... ooh and somewhere in the middle i wish to upgrade to tripple schreen or VR !!!

[@atrain132]

Even though it's more than a year later, people should keep in mind that there's nothing cheap about sim racing. For a good setup, just on console, can easily run close to $1,000 USD. I'd advise to not go cheap on the setup. I don't care for Fanatec too much, but they're really the only ones who have a good wheelbase/pedal setup for both console, and PC.

[@brycemcelhiney946]

I just ordered my first sim set up, I got the fanatec csl dd bundle with the bmw wheel and I ordered a next level gtracer cockpit! I am so excited to get into sim racing!!

[@simracingden]

Have fun!

[@walterlegere1403]

Most high quality sim rigs are going to run you anywhere from $3K to $15K depending what comes with the set-up. A PC to run a sim like iRacing in 4K and on-line comp is going to be about $3K to $5K. Then you have to consider the fees to race and your wifi connection. I started out racing on a Pentium 4 PC, a 56K modem dial up connection, NASCAR Racing 2003 Season by Papyrus, Sierra and a Logitech racing wheel (no force feed back). My how times have changed!

[@talon1706]

My first wheel was the Logitech Driving Force Pro GT. Very noisy but so much fun. I have a G Pro now. Still lots of fun.

[@jonhoffman4146]

Very well produced and informative video. I have enjoyed this hobby for more than 15 years now and watched it evolve from sticks to full blown motion sim rigs (My current setup). The only comment I had about your video is the pedals. As you stated having decent pedals can have a direct effect on lap times. I used compression/rubber brakes for year until I finally switch to hydraulic. This was a game changer for me. I was gaining 10 to 15 spots on the leader boards. With that being said if you want to get that muscle memory setup properly go with hydraulic. I have Simagic P2000 with thew Simagic hydraulic handbrake. Amazing feel and consistent pressure. Thanks again for the video.

[@jorgedevin8306]

Hi Sim Racing Den, thanks for the great video, I enjoyed it a lot. Now, the reason I'm commenting its that I AM a BIG fan of VR and VR sim racing. Without a doubt, there is nothing comparable to VR sim racing. The emersion is so real, that if I stop my sim car on a hill, I get a little queasy believing that my car is about to start to roll backwards and I go for the hand brake, lol, it's that real. VR Sim Racing is complicated and there is a lot to learn and understand so I will leave this here for the interested reader to begin their research, there's tons of it and a lot of it is flakey so beware, be diligent, and happy hunting as I can heartily say, ASSETTO CORSA, ACC, I'RACING, ETC., IS AWESOME!!! As a note worthy caution, some poo poo the Quest ll, and as a user with over a1000 hours of experience, they don't know what they are (literally) talking about !

[@bunmioke2697]

@@jorgedevin8306 Yours is the category of comment I've been looking to find. What spec of PC/laptop do you use and/or recommend for your racing? (I own a Quest 3 and I am quite interested in VR racing).

[@orionmec]

I'm actually more into flying, however, some racing vids popped up has I was interested in motion cockpits and I was curious so I watched a few. I really enjoyed your video I think you did a great job without being exhaustive it was very informative and gave me some food for though. Being retired I have time on my hands for hobbies so I may just eventually get into driving as well. Thank you!

[@mentallightspeed]

You deserve so many more subscribers with how professional you make your videos!! You got to be one of the most humble dudes on the planet!! Thanks for the knowledge and "drive"!! Nice Work!.

[@simracingden]

Thank you so much for the kind words and support! It's comments like this that keep me motivated to keep going.

[@LeeQuesada-CoTGaming]

I want your exact build, I thank you for listing it. I mean the PC i'll handle on my own, as i have been building mine for the past 15+ years. but that sim setup is a beauty.

[@simracingden]

Thanks for watching!

[@joshuat5140]

I been wanting to get into sim racing. But I know I want the full motion simulator build. And there expensive asf from what I've researched. But I seen a dude who has a badass setup who drift races. And he never drive a real race drift car. They put him on one and he was driving like a pro damn near. The pro driver there was shocked how good this dude was driving. His first time in a real race car and did that good is crazy asf. That's how realistic these full motion Sims really are. I seen that the Mercedes F1 team has a sim racer they hired on. To see just how good sim racers are and how good it can make a driver. I know that dude was beyond happy. To have F1 Mercedes team hire you because your a great sim racer is badass. Imo.

