SIM Racing for the Older Gentleman?
Discussion
I am asking this on behalf of my 70 year old father who has decided he fancies a go at a bit of online driving with a wheel and pedals at home. I am years off knowing what the best options are myself if I’m honest (there’s a PS3 and my sons Switch under the telly and C&C Generals in the newest game I’ve played on a PC!)
I can see plenty of wheel/pedal sets second hand online ranging from bolt to a table options all the way though to a full size racing set up with multi screens so hopefully that bit of the purchase shouldn’t be an issue.
My real question though is what are the best options for software/hardware combos? PS4/PS5 and Gran Turismo he could plug into the TV seems the most straightforward option but I am concerned about the “game” parts i.e he’s not going to want to play the game, earn cars, downloads etc, he just wants have a wide selection of cars and tracks and go for a drive/race when he fancies it. His internet is also shockingly slow which won’t help. Are there any other better “game” options?
Am I right in thinking that going down the PC route is going to be needlessly complicated/expensive for this use too?
Help, thoughts and input all welcome as he’s tasked me with a solution.
I can see plenty of wheel/pedal sets second hand online ranging from bolt to a table options all the way though to a full size racing set up with multi screens so hopefully that bit of the purchase shouldn’t be an issue.
My real question though is what are the best options for software/hardware combos? PS4/PS5 and Gran Turismo he could plug into the TV seems the most straightforward option but I am concerned about the “game” parts i.e he’s not going to want to play the game, earn cars, downloads etc, he just wants have a wide selection of cars and tracks and go for a drive/race when he fancies it. His internet is also shockingly slow which won’t help. Are there any other better “game” options?
Am I right in thinking that going down the PC route is going to be needlessly complicated/expensive for this use too?
Help, thoughts and input all welcome as he’s tasked me with a solution.
I’d say a ps 5, psvr2 head set, gran Turismo 7 and a Logitech g9 /29 will meet all his requirements.
Easy to use and navigate, don’t have to get technical to set up cars or races, plenty of content in GT7 for hours of playing.
VR, as long as it doesn’t give you seasickness, is brilliant!
ETA, if he’s got space , a seat set up will enhance the game.
Easy to use and navigate, don’t have to get technical to set up cars or races, plenty of content in GT7 for hours of playing.
VR, as long as it doesn’t give you seasickness, is brilliant!
ETA, if he’s got space , a seat set up will enhance the game.
Edited by GAjon on Wednesday 23 October 10:44
GAjon said:
I’d say a ps 5, psvr2 head set, gran Turismo 7 and a Logitech g9 /29 will meet all his requirements.
[...]
I agree 100% with this. I'm well down the rabbit hole with a PC setup, triple monitors, 3DOF motion platform etc. All the gear and setup is a bit of a 'hobby' in it's own right. It's not uncommon that an update to a game will break something, or wheel settings need tweaking etc.[...]
Edited by GAjon on Wednesday 23 October 10:44
A console setup as GAjon suggests would be a much better solution. I'd also echo the suggestion of a seat - makes a massive difference.
I think you are right about Gran Turismo in that cars can be hard to come by early on in the game unless you are willing to play the game.
What kind of cars does he want to drive? If it’s racing cars, Project CARS might be worth a look as the cars and tracks are available from the off, although it is a bit more sim like than Gran Turismo.
Dare I say it Project CARS 3 might be worth a look as it’s aimed at the more arcade end of the spectrum. There’s also a mix of race cars and street cars to drive.
What kind of cars does he want to drive? If it’s racing cars, Project CARS might be worth a look as the cars and tracks are available from the off, although it is a bit more sim like than Gran Turismo.
Dare I say it Project CARS 3 might be worth a look as it’s aimed at the more arcade end of the spectrum. There’s also a mix of race cars and street cars to drive.
A seat or cockpit is essential to get the most from a wheel/pedal setup.
Depends on budget but id go PS4 / logitech g29 (or whatever the current one is) / gt omega cockpit/ assetto corsa game.
My setup is really old now, but still works enough to still enjoy, it’s something that can cost thousands, but can be enjoyable for a few hundred also.
Depends on budget but id go PS4 / logitech g29 (or whatever the current one is) / gt omega cockpit/ assetto corsa game.
My setup is really old now, but still works enough to still enjoy, it’s something that can cost thousands, but can be enjoyable for a few hundred also.
Disclaimer: I haven't played for quite a number of years so this information could be useless 
However when I did play it was with a wheel on both console and PC. I played Gran turismo Project cars Forza etc. and to be honest the only game where the driving felt realistic and natural to me was Assetto Corsa.
