circuit experiences are broken...

[LSFDRX]

I went and did it. All the assists, on controller, in 2D, using the SF19 in the SF race at Road Atlanta.

First off let me say, it was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be! Second, please don't judge my driving from this video! It is very much my worst race in years by a long-shot! I have literally never played GT7 with a controller except to move cars around a track for photos. I got my T300 when Sport was out, and just never had a reason to use the sticks since then. To say I'm rusty is an understatement. I had a lot of time with the controller in Sport, so it wasn't like starting over, but it took some time to get back into any sort of rhythm. Still, absolutely terrible with them at the moment.

I have also never played with any of these assists. I've used TCS and CSA to see what they were like, but never more than a few laps, so this was, unique. I thought it was going to be terrible, but it allows for concentrating on braking points and the track itself and not anything else, which is nice. The car stays glued down no matter what you do. You still have to brake on time and turn the wheel, but that's about all there is to think about. It really was still a fun race though, and got my heartrate up there for a bit.

With TCS on 5 the throttle is planted all the time! From turn one all the way through the first sector it can be held flat-out but the car will cut throttle waaay back the entire time. I was on RH tires here, which likely added to the TCS lighting up, but really should have used RS for the maximum noob setup. I forgot to change them.

I can't really say much about how CSA and ASM intervened, but the car was rock solid the entire race, even when getting the tires in the dirt or going fully off track.

Speaking of tires in the dirt, I went off a bunch of times. I went fully off in the final chicane on lap three, through the sand and over a bump, kicking me across the track sideways. Then two tires off turn 1 on lap 6, fully off turn 1 on lap 9, off on turn 3 lap 11, hit the wall and flipped the car on it's side in turn 5 on lap 12, off again in turn 5 on the next lap, and then on lap 14 I spun in turn 7 fully into the wall and had to reverse back on track. Add a 1 second penalty to that mess as the cherry on top.

Still won the race by 13 seconds. And it would have been quite a bit more on RS tires had I thought to use them. I don't know in what world this would be considered "hard".





Now, this is not some "look how fast I am" post. I drove horribly here. This was not a performance to be proud of, nor was it fast, but the race was still won with all those mistakes, and all of those assists, and all of my fumbly fingers on that controller.

For fun I did the same race again in "normal" mode. Assists off, MT, in VR with the wheel. I stayed in FM3 not using the overtake at all and passed the field before the 5th lap, lapped everyone except first and second place before anyone pitted, and was very close to double lapping the back of the field again. Once again, I'd say the competition on easy is pretty easy.

Unsurprisingly I was waaay slower with all the assists on, running a fastest of 1:11 something, whereas with the assists off I was running 1:06s, a full 5 seconds faster! That TCS really does chop the throttle on it though, and I didn't play around with any other levels. Lower TCS on RS tires would have likely made this thing a stable rocket!


So, @joeyv , what's going on here? I ask this genuinely. Do you know how to ensure you're on easy mode? Are you aware of how to activate all the assists? Do you know where to go to practice specific tracks? Do you know to use the boost/push-to-pass button on the SF cars? Do you know about fuel saving and how to pit? I just have a hard time thinking that with any practice at all you can't beat these races.

 

[joeyv]

What about the steering wheel? Does it make much difference? I mean if I want to learn manual shifting and drive better why not use a steering wheel where I get feedback and can set it up like I am used to in a real car. Isn't the learning curve much easier, or not? I drive with stick shift for almost 30 years in real life.

 

[Lomic]

Most people are slower at first with a wheel.

And frankly it does not seem to be your main issue.

If you want more immersion, and use MT in a more intuitive way, the wheel is interesting. But the controller is not the reason you can't get bronze or finish a F1 race, and you won't with a wheel either.

 

[joeyv]

I went and did it. All the assists, on controller, in 2D, using the SF19 in the SF race at Road Atlanta.

First off let me say, it was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be! Second, please don't judge my driving from this video! It is very much my worst race in years by a long-shot! I have literally never played GT7 with a controller except to move cars around a track for photos. I got my T300 when Sport was out, and just never had a reason to use the sticks since then. To say I'm rusty is an understatement. I had a lot of time with the controller in Sport, so it wasn't like starting over, but it took some time to get back into any sort of rhythm. Still, absolutely terrible with them at the moment.

I have also never played with any of these assists. I've used TCS and CSA to see what they were like, but never more than a few laps, so this was, unique. I thought it was going to be terrible, but it allows for concentrating on braking points and the track itself and not anything else, which is nice. The car stays glued down no matter what you do. You still have to brake on time and turn the wheel, but that's about all there is to think about. It really was still a fun race though, and got my heartrate up there for a bit.