[@jawmedia7575]

I just bought the logitech g923. Started racing 4 months ago. Now I'm class a and competing for top 3 or 4 nearly every race. (I only race paved oval.)

[@simracingden]

That's an amazing achievement in just 4 months, congratulations! The Logitech G923 is an excellent piece of equipment for beginners and seasoned racers alike, with its TrueForce technology really enhancing the overall racing experience. Being able to compete for top 3 or 4 positions in every race shows not only your driving skill but also your adaptability and quick learning. Stick with it, and you'll likely find yourself consistently at the top before long. Paved oval racing is a fantastic choice too - it really hones your driving skills, especially with regard to maintaining control and speed through the turns. Keep pushing and refining your skills. Remember, every race is an opportunity to learn and improve. We look forward to hearing more about your racing victories in the future! Happy racing!

[@bustercherry8734]

I'll be getting into sim racing eventually but i'm going all the way with a motion sim. Go big or go home.

[@simracingden]

🙌🏻

[@RealStuntPanda]

8:21 Thank you SO much for pronouncing Fanatec properly. I've given up pointing out the obvious that Fanatec is a play on fanatic so you can't imagine my joy to hear you say it correctly. I teared up with happiness a little bit... little bit.

[@simracingden]

It’s funny I get the opposite sometimes a lot of people tell me I’m saying it wrong 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@RealStuntPanda]

@@simracingden You're not, they are uninformed. This is how Fanatec pronounces their own name: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHnGn4GJibKngKs I've been at a presentation by the President of the company and he pronounces it like "fanatic" so all of those people saying you're saying it wrong probably also pronounce GIF like the peanut butter.

[@SnakezF1]

With the current state of Fanatec's stock, Moza is a great option for pc as well.

[@simracingden]

Yes agreed a lot of great options out there now

[@_BuddyLee]

Thanks for the in depth tutorial. It’s a dream for me but if I get lucky at least I have some great advice.

[@simracingden]

You can do it!

[@CamaroWarrior]

My first sim setup ever since I'm more of a pc gamer, I may upgrade a few parts later on..but I love my current setup it's tons of fun 1. PS5 and PC (ryzen 5800x, 32GB ddr4 3600mhz, RTX 3090 FTW3 ultra) 2. Fanatec Grand Turismo DD PRO (8nm) premium bundle with CSL load cell kit and ClubSport Shifter SQ v1.5 3. Fanatec CSL LC Pedals 4. Next Level Racing WS 2.0 stand 5. LG 48" CX OLED 4k/120hz TV/Monitor on a pc desk behind my sim stand Also have an Oculus quest 2 for VR sim racing

[@simracingden]

Great setup! 👍🏻

[@AnotherWatchChannel]

Coming from PC, I enjoy the simplicities of console. I can get racing within a minute of turning it on. PC always has settings and things to adjust or tweak. Also having had a 20nM DD1, and I’m a fairly strong guy who loves strong FFB, 8nM from the CSL DD is absolutely perfect. DD1 is sold. Overkill.

[@raithrover1976]

I upgraded from a Logitech G920 to a Fanatec CSL Elite a couple of years ago and I'm delighted with the wheel despite its fairly measly 5nms of torque. When my wheel dies, I'll probably go for a CSL DD with the 8nm power supply.

[@simracingden]

It's great to hear that you're enjoying the transition from PC to console for your sim racing experience! Consoles do offer a streamlined and hassle-free gaming experience, allowing you to jump right into racing without the need to adjust settings or tweak configurations. The simplicity and convenience of consoles can be particularly appealing, especially for those who prefer a more plug-and-play approach to gaming. It's understandable that you appreciate the ease of use and the ability to get racing within minutes of turning on your console. Regarding the wheel choice, it's interesting to hear your perspective on the difference in force feedback strength between the 20nM DD1 and the 8nM CSL DD. Personal preferences can vary when it comes to force feedback, and what feels perfect for one person may be too strong or not strong enough for another. It's great that the CSL DD provides the ideal level of force feedback for your liking, making the DD1 overkill for your needs. Ultimately, the choice between PC and console for sim racing comes down to personal preferences, priorities, and the overall experience you're looking for. Both platforms have their advantages and offer enjoyable racing experiences. The most important thing is that you're having fun and finding the setup that suits your preferences. Thank you for sharing your insights, and may you continue to have many exciting races on your console setup!