However when I did play it was with a wheel on both console and PC. I played Gran turismo Project cars Forza etc. and to be honest the only game where the driving felt realistic and natural to me was Assetto Corsa.
I have a home made rig. Few quids worth of 2x2, a seat from a Porsche 928 and a G29 wheel. Have a 46" 4k TV, PS5 and GT7.
Works well for me. Also got the VR2 which I tend to use on occasion. It's good enough with the TV, but then again very imersive with the VR.
I think the slow internet will be a bit of a problem though - as you say yourself. Is it possible to upgrade to a higher speed ? I was on an up to 24gb ADSL/Broadband connection, that actually delivered 20gb, and gave about 12 on the wifi to the PS5. This did the job well and allowed on-line racing without problem. We since had fibre installed and now the wifi gives about 50-60gb. 90 if I connect it by LAN cable. That really helps with the update downloads.
Works well for me. Also got the VR2 which I tend to use on occasion. It's good enough with the TV, but then again very imersive with the VR.
I think the slow internet will be a bit of a problem though - as you say yourself. Is it possible to upgrade to a higher speed ? I was on an up to 24gb ADSL/Broadband connection, that actually delivered 20gb, and gave about 12 on the wifi to the PS5. This did the job well and allowed on-line racing without problem. We since had fibre installed and now the wifi gives about 50-60gb. 90 if I connect it by LAN cable. That really helps with the update downloads.
BrownBottle said:
Disclaimer: I haven't played for quite a number of years so this information could be useless
However when I did play it was with a wheel on both console and PC. I played Gran turismo Project cars Forza etc. and to be honest the only game where the driving felt realistic and natural to me was Assetto Corsa.
On PC, if you want an accurate simulation try BeamNG.Drive. keep on mind this isn't a racing game, rather a full soft body physics simulator that you can do some racing in. However when I did play it was with a wheel on both console and PC. I played Gran turismo Project cars Forza etc. and to be honest the only game where the driving felt realistic and natural to me was Assetto Corsa.
Brilliant stuff, cheers chaps.
General consensus seems to be a console would be the best option then? PS5 and GT7? Any inherent danger in buying second hand off FB? Seems there’s a few rigs on there too as an option.
He’s actually not got tons of room so maybe the best option is a second and a simple wheel/pedal at a table combo to see how he gets on and then if it works for him he can upgrade to a proper seat etc
What’s the deal with GT7, does loads of stuff need unlocking at the start? Oh and tracks, does it have real stuff on there (Brands, Donnigton, Le Mans and Spa would be right up his street I think!)
Cheers again chaps
General consensus seems to be a console would be the best option then? PS5 and GT7? Any inherent danger in buying second hand off FB? Seems there’s a few rigs on there too as an option.
He’s actually not got tons of room so maybe the best option is a second and a simple wheel/pedal at a table combo to see how he gets on and then if it works for him he can upgrade to a proper seat etc
What’s the deal with GT7, does loads of stuff need unlocking at the start? Oh and tracks, does it have real stuff on there (Brands, Donnigton, Le Mans and Spa would be right up his street I think!)
Cheers again chaps
MiniMan64 said:
Brilliant stuff, cheers chaps.
General consensus seems to be a console would be the best option then? PS5 and GT7? Any inherent danger in buying second hand off FB? Seems there’s a few rigs on there too as an option.
He’s actually not got tons of room so maybe the best option is a second and a simple wheel/pedal at a table combo to see how he gets on and then if it works for him he can upgrade to a proper seat etc
What’s the deal with GT7, does loads of stuff need unlocking at the start? Oh and tracks, does it have real stuff on there (Brands, Donnigton, Le Mans and Spa would be right up his street I think!)
Cheers again chaps
Yeah there's a bit of grinding with driving tests/TT's to do before you unlock everything. Then grinding to do to win credits to buy cars. But you'll also win some cars along the way,.General consensus seems to be a console would be the best option then? PS5 and GT7? Any inherent danger in buying second hand off FB? Seems there’s a few rigs on there too as an option.
He’s actually not got tons of room so maybe the best option is a second and a simple wheel/pedal at a table combo to see how he gets on and then if it works for him he can upgrade to a proper seat etc
What’s the deal with GT7, does loads of stuff need unlocking at the start? Oh and tracks, does it have real stuff on there (Brands, Donnigton, Le Mans and Spa would be right up his street I think!)
Cheers again chaps
There are real tracks and made up ones. Off the top of my head some of the reals ones are Brands (Indy and GP). LeMans. Spa. RedBull Ring. Nurburgring
Monza. Willow Springs. Daytona. Laguna. Catalunya. Interlagos. Mount Panorama. Suzuka. Fuji.You'll need to sort the internet if it's slow. And he'll need a PS subscription.
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