With TCS on 5 the throttle is planted all the time! From turn one all the way through the first sector it can be held flat-out but the car will cut throttle waaay back the entire time. I was on RH tires here, which likely added to the TCS lighting up, but really should have used RS for the maximum noob setup. I forgot to change them.

I can't really say much about how CSA and ASM intervened, but the car was rock solid the entire race, even when getting the tires in the dirt or going fully off track.

Speaking of tires in the dirt, I went off a bunch of times. I went fully off in the final chicane on lap three, through the sand and over a bump, kicking me across the track sideways. Then two tires off turn 1 on lap 6, fully off turn 1 on lap 9, off on turn 3 lap 11, hit the wall and flipped the car on it's side in turn 5 on lap 12, off again in turn 5 on the next lap, and then on lap 14 I spun in turn 7 fully into the wall and had to reverse back on track. Add a 1 second penalty to that mess as the cherry on top.

Still won the race by 13 seconds. And it would have been quite a bit more on RS tires had I thought to use them. I don't know in what world this would be considered "hard".





Now, this is not some "look how fast I am" post. I drove horribly here. This was not a performance to be proud of, nor was it fast, but the race was still won with all those mistakes, and all of those assists, and all of my fumbly fingers on that controller.

For fun I did the same race again in "normal" mode. Assists off, MT, in VR with the wheel. I stayed in FM3 not using the overtake at all and passed the field before the 5th lap, lapped everyone except first and second place before anyone pitted, and was very close to double lapping the back of the field again. Once again, I'd say the competition on easy is pretty easy.

Unsurprisingly I was waaay slower with all the assists on, running a fastest of 1:11 something, whereas with the assists off I was running 1:06s, a full 5 seconds faster! That TCS really does chop the throttle on it though, and I didn't play around with any other levels. Lower TCS on RS tires would have likely made this thing a stable rocket!


So, @joeyv , what's going on here? I ask this genuinely. Do you know how to ensure you're on easy mode? Are you aware of how to activate all the assists? Do you know where to go to practice specific tracks? Do you know to use the boost/push-to-pass button on the SF cars? Do you know about fuel saving and how to pit? I just have a hard time thinking that with any practice at all you can't beat these races.

I promise you as soon as I do I will also post my vid so you all can see.
And yes I have it in normal mode for a long time now and I can finish a lot of races like the Le Mans races in the small and big Redbull cars with a minute ahead etc BUT there are some races like the formula races, some rally races and the X2019 races I can never complete not even in easy mode.
But I am aware and certainly now that most people do.

 

[KAlex122]

What do you mean? To turn left and right on a controller off course. Am I missing something?

Sorry! I confused left and right.

 

[Lomic]

And yes I have it in normal mode for a long time now and I can finish a lot of races like the Le Mans races in the small and big Redbull cars with a minute ahead

If you can do that, I can't comprehend how you don't get bronze in CE of licenses.

BUT there are some races like the formula races, some rally races and the X2019 races I can never complete not even in easy mode

Those very fast and aero car are different animals compared to the other cars, each time I do a race with them, it takes me a good chunk of time to get used to their speed, it is like playing twice as fast as normal.

Rally is another can of worms, with its "unique" handling too, that you need to learn.

 

[joeyv]

You know there is something like learning speed and talent I guess. To use music again, I think 90 procent of all people can learn how to sing in tune after 1 year. And maybe the others after 4 years. I always picked it up fairly easy, singing, playing, beat making etc but if I wanted to learn how to draw f.e. it took me forever to learn something. I am starting to realise that goes for GT7 too. Does not mean the game is still lots of fun

Sorry! I confused left and right.

Haha the right one is in my but at all times hehehe

 

[KAlex122]

Haha the right one is in my but at all times hehehe

That would explain the slow learning curve.

 

[Lomic]

You know there is something like learning speed and talent I guess.

I don't believe that. I think, except people with disabilities or small physical issues that hinder their capacity to practice/learn something, everybody can learn anything.

"Talent" is not a real thing, for me the real questions are :

• how much you like it
• how much you are motivated to learn
• how much you are motivated to practice
• how much time and resources you are willing to invest in learning and practicing
• how efficiently you do learn and practice (for example with a musical instrument : do you learn by yourself or do you have a teacher)

In general, people better than you at something are not more talented, they've just learned / practiced more or more efficiently than you.

Beyond that, at very high level in sport for example, genetics and the shape of your body, the way your muscle attach to your bones and so on, will dictate limits to your potential. In music, like singing, the configuration of your vocal cords will also determine you possibilities. But those physical characteristics play a role at the highest level.

Most people can be good at a sport or with a musical instrument, or at a driving game, if they are motivated to learn and practice, and do it in an efficient way.