[@SiCaRiI_DaGgEr]

I'm pretty much set with my rig Track Racer TR160, Simtrec pedals shipping Triple 32's. With all that said I enjoyed your presentation and video production very much, perfect balance w/background music and narration! SUBSCRIBED 👍

[@simracingden]

Sounds like a great setup! What wheelbase are you using? Thanks for the feedback and sub! much appreciated!

[@SiCaRiI_DaGgEr]

@@simracingden You're welcome! Right now I have the Fanatec CSL DD 8nm. I plan to upgrade to a 20nm base either Fanatec or Simucube once I recoup the funds from getting the pedals.

[@bluntforc3studios198]

My fanatec clubsport is a belt driven and it’s fantastic. Don’t overloook them

[@asikbanget5041]

I'm so satisfied with my recently purchased PSVR2 vs GT7. VR is the only way to play racing sim for me now

[@simracingden]

Yes for sure this is great combo.

[@pomztoybox6877]

Save yourself the money and just buy the racing chair/wheel combo and use VR. No need for multiple screens and wherever you look you have seamless 360 degree view (to include yourself in the driver seat)

[@seebarry4068]

My 4th gen intel cpu and gtx1080 has enough poke to run iracing in vr. That’s a cheaper pc (2nd hand) than a ps5. Or roughly equivalent. And no monthly charge to use the internet you’ve already paid for. VR can save you a lot of space, depending on how you do things. If you have a decent phone, you can use it for eye tracking. There are apps. So many options if you go pc. I’m sure ACC on a console is still good though.

[@simracingden]

Thanks for sharing your insights! You're absolutely right that a PC, even an older or second-hand one, can provide an excellent sim racing experience, especially with VR. It's all about optimizing your system and making the most of what you have. Your setup with a 4th gen Intel CPU and GTX1080 is a perfect example. It might not be the latest and greatest, but it's capable of delivering a satisfying experience in iRacing in VR, which is what really matters. The cost comparison to a PS5 is a good point, too. While consoles like the PS5 provide an easy plug-and-play solution, PCs offer much more flexibility and customization, which can be advantageous in sim racing. Additionally, your mention of using a smartphone for eye-tracking is a great tip. This kind of creative solution illustrates just how adaptable and versatile PC sim racing can be. ACC on a console is indeed still a good option, and the best choice depends on each person's specific circumstances and preferences. However, for those willing to delve into the world of PC sim racing, there's a lot to explore and enjoy. Happy racing!

[@dustindarland4373]

My take after all the years spent sim racing starting from the Thrustmaster 458 Italia- Fanatec DD1 is belt lag made me crash alot and I'd have to concentrate harder to adjust to belt lag so Direct drive wheel bases are a must. Now pedals we can go on all day about what's better load cell or hydrolic, to be honest there's no replacement for in game feedback so I'd choose a plastic potentiator style pedal set capable of in game feedback than the most expensive hydrolic pedal set ever made. Fanatec needs to invent an in game feedback brake/throttle upgrade for their V3's. When they do that....skys the limit.

[@davidciesielski8251]

Thanks, very well done!! I really wish someone would have a list for what they would buy for : $4000.00 $5000.00 $6000.00 I am so lost... I would love someone to say for 3500 this set up is 90% of this 10,000 set up... Thanks again

[@catsfive]

I play ATS but watched this because I'm afraid of where this is going... I can park a truck anywhere now, fortunately I'm not into racing, but I like Rally and MudRunner, which means I need stability, meaning that more stability would be needed, so.... here goes. Right now my wheel is mounted on a side table and I just pull that in front of me and that's OK. I'm just competing with my kid, anyway. ANYWAY, great video, informative, and high production value. Nice work.

[@beck367]

Good video, thanks. I do not however agree with the statement that most realistic driving experience is with 20Nm and up! Sweet spot for majority of the racing cars is between 12-14Nm. 20Nm is massive overkill for vast majority of the sim racers…

[@simracingden]

Thanks. Fair enough, your not wrong but more Nm ultimately gives you more range.

[@chrisjones6498]

My advice if you plan to just play gt7 or forza stick with console. If you plan to race in vr or play a wide verity of driving games P.C is the way. My opinion vr sim racing is absolutely the best way to play but not the cheapest

[@matthewbeale8570]

My two cents.. Do what pleases you... I have spent 0000 over the last year for my sim rig. Heavily invested in immersion. That I built myself... Quad screen that's fully enclosed with an engine bay (pc buttkicker) roll cage wrap around dash and console safety nets ambient lighting (including black lighting for the glow of the button box stickers) air conditioning fire extenguisher.. And I'm still rocking a g920 on a NLR F-GT Elite /Trak Racer hybrid.. 🤣 My next sim buys will be Mecca evo 1s for pedals. Jinx SQ shifter.. And tossing up over a simagic or equivalent..

[@simracingden]

Wow, your sim racing setup sounds like a labor of love and an impressive immersion-focused rig. It's clear that you've put a lot of thought, time, and effort into creating an environment that brings as much of the real-world racing feel into your space as possible. I'm sure many sim racers would be envious of your quad screen setup, the attention to detail with ambient lighting and safety nets, and even air conditioning! As you rightly pointed out, the most important thing is doing what pleases you. Whether that's building an incredibly immersive rig like yours, or sticking with a more basic setup, as long as you're having fun and enjoying the experience, that's what matters most. Your planned upgrades sound like they'll add even more to your experience. The Mecca Evo 1s are well-regarded for their precision and build quality, while the Jinx SQ shifter is known for its realism. As for the wheelbase, both Simagic and equivalents like the Fanatec CSL DD are excellent choices. Thanks for sharing your experience and future plans. It's inspiring to see the passion and creativity that sim racing can inspire. Happy racing, and enjoy your future upgrades!

[@pmacnz]

I have a moza R9 wheelbase, rs and gs wheel rims, crp pedals, simagic q1 sequential, simvertex h pattern shifter, huesinkveldt v2 handbrake, 3080 rtx pc with i7 11700 cpu , 32 gb ram and due to space a 21:9 asus rog 34" screen 1440 at 100hz. And it's all based on a next level f gt profile cockpit

[@simracingden]

Nice setup 👍

[@Patrick-pr7pw]

I wish I had this information when I was building my rig, but overall the only wasted spending was going with a logitech wheel setup first, that was gifted to my son when I switched out for a Fanatec Clubsport v2.5 belt driven wheel, it may only be 8Nm of force feedback, but I found that it is more than enough for me at my age (this wheel base has since been replaced by the DD Pro which is very affordable and similar specs to the Clubsport v2.5). At first I was using my 4k 40" tv on my rig but then purchased a 35" curved monitor, that was really good, but ended up swapping out with my main PC that had 3 x 32" curved monitors and I really enjoy having the triple screen setup. Since I'm currently in a part of the world where I couldn't get the rig I wanted sent to me, I found a decent rig but had to build my own triple monitor stand and added a server shelf for my PC, my rig also has wheels, so I made sure everything was on the rig so that it could be pushed out of the way when not using it, I only need to plug in the power from a mounted power strip with a 9' cord so the rig is very versatile. I don't think they sell my exact rig in the US, but I've seen similar rigs, mine is the Costick Strasse RCZ01, it had a lot of extra parts to mount additional controls and additional (optional) bar supports to make the rig and shift pedestal more ridged. One other thing to consider when setting up your rig, I found that mid level PC with an 8th gen i5 cpu and a low end RTX 3060 GPU was more than enough PC for most sim games, so if this is not your main PC you don't have to spend a fortune on a 2nd PC. If you do go with the Fanatec wheel base, you don't need to purchase their steering wheel, just make sure you get the correct universal hub for your console or PC and then you can choose your own steering wheel. The one I purchased from them was more like an arcade wheel, not full size, so I purchased a momo knock off and it bolted up with no issues.