 

[Meythia]

1 How do you best practise Manual shifting on a controller? It seems to hard for me.

As this is the only point I can refern to:
by "just doing".
It requires 2 buttons, as the game wont use a clutch so in worst case you simply shift too early or too late.
Buy default controller setup, these buttons are square and cross, and should be directly in reach of your right thumb in a (more or less) comfortable gripping position.
Upshifting shouldnt be a problem, because your starting point would be using the rev-gauge, though for some cars this is not the fastest way.

Downshifting happens during your braking, try to find your rythm here (musician ) and dont put it from 6 to 2 in a fast swooping presses per 1ms. The engine wants to be in the correct turning speed, this is the thing you have to get a feeling for - or actually just remembering its speed to rpm patterns.

 

[lhunatic]

All this energy spent on writing and posting if you just focused on improving and getting better you would have had the gold already.

 

[Eliminatorek]

With Manual Transmission - get familiar with going from top gears downto 2nd or 1st but only in focus to that part - don't care about being fast just leanr changing gears. I guess Monza should be good trach withs streights and hairpins not curves. But generally don't expect to have better times there - I hate Monza it is very difficult track to satisfy progress in times I think.

In 1st level of learning change gears as suggested by game (indicators).
In 2nd stage forget about what game suggests.
In 3rd level (Hardest) try to learn from the YT Guides but dont try to mimic all strange gear changing done by Aliens. THey are helping them might not help somebody in Deep learning stage leading to confusion and whining.
As guys said MT is a fun part but not necesserly a Must for one struggling with first base.

And I am saying this being biggest fan of MT and using it as must since first GranTUrismos, TOCA 2(first one played with analog inputs with SideWinder Joystick), NFS, Lotus.. and whatever prehistoric racing games.. you name it (for that reason I just realized Imight be the worse advisor in learing curve to MT hahaha).

 

[330_D]

What about the steering wheel? Does it make much difference? I mean if I want to learn manual shifting and drive better why not use a steering wheel where I get feedback and can set it up like I am used to in a real car. Isn't the learning curve much easier, or not? I drive with stick shift for almost 30 years in real life.

A wheel will make you feel completely incompetent at this point in your progress. It'll be fun but you'll be considerably slower for an amount of time.

I used to barely scratch gold times with a controller. I've had a wheel for a year and a half and have used it and it only since I started using it. Never played with the controller again.

About a month ago I was in bed and I grabbed the controller to mess around with a tune and decided to try a race. I'm way way way better with the controller now.

Input device does not matter. Understanding the game, the tactics, the way the car physics work are all the things you need more than anything else and a wheel might help but you still have to climb the mountain.

There is a ton of good advice in this thread and everywhere else in this forum and as you see (well maybe you don't, IDK) people here are friendly and helpful even when you can't really state your case.

I will go back to what I said in an earlier post.

Try harder.

 

[joeyv]

A wheel will make you feel completely incompetent at this point in your progress. It'll be fun but you'll be considerably slower for an amount of time.

I used to barely scratch gold times with a controller. I've had a wheel for a year and a half and have used it and it only since I started using it. Never played with the controller again.

About a month ago I was in bed and I grabbed the controller to mess around with a tune and decided to try a race. I'm way way way better with the controller now.

Input device does not matter. Understanding the game, the tactics, the way the car physics work are all the things you need more than anything else and a wheel might help but you still have to climb the mountain.

There is a ton of good advice in this thread and everywhere else in this forum and as you see (well maybe you don't, IDK) people here are friendly and helpful even when you can't really state your case.

I will go back to what I said in an earlier post.

Try harder.

I know a wheel takes some time and I have got to try harder but what about the shifting setup. Can't I use the same setup as I am used to in real life? I mean clutch and left pedal, brake in the middle, gas on the right pedal? Or is that a stupid thought?

 

[330_D]

I know a wheel takes some time and I have got to try harder but what about the shifting setup. Can't I use the same setup as I am used to in real life? I mean clutch and left pedal, brake in the middle, gas on the right pedal? Or is that a stupid thought?

Depends what you buy. There are any number of combinations of things that can make the experience whatever you want. Most wheels come with a 3 pedal set and with paddle shift as well. A good direct drive wheel that works with Gran Turismo will be around 1000-1500 USD plus the cost of a cockpit that you'll need to use the wheel to its potential. There are less expensive options as well but these seem to be the standard going forward so money spent once (even if it's more) is generally the best tactic there.

I use fanatec. You can put the pedals in any configuration your heart desires. Right brake, middle clutch, left throttle if that's what pleases you.

Don't buy a wheel to be faster. Buy a wheel for the experience of it. You have a long way to go with learning the intricacies of the game before fast happens.

 

[joeyv]

Thx for your good advice! I can buy a like new thrustmaster t300 with standard padels that go with it for 150 euros. I think I will love the feedback only a wheel can give. But you are right. Need a lot of practise.