[@Patrick-pr7pw]

One last note, I missed having a manual transmission, so I purchased the Fanatec shifter, but I ended up switching it to sequential (it has a switch at the bottom), and I really enjoy rally racing with the sequential mode on. The only thing I didn't like about their shifter was the knob, so I purchased a nice one from Amazon with adapters and it screwed on and works great.

[@simracingden]

Thank you for sharing your experience and insights into building your sim racing rig! It sounds like you have made some thoughtful choices and modifications to create a setup that suits your preferences and needs. Upgrading from a Logitech wheel setup to the Fanatec Clubsport v2.5 belt-driven wheel was a significant improvement for you. The 8Nm of force feedback provided by the Clubsport v2.5 is more than enough to deliver an immersive and engaging driving experience, showing that higher force feedback doesn't always equate to a better experience. Your choice of a triple screen setup with curved monitors sounds fantastic, offering a wider field of view and enhancing the overall immersion. Building your own triple monitor stand and incorporating a server shelf for your PC display your resourcefulness and adaptability, ensuring that your rig is versatile and can be easily moved when needed. It's also great to hear that a mid-level PC with an 8th gen i5 CPU and an RTX 3060 GPU proved to be more than sufficient for most sim racing games. This highlights that you don't necessarily need to spend a fortune on a second PC if sim racing is not your primary focus. Regarding the Fanatec wheel base, it's excellent to know that you have the flexibility to choose your own steering wheel by using the correct universal hub. This allows for customization and ensures that you can use a steering wheel that suits your preferences. The addition of the Fanatec shifter and the ability to switch between manual and sequential mode adds another layer of versatility and enjoyment to your sim racing experience. Personalizing your setup with a custom knob from Amazon is a great way to enhance the overall feel and aesthetics. Thank you for sharing these valuable insights and tips. Your experience serves as a helpful guide for others looking to build their own sim racing rigs. Enjoy many thrilling races and memorable moments with your well-crafted setup!

[@Gatitasecsii]

This validates Gran Turismo so much for me... Seems like you can have 90% of the fun of racing while spending 10-20% of the money... that last 6% that sim racing can achieve is not worth it. of course when compared with the price real racing requires for the remaining 4%, sim racing starts to look cheap by comparison.

[@jefftemplin778]

Very helpful, well thought-out, organized and concise. Just the facts combined with admitting when it’s a subjective thing or personal preference. Also I appreciated that it didn’t feel like you were pushing a particular product. Very professional! !

[@simracingden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bratosin1]

For xbox Players here the best simulators available handling/ force feedback and Phisycs: 1. Assetto Corsa 2. Asetto Corsa competizione , nr2 because the first ac it's still the king for his flawless force feedback , overall the acc it's a better sim in many ways 3. Dirt rally 2.0 4. Wrc generations/ wrc 10 5. F1 21/22 ( with all assists off it's pretty good and realistic experience overall)

[@simracingden]

Thanks! This is helpful

[@RoTheBro]

I was going to say nice setup, and I realized this was featured on Sim Tour Project!

[@simracingden]

Yep that’s me! Was cool to be featured on one of my favourite KZbin channels 😊

[@creepyinstigator]

I ended up finding 2 Logitech G25 wheels at thrift stores for $25 a piece 😃 and 6 months ago i got the F-GT lite folding seat because of my limited space. Im on console and playing Dirt Rally 2.0. You don't need much to have a lot of fun in sim racing. Eventually I'll be replacing my wheel and pedals, but for now im having a hell of a good time 😊 i also had to buy a drive hub adapter so the G25 would work on my ps4, but it also lets any wheel work on anything.

[@1waymaster]

Great video. I'm now subscribed. I'm 64 years old and raced full sized cars from age 17-20. Rode trail bikes for seveal years before. I'd love to do this since I quit mainly because of safety. This would be something I could do now even after having multiple orthopedic surgeries. But, I don't have time. I design machines for racing on Fusion 360 and Illustrator. I'll be buying for my grandson who will be 13 in May. He's a big gamer and this will be safer for him. He'll probably want to drive the actual machines that I build very soon. His dad uses gaming PCs and he already has ps4.

[@MrRamoSzz]

I play iRacing in VR and this is something out of this world, but VR is not siutable for everyone as it might get dizzy, the best solution when you play in VR is to have motion system, but it costs quite a lot

[@simracingden]

I would prefer to have a motion system, but yes, the costs are astronomical. One can only dream for now, but maybe one day, anything is possible with hard work and saving.

[@StreetPreacherr]

It doesn't seem to happen very often anymore. But I remember when I first started playing in VR I could actually FEEL my stomach react when I went over a hill! That same feeling that you get riding a rollercoaster ;)

[@MrRamoSzz]

@@StreetPreacherr yes I do remember this feeling, but you indeed get used to it, probably because you start to emulate your body movements. I personally notices that I turn head when getting into the corner like I would do in real life 😂

[@andrewboothe]

You have a good documentary style/teaching voice, good to listen to. Thanks.

[@simracingden]

Wow, thank you!

[@Cheachalot]

Great video from someone who's new to sim racing. Thanks

[@simracingden]

Glad to help!

[@tamaslichtenberger8529]

I've started racing just recently. My PC was more than fine (3x32" Samsung G5, Inno 4090, 12700KF). I've bought a Moza R5 bundle and a Next Level F-GT. Don't want to do anthing serious, this setup (currently I'd say :) ) more than fine for me.

[@simracingden]

Sounds like a great setup! Enjoy!

[@tamaslichtenberger8529]

@@simracingden thanks :) the only problem is that monitors are on my working desk (180x80cm), so i'm a bit away from them when i'm sitting in the F-GT, and FoV calibration is a bit tricky. but I really enjoy it ^^

[@ryanviertel7059]

@@tamaslichtenberger8529 I used to have this problem. It's worth it to get a VR headset or a second monitor (or eventually both). I got a VR headset and used that exclusively while sim racing for over a year.

[@tamaslichtenberger8529]

@@ryanviertel7059 got 3 monitors already, and only 1 hdmi port is free on my VGA. but my biggest problem is that I have to wear glasses. I've tried a couple of headsets, and after 2-5 mins I got truly weird headache :( so VR is no go to me, regardless how I would like to use it. also playing with MSFS, but I have to stick to the monitors.

[@ryanviertel7059]

@@tamaslichtenberger8529 gotcha, sounds like a tricky problem to solve. Are there any adjustable mounts that would make it easy enough to move the monitors closer to the front of your desk? That sounds like it might be difficult to do regularly with triples

[@18u.]

my advice: buy a very budget steering wheel. like a g29, g920 or something like that.

[@AdamsOlympia]

I’m interested in both sim racing, in addition to flight + combat sims. My ideal cockpit would be an adjustable one where you can lower the wheel out of the way when you’re done racing and have a joystick/throttle on a swivel mount, ready for when you want to hit the clouds or outer space.. I wonder if any companies make a universal sim rig like that, or if that would require some custom work.

[@simracingden]

Reach out to Advanced Sim Racing they have done rigs like this.

[@Nztytech]

what a great video i’m literally new coming from console to PC. thank you for this

[@simracingden]

Glad I could help!

[@0verfiend]

Buy a t300 3 pedal set, a ps4, an h shifter, and maybe an F-gt, get grand Turismo and plus. Try it out. Not too expensive.

[@simracingden]

Thanks for your suggestions! This setup you've described is indeed a well-rounded starting point for anyone getting into sim racing. The Thrustmaster T300 with a 3-pedal set is widely known for its smooth and responsive force feedback, and it offers a good balance of performance and price. Adding an H-shifter can further enhance the realism and immersion. As for the platform, the PS4 with Gran Turismo is a great combination. Gran Turismo is one of the most popular racing franchises and is excellent for both beginners and experienced racers. Plus, with a PlayStation Plus subscription, players can participate in online races against others around the world. Finally, the Next Level Racing F-GT cockpit is an excellent and flexible piece of equipment that allows you to position the seat and wheel/pedals for both Formula and GT style racing. The overall cost for this setup is reasonable and should provide a fulfilling sim racing experience for any enthusiast. And as always, the beauty of sim racing is the ability to upgrade and customize your setup over time as per your requirements. Enjoy the ride!

[@Neveri93]

Didn't know this was so deep of a rabbit hole. It's great that there's so many options for sim racing now days but it also is very convoluted market, at least for me. That's why tried to find something to help with the decisions. I still have lots of problems (mainly space) but it's more like "I'm not as pleased with the limiting factors I have" more than anything else. Anyways, great video! More of this kind of stuff!