 

[LSFDRX]

Thx for your good advice! I can buy a like new thrustmaster t300 with standard padels that go with it for 150 euros. I think I will love the feedback only a wheel can give. But you are right. Need a lot of practise.

I've had my T300rs for about 5 years now and it's never once had an issue. It's been a great wheel.

 

[joeyv]

I've had my T300rs for about 5 years now and it's never once had an issue. It's been a great wheel.

I know fanatec is way better but so is the pricetag and with my level of driving I can enjoy the wheel for years. Think I am going to buy it. Feedback while make the game even more enjoyable. I still can't complete the formula races but must admit I became fourth in Saint Croix today. Messed a bit with assist settings etc. Used the redbull car. Thx for the good advice and honest criticism you all.

 

[Tommy_D]

I have a few minor issues with my T300rs that I wish weren’t there:

1) The motor (even with the fan set to constantly run) can still overheat after about an hour of playing making the FFB go away completely. Then I need to take a break and let the whole thing cool down.

2) My T-LCM pedals will occasionally have the brake “stick” at about 3% even though I’m not touching the brake pedal. I don’t really know if it is truly slowing down my lap times, but seeing the little abs light on with the brake input bar shaking around is annoying. If I unplug and replug in the pedals this can sometimes make that issue go away.

3) The plastic in the base is really squeaky. I bought the base new in 2022 and about 3 months of use it started to squeak and make funky plastic on plastic sounds when using it. It’s been that way ever since. It’s not the end of the world. The wheel still works perfectly fine, but it makes it feel much more like a toy instead of a tool.

 

[newmedia_dev]

1) The motor (even with the fan set to constantly run) can still overheat after about an hour of playing making the FFB go away completely. Then I need to take a break and let the whole thing cool down.

That's just the downside of belts, don't have a lot to add, only that is why I went DD, my TGT2 did the same thing but a few more hours of play.

2) My T-LCM pedals will occasionally have the brake “stick” at about 3% even though I’m not touching the brake pedal. I don’t really know if it is truly slowing down my lap times, but seeing the little abs light on with the brake input bar shaking around is annoying. If I unplug and replug in the pedals this can sometimes make that issue go away.

Set a deadzone but it's a problem with all pedals for some reason. We don't know why but it is. My TLCMs did it my Fanatec ones have done it. Weird stuff honestly.

3) The plastic in the base is really squeaky. I bought the base new in 2022 and about 3 months of use it started to squeak and make funky plastic on plastic sounds when using it. It’s been that way ever since. It’s not the end of the world. The wheel still works perfectly fine, but it makes it feel much more like a toy instead of a tool

Again the reason I moved to a more fixed rig on top of the wheel stuff. My G27/G29 started to feel like toys, not questioning the quality and was a TGT2 owner (which I miss) I'd assume the middle of the road TM stuff is the same.

 

[Eliminatorek]

2) My T-LCM pedals will occasionally have the brake “stick” at about 3% even though I’m not touching the brake pedal. I don’t really know if it is truly slowing down my lap times, but seeing the little abs light on with the brake input bar shaking around is annoying. If I unplug and replug in the pedals this can sometimes make that issue go away.

Check of the way you dock youur DPad/controller is not involved. I was almost crying seeing this happens to my few months old Fanatec set. And after checking all connections and Calilbrations not helping appeared to be the way I lay down the controller on the couch with trigger pressed in 5%.

 

[Tommy_D]

That's just the downside of belts, don't have a lot to add, only that is why I went DD, my TGT2 did the same thing but a few more hours of play.

Yeah, I knew that coming in to it, but at the time there weren’t any “discount” DD setups out there. Even now a cheaper Dad setup with load cell pedals is probably around $1000. My wheel and pedal setup cost me $500 with new and lightly used parts. Everyone’s got a budget, ya know?

Set a deadzone but it's a problem with all pedals for some reason. We don't know why but it is. My TLCMs did it my Fanatec ones have done it. Weird stuff honestly.

That is a BRILLIANT idea! I have no dead zones set in my setup. Maybe a 5% dead zone will fix the issue and not screw up any trail braking I’m used to.

Again the reason I moved to a more fixed rig on top of the wheel stuff. My G27/G29 started to feel like toys, not questioning the quality and was a TGT2 owner (which I miss) I'd assume the middle of the road TM stuff is the same.

If it continues to bother me and I find myself playing more GT7 than I do, which isn’t that much lately, I may consider finding a used DD setup. But It’s not HUGE on my priority list. It’s just an annoying plastic squeaky sound that I really only notice when I’m in between races. The overall build quality seems fine. Nothing is falling apart or feeling loose. It’s just the drawback to plastic construction.