[@Nergicuga]

"You'll avoid having 2 cockpits in the long run" My wife on the other cockpit as a co-driver when we crash: 😤 !%?':@# Ahhh good times.

[@paulneskow3504]

Stumbled across this while just cruising the sim racing offerings on KZbin. Interesting, and very well put together. I believe you touch upon just about all the important issues one needs to face. I am just getting into this stuff - again. I originally had an xBox using Forza and the MS wheel and pedals. They were fun, but limiting. Your emphasis on pedals is well placed. The pedal set with the MS set were rather limiting in performance. The wheel introduce feedback, but was not great at it. All in all, a good introduction to the hobby, and realistically about the only available source of halfway decent driving experience. I am currently trying to finish a sim racer. I had previous sim experience via the above mentioned xBox. In addition, I raced lay-down karts for about 8 years, so had real world racing experience (my kart topped out at about 150 on the longer tracks, it being limited to the chosen gear ratio). I have assembled a TR 160R chassis and chose Asetek wheel and pedals. I chose them because the pedals appear to be among the best in feel without going to the Simicube $2k per set. The wheel drive is to be upgradable, but. so far they have not offered that ability. I had purchased the initial La Prima bundle, parrtly because of the ability to upgrade and partly for the overall quality of the equipment. Since I am still working on building a triple screen stand (I bought a Sim-Lab once because of the moire mounting system) but have had issues between my health and pieces missing from the sent stand, so no actual experience to report.

[@ChrisRaynorMD]

Great breakdown. Thanks for sharing this information. Really appreciate it.

[@simracingden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zipppiz]

Great video, I ended up going for a used G29 and playseats and now my PSVR2 is just two weeks away. No screen setup can beat the VR immersive 3d setup, can't wait!

[@simracingden]

Nice 👍

[@zipppiz]

@@simracingden Yeah I hope so 🙂 Do you have any PSVR2 on order or previous VR experience?

[@StreetPreacherr]

Yeah, even low resolution VR is a GAME CHANGER! I had always DREAMED of SimRacing with the ability to actually turn my head to 'LOOK INTO' corners, and seriously considered those 'old' TRACKiR' systems, that monitored your head movements and automatically adjusted your 'cockpit view' left of right as you turned your head. Unfortunately the TRACKiR was expensive and had very limited functionality, so I'm happy I waited for the 'real' VR headsets to finally come out! And even using my ORIGINAL RIFT CV1 that I pre-ordreed and paid over a GRAND for, I find it hard doing any 'serious' racing using ANY flat panel... 4K TV is fine for Forza Horizon, but iRAcing or Asseto Corsa or Project Cars just feel SO much better in VR! And another benefit of VR is that it can use FAR LESS ROOM! All you need is a seat and something to mount the wheel/pedals/shifter to. No need for a large cumbersome mount for 1 to 3 large displays!

[@willfrednow]

Excellent advice as I help my grandson enter the Sim racing world. Many, many thanks!!!!!!!

[@yonkeythedonkey]

Great video for beginners mate - I should point out that at 19:49 I can see you need to tweak your side monitor settings to make fences etc line up straight with those in the centre monitor. Cheers

[@simracingden]

Thanks! Good eye! But It tends too look off from the perspective of the camera but when I'm seated in the rig from my eyes its straight, but I've since got these better aligned on my new setup. Thanks for watching.

[@arranwilliams2523]

I Use VR only and i love it but can strain your eyes more and make you more tired quicker for a while when you first start using it.

[@simracingden]

Thanks for sharing your experience with VR! You raise a valid point about potential eye strain and initial fatigue when using VR.

[@estebanr979]

Another thing to consider is where on the world you live. Availability of the products gets much harder or even null and prices could double the original price.

[@simracingden]

Very true.

[@ryanmalone2681]

This is so incredibly helpful. I just budgeted mine, already have the PC, and it was

[@simracingden]

Glad I could help!

[@SIMJUDY]

Thank you so much for your great review! Welcome to my home page, I hope I can help you find the sim racing gear you're looking for.